About Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘having a baby’

It can be easy for your partner to feel a bit neglected when you’re pregnant as the focus is very much on the mum-to-be.

It’s important, however, to involve him as much as possible so that he doesn’t feel excluded. Here are gurgle’s top ten tips on how to achieve this:

1. Attend antenatal classes together whenever you can. These are a great way for you both to prepare for birth; you’ll learn about all aspects of pregnancy, labour and useful tips on caring for your baby. Your partner will also learn how he can help you during labour.
2. Wherever possible, go to check-ups together so that you can both understand the developments in your pregnancy. You can also discuss any queries or concerns you may have with your doctor and hopefully alleviate any fears. One of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is the ultrasound scans, so try to attend these together; nothing beats that first sight of your little one.
3. Read baby books together; your partner may not be the one carrying the baby, but the more he learns about your pregnancy, the more involved he will feel. Why not have a look at gurgle feature Bonding before birth? You could also watch our great videos on Positions for delivery and Breathing techniques to prepare you both for the big event.
4. Practice relaxation techniques with each other, such as Pregnancy massage. This is a great way for the two of you to bond and share a bit of intimacy. While your partner is massaging you he could gently place his hands on your bump to see if he can feel any baby movements!
5. Take some gentle exercise together, such as swimming, walks in the park or yoga. Read our feature on Exercises recommended in pregnancy and watch our video on Safe exercising for mums-to-be for more information.
6. Having a baby is a life-changing experience and you’re both likely to go through a range of emotional highs and lows. Don’t bottle up your feelings, but talk to each other openly and honestly. Communication is key to keeping your relationship healthy.
7. Make room for romance in your relationship. Some women find that they go off sex during pregnancy, but there are other ways to be intimate, like cuddling or enjoying a nice meal.
8. Prepare for the arrival of your baby together; decorate the nursery, buy baby clothes that you both like and make sure that you’re each happy with the name you choose.
9. It might sound cheesy, but some people sing to their baby! If your partner hasn’t got the best voice (not that this matters!) or feels self-conscious, he could read a favorite story or even chat about his favorite football team…
10. Make time for each other. When your little one makes his arrival you will have your hands full, so use the time you have now for outings such as going to the cinema or theatre and, above all, enjoying each other’s company. You could even plan a romantic mini-break!