Pregnancy, while a beautiful time, has a cultural bias to cater to the mommy-to-be. Typically, you see people walking up and asking “Are you having a boy or girl?” or “Congratulations, when are you due?” For daddy-to-be, however, there isn’t much other than “Congratulations, good luck getting sleep.” Obviously, the mother is doing the heavy lifting in the pregnancy, however as the father, you are equally valuable in this life-changing process.
While you may have to run the errands, rub swollen feet, and sleep on the edge of the bed so your partner can get comfortable as the baby kicks her all night, your role, both before and after the birth, are crucial to helping mom and baby have a successful experience.
Although the outside world may underestimate the role of an adequate support system, this is an important job. In fact, potential stress on mom and the baby can be remedied based on how much support they receive from you. When mom is stressed, the fetal development of your little one is impacted, and can lead to premature growth and other birth defects. Therefore, do everything you can to be present through the entire process.
Be sure to communicate with mom and the baby. Reading, talking, and singing to mom’s stomach allow your baby to hear and recognize your voice after birth, which helps solidify a bond. It is also important to attend doctors appointments and future parenting classes as often as possible. While the mother gets to process the pregnancy mentally and physically as she nurtures the fetus, your knowledge of the baby’s growth and development is still important.
Learning to create healthy habits for your entire family will be beneficial for future tasks, like breastfeeding. Spending alone time, especially for first time parents, is important since this is the end of your spending time together for a while. When the birth is happening, do whatever it takes to make sure you’re there. Women who have their partners present for the birth typically have an easier delivery due to less stress. This is also your first opportunity to bond with your baby, so make it count.
Once the baby is born, it is important to assist your partner in raising the baby, especially the first few weeks as she will be recovering from giving birth. Find a way for both parties to rest and get quality time with your baby. The more time you spend, the better you will be able to pick up on cues. For instance, when your baby cries, you’ll be able to tell if it’s a hungry cry or diaper cry.
The most important tip of all is to enjoy your time together. Babies grow up fast, so be sure to cherish every moment you spend together. Before you know it, they’ll be going to elementary school, high school, and you’ll be empty nesters visiting them college. So, start preparing for the best career ever: parenting.
