Becoming a parent, particularly for the first time, is an emotional experience.
By reading all the information in this pregnancy guide you can learn about what to do to help the mum-to-be be happier and healthier throughout her pregnancy.
Find out about healthy diet in pregnancy, foods she should avoid, antenatal care and what happens in labour. You can also find out about how to offer practical support by taking paternity leave once the baby is born.
Your feelings
You and the mum-to-be may have mixed feelings about the pregnancy. It’s normal for both of you to feel like this. The first pregnancy is a very important event. It will change your life and change can be frightening even if it’s something you’ve been looking forward to.
Money problems may be a worry. You may face the loss of an income for a while, extra expenses for the baby and, if the mother returns to work, the cost of childcare. You may be worrying that your home isn’t right or that you’ll feel obliged to stay in a job you don’t like. (It might help to look at the benefits section and start planning ahead.)
Some men feel left out. The pregnant woman's attention will be on what’s happening inside her, and you may not have realised how much you relied on her to make you feel cared for.
Your loneliness may be increased if she doesn’t want to make love, which can happen in pregnancy. It varies from woman to woman. There’s usually no medical reason to avoid sex, but keep in mind:
- her breasts may be very tender in the early weeks
- don't have sex if there’s any bleeding or pain
- make sure she is comfortable – you may need to try out a few different positions as the pregnancy progresses
Find out more about sex in pregnancy.
If you're not having sex, try to find other ways of being close, but do talk about it.
Some men find it difficult to make love during pregnancy. They may feel uncomfortable about their partner's changing shape. If this is happening to you, talk about it but be sensitive to how your partner might feel. She may well feel uneasy about her changing body and may be hurt if she thinks that you don’t like her appearance.
Confide in friends who are already fathers and will know what you’re going through.
