Article at a Glance
Pregnancy brings a lot of change to a relationship. Before the baby is born, the expectant mother bears much of the burden as her body changes to support the growing child. Spouses need to offer additional support at this time to make their expecting partners feel more comfortable, cared for, and supported.
Pregnancy causes significant changes to the body, with hormones bringing changes in mood and emotions. The physical changes caused by pregnancy are also significant, the least of which is a growing belly. Other changes include back pain, swollen feet, fatigue, nausea, and heartburn. Some pregnancies can also include more severe symptoms such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
The support of a spouse can go a long way in alleviating the worries of an expectant spouse. In fact, studies have shown that having a supportive partner can help reduce anxiety and depression levels in pregnant women. Proper support can even lead to better outcomes during pregnancy and delivery.
The best ways to provide support to an expectant spouse are dependent on that person’s individual needs and preferences. However, here are a few ways to provide support as you learn more about exactly how your spouse may need or want your support.
It can be difficult to schedule time for all the appointments that come along with pregnancy. Many view them as routine and not all that important, with the exception of the initial appointment and the gender-reveal appointment. However, each and every appointment can be stressful, as the expecting mother waits to hear about the health of her baby. Attending as many of these prenatal appointments as possible shows your spouse that you’re an equal partner in the pregnancy and are always there to support her.
Attending parenting and birthing classes with your spouse can make you more capable of providing support while also alleviating her worries about the future. Utah Valley Pediatrics offers a free class about preparing for your new baby that is taught on a monthly basis. New parents can ask questions and get responses from a pediatrician.
Pregnancy and the accompanying aches, pains, and fatigue can make even the simplest tasks more difficult. With that in mind, step up and take a more active role in the household. This will look different for different couples, but tasks such as shopping, cleaning, laundry, running errands, and other common tasks can move from the expectant mother to the spouse.
Being pregnant isn’t a disability. Except for rare instances, expectant mothers can perform most of the tasks that they did before pregnancy. The way spouses may treat their partner could leave that partner feeling as though their spouse doesn’t think she is capable. As the spouse of an expecting mother, your job is to listen to your partner’s needs and let her continue to do the things she wants to do.
Different support will be needed at different stages of pregnancy. In the first part of the pregnancy, be prepared to support your partner with morning sickness. Support her by cooking or shopping for foods that help calm her stomach or don’t make nausea worse. Later in the pregnancy, you may want to massage your partner’s feet or shoulders, as the weight of the growing baby puts extra strain on the body.
One of the most important ways to maintain a healthy relationship during pregnancy is by emphasizing and prioritizing open communication. Set aside time each day or before bed to talk to your partner. This could be about how the day went or how your partner feels about the pregnancy that day. The most important thing is establishing frequent times when you offer your partner your full attention and actively listen.
Expectant mothers have a million thoughts running through their heads as the due date approaches. If she is a first-time mother, your spouse is likely scared and worried about pain, whether she’ll be able to safely give birth, and a host of other thoughts that play on repeat inside her head. As a spouse, you can’t stop these thoughts from occurring, but you can offer reassurance that everything will be alright. You can also focus on all the things that you’ll need to prepare for after the baby is born. This will provide peace of mind to your partner so she can focus on the important job of giving birth without worrying about what comes after.
Remember that every pregnancy is different, so it’s important to be flexible and adaptable in your approach to supporting your expecting partner. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your partner feels supported and cared for throughout her pregnancy.
Medicines & Dosages
Pay Your Bill
Surveys & Questionnaires
Pediatric Newsletter
Patient Portal
Locations