What to Expect When You’re Expecting, for Dads!

an even better idea of what to expectCalling all dads-to-be! It’s your time to shine.

During pregnancy, Mom often takes the spotlight (and she should). However, Dad shouldn’t exit the stage. Your supporting role makes all the difference when it comes to helping Mom’s pregnancy progress smoothly.

From morning sickness support to diaper change duty, you’re a much-needed partner in this journey. And the best partners? They’re always prepared. If it’s your first time playing “da-da,” check out our tips for what to expect when you’re expecting for dads.

Mom’s Pregnancy Needs

There’s no getting around it—pregnancy comes with massive changes. As a supportive partner, it can be tough to anticipate every single need of your pregnant companion. Where do you start?

One of the most important things to remember throughout the next nine months and beyond, is to be present. Your partner will need you for:

• Doctor’s appointments
• Help with everyday tasks
• Emotional support

The more time and energy you can devote to Mom, the easier pregnancy and childbirth will be for both of you.

So, let’s dive into some of the top priorities for new dads.

Doctor’s Appointments

Every pregnancy needs medical supervision. Supporting Mom during her doctor’s visits can ease anxieties, as well as keep you both on the same page.

During the first six months (or first two trimesters), medical experts recommend pregnant women visit their prenatal doctor every month. Visits usually turn biweekly during the last three months, or even weekly after 36 weeks. At these standard appointments, doctors will check Mom’s weight gain, vital signs, and other medical markers of a safe pregnancy.

You probably won’t chaperone every appointment over nine months. However, there are a few special visits new dads should attend for emotional support, medical input, and cherished moments, including:

• Initial pregnancy visit – 6 to 8 weeks
• First ultrasound – 8 to 10 weeks
• Anatomy scan ultrasound (where you learn the gender of your baby) – 18 to 20 weeks
• Final trimester and delivery plan visits – 24 to 36 weeks
• Health risk tests or screenings – As recommended by your doctor

Physical & Emotional Changes

From cyclical vomiting to glowy skin, every pregnancy comes with its fair share of symptoms. Often, dads can feel like passive bystanders to these big changes, but don’t be afraid to step in!

Not sure what to expect or how to help? Here’s a short expectant dad’s survival guide of common pregnancy symptoms and how to treat them:

• Morning sickness – Acupressure wrist bands, ginger teas or chews, vitamin B6
• Body aches and pains – Cold and heat packs, hot pads, gentle massages, warm baths
• Digestive issues (constipation, heartburn) – Smaller meals made up of easy-to-digest foods
• Depression or moodiness – Active listening, planned activities, reaching out to family and friends
• Forgetfulness – Calendar tracking, taking care of routine household duties (i.e. walking the dog), communicating consistently
• Low energy – Designated nap times, soothing activities, taking care of household chores and errands so Mom can rest

In any situation, it’s also helpful to remember to soothe and sympathize. During moments of frustration, let your partner know that you support and hear them. Kind and loving words are their own type of medicine.

Lifestyle Changes

One area that could really use your support? A pregnancy-friendly lifestyle.

For a safe pregnancy, Mom will have to make a few doctor-approved changes to her life, and you can support these shifts by joining her. A united front can make it a little easier to bear these necessary changes:

• Diet – You’ll probably witness pregnancy cravings stronger than a thousand suns (hello, cookie dough ice cream). Aside from helping your loved one satisfy these cravings, join her in adopting a balanced whole foods diet. One NIH study showed that pregnancy diets emphasizing produce, whole grains, nuts, and legumes correlate with fewer health risks before and during pregnancy. Additionally, if you want to seem like a real pregnancy expert, have your partner pay particular attention to her early pregnancy urine color as it can indicate various health and hormonal changes.
• Exercise – Even as the belly grows, movement is important for a healthy mom and baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists report that following exercise programs for pregnancy can help reduce preterm births, unhealthy weight gain, and gestational diabetes. To encourage Mom, try out pregnancy-safe exercises with her, like swimming, walking, prenatal yoga, and pilates.
• Substances – If you and your partner both drank before pregnancy, try cutting back with her once she becomes pregnant. Additionally, recreational drugs should stay out of the home during pregnancy. They raise Mom’s risk for anemia, infections, and hepatitis, and they correlate with cognitive issues, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
• Chores and errands – Mom isn’t just carrying the weight of a new life—she’s also hauling the emotional stresses of pregnancy. That means now is a great time to go the extra mile with household tasks. As Mom’s pregnancy progresses, make a plan to take over more chores, especially physically taxing ones, like scrubbing bathtubs, vacuuming, and loading the dishwasher (because bending over will become a little more challenging for your mama-to-be).

The Big Day—How to Prepare for Labor

You’ve circled the date on the calendar. You’ve got the nursery room on lock. You’re practically bubbling with excitement—your new family member is on the way! To prepare for labor, it’s helpful to make a foolproof delivery day plan with your partner.

