PREGNANCY ROLE OF BEST FATHER : THE ROLE OF FATHER (HUSBAND) DURING PREGNANCY

The role father (husband) during pregnancy is very crucial and can never be underestimated. Let’s see its impact and   importance along with true life examples.

“Its not flesh and blood alone; it’s the heart that makes a father. The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspiration he sets not only for himself but also for his family

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey to every mother and father.  Father is the central figure whose moral support  means a lot to  the expecting mother. When a mother is left alone to deal with it, the journey might seem tedious. He should be with her and the baby that she lovingly carries in her womb.  He can make it all beautiful and secure for the two of them just by his presence…

Doctor rates the quality of a pregnant woman’s relationship with her spouse as only second to her attitude towards her motherhood as a determinant of infant’s well-being.

Fig 1 pregnancy stages

Why father’s role appears less prominent 

A Doctor were put on interestingly puts it, “For obvious psychological reasons, a man is at something of a disadvantage here. The child is not an organic part of him.

Fathers experience a different dynamic than mothers through pregnancy. Most mothers normally attach right away to the baby because of the physical and emotional attachment; they go through during the baby’s development in the womb. Pregnancy for a father is usually much more abstract. Fathers may not feel the need to get involved or worry about the baby until it’s born.

Fig 1.1 Pregnancy Role 

 This approach can make the transition into fatherhood more difficult once the baby is born. Some fathers try to begin their transition into fatherhood during the pregnancy, but they often don’t know where to begin. A dad’s frame of reference on how to attach is different than a mother’s.

During the first part of pregnancy, he may feel life is still normal with his regular routine still in place; this may continue throughout the full pregnancy. Some fathers start to feel attachment to their baby when the mother starts “showing” more, and the baby’s movements can be seen on the mother’s stomach. Others start getting involved when a name is chosen and they can start referring to the child by the name. Though the father may not be experiencing the daily “kicks” and discomforts of pregnancy, involvement during this time is crucial in  preparing for and attaching to the new baby.

Fig 1.2 Growth of babies during every months 

WHAT HE CAN DO

   Something as ordinary as talking is a good example: “A child hears his father’s voice in utero, and there is solid evidence that hearing that voice makes a big emotional difference. In cases where a man talked to his child in utero using short soothing words, the newborn was able to pick out his father’s voice in a room even in the first hour or two of life. More than pick out, he responds to it emotionally. If he’s crying, for instance, he’ll stop. That familiar, soothing sound tells him he is safe.”

Video 1.1 Pre-pregnancy Care and Treatments 

HOW THE BABY RESPONDS

        A man and his wife were excited knowing about the concept of “TALK TO BABY” (talking to the baby in the womb). They   were discussing about the ways of implementation and put it in practice. They both started   bonding   with the baby and kept calling it as “LUCKY”. The baby was reciprocating well.   After delivery the nurse handed over the baby to  the man's sister and she was keeping the baby in her hands. A man  as usual called him, ”LUCKY ”, he immediately turned his  head  towards his father, much to the surprise of his aunt.

Fig 1.3 Human Fetus 

  A man  strongly feels the parents are the sculptors of the baby  and pregnancy period is surely the best time to shape this  magnificent piece of  sculpture; he also feels if parents don’t do it consciously, external  factors  will take upper hand , making it an incomplete piece of art.  

LACK OF FATHER’S SUPPORT- ON BABY lower birth weight and prematurity is common among Infants, whose fathers were absent— and had no involvement in the pregnancy.

ON MOTHER: 

Many maternal complications such as anemia, high blood pressure, and more serious ailments— were more prevalent among women whose children’s fathers were absent.

Fig 1.4 Human Baby Hyderation 

Yesterday’s dads were expected to be good providers and taskmasters. Emotional support was the wife’s job. They never took part in household chores. The expectation that today’s dad will be a sensitive caregiver to both his children and his wife, makes for a difficult era of transition

         In olden days joint family system acted as a great emotional buffer, where elders took up the responsibility to give moral support to the expecting mother. Cordial relationship existed among neighbors who were like family members; also helping without expecting any favor in return was in vogue.

           In sharp contrast, in present day nuclear family system, elders don’t live with the couple. We don’t even know the neighbors even after living for decades nearby. So the burden falls on the spouse, to take care the pregnant mother.

Fig 1.5 pregnancy check

New fathers :   

Many new fathers have only nights and weekends to interact with their newborn. Added to this the fact that more than half of all new mothers breast feed – limiting dad’s role as a source for feeding the baby. Now fathers and sons are bonding openly for good. A growing number of fathers have also started to take their time off during the first few years of their babies’ growth.

Fig 1.6 Happy family after baby born

Tips for more involvement:

 Become informed – 

Read up on pregnancy, childbirth and baby care. Talk to other fathers. The more informed you are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. It’s also good to develop a support system of fathers, too, to call upon should you need some help relating to your spouse or partner during pregnancy or adjusting to changes after the baby comes.

Attend prenatal appointments –

Expecting mothers feel happier when husbands accompany them to doctor’s clinic. When he discusses with the doctor about her progress and learns   the precautions to be taken  she  feels  secure..

Fig 1.7 Pregnancy Foods

For the husband also, hearing the heartbeat and seeing the ultrasound helps make the pregnancy feel more real, especially in the early months when the only outward signs may be a nauseated, tired and moody mother.

Feel for kicks – A couple of weeks after the mother starts to feel the baby move, we will be able to, too. Some babies will kick if we put our hand on the belly.

Talk or sing to the baby – Even in the womb, your baby can hear father’s voice and react. Once the baby is born, he or she will be able to differentiate father’s voice from   mother’s and from others’ voices.

Thus fathers can spread their protective umbrella, over mom and baby by involving in various activities, making journey of pregnancy   joyous and memorable.