What to Expect When Your Wife is Expecting

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There are all sorts of books on pregnancy for the expectant mum, one of the most popular being What to Expect When You’re Expecting. And rightly so as it is the woman who bears almost everything that comes with pregnancy. However most expectant dads (particlarly first-time dads) are left confused about what to do, what with the mood swings and rushing out of the house at 12 midnight in order to satisfy their wife’s weird cravings. This guide is for first time fathers and for those who do not really know what to expect when your wife is expecting.

 

 

Is Your Wife Expecting? Here’s What to Look Out For

 

It is easy to feel as though you are on the outside looking in on your wife and the new baby growing inside of her, and that is because you are on the outside. To make things easier and less confusing, her are a few things to note.

 

Changing Moods

 

Pregnancy comes with a lot of hormonal changes, which accounts for the changes in mood. Your wife will be experiencing mood swings a lot and it is not something she is doing deliberately just to drive you crazy. Her hormones are all over the place at the moment.

 

What you can do: Be understanding. Just listen and try to be there for her. When she needs some space, give it to her, but don’t cut the connection. A text message that you’re thinking of her will go a long way.

 

Weird Cravings

 

Yes, what you’ve heard is true…she is going to start having cravings. However, they may not be as far out as onions and peanut butter for your wife. She may simply feel a need to eat more of vegetables or crave fish more than usual. Try to satisfy her cravings as much as you can, but don’t feel bad if you are unable to do so. Contrary to popular belief, most women survive even if they do not get what they crave at the exact moment they are craving it.

 

Need for Reassurance

 

 

As the pregnancy begins to show, this might be a source of delirious joy for you … your baby is growing! However be sensitive to your wife’s feelings. Sure she is happy, but the fear of being fat will begin to rear its ugly head. This is the time to reassure her and let her know that she is beautiful.

 

Doctor’s Visit

 

Whenever you can, arrange your schedule so that you can go to the doctor together. This is a good way to show your wife that you are both in this together. But be warned, you might have some uncomfortable moments there when the doctor gets an intimate look at your wife. Just bear it like a man.

 

You might want to read 4 Things They Don’t Tell You in Antenatal

 

Dietary Changes

 

There will be changes in her diet as some food might no longer be good for her and for the baby. Look up what foods pregnant women should not eat and try adjusting your diet to hers. It will not do to sit consuming several glasses of wine when she is unable to do so. Also she might react strongly to some smells like coffee (most pregnant women react to coffee). If this is the case with your wife, your coffee drinking to when you are not in the house.

 

Regular Massages

 

 

Oh, this is one you probably did not know about. Pregnant women need massages, lots of them. As the pregnancy advances, her back will begin to ache terribly and so will her feet. A nice back rub or foot massage will go a long way. So prepare your mind for that.

 

In the next nine months things are going to change for you. Here are a few things you can do to improve your coping skills.

 

Be Involved: Do not leave her alone to figure everything out. Be as involved as you can in the process. Go baby shopping together if you can and spend time with her. Do not let her carry heavy load as this can affect the pregnancy.

 

Be Sensitive: Learn to read her body. She may want sex or she may not. She may want to be touched or maybe not. Ask her what she wants and do not assume. Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body changes and nothing should be taken for granted.

 

Read Up: There are lots of books out there about pregnancy and childbirth. Read up and be up to date on what is going on in your wife’s body. A good place to start is here for a month-by-month account. On how to treat your pregnant wife, this article is spot on.