What can I do to be supportive of my wife who is pregnant?

Question

Pregnancy is one of the most difficult things a human being can go through (says the ignorant man, who is stating the obvious).

I was just wondering what some things are that I can do to be more supportive of my wife. I mean, I don't want to be creepy or obsessive or anything, but I do what to support her during this difficult time in her life.

What are some of the things your husband/partner has done for you during your pregnancy that you really appreciated? If you're a guy, what are some things you did for your spouse/partner that they really appreciated?

Answer 1

Well when I was pregnant my husband used to give me massages. On my feet and lower back. He also asked me if i needed anything. Just let her know that you are there for her and let her know that you love her just the way she is. Some women get very self concious when they are pregnant saying they are fat. Tell her " Your not fat hunny your carrying our precious child!" Good luck!

Answer 2

There are soooo many things I don't know where to start.

1. Do the laundry so that she doesn't have to climb stairs or carry anything heavy, like a laundry basket.

2. Cook her dinner, standing in front of a hot stove is uncomfortable no matter what trimester you're in. If you're in your 1st. the heat makes you sick feeling. If you're in your 3rd. it hurts to stand up for long periods of time.

3. Any housework that she doesn't have to do is a blessing.

4. Rub her back, legs, neck or anywhere she aches and whenever she asks. Don't be an a## and complain, even if it's midnight and she needs her back/neck rubbed. Imagine how sore you would be if you had to carry a bunch of extra weight around all the time. Even if she hasn't gained a lot yet, she is still going to be extremely tired, her body is working 24/7 growing a child. It all takes a serious toll on your body.

5. Send her to the Spa for a prenatal massage, manicure, pedicure or whatever you can think of. Make sure she gets some relaxing time to do something just for her. God knows she won't have much time for that kind of stuff once the baby is born.

6. Understand she may one day just break down and say something like "I feel like I'm going crazy" that's just the pregnancy hormones talking. She might just break down in tears, for no apparent reason. GIVE HER A HUG AND TELL HER EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK. EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHY SHE IS CRYING AND SHE CAN'T EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and my husband did some of these things and some of these things I just wish he did. Try not to get irritated with her mood swings, that is about the worst you can do. Just be there, hold her, and make sure you tell her how much you love her every single day.

Answer 3

First and major take a look at the very nice you'll be able to to be given that hormones do loopy matters to females and despite the fact that you can be doing the whole lot viable she would flip round and chunk your head off for no obvious rationale, or anticipate you to be a mindreader or some thing it's. It will also be very rough to not argue again frequently however simply you should be information. If she's had lengthy day or is complaining of sore/swollen toes present a foot therapeutic massage, while she will get pains within the tummy rub it lightly and so forth. Also exhibit that you simply too have an interest and excited in each and every facet of it (ie little one garments, furnishings, drs appointments and so forth). There's one million exceptional matters you'll be able to do and now not do nevertheless it is determined by you and your spouse, if you're taking facet in the whole lot that you'll be able to, allow her understand continuously that you simply love her and believe she's extra lovely than ever and be information and sympathetic she is going to certainly recognize it extensively. Perhaps you might even exhibit her that you simply published this question considering the fact that she would discover it particularly adorable. Congratulations, benefit from the travel.

Answer 4

Take it easy, and don't panic. Especially don't panic when she does.

Indulge her a little. Flowers, cravings, cut back on the NBA all day Saturday.

Do some housework. But don't overdo it and build up resentment; it's better for a woman to have a messy house and a happy father than a clean house and a jerk.

Show her you're interested. Read some of those really dumb pregnancy books. At least you'll get some idea of the contradictory BS that she has to put up with. And you'll be a helpful resource in helping her with the medical staff.

Go window (or for real) shopping with her. Maternity clothes, baby stuff. I know, I know, you won't need the stuff for 280 days or so, but it shows you care.

Remember, it's the same person, but she's taking a big hormone cocktail right now, and she feels like she's the first person in the world to do this. Back her up, and watch her back.

But above all, don't panic.

