| A generation or two ago,
pregnancy was entirely the woman's problem- but
things have changed drastically now, with fathers
taking an active part in the pregnancy. So now
its not a couple with the wife saying "I'm
pregnant" but the couple saying "Yes,
we are pregnant".
Since the father's to be don't
really undergo any physical changes, they very
often feel left out and helpless. So here are
a few tips to change that.
- Go for
all the gynecologists appointments with your
wife
- Learn about
pregnancy through friends and their experiences,
through books and of course your wife
- Get to
know your baby- talk to it, wait to feel its
movements with your hand or a cheek on your
wife's abdomen
- Shop for
your baby with your wife
- Discuss
your wife's feelings with her constantly
- Fear of
losing out on your sex life - there are restrictions
in the first three and last two months, so
don't make it an issue to stress you out.
Occasional intercourse even in the times of
restriction will not do much harm.
- Mood swings-
your wife (definitely) and even you occasionally
may experience mood swings especially those
of depression. The best thing to do is to
discuss it out with your wife. This doesn't
leave room for quarrels and misunderstandings.
- It is
natural for you to be anxious about your wife's
health, but relax. As long as she is in the
hands of a professional, she will be fine.
v Anxious about changes in life after the
baby?? Life certainly changes after the baby
but always for the better as long as you feel
that way. Certain restrictions do come about
in the early stages but these can be worked
out so that both of you enjoy a happy social
and domestic life.
- "Will
I be a good father?" There are no preset
norms of good and bad, but if you are so concerned
you already a good father. So do what you
feel is good and right for your baby.
- Help your
wife with small things like nappy changing,
preparing the milk, her exercises and of course
housework.
- Your relationship
with your wife- "Will it change?"
Of course, but only for the better because
now you share another life together. So don't
stop communicating and talk out your fears
and problems. You will realize that a baby
is a magical gift to strengthen your bond
as man and wife.
|