There’s no greater news than knowing that you are going to be a father. There will be someone who will call you dad and will look up to you and think of you as their superhero. Can you believe that there’s a life inside your partner that is living and fragile?

Well, the moment is here, but with new life comes new responsibilities, and as a partner, you have to be the strongest one in these upcoming months.

So, the first question is, what should you do during pregnancy?

Nothing starts from the first month itself, but when it does, a lot of things have to change. So, here’s what you should be doing with and for your partner during pregnancy. 

1. Always encourage and reassure your partner about the future

While you celebrate the good news, you must not forget that the upcoming months will be very hard for the mother. There will be a time when she might want to back out thinking of the future days, but you must be firm and stand with her. You should keep telling her that ‘everything is going to be alright,’ and you will be there for her through this pregnancy and beyond. 

2. Share responsibilities with her

Women indeed do a lot of house chores as compared to men. But the scenario must change when your partner is pregnant. Apart from sharing the heavy lifting chores, help her with regular house chores. Also, help her with her office work. 

3. Show love and affection a little more

All little things matter the most while your partner is pregnant, hold her hands while she’s walking or climbing stairs, say I love you a little more often, cook her something she loves to eat because all these things tell her how much she matters to you. 

4. Consult the doctor before having sex

While it’s safe to have sex during pregnancy. Still, you should always check with the doctor once as every woman’s body is different. But some women want less sex due to the constant changes in their hormones. So you might want to watch out.

5. When it’s time, make sure you pack everything

Packing mother essentials is necessary, but get ready with your baggage. Put on some razor, toothbrushes, toothpaste, books, cards, magazines, and towels. You can also get some slippers and robes for the mother, and chocolates never hurt. The bags of essentials should be ready at least 2-3 weeks before, as you never know when the baby wants to come out.

Finally, what should you do when your partner is in labor?

Finally, the time has come, and your world is about to change. All that is left to hear is your baby’s first cry. Not really, this may sound so easy, but it isn’t because there is a lot that a woman has to go through when your partner is in labor. So, here are a few things that you can do to help her deal with the pain.

1. Feed ice-chips to soothe things during labor.
2. Take her for a short walk to help with contraction.
3. Gently massage her head, feet, and back.
4. Hold her hand throughout the process. She needs you to be with her at that moment more than anything.
5. Do not panic! She doesn’t need to handle that when she is herself hanging by the thin thread of life. Calm yourself and support her through it.

Last piece of advice

Becoming a father is as much a special feeling as being a mother to a newborn is, so it just isn’t your partner who is pregnant; it is you too. However, you may not get to face the pain that she would undergo, so at least you should be the one with whom she can bear it. Be there with her not as the father of the unborn, but as a friend and support her through the ups and downs of pregnancy.