Answer 5

If she has morning sickness, do the chores that tend to be stinky-like taking out the garbage. My husband went out and bought air fresheners for every room in the house, which was sweet. All the symptoms will be different for every woman in pregnancy, so what she needs will depend on what hers are really. She may get mad for no reason, or start crying for no reason. Just be there for her(or stay out of her way if she's mad). Buy extra pillows, hot water bottles for back pains(massages are nice too). Be there for appointments if you can, or if not, ask how they went- and really listen. Her whole body feels out of control right now, and she needs to know she still looks pretty too. Especially when it gets to the point where nothing fits and some stores so sensitively put pregnancy clothes in the plus size section(which is great for the self esteem). So make sure you tell her often that she's beautiful and that you love her for having a baby with you.

Answer 6

That's emphatically not "creepy or obsessive," "or anything." Kudos!

Start reading. There's so much bad information out there that it's hard to read too much, and it's useful to be able to bounce your questions and concerns off somebody who at least understands a bit of what you're talking about.

Pick up copies of magazines like "Mothering" when you're at the store for something else. Really -- books. Hit the library.

Fire yourself off to the appropriate food vendor when a craving hits, and be patient with odd behaviour. I made a vegetable biryani (apropos of a craving...) at 5:30 this morning; not getting any complaints about rattling around in the kitchen and reeking the place out with curry before dawn was appreciated.

Support all but the most questionable ideas when it comes to discussing labour options. Home birth is quite safe, for example.

Research everything you're told. Don't lend any credence to a relative's idea that because she was into self-denial, your wife is a bad person because she does one of the 1,272 things that're supposedly awful during pregnancy. Nobody can avoid all 1,272, and many of them are based on outdated or no research.

Go to doctor/midwife appointments.

Don't fuss over shopping for baby fripperies. And involve yourself -- go hunt down the safest and most thoughtfully designed car seat, for example.

Do more than you usually do. Pregnancy is #$*! exhausting. Tidy stuff up around the house without being asked.

You can go to the pub; you just have to come home early.

Overall, be patient, and willing to listen to complaints, and daily reports of physical changes, and complaints, and questions, and complaints.

Answer 7

Sounds like you're a really good guy- that's half the battle. My husband was very good about encouraging naps when I was exhausted and helping out around the house to let me rest. That was a big help. Really, the best thing you can do is to be really interested every single step of the way. Read the books with her, look at the magazines with her, even enjoy all of the shopping that she'll obsess about. Knowing your husband is just as excited as you are is the best thing you can do for her. And don't EVER EVER talk about her mood swings or suggest she's moody because she's pregnant.

Answer 8

You sound like a caring hubby and will most likely make an excellent daddy. Attend doctor visits with her whenever possible, give massages, let her rest when she needs to, help with housework that is difficult for her now, help set up the nursery. Making her still feel like a woman is important too. Take her to dinner if possible and get some "together" out alone time before baby comes...you'll be glad you did!!!!

Answer 9

This is so sweet. You can do lots of things for her. Try to let her know how much you love her. Don't make any emphasis on her changing body. Try and help out even more around the house. carry things for her. Rub her feet. Make sure she has lots of pillows. Go out in the middle of the night and get something for her that she is craving.Try to go for walks with her. Take her out to her fav restaurant. Pregnancy makes you sick and tired. You get swollen everywhere. Run her a nice hot bath with candles and nice soft music. Just basically spoil her whenever you can!

Answer 10

The best thing that my husband does for me is put our 3 yr old to bed so that i can go ahead and get to bed a little earlier. I like when he holds me and rubs the belly, feet and of course the back! Telling me he loves me and that i'm beautiful helps since i feel so unattractive right now. Helping out around the house!! Anything that you wouldn't normally do without her having to ask you first, do it!

Answer 11

Wow...first, I must say that its wonderful you're seeking the advice of other pregnant women and mothers so you can help your wife. I'm 19 weeks pregnant with my first and I really appreciate it when my husband helps me with household chores so I can rest. He helps with loading/unloading the dishwasher, doing laundry, bringing heavy groceries into the house, and cooking dinner. It definitely helps me. The other thing I really appreciate is that he helps me down the sidewalk and into the car so I don't slip on the ice and snow. It reminds me of the days when men were into chivalry and everything. Kudos again for wanting to help your wife!