WAYS HUSBANDS CAN SUPPORT THEIR WIVES DURING PREGNANCY

So how can men help? 1) Don’t expect her to be the same Right now, she’s not the same. Her body might feel out of control, especially if this is her first pregnancy. And she can’t help it, either. If she tells you that she just cannot stand to eat her favorite food, don’t make fun of her. If she wants to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon, let her. If she cries, just hold her. She needs your support and understanding right now, rather than bewildered criticism. 2) Let her rest She needs extra sleep right now. She’s growing a baby, and her hormones are all over the place! Women tend to be especially tired in the first trimester and in their last few weeks. Let her sleep in on weekends and let her take naps if she can. When you’re both home, let her rest more than usual instead of expecting her to keep her usual pace with chores. Don’t be afraid to pitch in on those chores, either!! 3) Understand her food cravings — and aversions Pregnant women do not do this on purpose. Something that sounds delicious one day may sound completely disgusting the next. That is normal. Don’t be upset with her or ask her why she wanted it in the first place if she won’t eat it now. Quietly finish the leftovers yourself, or put them in the freezer if you don’t like them. She may decide in a week or so that she wants it again! And never ask her to eat something she is averse to. It could literally make her sick right now. If she’s really sensitive, don’t eat it in front of her, either, because just seeing and smelling it can make her sick, too. 4) Listen to her Naturally, you should do this all the time. But she’s extra sensitive and emotional right now. Something that might not bother her ordinarily might make her break down in tears now. She has a lot of worries and fears — is the pregnancy normal? Will the baby be normal? Will labor and birth go okay? Will the baby love her? Will she be a good mom? These are legitimate and real worries. Let her talk to you and share these thoughts and fears. She may also want to share her excitement, over finding the perfect bedding, getting an ultrasound, or feeling the baby kick for the first time. Let her share that too! 5)Attend a birthing class with her If she wants to have a natural birth, a childbirth ed class is a must. It is not optional, it is not extra. A good class can prepare her about what to expect in labor and ways to cope with it. Armed with this knowledge, her birth will be more peaceful. If you attend with her, you can learn to help her cope. Remember what behavior to expect from her, who you need to call and when, and what you can do to make things easier for her (offer water, rub her back, hold her and stare into her eyes — whatever she needs at the time). This is important.