An Expectant Dad's Guide to Pregnancy

A new, little guest is coming into your life very soon. Yes, you are going to be a father! Along with that joy, many questions come to mind, like "What do I do now?", "What are my responsibilities?", right? Sometimes you may feel a little scared. That's very normal. You are not alone in this journey. Many fathers have these feelings. So, let's talk about how to be the best supportive and understanding husband and father during your wife's pregnancy .

Your responsibility as a father

When we talk about pregnancy, everyone's attention is focused on the mother-to-be. Everyone talks about the changes in her body, the hormonal changes, and her mental state. And there's nothing wrong with that, because she's the one who bears the brunt of this whole process. But sometimes, as a father-to-be, you might feel like "I don't matter to anyone." That's something that happens to many people.

The best solution to this is to get involved as soon as possible . When you join in on the journey from the beginning, it will be a great boost for your wife and you will stop feeling left out. Remember, this is a team game. Your role is also very important.

Are we ready for changes at home?

During pregnancy, not only your wife's body but also your home begins to change a lot. It may be difficult for her to do household chores that you used to do together, but now she can't do them alone. Imagine, your wife, who used to clean the house and tidy the garden, now has difficulty bending down to pick up something.

Also, you will start adding a lot of new items to your home. Things you never thought of, such as a crib, changing table, nursing rocker, bassinet, swing, stroller, and car seat, will be added to your home. If you are preparing a separate room for your baby, decorating it is also a big job. Be prepared for long discussions about things like choosing the color of the walls and matching the curtains. Since pregnant mothers do not like the smell of paint, that work will be completely yours. You may have to change the color three or four times. At that time, do it without getting angry, and do it with a smile. Your participation is very valuable to her.

There will be changes in the bedroom too. She will have more sleepless nights because of her body discomfort. She will need to go to the bathroom more often. At that time, all you have to do is be patient and allow her to do so. Make room in the bed for the large body pillow she uses. She may even prefer to sleep in an armchair rather than in bed. Also, if you smoke indoors, you need to stop it today . Secondhand smoke is very harmful to the baby.

Join us on the journey to the clinic.

In the past, it was not very common for fathers to visit the doctor or go to the labor room. But times are different now. Even doctors appreciate fathers going to the clinic (prenatal care appointments). Usually, if there are no complications, there are about 15 clinic appointments during this period. The clinic days are usually once a month until the first 28 weeks, then three to four times until the 36th week, and once a week in the last month.

If you can, go with your wife on every clinic day, or as many days as possible. That will be a great help to her. You will also gain a better understanding of what is happening. Don't skip these two clinic days in particular.

At the clinic, things like taking urine and blood samples, checking your weight, measuring your waist circumference, and checking your blood pressure are usually done. Don't be surprised if your wife starts crying after the clinic because she's worried about her weight gain. It's your responsibility to reassure her by saying, "No, honey, you're not fat. It's because of the baby." Also, you may feel uncomfortable about the internal pelvic exam you're about to undergo. Even though it's a routine medical exam, it's normal for a husband to feel a little strange when he sees his wife doing it.

The Biggest Day - Childbirth (The Grand Finale)

At some point, your wife will develop her birth plan. This means she has a plan for how she wants things to go when the baby is born. It may include things like where she wants the baby to be born, who she wants to be with, what she will do for pain management, and what your role will be. Attending a birthing class together can help you learn how to support her during this time.

When the big day comes, everything can go according to plan, or it can completely change. Most of the time, it's the latter. A first-time mother can expect to be in labor for about 12-24 hours. She'll have to stay at home for a few hours before being admitted to the hospital. During that time, be with her as much as possible and help her stay calm. When the time comes, don't panic and go to the hospital calmly.

As the pain gradually increases, it becomes very difficult to bear. Even with painkillers , it is a lot of pain. After a few hours, it may seem like nothing is happening to you. But give her your full attention.

When the pain is unbearable, she may scold you and tell you to go outside. But don't go outside at that time. Stay with her from the beginning to the end.

The birth of your child is a big event that changes your life. But no matter how much you love and support her, you are not the main character in this drama. Your name is in lowercase, at the bottom. Even the mother is in a supporting role. Because, the real star of this story is your baby.

Pregnancy, being a father, childbirth, men's health, expectant dad, pregnancy guide, prenatal care