Kenya men - Dads
Becoming a dad will obviously change your life. Here are some ideas on preparing for the changes ahead of you.
Talk to other dads
Knowing that you’re going to be a dad is a momentous experience but one that brings lots of questions. Do I feel ready to be a father? How will we cope financially? Will the baby and my partner be OK?
These worries are all perfectly natural, but you may find that it helps to talk to other dads, or even your own, most of them will have asked themselves the same questions.
Antenatal classes
It’s a good idea to find out what you’re in for at the birth, so consider going to antenatal classes with your partner.
What to expect
Don’t expect your baby to arrive on its due date - it’s only a rough guide. Although 40 weeks is the norm, don’t be surprised if it happens a week or two earlier and going beyond 40 weeks is pretty common too.
It should be fairly obvious when your partner is in labour but signs to watch out for include:
Lower back pain sometimes accompanied by cramp
Contractions become more frequent and intense
Some blood-tinged discharge, which might include mucus
When labour starts
If her waters break there’s no need to panic. This is the release of the amniotic fluid from the womb prior to birth. Call the maternity unit and ask for their advice. Some will ask you to come in, others will just say keep in touch.
If you’re worried that things are happening much too fast, or if you have any other cause for concern, call an ambulance.
If you’re driving your partner to the hospital, it’s a good idea to plan the route in advance and make sure you have enough change for parking - you don’t want your car to be clamped while you’re in the labour ward.
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Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?