Topics:

You're Both Expecting (Months 1, 2 and 3)
In The Middle (Months 4, 5 and 6)
Almost There (Months 7, 8 and 9)
Preparing for Baby's Birth
Now You're a New Dad
Keep your baby safe

You're Both Expecting (Months 1, 2 and 3)
A healthy lifestyle is especially important during pregnancy. Do your best to take care of mom-to-be and your baby from the start. You can help by doing the following:

Attend prenatal doctor appointments. Routine prenatal care is important and essential to a healthy pregnancy. Try to reschedule any missed appointments as soon as possible. Talk to the doctor or midwife about the advantages of taking childbirth classes, especially if this is your first baby.

Avoid harmful substances. Healthy habits are easier to follow when a partner practices them too. Cigarettes, alcohol, "street" drugs, or any medications that are not approved by your doctor must be avoided during pregnancy because they can harm the baby. If your partner uses any of these substances, help her to stop. If you use them it's best if you quit, too. If you can't stop, at least decrease your use. Don't let an one smoke near mom during pregnancy or around your baby after it is born.

Eat a balanced diet. It's easier to eat right when people around us eat healthy foods. When you do the grocery shopping, try to buy nutritious foods and snacks. Show your support by eating balanced meals together whenever possible.

Exercise regularly. All exercise should be discussed and approved by your doctor before starting. Walking is an especially good exercise during pregnancy. Try to take brisk walks together to share relaxing, quality time.

Get extra rest. If you help with the laundry, grocery shopping, cooking and other chores, mom can get the extra rest she needs during pregnancy. Encourage mom-to-be to lie down on the couch or at least get off her feet. If you have older children, spend more time with them so mom can rest more.

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In The Middle (Months 4, 5 and 6)
Sharing responsibilities is a good way to build closeness and prepare for fatherhood. Take part in important activities such as:

Selecting a pediatrician for your baby. Ask for referrals from your obstetrician or friends who are parents. Try to set up an interview with each doctor during the last months of pregnancy. During the interview you might want to discuss topics such as:

• Infant feeding
• General baby care
• Family health history
• Office hours and emergency phone number
• List of routine medical services and costs
• Check to see if they take your insurance

Making your home safe. When you're decorating the nursery, don't forget safety and convenience items, such as smoke alarm and lamp with dimmer switch for nighttime feedings and diapering. Take time now to check all the smoke alarms in your home according to the manufacturer instructions. Make sure floor coverings, such as carpeting and tile; are tacked down securely to avoid tripping. Set the temperature of your water heater to less than 120 degrees F.

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Almost There (Months 7, 8 and 9)

The last months of pregnancy are usually the most demanding. You'll both likely experience increased excitement and anxiety. Hang in there and follow these tips for support:

Support feeding choices. Talk with your partner about how your baby will be fed. If she decides to breastfeed, encourage her to talk to the doctor or a certified lactation consultant about successful breastfeeding tips.

Have a plan to get to the hospital. Be sure you and your partner know the best route to the hospital. Ask a trusted neighbor to be "on-call" and keep the phone number for taxi service on hand in case you're not around to take mom to the hospital. Try to postpone any travel plans during late pregnancy and just after birth.

Plan your vacation time. Try to be around more, especially near your baby's due date and just after the baby is born. If mom-to-be has a cesarean delivery, she'll need more rest and support. Half-day vacations work well for many expecting and new fathers. Enlist as much support as you can from family, friends and neighbors during the first weeks at home.

Install an infant car seat. Infant safety car seats are required by law in every state. Learn how to install the car seat now so you're prepared to bring your baby home from the hospital. Follow both the manufacturer's car and manual instructions. Babies should be in rear-facing positions until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. For cars with air bags, babies should always be put in the back seat facing the rear of the car.

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Preparing for Baby's Birth
Getting ready for the big day involves everything from making sure mom's hospital stay-over bag is packed to knowing when true labor begins. These important tips can help:

Know when true labor begins. Learning how to time mom's contractions will help you know when it's time to go to the hospital. Ask the doctor or midwife the difference between true and false contractions. If your partner thinks she is going into labor, don't wait too long to call the doctor or midwife or get her to the hospital.

Recognize the signs of early labor. Sometimes babies surprise us right from the start and arrive well before their due date. While most women give birth 2 weeks before or after due dates, some births occur before that time. A baby is considered premature if it is born between the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes the signs of early or preterm labor are easy to recognize; at other times the signs may be mild and harder to identify. Not all early births can be prevented, but recognizing signs of preterm labor can help. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if mom-to-be has any of these conditions:

• A change in vaginal discharge that is watery, contains mucus or blood or is an increased amount from normal
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain or pressure
• Constant low, dull backache
• Mild abdominal cramps
• Regular contractions or uterine tightening often painless
• Ruptured membranes (her water breaks)
• Decrease in fetal movement

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Now You're a New Dad
Few life experiences will demand more support, love and wisdom than fatherhood. Consider these tips to help you deliver the continued sharing and caring that is so important once your baby is born.

Share in baby care. If mom has chosen to breastfeed, support her decision. You can stay involved in baby care by waking the baby and getting him or her ready for feeding. Burping and changing diapers can be a way to stay involved.

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Keep your baby safe

• Always put your baby on his/her back to sleep.
• Never let anyone smoke around your baby.
• Never leave your baby unattended, not even for a minute.
• Always place your baby in the car seat when riding in the car.
• Never shake your baby, no matter how frustrated or impatient you may feel.

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