So, the time has come: You’re going to be a dad. The closer that day gets, the more anxious you become. Don’t worry; this is a natural way to feel for any soon-to-be dad. Becoming a parent is a huge milestone and can involve changing the way one lives in some distinct and profound ways.
Though you may have a bit of uncertainty about what fatherhood will look like, you can rest assured that you’re capable of being an amazing dad. Though your child being born is one thing, helping your partner with her pregnancy can be a completely different ballgame.
As a soon-to-be dad, you likely want to be helpful during your partner’s pregnancy and help make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as it can be. Luckily, there are plenty of doable ways that you can help.
Tips and Advice for Soon-to-Be Dads
As a soon-to-be dad, you’re probably wondering how you can help your partner make the experience of pregnancy more enjoyable. Thankfully, there are several ways that you can do this. Having a clear idea of the ways you can help can make the process of being a soon-to-be dad more enjoyable for both you and your partner. Here are some pieces of pregnancy advice for soon-to-be-dads:
Become Familiar with the Field of Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is a field that aims to keep both mothers and their soon-to-be-born babies healthy throughout pregnancy. Prenatal care details things such as the diet one should keep and the types of exercise one should practice. As a soon-to-be-dad, you can help your partner by doing a deep dive and becoming a prenatal care expert.
Whether it’s preparing the proper food for your pregnant partner or finding exercise classes for pregnant women, making the effort to go the extra mile can make a hugely positive impact on your partner’s experience of her pregnancy.
Be a Present Companion
Though you may never experience what it is actually like to be pregnant, you can be present every step of the way. Being pregnant can sometimes be an overwhelming experience, and doing your best to make your pregnant partner feel like they have a trustworthy companion can go a long way.
It’s important to show your pregnant partner that you’re just as invested in the process of her pregnancy as she is. This can take many different forms such as buying and reading baby books or preparing meals that are healthy for her and the baby — even if it’s not exactly your first choice of food. By being purposeful about engaging with your partner in the experience of pregnancy, you can convey the message that you are present and committed.
Learn Basic Pediatric Vital Signs
Having a child for the first time can cause both you and your partner to experience feelings of uncertainty and even fear. Oftentimes, this comes from the idea that you feel unprepared to take care of a baby. A way to ease these feelings in both yourself and your pregnant partner is by learning some basic pediatric vital signs.
Pediatric vital signs are basically the typical vital signs of a healthy baby. This can include things such as heart rate, body temperature and respiratory rate. Though you may not have the equipment necessary to measure your baby’s blood pressure, you’ll likely have the tools to take their temperature and will be able to generally monitor their respiratory rate.
Having a general knowledge of signs to look out for once your baby is born can help make both you and your partner feel more confident about having a baby.
Get Things Ready
Though your pregnant partner may have ideas about what types of furniture she wants to get for the coming baby, she may not always feel up to browsing and shopping. You can make it easier for her by gathering choices for her to choose from and then buying and setting everything up.
This can include buying and assembling a crib or painting a nursery with baby-themed colors or pictures. The possibilities are endless when it comes to preparing for an incoming baby, and this process will look different for everyone. By getting things ready to go on your own, your pregnant partner will likely feel less stressed and will be able to focus more on enjoying and making the most out of her pregnancy.
Ask Your Partner What She Needs
Though all soon-to-be dads wish there was a comprehensive guide to what they should do to help their pregnant partner, the truth is that each situation is different. Different people will require different things, and as such, it’s important that you are open and ask your pregnant partner what she needs from you.
Though your guesses may be right in some cases, there may be things that your pregnant partner needs that you never would have thought of. In addition, each person is different and your partner may have specific needs that most other pregnant women don’t. This being the case, it’s important to create an open discourse with your pregnant partner in which you ask her what she needs from you, and she feels comfortable sharing with you.
Relax, You’re Doing Great
One of the most important things that you can do as a soon-to-be dad is relax. Though it can be stressful at times, becoming a dad can be an amazing experience and it’s ok to just relax and enjoy the ride sometimes.
If your pregnant partner sees that you’re overly stressed, it may cause her to become stressed as well. This being the case, it can be beneficial for both of you if you find ways to decompress and relax. In addition, it’s important to remember that nobody’s perfect, and it’s ok to make mistakes sometimes. Give yourself a break and just do your best, and both you and your pregnant partner will be better off because of it.
Enjoy the Ride
As a soon-to-be dad, you get to experience one of the most profound experiences in life. Though the process can be overwhelming at times, it allows you to become closer to your partner and positively transform your life.
As long as you’re doing your best to be there for your pregnant partner, you’re sure to make her experience of pregnancy an enjoyable and exciting one.
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This content is made possible by Andrew Deen.
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