| Pregnancy and birth are not the sole territory of | | | | 3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. It would be easier for |
| women nowadays. Men, too, have become more | | | | your wife to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you |
| involved, with some even joining their spouses in the | | | | practice it yourself. Needless to say, smoking is a |
| birthing room to experience the birthing process as | | | | no-no during pregnancy. Even if your wife doesn't |
| much as they can. But you can do lots of things to | | | | smoke, you also have to stop smoking because |
| support your wife even before the actual birth. Here | | | | second-hand smoke is harmful to the baby. Make |
| are the top five advice on how dads can participate | | | | sure that you and your wife eat healthy and get |
| in their partners' pregnancy. | | | | regular exercise. Gaining too much weight will make |
| | | | the birthing process more difficult and can pose lots |
| 1. Give emotional support. Being pregnant is stressful | | | | of health risks to both mother and child. |
| physically and emotionally. This is the time that the | | | | 4. Attend birthing classes with your partner. Preparing |
| expectant mother needs the support, not just of | | | | for the big day is an exciting time for you and your |
| anyone, but that of the father of her child. The dad | | | | wife. Even if you don't join her in the birthing room |
| can show support by helping around the house, telling | | | | (maybe the stress and blood is just too much for |
| her that he loves her, that she's beautiful, and so on. | | | | you), you can still share the excitement of learning |
| Let your partner feel good about herself especially | | | | what is happening inside your partner's body. The |
| since her hormones are wreaking havoc on her | | | | baby becomes more real to you. But most important |
| emotions, including her self-esteem. | | | | of all, when the time comes for the baby to come |
| 2. Join your partner during her visits to the doctor. | | | | out, you are ready and will be of much help to your |
| This is an important time that you can share | | | | wife. |
| together. You will both learn what needs to be done | | | | 5. Make time for intimacy. Pregnancy brings couples |
| to have a healthy pregnancy. You can help your | | | | closer than ever before. Talk about your feelings and |
| partner remember what she needs to take or do to | | | | insecurities about becoming new parents. Be |
| have a healthy baby. Especially for new parents, it is | | | | physically intimate. Spend quiet time together. Your |
| easy to get information overload. If there are two of | | | | wife needs you now more than ever. Be there for |
| you asking questions and getting information, you'll be | | | | her and take advantage of this special time to bond |
| more well-prepared in dealing with the pregnancy. | | | | and make your relationship stronger. |