Finding out that you’re pregnant is both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially for new moms. Although you’ll be busy focusing on yourself and your baby for the next nine months, don’t forget about the dad-to-be. Pregnancy is a life-changing event for couples, and it’s important to follow advice on keeping the lines of communication between the two of you wide open. Providing each other with the emotional support you both need during this time will strengthen your relationship and improve intimacy.
Making sure that you take good care of yourself while pregnant is vital. Since there’s a lot to keep track of, don’t be afraid to ask your partner for help. Eat a healthy diet, take your prenatal vitamins and drink plenty of water. Increase your calories, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t be doubling your food intake. Ask your doctor how much you should be eating for healthy weight gain. Let your partner know that you’re going to need a lot of rest during your pregnancy, and discuss ways that he can help you accomplish that. Talk to him about anything that bothers you, such as being worried about whether you’ll be a good parent, and listen to his concerns also. Doing this can cut down on the amount of stress you both feel.
Pregnancy involves several visits to the doctor to check on both you and the baby. Although many pregnancies run smoothly, it’s perfectly understandable for new moms to have health concerns. Keep in mind that your partner might also have his own worries about the baby and pregnancy in general. Sharing your concerns with each other instead of keeping them bottled up can help both of you feel reassured. Ask your partner to go to your prenatal visits with you so you can both discuss your concerns with the doctor.
Work on keeping your relationship strong and healthy during your pregnancy. New moms often become so focused on the baby that they ignore or forget to follow the advice on nurturing their relationship with their significant other. Even though you’re busy preparing for the arrival of your little one, make sure you set aside time to spend together as a couple. Go out on a date every so often or just spend an evening each week sitting and talking to each other. Your relationship will change once you become parents. Building a strong bond between you beforehand makes this change much easier to deal with.
Take a close look at the nature of your relationship if you’re having problems communicating. Some couples unknowingly form an unequal partnership in which one person has more influence than the other. You’ll need to work on balancing this out if you and your significant other are stuck in this pattern. Others have volatile relationships characterized by frequent and serious fights brought on by anxiety. This can escalate during pregnancy due to the stress you’re both under from preparing to become parents for the first time. Couples who avoid discussing their differences altogether will find that this can cause a lot of damage to their relationship. If you don’t agree on crucial issues like discipline, this can lead to several problems down the road. Resolving these issues when you’re pregnant will help prevent further strain on your relationship after your baby arrives.
I have found more information is available for couples and relationships on sites that provide continuing education for social workers.
Author: Wendy tries to help couples with children deal with challenges.
