First-time pregnancies can be rough on dads too. Check out our list of what to expect when you’re expecting.
We’ve sorted you out with a timeline of what your significant other is going through while pregnant with your future football player. Here is what to expect with her symptoms, how your baby is cooking while in her tummy, and what you should prepare for.
4 weeks
Your significant other has most likely missed her period. You’re frantically going to the pharmacy to get multiple pregnancy tests, just to be told the same thing. She’s pregnant. And you’re the father. DO NOT PANIC!
10 weeks
The first scan to confirm the baby’s due date. You and your partner might not have shared the news with anyone about the pregnancy yet. After this, though, your partner is going to want to put it on Facebook. Make sure that you ask about antenatal classes that you and your partner can attend. It’ll give you guys about early pregnancy tips.
18 weeks
It’ll be time for an anomaly scan. This checks that all is well with your baby’s developing organs. Seeing your baby curled up, kicking or rolling, is immensely moving, so go with your partner to the scan if you can. Also, you can find the gender of your baby. Your partner will be overly excited about the baby moving in her tummy, and will keep grabbing your hand to feel it.
25 weeks
Your partner’s belly is growing, which is making it hard for her to move around. It is extremely hard for her to go to sleep. Be prepared for a lot of tossing and turning in the bed, as she’s probably freaking out about the pregnancy. Your baby weighs nearly the same weight as a tin of Cadbury Roses and is about 35cm long from top to toe. Your baby can now make out the sound of your voice, so this is the perfect time to read a bedtime story to them (try the back page of BIG DADDY’S print issue).
31 weeks
This is the hardest trimester for your partner to go through: they’ll be going through heartburn, back pains, and swollen feet. SHE WILL BE MISERABLE! Everything that you do will piss her off, so be conscious to this fact. Rubbing her back and being patient with her will save you a headache.
36 weeks
It’s almost time! This is a good time to prepare for the big day. Your partner will most likely be starting maternity leave, which will be good for her to rest and relax. You can start packing the hospital bags for you and your partner.
For your partner:
- Slippers
- Socks
- Nightgown
- Massage lotion
- Snacks and drinks
- Hair bands
- Books, magazines, tablet/laptop
- Onesies for new-borns
For you:
- Money
- Digital camera
- Charger for phone and camera
- Toothbrush
- Change of clothes
- Hand-outs from antenatal classes
- Comfortable shoes
- Magazines, books, laptop
40 weeks
IT’S THE BIG DAY!
If your partner hasn’t given birth she will have a routine antenatal appointment. Babies have a habit of not arriving on their due date. Most doctors wait another two weeks before considering a pregnancy overdue.
If your partner hasn’t given birth at 41 weeks she will have another check-up. This time she will discuss the possibility of having labour induced with her medical team.
See if you can take some time off work so that you don’t miss a thing! You want to be there for your partner, who is probably anxious, hot, and frustrated!
The average baby is about 51cm long from head to toe and weighs about 3.4kg at birth.
For more information and tips on what to expect when expecting, check out the BabyCentre UK website:
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1046742/dads-pregnancy-timeline#ixzz58J0ZWAYJ
