| Father's Are Pregnant Too! |
Where do fathers fit in, and why should they really care about pregnancy and birth? Aren't these really the domain of the mother? Why can't men just wait until their children are two, three or four years old to begin a "real" relationship? The truth is, one-forth of all pregnant fathers experience some form of gastrointestinal symptoms, paralleling the pregnant mother’s morning sickness. In some cultures in the Yucatan, a woman's pregnancy isn't confirmed until the father has food cravings.
When a man comes into the dentist’s office with complaints of toothache and transient gum pain, dentists have learned that they should inquire whether the wife is pregnant. Fathers are pregnant too! |
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| Father's Role During Pregnancy |
According to Dr. William Sears in Becoming a Father, How to Nurture and Enjoy Your Family, one of the greatest gifts a husband can give his wife is to make sure that she receives the care she needs during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that pregnancy is only about the mother. Pregnancy is a time of transition designed to prepare both mother and father for the real world of parenting.
Fathers, your key role during this time is to love and nurture your wife as she nourishes your baby. When you care for your wife and she feels secure in your love, then your wife will do her best for your unborn child. In turn, you become a more sensitive, giving, and mature individual, ready for the challenges of parenthood. |
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| Father Involvement Key for Newborns |
During the first few weeks following the birth of his child, the father becomes a parent. This is a critical time as he gets to know this tiny new person who has entered his family.
There’s a lot for dad to learn including: holding the baby, soothing the baby, changing diapers, feeding the baby, and new parent coping skills. It may seem a bit overwhelming. If so, don’t hesitate to get some help from a newborn nurse, postpartum doula, or doctor.
Being able to attend to your baby’s needs will give mom more opportunity to rest and recover. That will make it easier for her to be a better mom. Also, as you become comfortable with caring for your baby’s needs, you’ll be able to use those times to form a bond with your baby.
Your involvement with your newborn is key to your development as a parent. It is also an important means of making the transition from couple to family. |
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