Pregnancy Needs
Emotional Support
Finding out that you and your partner are going to have a baby can come with mixed emotions.
It is very important that both communicate your fears and excitement.
Carrying a child is no easy task, but with the right tools and support around you can understand what a pregnant woman needs and be the one that she leans on throughout this transitional period.
What a Pregnant Woman Needs
From Her Partner
The main thing that a pregnant woman needs from her partner and those around her are love, patience & support.
Understanding and communication
In the first few weeks of pregnancy she will experience many emotions- several of them at one time! With so much changing in her body and her brain working overtime to process all the new information being thrown her way, it’s incredibly important that you as her partner understand this. You may be scared as well, and the best way to work through these complicated emotions is to communicate with each other about them.
Patience and compassion
Additionally, those hormones are going to be flying off the charts for the next few months. If she starts sobbing uncontrollably one day or gets angry over something small the next, have a little compassion knowing that she can’t control them that well right now. She knows this as well as you and likely feels bad enough that she can’t do more to help herself at this time. She would greatly benefit from you showing a little more patience on the more turbulent days.
Love and affection
Beyond that, with her body changing so drastically and growing in places that she fights so hard to keep thin, being more vocal about how much you love and care for her at this time can go a long way in boosting her self-esteem and confidence. One of the biggest fears women have when they’re pregnant is that their partner will no longer find them attractive due to all the changes both during and after pregnancy, so don’t hold back on the affection.
How To Navigate Through The Pregnancy
We know that you’re excited about your upcoming bundle of joy, and as much as your needs are important, you might have to put yours aside a little bit more often during this time and concern yourself with how you’re treating your girlfriend.
Don’t overreact on the pregnancy news
First and foremost, make sure that when she tells you that you respond positively, particularly if you weren’t expecting this to happen as she likely wasn’t expecting it either. Questions like, “weren’t you on the pill?” or “how could this happen?” are very much not the correct way to react to the news. What you want to do instead is make sure your girlfriend or wife knows that you are confident that both of you will get through this together and that you will be by her side every step of the way.She needs to know that you are committed. Don’t be vague or even say “I’ll do whatever you want”. Women hear those words and think you don’t care about her.
Attend doctors visits
That means attending every doctor’s appointment that you reasonably can. This not only helps reinforce that you are committed, but it also serves to keep you entirely in the loop with everything that is happening in her pregnancy and allows you the opportunity to ask her doctor any questions that you may have every step of the way.
You may even want to take parenting classes. This is a great way to prepare and have all your questions answered. At PRC we have a curriculum that is just one hour a week and you can earn vouchers that can be redeemed for baby items such as strollers, clothes, diaper and car seats. Classes are free and the baby stuff will go a long way to help you with expenses.
Help her remember
If you’ve heard of the “baby brain” that pregnant women face during this period, you know that her memory may be foggy at times, so by you being aware of the conversations that have gone on in her appointments such as what foods or drinks to stay away from, you can both be better prepared to have a positive pregnancy experience.
Help reduce her stress
Finally, given how exhausting this experience can be for her, the way to treat her is ultimately with love and care. You should try to make sure that you’re reducing her stress and allowing her the opportunity to sleep whenever possible.
Offer help with chores
This means things like handling the daily chores or offering to cook dinner more often. The weight of carrying a baby takes quite a toll on the woman so even something like offering to draw her a long bath to relax while you whip something up to eat in the kitchen will significantly impact her and make her feel loved and supported.
How To Support Your Partner
During Pregnancy
As soon as a woman becomes aware that she is growing a tiny human inside of her, many changes have to happen to her lifestyle. She has to give up things like certain foods, alcohol, caffeine and focus on not only fueling her body with nutritious meals for her sake but for the baby’s, too. Learning how to support your partner during pregnancy is one of the most important things you should focus on as you dive into this new experience.
The nurses at PRC can go through all this with you. And if you have questions, they are happy to answer them.
Support her healthy choices
One of the best things you can do to support your partner during pregnancy helps her make those healthier choices by transition your lifestyle as well.
Something as subtle as giving up caffeine alongside her will help encourage her to make the best decisions for herself and the baby because believe me, nobody enjoys eating a plate of broccoli while their partner is stuffing their face with delicious pizza.
Go for walks
You can also encourage her by accompanying her on daily walks, as getting mild exercise is important for the pregnancy as well. Not only does it help her to stay active, but it gives you some much-needed one on one time to discuss your plans, hopes, and concerns together, thereby bringing you closer together.
Understand morning sickness
Morning sickness is also sure to be a hot issue the first few months. It tends to waiver off after, but some do experience it throughout the pregnancy. It is arguably the most unpleasant part of the entire experience and given that it impacts three-quarters of pregnant women, you’re likely to have to confront this at some point during the pregnancy. Morning sickness doesn’t just mean nausea in the morning, it can also mean daily fatigue and headaches and can last the entire pregnancy for some women.
At PRC we have pretty pops which have helped hundreds and they are available on her first visit.
