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The Importance of Support from Dads for your Wife or Girlfriend
Most people accept that pregnancy, whilst being a wonderful experience for women in many ways, also places unique pressures on women, - even the ones who are otherwise ‘ in control’ and our support, as Dads is very important, and should not be underestimated. Women need support in many ways, and some examples of us showing them that support can be in the following forms: We can attend the ultrasound sessions with them. We can attend birthing classes together. We can specifically relax together. We can also pay more attention to the feelings of our spouse, and ‘go the extra mile.’ For some men, the above may all be very obvious and common sense, and for others, it may act as a gentle reminder. We can all react differently when major events occur in our lives, and it’s worth having these issues pointed out to us, as we can all benefit from a gentle prod now and again.
I have included several examples below where support can be given. Discussing this amongst yourselves can often be revealing, and act as a special bonding for you. You have just shared the news you’re pregnant!
This is a great time for both of you, as you share the news together. For you, Mom this may be exciting, nerve racking, and in a way, just too much. Some women burst out crying, and can feel very emotional. This may have been a baby you have been waiting to have for many months, or even years. You may have just spent months planning, and trying to conceive. (More information is available on this subject elsewhere on this site. See the left hand navigation buttons). You may simply be surprised, as this baby may have been unplanned. That can be very emotional too. My point is there are no rules- everyone is different. However, what we can all no doubt agree on is that this is a time when you need much support, and the purpose of this page is to help steer you both in the right direction.
Ultrasound Sessions
These are very special moments for the mother, and can be equally shared by the father. Attending the ultrasound sessions together (if you’re going to have ultrasound sessions) is a wonderful way to share the growth and development of your baby together. It is an opportunity to share the wonder of the physical sight and sound of your baby’s growth. Many ultrasound technicians now also have the kills and equipment to show you a three dimensional image of your bay, which gives you a good image of the facial features.
This can also be a very strong bonding moment for the two of you, and most mothers will be deeply appreciative of the support from their partners or husbands.
Birthing Classes
Most first time Moms will find the attendance of a birthing class to be beneficial. This is common from around the fifth month of pregnancy. When we attended our birthing classes, we noticed that every mother had her partner with her. Again, this is an important and emotional experience for you both, and it helps to prepare both of you for the birth. Equally, it is very helpful for the father to know what to expect during the birth, so he can be as supportive as possible during the labour and birth. This is the time that the greatest support is required.
Relaxation, and its Importance
Relaxation is an important part of daily life, and is certainly paramount during your pregnancy. Relaxation can mean different things to different people, but as a general example, It is a time when you are releasing stress, and not actively involved in a stressful situation. For some, it can mean breathing deeply, for others, it can mean listening to their favourite music, for still others, it can be a hobby and a distraction. There are no hard and fast rules, but for those interested in exploring different forms of relaxation, I have included a link to a relaxation site here.
Areas like audio relaxation, yoga, tai chi, meditation, and imagery, emotion, motivation, goal setting, as well as massage, to name a few are discussed, explained, and includes links to other sites on the subjects.
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