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You've Just Found Out That You're
Going To Be A Father!
By: March of Dimes
It's an exciting but confusing
time. How do you deal with all the different emotions you feel?
You may be worried about money
and about your partner's health. You may be concerned about changes
in your life or in your relationship with your partner. Or wonder
what will be expected of you during pregnancy and childbirth.
That's normal.
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The suggestion in this article
may help you deal with these feelings and prepare for fatherhood
while you help your partner have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy
baby.
Help your partner stay healthy
Pregnancy is a time of great
changes in a woman's body and emotions. But pregnancy and birth
can be a safe and healthy time if you encourage your partner
to:
Eat a variety of foods that are
good for her. |
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Such as meat, cheese, milk, fruit
and vegetables. And watch your eating habits while she's pregnant!
If you eat right, you'll make
it easier for her to say "no" to foods that are not
best for her and the baby. Weight gain is normal during pregnancy.
In fact, a woman should gain between 25-30 pounds.
Choose a healthy lifestyle.
Tobacco, alcohol and other drugs can be dangerous to the health
of the baby. Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to have
low-birthweight babies (weighing less than 5.5 pounds), who often
have serious health problems.
If you're a smoker, you should
know that "second-hand" smoke is also unhealthy for
your partner and your baby. If both of you smoke, now is a great
time to join a smoking cessation program together.
Pregnant woman who drink alcohol are more likely to have a baby
with physical and mental defects. Since no one knows how much
alcohol is "safe", it's best not to drink beer, wine
or liquor during pregnancy.
Any drug that is illegal or is
not prescribed by a doctor who knows your partner is pregnant
could be dangerous to your unborn baby. Don't let your partner
take any drug, including aspirin, unless her health care provider
knows about it.
Do all you can to encourage your partner to quit smoking, drinking
and doing other drugs and join her in practicing these healthy
habits yourself.
Exercise together.
Exercise can be fun and good
for both of you, as long as it's not too strenuous and your partner's
health care provider approves it. Walking is a good choice.
Share the housework, especially
the heavy work. If aerosol sprays or cleaning fluids need to
be used, offer to do these chores, since inhaling the fumes could
hurt your unborn baby.
If you have a cat, empty or clean
the litter box yourself, and wear waterproof gloves that you
can throw away or wash as soon as you are done. That way your
partner won't be exposed to an infection called toxoplasmosis
that is found in cat feces and is a serious risk to an unborn
baby.
As a father-to-be, you're going
to have mood and worries too. Talk honestly with your partner
about these. Here are some things the two of you might want to
discuss:
- What are your worries or fears?
- What kind of parents do you
think you will be?
- What are you looking forward
to about becoming a parent?
- What changes in your relationship
can you expect after the baby is born?
Talk about your feelings so you
can understand and support each other now, and after the baby
arrives. Talking will also help you and your partner get through
the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy.
Become involved in the pregnancy
and childbirth. Together, you and your partner can get ready
for your baby's birth. You can learn about your role in labor
and delivery. When you get involved, it helps you and your partner
feel more relaxed and secure.
Try to:
Read about the subject. There
are many book and pamphlets on pregnancy, visit the your local
library or bookstore.
Go with your partner to some
of her prenatal checkups. Meet her health care provider and feel
free to ask questions.
Go with your partner to childbirth
preparations classes. Knowing what to expect during labor and
delivery will put you both more at ease.
Find out if your hospital allows fathers in the labor and delivery
rooms, and take a tour so you can see what these rooms look like.
Help plan for the baby's arrival.
Go shopping together for a crib, baby clothes and stroller, and
help decorate the baby's nursery if you like.
After the baby is born, take
some time off from work if possible to get acquainted as a family.
You can get to know your baby, and give your partner emotional
support at the same time. You may want to ask a relative or friend
to help with meals and chores while you all adjust to your new
situation.
Remember that you are a partner
in this process of becoming parents. By sharing in a healthy
lifestyle, by accepting and being open with your feelings, and
by becoming involved in the pregnancy and delivery, you can get
your new baby and your new family off to a good start. |
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