Ways to Include Your Partner in the Joys of Pregnancy

Expectant mothers have an automatic bond with their babies the moment they enter the womb. As you go through the next nine months, you get to experience everything from physical and hormonal changes to the tiny kicks and flutters as your little one moves about. For expectant fathers or partners, however, the bonding experience isn’t quite the same. 

Not able to actually feel the baby growing and moving inside of them, they often feel a bit left out until the baby arrives. As this pregnancy is supposed to be a joyous occasion for both of you, it’s only natural to want to find ways to make them feel connected sooner. The good news, is there are a few ways you can enhance their bonding experience early on. 

Make a Fun Announcement Together

Once you’re both comfortable and know, how to announce pregnancy to parents in the most enthusiastic and start sharing the good news. There are lots of fun ways to announce a pregnancy these days. You can host a dinner and invite close friends and family and share the news. You can take photos and create your own pregnancy announcements to mail out. Another popular option is creating an announcement video and sharing it with friends and family on social media or via email. 

Attend Doctor’s Appointments Together

Prenatal appointments can be very exciting. You get to learn a lot about your little one’s growth and development. Some appointments are even more special where you can hear the heartbeat, see the baby in the womb, and even learn the gender. Be sure that your partner is made aware of these appointments. This way, they can clear their schedules to ensure they can go with you. 

Purchase a Baby Doppler

Hearing your precious baby’s heartbeat is like music to your ears. It can be so soothing and a wonderful bonding experience. Beyond your prenatal appointments, you can experience this sound whenever you’d like at home. All you need is a baby doppler. You can easily purchase one online at an affordable rate. This handheld device is easy to use and can allow you and your partner to hear your baby’s heartbeat whenever you’d like. 

Tummy Time

One of the most amazing milestones in pregnancy is when you can feel your baby kicking and moving around. You can include your partner in this experience by having tummy time. Schedule time throughout the week where you and your partner just lay in bed, relax, and rub your belly as you wait for your little one to move. If you pay attention close enough, you’ll start to learn when your baby is most active for the best chance of your partner feeling those tiny hands and feet kicking and punching. 

Throw a Dadchelor Party

Baby showers, though now more inclusive than ever, have always been thought of as events catered more towards the expectant mom and her female friends. You can make dad feel celebrated during the pregnancy by opting to throw him his own baby shower. It’s become a very popular idea known as a dadchelor party. Talk with one of his best friends to see if they’d be willing to host the party for them. If you’re feeling up to it, of course, you could throw it yourself. 

Go Shopping Together

While you’ll get a bulk of the things you need for your baby from the shower and dadchelor party, there will likely still be some things you need to cross off the list. Spend time bonding with each other and selecting things for your little one by going shopping together. 

Design the Nursery Together

When the time comes closer for the baby’s arrival, getting the nursery ready is a top priority. Why not make this a special moment for the two of you by designing the nursery together? You’ll have a great time choosing colors, themes, furniture, and other decor items as you count down the weeks until your little one will be with you. 

From the moment you find out you’re expecting right up until you head to the labor and delivery room, you’re creating a bond with your baby that will stay with you forever. Although your partner cannot experience every change or each moment you go through during your pregnancy, you can help them to start creating a connection with the baby early on by doing the suggestions provided above.