Live births are not exactly “wing it” situations. Fortunately, by sorting out important details beforehand, you can help ensure a safe and stress-free (or, as-stress-free-as-possible) delivery:

• Create a doctor-approved plan – Whether you choose a hospital or a home birth, safety is a must. Consult a medical professional about the best delivery options for your partner’s needs, including pain medications, emergency measures, and on-site delivery help.
• Pack a bag – Most baby deliveries are multi-hour ordeals. A few weeks before delivery, prepare for the big day by packing an essentials bag for you and mom. Common items include toiletries, phone chargers, books or magazines, snacks, and any soothing items that can ease labor pains.
• Make a contact list – Since Mom will be a little busy, Dads should handle all outside communication on delivery day. We recommend having an emergency contact list, in case you need backup. Additionally, consider keeping a “Happy News!” contact list to update loved ones once baby arrives.
• Soothe worries – Even though you’re not the one giving birth, it’s normal for dads-to-be to feel anxious. Try to keep worries to a minimum by staying informed. Attend a baby delivery class or seminar, ask for a hospital tour, or simply read up on the pregnancy process and delivery procedures. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel when baby time strikes.

The First Few Months with Your Little One

Once baby comes home, those first few months will be full of surprises—and that’s ok! Parenting is all about new experiences, both joyous and tiresome. So long as you arrive informed and open, you and your partner can make a powerful parenting duo.

New to the baby rodeo? We have a few tips on what to expect for dads while navigating these bumpy first months, such as:

• Plan your sleep – Every parent will tell you the same thing—your sleep will be sacrificed. This is because during the first 4 to 6 months, your baby will require nightly feedings. Additionally, your little one might need soothing during the night if he becomes fussy or upset. To avoid zombie mode, pre-plan which nights you’ll take baby duty to ensure new parents get the Zzzs you need.
• Create a baby sleep routine – To plan your sleep schedule, it can help if your baby has an established, steady routine. By sticking to the same waking, eating, cleaning, and sleeping times, you’ll encourage your baby to anticipate these activities. That means, over time, he’ll fall asleep easier when bed or nap time rolls around.
• Learn diaper etiquette – It’s a skill every dad should know! Diaper changes will be very frequent and very necessary, so it’s best to come prepared. You can even try a few practice rounds with a baby doll before your real baby arrives.
• Help around the house – No newborn household remains spotless. Babies are messy, and that’s ok! The goal is to keep as organized a home as possible, without getting stressed. Dads can really help with home chores early on, especially since Mom will be physically recovering from the baby’s birth and handling the little one’s feeding schedule. Consider taking on tasks like cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and restocking all of your baby must-haves (diapers, onesies, etc.) once your little guy arrives.
• Support Mom – Be a supportive partner. After giving birth, Mom may experience some physical issues, such as urinary problems, swelling, skin changes, low sex drive, and muscle fatigue. Additionally, Mom may also be dealing with emotional changes—about 1 in 10 women experience postpartum depression. So, as your partner recovers, be sure to give her the time, space, and support she needs to make a full recovery.

Grow Your Expectations with SneakPeek

Mom may carry the baby, but Dad can carry Mom. As papa-to-be, your support in your partner’s pregnancy, birth, and parenting is crucial—and the more you know, the more you can help. With this guide, you can bring your Dad A-Game to the changing table.

Want an even better idea of what to expect? SneakPeek Test can give you answers, all thanks to our At-Home Early Gender Blood Test

Through the power of our privacy-protected, DNA-based science, our tests offer a flash of your child’s future before she even arrives! First, the SneakPeek At-Home Early Gender Blood Test can determine your baby’s gender just 6 weeks into pregnancy. That’s months before your 20-week anatomy scan ultrasound, and it’s the only test on the market sensitive enough to do so!

Even better? Our test is clinically-proven over 99% accurate¹ and can easily be taken in the comfort of your own home, explaining why it’s the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home fetal sex test.

Try SneakPeek, and see for yourself why our science is trusted by over 1 million parents.

Sources:

1. ACOG. Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period
2. Healthline. Study Finds That No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe During Pregnancy. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/theres-no-safe-amount-of-drinking-during-pregnancy
3. Live Science. Body after birth: 18 post-pregnancy changes to look out for. https://www.livescience.com/63291-post-pregnancy-changes.html
4. Mayo Clinic. I’m breastfeeding my newborn and my baby’s bowel movements are yellow and mushy. Is this normal for baby poop? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-poop/faq-20057971
5. NIH. Healthy diet before and during pregnancy linked to lower risk of complications, NIH study suggests. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/healthy-diet-before-during-pregnancy-linked-lower-risk-complications-nih-study-suggests
6. NYU Langone. Medical Care During Pregnancy. https://nyulangone.org/conditions/pregnancy/treatments/medical-care-during-pregnancy
7. OASH. Body changes and discomforts. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/body-changes-and-discomforts
8. Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression Statistics. https://www.postpartumdepression.org/resources/statistics/
9. Stanford Children’s Hospital. Illegal Drug Use and Pregnancy. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=illegal-drug-use-and-pregnancy-85-P01208
10. What to Expect. How Can You Wean Your Baby Off Night Feedings and When Should You Start? https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/sleep/night-weaning-baby/