The news that your family will get bigger is one of the best you can get, but it also comes with a good dose of anxiety (for both parents). The following months are going to bring rapid changes in your life as a couple, and it’s important to support each other and learn together from your experiences (as different as they may be).
As a dad-to-be, it’s normal to feel anxious, scared, frustrated, and more. But it’s important to keep in mind that your partner feels the same way while also dealing with a whole lot of body changes. The hormones, the weight gain, the extra hair growth, and constant ache are things that add to the overall worry about how life will be with a baby.
So, the best thing you can do is show your support and love a bit more than usual. If you’re not sure what to do, we asked around and learned what pregnant women usually expect from their partners.
Be Informed & Excited
Whether this is your first child or not, it’s important to know what to expect. Also, keep in mind that each pregnancy is different. So there may be some new challenges if this is not your first pregnancy together.
Also, don’t forget to show your excitement! And support by offering her a gift for each new stage of the pregnancy. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. If you choose something to provide her with relief and comfort it will mean the world to her. Of course, we’d recommend to check out some pregnancy gift ideas for your wife in advance.
Take Over Chores
As the baby grows, your partner will start to move with more difficulty. She will be achy all over, and there are times when the doctor recommends bed rest. But even if bed rest is not the case, she won’t be able to take care of house chores as usual.
Now it’s time to step up and take over her side of the chores. Even if you can’t do them just as well.
Offer Emotional Support
Some men have difficulties in dealing with (what they perceive to be) over-emotional women. But you must remember this is not the norm for your partner. During pregnancy, her brain is bombarded by a constant flow of hormones which adds to the already increasing stress on her body. So, yes, it’s absolutely normal to see her smiling happily one moment and sobbing the other. It’s not her fault and it’s not yours but now it’s not the moment to quarrel over who has it right.
Accept Change with an Open Heart
While change is all around us, when it comes to a new baby, your entire world is turned upside down. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A bigger family also means more joy and happiness, more interesting adventures together, and much more.
But change starts with the first day of pregnancy and will affect your partner more (in the beginning). So, it helps to be considerate and accept each new stage of this amazing journey that you get to take together!