Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Dads

We’re Pregnant!

When it comes to pregnancy, it’s not the same for everyone, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be a shared effort. Even though new fathers won’t have sore muscles in their backs and feet, you can learn to give your wife a foot and back massage to make her feel better. You won’t be the one having given birth, but you will be there to support and encourage her while she goes through the process. Remember, a father is a vital element in the process of raising a child!

Continue reading to learn what to anticipate during pregnancy for the spouse at every step of the way!

First Trimester

This takes place between the first thirteen weeks of pregnancy. The table below shows the various weeks, what to expect and how to deal with this stage of pregnancy.

Week	What happens	What to do
1 & 2	In two weeks, your spouse will ovulate, which is when the egg that will become your kid leaves one of her ovaries and travels to her uterus.	Now is the time to be passionate – hug, cuddle, and get romantic in anticipation of the conception of your child.
3	Congratulations! Sperm has met egg, and that single cell rapidly gulfs into a miniature ball of cells that will arise as your infant in about nine months (give or take).	Of course, none of you is aware of this at the time, so instead of trying to figure out what’s going on, try to relax and let nature take its course. Finding a show that the two of you can become lost in right now is a great idea.
4	Time to take pregnancy tests.	Quit smoking if you do – secondhand smoke harms expectant mothers and their unborn children. Replace them with healthier habits, such as taking a stroll around the neighbourhood after dinner.
5	It’s official: you’re expecting a kid! Your spouse may be showing indications of pregnancy, too, like sore breasts and bone-crushing exhaustion.	You can officially take over doing chores. Cleaning the cat litter box if you have one as its excrement may carry parasites and spread toxoplasmosis, damaging unborn newborns.
6 – 12	Nausea, morning sickness.	Take easy in bed, do away with cologne and do house chores when available.
13	There are some partners who feel cut up of the delivery experience. By the time the first trimester is up, your partner will have a lot on her mind. If she’s speaking about your kid more with her friends and neighbours than with you, it’s time for you to become involved.	To make her feel more comfortable, bring it up on your own.

Second Trimester

You’ve made it to the end of the first trimester! If you and your partner need some time to reconnect, now is the moment to do it. The second trimester takes place between week 14 and week 27.

Week	What happens	What to do
14	Symptoms mimic mom-to-be or sympathetic pregnancy, which affects half of all fathers.	You may or may not experience couvade syndrome (sympathetic pregnancy), but if you do, not to worry, you’re not acting weird. It is ok to find yourself craving for some in particular food in the middle of the night.
15	Brainstorming kids’ names.	Some parents wait until their child is born before deciding on a name.
16	Conflicting moods.	Discuss your worries. Share them alongside your spouse, and establish friends with other parents who can fill you in.
17	Snoring.	Extra pillows will help her sleep better.
18	Heartburns.	Dinner may be easy if she eats five times a day. Fast, simple, digestible. An earlier meal hour may be welcomed if she’s been fatigued or has heartburn.
19	Getting misty eyes or overwhelmed?	Do something! Nothing. Yes, during a partner’s pregnancy you might experience a decrease in testosterone and an increase in oestrogen. Six months after the child’s birth, your hormone levels should return to normal. Ride along for now.
20	The tier 2 ultrasound will take place this week.	Be near your partner and cheer her up
21	First wiggles, kicks, and flutters.	Have your companion eat cheese and crackers (the sugar will boost movement) or lay down.
22 – 25	Nodding off troubles, the child is the size of a pomegranate, fetal movement.	Compassion and always being near her will help
26 & 27	Skin stretches, becomes dryer and itchier.	Shea lotion or moisturizer for her belly. Soothing method to treat your lover.

Third Trimester

The third trimester starts from week 28 to birth. The table below explains what happens.

Week	What happens	What to do
28	Choosing a feeding method.	Whatever feeding technique your spouse selects, always be there for her. Help her get whatever she needs, from breastfeeding to pumping.
29	Insomnia may come in.	Making a bedtime routine, try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day. Make the bed as comfortable and inviting as possible for your wife.
30	Sign up for a childbirth class with her and childbirth plan.	Keep encouraging her.
31	Your child is the size of a coconut!	To make it calmer for your partner to enter and exit the shower, roll up the rug and place a shower handle on the wall.
32 & 33	Shopping for a child’s doctor.	Establish a list of inquiries and discover whether they accept your insurance before you visit. For example, inquire about whether professional treatment is completed, how long they’ve been in practice, and whether or not you may call during off-hours, among other questions you should inquire about.
34 – 36	Preparing for childbirth.	Give your employer a notice of when you want to begin your paternity leave.
37	Organize the cabinets.	Don’t allow your mate to go into nesting overdrive, either. Alternatively, she may be ruled by exhaustion at the moment.
38 – 40	Going into labour! Use these last few weeks to enjoy some time.	Even if you’re still working on the nursery or need to purchase additional supplies, a picnic in the park is an excellent idea. Alternatively, you may watch a movie online, go for a walk, or have a non-alcoholic beverage together. Alternately, you may do all three of these actions.
41 and 42	As a result, 96% of mothers who have supportive fathers are ready to give nursing a go (in contrast to only 26% who have less supportive fathers), according to research.	Prepare food and drinks for her when you get home so she can feed your child easily. Nursing an infant may be a lot of effort!

Birth

Preparation is key to helping your spouse through the labour process. You’ll feel more in control and prepared when you understand what to anticipate. Because of this, we strongly urge that you and your spouse take a birthing class to prepare for the delivery of your kid. The seminars are provided at all hospitals and birth centres, and in most towns, there are many off-site sessions available in each neighbourhood. Investigate every one of your choices. Decide which class will be most beneficial to you with your partner. Various types concentrate on different aspects of labour and delivery, such as pain management and relaxation methods. You may discover what’s typical and what’s not by enrolling in a class or sequence of courses. With your guidance, your partner can go through the process with ease.

Always be there for your partner, understand her, be patient with her, demonstrate empathy while supporting her emotionally and physically.

To support the health of your wife before, during, and after pregnancy, we recommend Bellamy’s Organic EQUIMUM Pregnancy Formula. It is a premium-formulated supplementary food which contains a blend of nutrients including DHA, GOS & FOS, Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamins. Shop now at https://shopee.com.my/bellamysorganic.os

Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Dads

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