You and your partner are bringing a baby into the world. Thank goodness that it doesn’t happen overnight and that you have nine months or so to prepare and absorb what is happening. Before baby is here, it may seem like it’s only mom doing all the hard bits. But your involvement is key, not just for her sake, but for your relationship and for your own preparation in becoming a dad. This is what you can expect:
MONTH 1
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PARTNER?
“BE SYMPATHETIC, SUPPORTIVE AND DON’T MAKE INSENSITIVE COMMENTS. YOUR PARTNER PROBABLY WON’T SAY NO TO A CUP OF TEA AND A CALMING BACK MASSAGE.”
Her hormone levels skyrocket just after fertilisation. In the weeks that follow, she’ll probably feel the need to urinate frequently, and she’ll miss a period. A lot of women experience morning sickness. Other common niggles are heartburn and an inability to tolerate certain foods. Fatigue is another common complaint, and this is caused by an increase in blood volume, and the accompanying drop in oxygen-bearing haemoglobin. Her breasts start feeling tender and tingly, mainly because of the increase in blood supply.
