Dads During Pregnancy: 8 Ways to Be Involved
How does pregnancy affect dads? Find out what you can do to be actively involved.
When your girlfriend or wife told you she’s pregnant, what were your first thoughts?
At the Pregnancy Resource Center, we’ve seen all sorts of “dad reactions”, including shock, denial, anger, fear, and pure joy.
Depending on what’s going on in your life at the moment, it’s understandable that it can take time to process big changes — especially unexpected ones.
Whatever your first responses might have been, the fact is, you’re now a dad with a baby on the way. Congratulations!
So what’s next for you?
Have Pregnancy Questions?
Reach out to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Mountain Grove.
Note: The information on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
How to be an active dad during pregnancy
No matter what type of dad you might have had yourself, you have a choice about the kind of dad you want to be.
In this post, we’ll discuss ways you can be actively involved in your partner’s pregnancy.
These steps can help you to be a supportive, strong and involved dad, right from the start.
1. Learn all you can about pregnancy
As a new dad, there is probably a lot of new information that will surprise you and leave you in awe of what the female body is capable of during pregnancy.
At the Pregnancy Resource Center, we have classes for both moms and dads to learn about pregnancy, labor and parenting. We encourage dads to watch the videos with their partner, and go over the material together.
If possible, come to in-person sessions with your partner to go over what you’ve learned together and ask more questions.
(If you’re not in our area, you can find a pregnancy help center near you.)
2. Attend the Sonogram appointments
Sonograms (or ultrasounds) are not to be missed! This “window into the womb” is one of the most memorable parts of pregnancy for both moms and dads.
At our clinic, you may be able to see your child on the screen as early as 6 or 7 weeks via ultrasound.
3. Go to other medical appointments
If your work schedule allows it, you may also want to attend at least some of her prenatal medical appointments.
This gives you a chance to hear more about your baby’s development and important information about your partner’s health.
4. Practice those emotional support skills!
Pregnancy is a time of many emotional ups and downs for women.
She needs you to be understanding, calm and collected while she experiences all the changes pregnancy brings. You’re in this together!
5. Attend labor and delivery classes
Along with learning about pregnancy in general, attending a Lamaze class or series of classes is an excellent way to be prepared for when the big day comes!
It’s also a great bonding experience to have with your partner.
6. Decide on a birth plan together
Some women come up with a detailed, written birth plan (you can find a free template here if you need one). Others may just have an informal idea of what they want their birth experience to be like.
Discuss with your girlfriend or wife what her wishes are for her pregnancy, labor and delivery. Help her to research different options such as OBs, midwives, or doula support.
Talk through together what type of environment you hope for as your baby comes into the world, while being realistic with any possible challenges to those preferences.
It’s important you can agree on medical interventions that will affect your wife and child.
7. Ask her what she needs
Depending on the circumstances, your partner may need more help doing her daily tasks. Ask her how you can best support her while she’s hard at work, growing the baby!
Beyond just physical tasks, also find out if she’s getting the right foods to nourish her and the baby.
Maybe she could use some help with grocery shopping, meal prep or finding meal ideas to meet her changing nutritional needs during pregnancy. (This is just as important after the baby arrives.)
8. Keep communicating
This is key to relationships at any time, but especially when you’re facing something new like your first baby’s arrival.
Ask questions. Make sure you’re on the same page about expectations after the baby comes. Keep the conversation flowing about your plans, hopes and dreams for your future as parents.
Dads are invaluable, from the start.
Sometimes dads feel a little disconnected from the pregnancy, since they’re not the one carrying the baby.
But the truth is, dads bring their own values, experiences and ideas that are a wonderful benefit to your partnership.
Not only that, but you as a dad have a great responsibility to help bring your child into a safe, loving environment. And part of that is helping meet your partner’s needs in the meantime.
The bottom line? Dads are so important, right from the start. Your feelings matter, and you have a critical role to play in helping your girlfriend or wife during pregnancy, labor, and parenthood.
If you’re in the Mountain Grove, Missouri area, reach out to us about fatherhood, relationship and parenting classes for more information.
We would love to get you started on this journey.
Read next:
