How to Involve Dad in a Pregnancy

A lot of the time, the focus during a pregnancy is on the pregnant woman only. However, it is important to remember the importance of the dad too. Most dads want to be a part of the pregnancy and all that goes along with it. Here are some ways you can involve the expectant dad in the pregnancy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask the expectant dad to come to your doctor's appointments with you. Doctor's appointments can be informative for the dad and can help get him more excited about the pregnancy. At the doctor's office, the dad can hear the baby's heartbeat, see the baby on an ultrasound and ask the doctor questions about the pregnancy.
2. Read books about pregnancy together. Reading can help the dad (and the mom) know what is going on with each week or stage of pregnancy. It can be exciting for the dad to hear that in a particular week that the baby is the size of a grape or that in another week the baby opened her eyes.
3. Select baby products and create a baby registry together. Some dads may not be too excited about the type of baby blankets or diapers that you want to purchase or register for, but they may want to help you pick out a car seat, a crib or a stroller. Ask the dad for his opinion on these baby products.
4. Invite him along with you when you register for baby items too. Many expectant dads love using the scanner gun when registering for baby items.
5. Decorate the baby's nursery together. An expectant dad may want to give his input on what color to paint the nursery or even on what baby bedding to purchase. Ask the dad to help paint the room and put together nursery furniture. This can give the dad a sense of accomplishment and get him excited and involved with the pregnancy.
6. Choose the baby's name together. This is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. Many couples will sit down with each other with a baby name book and read it from cover to cover looking for that special name for their son or daughter. Involve the expectant dad in the process. Come up with a first and middle name that you both love and chose together.
7. Invite the expectant dad to come to childbirth and baby care classes with you. Being at a childbirth class can help the dad know what to expect during labor and delivery and how he can support his partner at this time. Baby care classes may help give the dad that extra boost of confidence he will need for caring for the baby after she is born. Classes are something both the expectant parents can learn from and have fun doing together.
8. Talk to each other about your feelings throughout the pregnancy. Many times, people are only concerned with how the expectant mom is feeling or doing. However, take the time to ask your partner how he feels and what his fears are. Just showing that you care about his emotional well being can go a long way towards helping the dad get involved in the pregnancy.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider having a co-ed baby shower where the expectant dad and some of his buddies can attend.
• Some hospitals offer expectant dad courses. Ask your doctor or hospital if these courses are available in your area.
• Different dads will want varying levels of involvement in the pregnancy. Some dads may want nothing to do with registering for baby products, and other dads may not want to come to doctor's appointments. This is all ok.
• Ask the expectant dad what he wants to be involved with and give him time to decide and the option to change his mind if he wants.