So you’re going to be a dad! Congratulations, this new chapter of your life is going to be more exciting than you’d ever expect!
The journey to parenthood is both a little frightening and fabulously exhilarating, and while there will be plenty of challenges along the way you’ll experience some of the happiest moments of your life.
Whether this was a planned pregnancy or not, you may be feeling mixed emotions right now. After all, it’s a huge milestone and something that will shape your future in so many ways.
To help you leap head first into this new role, we’ve put together a list of tips that will hopefully guide you through your entry into parenthood.
Change is inevitable in all aspects of life, but becoming a father is going to be one of the biggest changes in your life so far. To get through this you will need to adopt a certain level of acceptance and keep an open mind.
When times get hard try and take a light hearted approach, maintain a sense of humour – as a parent you’ll definitely need it!
Whether it’s during pregnancy, or after your baby is born, researching and getting your fill of knowledge is a huge advantage. There is no guide book when it comes to becoming a dad, however there’s a lot of information available to help you navigate the twists and turns of fatherhood.
As they say, a healthy body, a healthy mind. Eating a healthy diet and exercising will give you the energy and strength you need to support your partner throughout the long days (and nights) and help get you in the best physical shape for fatherhood.
It’s not only mothers who need to build a strong support network around them to cope with the changes that come with becoming a parent. It’s just as important for men to connect with other fathers and seek out support.
Preparing for a baby can be exhausting, so it’s important you get enough sleep. Sleep specialists recommend a minimum of 7 hours a night, so when you can, get to bed early and get the sleep you need.
Just because you’re not carrying the baby doesn’t mean you can’t play a huge role during your partner’s pregnancy. It’s great for fathers to get involved by attending prenatal appointments, asking questions and learning about what your partner is experiencing.
From the moment you find out you’re going to become a father it’s good to start talking with each other about your expectations and feelings about parenthood. Having constructive, open communication is beneficial now and in the future. It will lessen the chance of misunderstandings and potential disagreements.
It can be deeply satisfying preparing your home for the arrival of your little one. Contributing ideas for the nursery, shopping and helping your partner nest is both a great bonding exercise and super fun!
There’s no doubt that becoming a father will change your life in so many ways. There’ll be plenty of challenges, but if you approach it with an open mind it can be a transformative experience.
With your support, and the support of the team at Grace Private, your partner can navigate their pregnancy with confidence. To get a referral, ‘ask for Grace’ next time you and your partner visit your GP.
