If she wants you to listen as she shares how excited and/or worried she is, do that. If she wants you to go get her some fries and a milkshake, do that!
It’s usually best to avoid massages during the first trimester of pregnancy. Your wife can discuss this topic with her doctor. If your wife has pre-existing medical conditions, she should consult with her doctor before having you or anyone else give her massages. Don’t massage her belly—stick to gentler touching and caressing.
Sex during pregnancy is typically fine, so long as your wife doesn’t have any specific medical concerns. Her interest in sex may increase or decrease as well—if she’s not so interested, work together to find other ways to share intimacy. This is a good opportunity to get a little creative!
If she doesn’t want you to attend every little event with her, that’s fine. Offer to drive her to the appointments or take care of other things so she has the time she needs to attend the events.
Get your online information from reliable sources like government agencies and professional medical organizations. Choose books that aren’t just highly-rated and recommended, but also authored or published by trustworthy sources.
You might support her efforts to stay active by going on a walk with her each evening after dinner, or driving her to a water aerobics class a couple days a week.
If you suspect signs of depression, encourage your wife to talk to her medical team and seek out appropriate mental health support. Remind her that this is a sign of strength, not weakness, because she’s doing what is necessary to care for herself and the baby.
The birth plan involves elements like the location for the birth, who will be assisting with the birth, who will be present for the birth, which (if any) medications will be used, and so on.
Belly mapping works best once you get into the eighth and especially ninth months of pregnancy. Combine belly mapping with reading and singing to the baby to make some great bonding time.
There are no hard-and-fast rules here—your wife may be able and willing to work right up until she goes into labor. If working helps her manage her stress, then support her in this decision.
Even if your wife plans to give birth at home, you may want to pack a bag to keep the essentials in a single place. Do as much prep work as possible to get the birthing area ready to go for when the time comes.
Postpartum depression can also happen to partners and spouses, so watch for symptoms and make a plan for yourself as well.
Set aside time each day to exercise, meditate, do deep breathing, practice gratitude, or do whatever else helps reduce stress and restore balance for you.
