To-be-Dads who have seen or read “What to Expect when You’re Expecting”, will be aware that nothing can prepare you for the challenges and joys of fatherhood. But, the best advice and support can help you start this exciting new journey.
1. Being a father –
Your priorities will change when you have a baby. Women and men face the same issues when becoming parents. Men tend to be more concerned with financial responsibilities. Their joy is often mixed up with anxiety. It’s normal to feel mixed emotions and know that you’re not the only one with doubts and fears. Talk to your partner about the changes in your life.
2. Supporting your partner during pregnancy –
Your partner can feel exhausted during pregnancy. Your support can make the process easier. Your partner will be able to get enough rest if you are more involved in the chores around the house. You partner will have her doubts. The emotions can get overwhelming, especially for first-time mothers. She might worry about things such as: Is the baby healthy? What will the labor be like? Or would she need to have a C-section. Give her a hand and a shoulder to cry on.
3. Begin with your partner to the doctor’s appointment.
You should make sure to schedule time to go with your partner to the doctor’s appointments. This will show your partner that you are there for her throughout the pregnancy. It will also help you to be more prepared. It will also help you to connect with your unborn child.
4. Get some sleep for her
As the pregnancy progresses, falling asleep becomes more difficult and uncomfortable. A full-body pillow will make side sleeping easier by supporting the back and cradling your belly.
5. Be patient –
Hormones are affected by pregnancy. You and your partner might feel great one moment, but be a wreck the next. Be patient, understanding, and loving.
6. It’s a team effort –
You can support her by changing or adding to the habits she must have because of pregnancy. You could give up coffee and alcohol. For mom and baby, exercise is essential. Take a walk together or go to the gym.
7. Tell her she’s Beautiful
During pregnancy, your partner will undergo some major body transformations. Tell your partner that she is beautiful and you love her.
8. You can help her get through morning sickness.
Morning sickness affects approximately 75% of pregnant women. Morning sickness can cause excessive sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Morning sickness can begin around a month after conception, and last until the twelfth to fourteenth weeks of pregnancy. It may be experienced throughout pregnancy by some women. It is possible to misunderstand the term “morning sickness” as many women feel the symptoms all day. To help your mother feel at ease, you should be willing to go on those trips even at night.
9. Stop Smoking
Stop smoking now. Smoking a cigarette can be harmful for children. If you decide to continue smoking, don’t smoke near your partner.
10. Prepare for the birth
Make a list of the last weeks leading up to the birth. It should contain the following items:
- You should always be available.
- Deciding how to get to the hospital.
- You should bring snacks and other necessities, as well as a bag to carry your phone, charger, and other essentials.
11. Locate a Pediatrician
About three months before your baby’s birth, you should start looking for a paediatrician. Ask your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and children’s teachers for recommendations. If possible, schedule a prenatal consultation about 2 months before your due date.
