Pregnancycan be physically and emotionally draining for mothers to manage alone. Supporting your partner through it can help her and your baby. An expectant dad’s guide topregnancycan help you understand how you can be there for your partner.
Fatherhood
As a father-to-be, you may feel scared, nervous, or overwhelmed thinking about pregnancy andchildbirth. But a father plays a crucial role in his partner’s pregnancy.
Research studies have shown thatpregnantwomen with supportive partners have better physical and emotional health and well-being. Theirnewbornbaby is also more likely to be healthy and free from distress.
Lifestyle changes
You and your partner must maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. You may have to change your daily routine to follow a healthydiet,exercise, and get sufficient rest.
During pregnancy, you and your partner must avoidsmokingand drinkingalcohol. Alcohol and cigarettes can be harmful to both the mother and baby.
Monitoring your partner’s health
Most pregnancies are free from complications. Sometimes, the mother may develop health problems such asgestational diabetesorhigh blood pressure. This can increase the risk of complications for the mother and baby.
To detect and prevent such complications, ensure that your partner visits her doctor to monitor health regularly. Support her when she follows all the doctor’s instructions to stay healthy.
Early pregnancy
Thefirst trimesterlasts for the initial three months of your partner’s pregnancy. Here’s what to expect:
- At this stage, your partner needs complete rest.
- During early pregnancy, your partner is undergoing hormonal and bodily changes.
- She may havenauseaandvomiting, commonly calledmorning sickness.
- She may havemood swingsas this can be an emotional time for her.
You can have sex during this time if your partner feels like it. You may want to avoid having sex and contact the doctor if she experiencespainor bleeding. Be patient and support your partner by being intimate in other ways like kissing, cuddling, or giving her a massage.
Your partner may focus more on her physical and emotional changes. But you can use this time to learn more about pregnancy and take your partner to herprenatalvisits. Listen to your partner, tend to her needs, and support her.
SLIDESHOW
16 Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy: Could You Be Pregnant?See SlideshowMid-Pregnancy
Thesecond trimester— the next three months of pregnancy — is more relaxed. Your partner’s body will get used to the pregnancy. She will feel better and more energetic, and her morning sickness will go away.
During this stage, your partner’s baby bump will become visible. You will also be able to feel the baby’s movements and listen to the heartbeat during prenatal visits.
Prenatal checkups
Regular prenatal visits during pregnancy help monitor your partner’s and baby’s health. Accompany your partner to these health checkups. The doctor may ask you and your partner about your health and your family history. Prenatal genetic tests can be done to check if your baby has any diseases passed down from your families.
Prenatal care visits include:
- Checking the baby’sheartrate
- Checking your partner’sblood pressure
- Blood and urine tests to check for infections or health issues likediabetes
- Measuring your partner’s weight
- Measuring the dimensions of your partner’s uterus to check your baby’s growth
- Ultrasoundtests to check your baby’s development and position
- Screening tests for birth defects
As the pregnancy progresses, the frequency of prenatal visits will increase.
Late pregnancy
The last three months of pregnancy are called the第三阶段. Your partner may experiencepainand discomfort as the baby grows bigger and her body prepares forchildbirth. She will also need to urinate more frequently and may get lesssleepduring this stage.
You can help by giving her a massage, making sure she is comfortable, and being patient. You can enroll inchildbirthclasses to learn how you can support your partner duringlaborand childbirth. You can even prepare for the baby’s arrival by baby-proofing your home.
As your baby develops completely, they can hear you. Talking or singing to them will help you bond with your unborn baby.
Labor and childbirth
It is normal for you and your partner to feel anxious and excited beforelaborbegins. As the third trimester ends, your partner’slaborcan start at any time. To ensure that thelabor and deliverygo smoothly, you can do the following:
- Get familiar with the hospital and find out whether you can stay in the delivery room.
- Discuss the options for pain relief duringlaborwith the doctor.
- Let the doctor know if you wish to cut the umbilical cord after your baby is delivered.
- Provide emotional and physical support to your partner.
- Pack a bag with all the things you and your partner may need at the hospital. Ensure that transportation to the hospital is arranged.
- Labor can last from 10 to 20 hours. During labor, remind your partner to breathe slowly and make her feel comfortable.
- Massage her back and shoulders between contractions.
- Help her with relaxation techniques taught during childbirth classes.
- You may need to make decisions on your partner's behalf. So, keep calm and take a deep breath if it gets overwhelming.
- Encourage her to push during delivery.
Final thoughts
Although pregnancy is a special time, it can be stressful. Remember that you play an equally important role in pregnancy and birth. If you and your partner work as a team, it can be a beautiful experience for you, your partner, and your baby.
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Associated Women’s Health Specialists P.C.: “A Father’s Guide to Pregnancy.”
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth: “A community perspective on the role of fathers during pregnancy: a qualitative study.”
Journal of Family Psychology: “Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress.”
KidsHealth: “Becoming a Father.”
pregnancybirth&baby: “Supporting your partner during her pregnancy.”
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