When a woman becomes pregnant, she begins to investigate, if she has not done so before, about motherhood, making a preparation for her new life. Even medical centers offer preparation courses for maternity, childbirth, baby care or breastfeeding. But what about men? Don't you guys need a preparation for paternity?
In Babies and more We have, we know, the good fortune of having many male readers, dads on project or dads already in fact, who also want to know how to be better parents and be prepared for the evolution that having a child is for them.
Thinking about them, I have prepared this brief guide to preparing for fatherhood. I hope you find the tips useful.
Health is a matter of two
The man's body may not be immersed in the hormonal changes that the pregnant woman has, but he will also be able to live the process intensely if you get involved in it.
The pregnant woman is going to have to go to many tests and consultations medical, some annoying or causing anxiety. The father must always accompany and comfort her if she expresses any fear for the child's health, whether justified or not.
Look after your own health It's fundamental. It is advisable that the father quit smoking, both for the effects on conception and on the fetus if he continues to smoke in front of his partner once he is pregnant. If she was a smoker and quits during pregnancy, I think you can not ask the father less than that little effort to accompany her.
A medical check-up before conception and adopt healthy life measures such as losing weight if you are obese, eating correctly and exercising are known to affect the health of the fetus and will also help you stay alive longer, that nobody wants to be sick Having a young son. So it's time to take care of them too.
In addition to the physical benefits for her health, that of the baby and the mother, who adopts healthy lifestyle habits and accompanies the woman in the special care she must have, that reports a great emotional benefit for her and the couple. You will feel more understood and supported if you realize that your partner's commitment begins to be complete even if he does not feel the child inside.
It really has an enormous effect for women to know that they are understood and followed in pregnancy, as much as it is painful to feel that their partner is not sufficiently involved and continues with their previous life habits.
Of course, the father or future father should abandon illegal drugs if he used them, even sporadically, before considering having a child.
Childbirth
There are also the classes of childbirth preparation. Many parents, although less and less, do not get involved in this, preferring that she go alone or doing so passively. Badly done. The birth of a child is a matter of both, and for the woman the support of her partner is very important at the time of delivery.
The father must be informed of the processes, the protocols of the chosen center and also, of course, of the woman's wishes about her own birth. After all, when she is giving birth, she won't be able to defend herself. It will depend on him, if they do not go to a doula, to accompany him, comfort and defend his interests and opinions.
In childbirth complicated circumstances may occur that make it necessary or not to accept certain medical actions. The more the father knows and the more confident he feels, the better he will understand what the doctors tell him and the better he can act.
The birth
When the baby is born he will normally be with his partner, and can take care that the baby is not separated except in case of need. Also, and if things get very complicated, he may be the first one who can be with the child and comfort him in a difficult birth that separates him from his mother. All a responsibility.
After the birth of the baby it is possible that the mother is strange, or focused on her young as a clueca chicken or disconnected from reality, especially if the birth has been traumatic. Dad has to take the reins and protect that need for loneliness and security that the newly born female has in humans and other mammals. If someone has to ration the visits it is the father, even if it costs him.
If the pregnancy did not progress correctly or if there was a abortion the father will be the emotional and physical support of the woman in that terrible moment. Even if he feels that he must forget what happened and continue his role, it is now essential for the mother to regain confidence and heal her wounds. You should learn about support groups for prenatal losses, heal the wound, be emotionally accessible, even if it is complicated.
Back home
The lactation, at the beginning, may present difficulties. If the father is involved and informed, it will be an essential support for the mother. If it is necessary to go to an advisor or a group of mothers, he must also be there. A father who is not aware of his role in breastfeeding can be an added difficulty.
Back home Its importance grows. He must ensure the tranquility of the mother and the baby, being the guarantor that the dyad, that special bond, can be created without interference. Visits, again, can be annoying, and he must restrict them and attend to them if they occur.
Although the nursing mother the father has many things to do: Take care of other children, if any, take care of household chores and worry about performing other baby care tasks such as changing, dressing or bathing. The mothers of a newborn barely have time for themselves, even showering or going to the bathroom can be complicated and a man willing to relieve her in those moments is a gift from heaven.
To facilitate this stage, whenever possible, it is convenient for the man to take his paternity leave and even save a vacation for that time.
Maturing is a challenge. Understanding the emotional and physical changes of the puerpera woman is essential to help her move on to this new, stronger and happier stage.
Patience with the mother in law. Many women seek motherhood support in their mother, even if their relationship is not the best in the world. Mothers' mothers sometimes forget that their daughters are already adults and can invade our land. Without giving in fundamentally, the most priority is to listen to the wishes of the newly born woman and respect them. The water will return to its channel, but it needs its time. Isn't it beautiful to see yourself as that dike that contains the tide of feelings and takes care of the family you founded?
The mother herself also needs her special words. Grandmothers, whether they are mothers of a father or mother, will be crazy with the baby, but we must be very delicate with our mother if our partner feels invaded by their attention. You have to have a lot of left hand to preserve the nest that she may need.
Privacy and security are essential for those first days to live happily. That's why you have to know how far family or friends can go, welcome, but dosed.
Of course, read Parenting websites and reading books offers additional knowledge and contact with other families in the same situation. They enrich a lot.
Conclusion
As a climax, these and surely many other guidelines that you can develop yourself, will help you prepare you thoroughly for fatherhood. One thing is, it will be worth it. A new father model advances, and means being committed to parenting.
