Giving birth to a baby is the most joyous and special event of one’s lifetime. Both husband and wife are together in this event, sharing and caring for each other and their baby. Their bond becomes very strong during this period as they share the fruits of their labor.
A woman undergoes many hormonal, physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. This can be the most trying period for some women. It can be quite difficult to come to terms with their pregnant condition. They require all the support and assistance to cope up with it. This is where the husbands can play an important role. The husband can be supportive and become involved in the process so as to make the expectant mother feel comfortable.
In earlier times, the husbands got involved only in the final stages of the pregnancy that is taking the wife to the hospital for delivery. Nowadays, the men have become very aware and get involved right from the beginning, when the pregnancy test is confirmed as positive. The husbands take an active part and play a positive role during the wife’s pregnancy by keeping prenatal appointments, attending prenatal and child birth classes.
The husband can accompany the wife to the maternity clinic for regular check ups. In this way, he can keep a track of his wife’s health as well as the health of the unborn baby. This will also help in reducing his anxieties and nervousness, if it is the first time. The husband must discuss all the dreams, hopes and fears with the wife. The husband and wife can plan and discuss their future with baby and their respective parenting roles. The husband can help with some household chores and lessen the work burden of his wife.  The husband must share his joy, doubts and feelings with friends and near and dear ones. He can talk to his own father. He must also keep some time for his own self.
He can also give her company for daily walks and various prenatal and child birth classes. The husband must become extra caring as the expectant mother is also quite tense and nervous during the pregnancy. The husband can himself remain in a positive frame of mind and keep his wife cheerful. A cheerful mother surely has good effect on the unborn child.
The husband ought to keep all the information of hospitals and delivery dates ready and handy. The husband must prepare himself on personal as well as professional front and be ready in advance for all emergencies. The husband can ready the house to welcome the new baby and decorate the house with baby furniture and so on. Last but not the least, enjoy the feeling of ensuing fatherhood.
