Fathers are pregnant too

Fathers have a unique role to play in their childrens lives. This begins from the moment of conception, and continues throughout the pregnancy - and of course beyond! Research has shown that the developing human-in-utero is profoundly affected by her environment and by the emotions of BOTH of his parents. Read here about how fathers can start making a difference to and building the relationship they have with their child.... before they are even born!

Get Educated

Once you find out that you are pregnant, the expectant father should - as soon as possible - get educated about what is ahead. Take the time right away to explore the resources that are available online, from your medical professional and from books. The more that you know about pregnancy now, the easier the next months will become.

Support, Support, Support

Providing support is the best thing a partner can do; support in decision-making, in doing extra things within the household and emotional support. Women, when they are pregnant, have a cocktail of hormones surging around in their veins and they can experience heightened emotions so you really have to go with it.
Showing an interest in your partner's day-to-day life and trying to understand what she is going through is equally important. However, she adds that many men also face challenges and fears during this time, so it is important that both partners nurture each other. "Both partners need to be attuned to each other and a lot of the attention does go to the pregnant mother.

The first trimester is a key stage. If there are to be any complications, this is the stage at which they are likely to manifest themselves. Frequently, the first trimester is the worst in terms of morning sickness and nausea. Remember that your partner's body is going through a pretty intense period of time - she is growing a baby. If she is fit, she will soon have to tone down the intensity of her workouts and switch to yoga or Pilates for the duration of the pregnancy. This is the precise time for you to start doing extra things around the house and offering to exercise together. Cooking is a great idea, provided that she can keep the food down and has not developed an aversion to the food she used to adore.

The second trimester is often referred to as the honeymoon phase since most of the first trimester discomforts will have subsided. Your partner's crankiness, fatigue and nausea will likely disappear, thus making this is a great time for a pre-baby vacation. Airplane flight is usually safe, so a surprise vacation might be in order.

The third trimester is generally when the weight becomes burdensome and the discomforts of pregnancy return. By the end of this trimester, your partner may be suffering from swollen ankles, fatigue, constipation and hemorrhoids. She may be uncomfortable with how she looks and with her limited mobility. Everything will become tedious: walking, standing and even sitting. Be patient and pick up the slack by helping out around the house more than ever. This is also the time when nesting begins, which is the powerful urge pregnant women get to clean and prepare the house for the arrival of the baby. Be warned that this urge only intensifies as the due date approaches. Show your partner that you are also excited by impending parenthood and offer to help set up the nursery. Better yet, go shopping with her for all baby essentials. And don't forget to attend every prenatal class and play the role of supportive partner.

Studies show that babies in the womb can hear outside noises (and voices) as early as the fourteenth week. Your baby will be familiar with your partner's voice because she is carrying the baby. There is no reason why you shouldn't spend at least five minutes a day speaking to her womb or even reading a book! This will help you forge a closer bond with your tot months before he or she enters the real world. You'll also note that by this time junior kicks quite a bit - this is truly a wonderful experience that you should take the time to enjoy.