Category Pregnancy

Being a dad and a provider Most dads want to be more than just the person who brings in the money. But it's normal to worry about whether you're a 'good enough' provider. Part of this worry is often to do with going from two incomes to one. Another part could be general nerves about becoming a dad. I did go through stages when I'd sit bolt upright certain nights and look at my partner and the bump in her tummy and go, 'Gosh - I've got to provide for these guys'.

Dads and work: getting it into perspective Once you become a father, you might start to feel the pressure of being a provider for your family. Being in work and doing well might seem even more important than it used to. If you have a heavy workload, a long commute or little choice about your hours, you can end up tired and stressed.

Having sex in pregnancy The golden rule for sex during pregnancy is that if the pregnancy is going smoothly and you and your partner are keen, it's fine. But most men find that they have less sex when they're expecting a baby. Sex during pregnancy can feel quite different from how it felt before. You might also worry that sex will harm the baby.

Relationship changes after baby: what men can expect Relationships often go through some big changes after baby comes along. These changes can be good and bad. They happen because of the demands of looking after a new baby. Fitting in with baby After your baby comes along, you and your partner are on duty as parents.

Mood swings Pregnancy brings on hormone changes, which might cause mood changes in your partner. These can come with little or no warning to you or her. It can be very tricky to navigate situations when emotions run high and her moods change suddenly. It's easy to take your partner's mood swings personally, but they could be more about hormonal changes than about you.

First trimester pregnancy scan Your partner will be offered her first ultrasound scan at 6-12 weeks of pregnancy . This scan: checks that your baby is growing in the right place - that is, inside the womb checks that your baby is developing as expected shows how many babies are present helps health professionals work out your baby's age and estimated due date is part of the check on your baby's chance of having a condition like Down Syndrome.

Safe exercise in pregnancy After checking with their midwife or doctor, healthy women who have uncomplicated pregnancies can usually: keep doing their regular, moderate exercise during pregnancy start a light to moderate exercise program during pregnancy. Why being physically active is good while pregnant Being active during pregnancy has many benefits for mum and baby.

Vaginal birth Malcom's story (father of two) 'The birth was absolutely sensational. It was complicated because my partner had been through a very long labour and I had a strong sense of “Oh my god, my partner's just gone through this absolute hell”. 'But when the baby was sitting on her, quite happy and contented, I was just happy in my role of keeping an eye on my partner.

Men: strong reactions to pregnancy Pregnancy can be a time of stress, worry, pressure, frustration and confusion for some men. You could be juggling preparations for baby's arrival, money and work demands - and more. You might feel unprepared for caring for a newborn, and worry about 'losing' time for yourself and your partner.

Left out of pregnancy? While your partner is pregnant, you might go through many different reactions and emotions. Some can be harder to deal with than others. Feeling left out or unimportant is a pretty common feeling in pregnancy. You might even feel that your partner is giving more of her attention to the pregnancy than to your relationship.

Pregnancy complications If your partner has a high-risk pregnancy or health concerns, the final months might not be the exciting countdown you expected. Instead, you and your partner might be going through a lot of worry and frustration. Common pregnancy complications in the third trimester include: pre-eclampsia gestational diabetes too much or too little fluid around your baby your baby not growing as expected your baby sitting in an unusual position a problem with the placenta.

Men in early pregnancy: mixed emotions When you hear the news that your partner is pregnant, you might have all sorts of different - and even mixed - emotions. Joy and excitement You might not be able to stop grinning or smiling. If you haven't told others the news, people around you might be wondering what's making you so happy.

Why it's good to plan a family support network The early months of your baby's life are a time of adjustment, and baby's feeding routine and sleeping patterns can be exhausting. It's normal to feel isolated, lonely and overwhelmed at times. A family support network can help you and your partner feel like you have practical and emotional 'back-up' as new parents - especially if you're planning to go back to paid work soon after baby is born.

Being a dad: a juggling act Before your baby arrives, you can probably juggle working, enjoying your relationship and making time to follow your interests or catch up with mates. After baby comes along, you can expect some major changes to all three of these areas. There'll also be a new thing to add to the juggling act - family time.

About birth classes just for men General birth classes, also known as antenatal classes or prenatal classes, are getting better at including dads, but birth classes just for dads could be an extra option for you to consider. These classes are often run by a male health professional who's also a dad. Some are offered free as part of a series of hospital birth classes.

Rewards of being a dad During pregnancy, you can hear lots of bad news about difficult births, sleep loss, less social life and other downsides. It's easy to lose sight of what it's all about - having a baby. The bonds you build with your baby and the fun you have together are priceless. And you can start building these bonds even in pregnancy.

Becoming a dad: not real yet? There's no perfect way to find your way into being a dad. Some men say that it's not until they attend birth classes, go through the birth or drive home from hospital with their baby that being a dad feels real. If you're a dad who's only just getting into pregnancy or the thought of being a father, that's OK.

Late pregnancy: excitement, impatience and more The final months and weeks of pregnancy can feel like a countdown. Becoming a dad might feel very real now - or still not real yet. What's happening in the third trimester In the final months, there are more check-ups on mum's and baby's health. It's great for you and your partner if you can get to these appointments.

Having sex in pregnancy The golden rule for sex during pregnancy is that if the pregnancy is going smoothly and you and your partner are keen, it's fine. But most men find that they have less sex when they're expecting a baby. Sex during pregnancy can feel quite different from how it felt before. You might also worry that sex will harm the baby.

Not sure about being at the birth? If you're not sure about being at your baby's birth, being well prepared can help you feel more confident . You can work through any concerns about the birth by discussing them with your partner. Having the right information can also help ease your worries. But if you're sure that you don't want to be there, let your partner know as soon as possible and together you can find another birth support person.