The sense of excitement and anticipation as you prepare for your baby’s arrival is something the father-to-be can experience, too. It is not easy to for them to cope with any changes over the nine months of pregnancy. But to the expectant mom, the role of their partner during pregnancy plays a very important role. The joy of pregnancy should be shared by both parents-to-be. Touching the baby through your tummy is a special way for your partner to communicate with the baby, but there are also plenty of practical ways your partner can share in the experience of pregnancy and labour.

Attending Antenatal Classes
It is very useful for the expectant father to attend classes with you. It aims to prepare both parents physically and mentally for labour and the arrival of the baby. It is also the time where your partner is being taught on how to support and encourage you most especially during the final stage of pregnancy. It is also where you are given a chance to meet other expectant parents in a social and supportive atmosphere.

Encouragement and Emotional Support
Pregnancy is a time when your partner can provide the encouragement and emotional support you need. It is indeed not so easy to cope with mood swings, food cravings and bearing all with whatever discomforts you. Now is his time to show how much he cares and loves you, how supportive and understanding he is when you started to change due to pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, you can expect him to chip in with a greater share of the household chores, and help to entertain your other children when you get tired.

Support during Labour
This is the time you will need much of his support emotionally and physically. The final stage of pregnancy is where the tense arises, during labour his support is of immense importance. Simply by being there with you during labour, he may guide you through breathing techniques while you are having contractions, and massage you back and encourage you to relax between contractions. That will be the most comfort you can have during this stage.

Planning Together
Pregnancy is the joint responsibility of both parents and any decisions made during this period should be jointly discussed. Stress during pregnancy is inevitable for both the expectant father and mother. No matter how uneasy and tiring at times the pregnancy period, you must both realize that you will have a new baby to share and love at the end of it.