Daddy’s Role During Pregnancy
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Daddy, you have a role too!
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While mummy will play the star of the show, the supporting actor will be equally important. Here’s a list of ways dad can help out during labor and delivery.
Pregnancy
Lifestyle Changes
You can support your mummy-to-be by sharing in the lifestyle changes. Give up alcohol, drink more fluids, cut down on coffee and don’t smoke.
Accompany Her
Visit the Doctor for prenatal-care appointment together. Don’t miss the chance to get a glimpse of your baby during an ultrasound.
Be an Active Observer
Let your wife know you’re enjoying seeing her belly grow and feeling the baby kick.
Attend the Prenatal Classes
Practice breathing with her so that you could help her with labour. Be ready to embrace her, hold her hands, soothe her.
Nurture Her
Make sure she is eating a good diet of healthy food. Make sure she gets plenty of rest. Make sure she is comfortable. Maybe offer her a pillow or to massage her feet. Take on more of the household duties like cooking, cleaning, mopping, dishes and laundry.
Prepare Your Home
Welcome the new family member by getting things like baby furniture, readying the house, preparing extra meals.
Make Decisions Together
About the kind of labor and delivery you want, what to name the child, whether your child should be circumcised.
Labour
Cheer Her On
Keep her focused. She shouldn’t give up, and she shouldn’t panic. If she starts acting restless or agitated during a contraction, make eye contact with her and encourage her to take a deep breath. Hold her hand and tell her she’s doing great.
Physically support her
Hold her hand and hold her in position if she opts for an epidural. Clutch her legs and thighs during pushing.
Be at Her Beck and Call
If she wants some ice, get her some. Pronto. If she wants a back rub, roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Take it Like A Man
Don’t take your wife’s comments personally. Smile, nod, and know she will not appreciate a sarcastic response – no matter how witty you may deem it to be!
Snap Pictures
Capture the moment by taking out appropriate pictures.
Catch the baby
If you’re up for it, ask your doctor if you can “catch” the baby, that is, support him as he emerges from the birth canal and cut the umbilical cord.
Post Labour
Call friends and family
You will be communication central for telling friends and family that you’re a new dad!
Take initiative
Change diapers, help with feedings and baths. Allow your wife to nap while you take care of the baby.
Time off
Do whatever you can to take some time off from work when the baby arrives. This will help you establish your own close relationship with your child right from the start.
What dads should NOT to do during labor
* Don’t chat on the phone with friends
* Don’t return work calls
* Don’t check stocks, surf the net or check emails
* Don’t chew gum or blow bubbles
* Don’t hoard the remote!
* Don’t flirt with the nurses
* Don’t let your mother in unless your wife says it’s okay
* Don’t socialise with other fathers
* Don’t take inappropriate pictures
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Thanks for the pointers. Will sure come in handy!
Hey thats a good one! I like the part about what dad should not do during labour =)Men tend to be insensitive in that aspect. Really great pointers! i surely cant get all those infor fr my dad
I rememver doing some of the pointers mentioned above…
Great article!
Lifestyle changes – I never drunk so much in my life.
Accompany her – I’m the driver
Be an active observer – she asks “am i fat yet’…I say ‘yes dear’
Attend the prenatal classes – why…she never watch me play soccer…
Nurture her – she craves McDonalds
Prepare your home – we live in 3 bd rm HDB with 5ppl…should i build extra room?
Make decisions together – yes dear…yes dear…yes dear…they all made together
Labour. Cheer her on – is this a game??
Physically support her – her father says I need to financially support her.
Give her whatever she wants – the back rub is what got us here in the first place.
Take the abuse – how many years will the abuse last?
Snap Pictures – I may as well, she wont let me touch her anymore
Catch the baby – Yeah right..then if i drop baby, its my fault.
Post labour. Call friends and family – she thinks I like 1 of her freinds. I think her family dont like me.
Take initiative – If baby doesn’t wear diapers…they wont need changing
Time off – Can do. We can go fishing, 4WD, or just hang with mates.
What dads should NOT to do during labor – probably should add, no friends,food, alcohol, headphones, laptops or pets in delivery room, no pointing and laughing, and no pulling shirt over the head for celebrating run…..And Last but not least…Absolutely no regrets
Cant wait
I really enjoy reading this article. I like this two:
1.don’t flirt with nurses
2. don’t let your mother in unless your wife say yes
Gosh!