What will be my partner's feelings during my pregnancy?

If you have a partner, his or her feelings, questions, hopes, and fears are probably as complex as your own. Many partners will want to be actively involved in preparations for the arrival of your child. Expecting a child can be a challenging period for couples. Both partners suddenly lose time for themselves and each other. Roles are being renegotiated, and concerns about the unknown surface.

At times your partner may be feeling tired, left out, or neglected, or may find it hard to support you. Try to involve your partner in your pregnancy, so that the two of you can prepare, plan, and learn together. Childbirth classes offer guidance that can alleviate concerns about labor and delivery. Preparing together often strengthens relationships and can create a buffer against resentment. Some couples choose to dedicate time together to non-baby-related activities, too, so that the baby is not always the center of the relationship. You and your partner may find it helpful to talk about the fantasies you each hold of the other as a parent and what you expect of yourselves and each other. This way, you are sharing the experience of change and are able to begin to differentiate between your fantasies and the realities of early parenting.

Find out more about this book: Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth

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