Hoorah! But what are the next steps and where can we get useful (and comprehensive) information on what we'll need to know for the next eight months?
What other advice or tips would people give us that we may not find elsewhere?
Thanks!
2006-10-10 23:38:48 · 35 answers · asked by Thanks! 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Get the book, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING. It answers virtually any question you might have and is very organized and easy to read. They also have WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING, WHAT TO EXPECT THE FIRST YEAR, AND WHAT TO EXPECT THE TODDLER YEARS. These are excellent books. There are also a lot of books out there aimed for new Daddies, find one that you like to help guide you and help you support your wife. Make sure your wife is going to all of her OB/GYN appointments. I know my husband would take his lunch break to go with me to my appointments and that meant a lot to me, so try to do that. Make it all a team effort, and see if there is a class for soon-to-be parents, usually these are offered through the hospital. My husband and I took one and it really helped us to understand what to expect during labor and delivery. Congratulations!
2006-10-11 00:23:44 · answer #1 · answered by nimo22 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rub her feet. Doing a hand or foot massage can help relieve a lot of tension and give you some quiet time to talk.
Exercise with her. You both can take a walk and exercise together.
Do all the cleaning. She should not be inhaling chemicals of cleaning products, it's not good for the baby, it can make her feel sick, or throw up all over the place
Show interest It's important to her. Go to appointments when you can, if you have trouble getting away be sure to make it to the big ones like the first heartbeat and the ultrasounds.
Take her out to dinner. Sometimes it seems like your fetus has taken over your life months before it gets here. Remember to spend time as a couple. Don't keep her stuck inside all day it will drive her crazy TRUST ME. Go to the movies, bowling, or to a museum. If you can't afford it then get creative LOL.... Picnic in the park, dinner and a movie at home, etc
Give in. Let her win the arguments even if you feel like your right. Don't give her a hard time it will stress her out. ALSO, she may begin to get irritated very easily or if you upset her she may 'let it all out on you' Remember it just her hormones be patient with her.
This may be a difficult time for her especially if it's her first be 100% supportive & caring. Good Luck
2006-10-11 07:38:23 · answer #2 · answered by STARS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People seem to have given you lots of good advice about the pregnancy, so I'd just like to add something about afterwards.
I recommend the breastfeeding book called "So that's what they're for!" by Janet Tamaro. It is a really amusing book, good for you to read as well as your wife, that has a lot of information put in a funny way - very readable.
I am a breastfeeding councillor and I find that people really have an easier time if they have done a bit of research before the baby is born, so they can have already decided how they want to go with feeding the baby(Breast/bottle/cup etc.). It also helps so much if the father of the baby is supportive.
It helps to go to mother-support groups before the birth too - with la leche league or something like that in your country, so that you have people you already know to call on if you need help.
All the best with your family!!!
2006-10-11 07:12:06 · answer #3 · answered by Rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in the UK I would consider joining the NCT for your local area. You get to be with expecting parents in your local area and can discuss all your worries, hopes and fears with like-minded people at exactly the same stage you're at.
Also - the biggest bonus - is that when your baby is born you have a ready made network of friends for you and your child who know what you are going through and you can obsess about all the age appropriate baby stuff with!
As other people have said - of course - go to your GP, get set up with the midwife, get well read, but, remember - look after each other in these 8 months it's a magic time, and also the last with just each other to care for.
2006-10-11 20:47:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations
First thing is first.. have a cigar... then make an appointment with your doc and they will tell you the next step.. assign a midwife etc... about 11-14 you'll prob have a first trimester scan when they'll be able to give a better idea of dates than what you have from the LMP (last menstral period) .. with regard to everything else there are plenty of books they will walk you through the whole process.. good luck
2006-10-10 23:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by blue_cabbage 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations. Remember pregnancy is not an illness, so your wife can continue her life as normal. It goes without saying if she smokes she should stop, also she should consult her doctor if she is on any medication. There are loads of books and website available for for info. First thing is that she must see a doctor and he will tell her the next steps. All the best for an easy prenancy, easy borth and wonderful healthy baby.
2006-10-11 00:04:05 · answer #6 · answered by London Girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all congratulations second of all enjoy it. There a loads of books around with what happens over the next coming months and the changes in your baby and partner etc. I think you won't find any other advice than whats in the books and even on line you could join mother and baby clubs online to talk to other parents which i found nice as it's not all books and talking to docs and midwives!
2006-10-11 00:00:29 · answer #7 · answered by sez75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
congratulations, once you go to your first doctors meeting he she will tell you exactly what to do for the next nine months. if you are in uk she will be seen every 4 weeks until her second trimester then she will be seen every 2 weeks and then towards the end she will be seen every week, she will have to have quite a lot of blood tests done at first for iron levels hepatitis etc. she will have a scan at 12 weeks and 20 weeks i think. you will probably be offered antenatal classes when she is so far along which you can both go to. you have a busy few months ahead good luck x
2006-10-10 23:52:33 · answer #8 · answered by charlie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats to you and your wife.First thing you need to do is get a hold of a OB Doctor or Midwife.They will let you know all the appt. you need to make for the months ahead.As for making sure she eats healthly please make sure she does just remember though she only needs a extra 300 calories.Also for tuna fish yes she can eat that if she likes .4oz a week is what the Doctor's recommend.Just be there for her she will definitely have her mood swings but, all pregnancy's and women are different.
2006-10-11 00:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by ang3lzfir3_99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CONGRATULATIONS!
Get to the hosp for a scan to see your bean, then doc should tell you all the next steps you need to take.
Enjoy every minute because it goes way too fast! Im at 28 weeks and dont know where all the time has gone!
Happy parenting!
x
2006-10-11 01:20:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