One of the changes that takes place in the pregnant women is the increased production of great quantities of certain hormones which are needed for motherhood. These hormone changes affect your brain as well as your body, and they help to prepare you psychologically for an innate maternal feeling. While these changes are occurring in your delicate system , no such changes are taking place inside the father. In fact, father often does not grasp the feeling of fatherhood until he finally holds the new child in his arms.

It is important then to help the father gradually share the experience of pregnancy, and you can do this in several ways. First, have the father talk with your clinician as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, and tell the father about each step you are going through and what the clinician is advising. Clinician much prefers to have both of the prospective parents involved and informed. Second, make your partner read this section of “IndianMomsAndBabies”, so that he will be able to understand all the changes that are occurring within you – both physical and emotional. After reading this section, the father will be more understanding when you complain about a backache, stomach upset, or leg pains and he will also know these conditions are normal. Instead of worrying over each of your minor physical changes, he can be solicitous and helpful. Third, as your pregnancy develops, encourage the partner to put his hand on your abdomen so that he can feel baby’s movement and share the experience. Consult with him when you select baby’s furnishings and plan the routine for the new baby. And finally, remember, so much of your time and energy may be spent thinking of and planning for the baby that you forget to make time for each other. You are both under more than the usual amount of stress at this time, so it is especially important that you are each more understanding, more thoughtful of the other, and that you set aside quality time to spend together.