Finding out you are going to be a dad is exciting, but many people find it difficult to feel completely involved and part of the pregnancy. Luckily, there are many ways to get stuck in.

What Dads Can Do During Their Partner’s Pregnancy

• Pay Attention To The Pregnancy – Though you are not the person who is physically carrying the baby, there is no reason as to why you can’t pay attention to what’s going on. Things such as feeling the baby kick, admiring the growing bump and keeping track of the baby’s development are key.

• Attend Appointments – There will be a number of antenatal appointments throughout the pregnancy, and you should try to attend as many as possible. You are sure to feel involved once you have seen the ultrasound and heard how the baby is doing. If you can, try to attend any classes or groups your pregnant partner attends.

• Have a Hospital Plan in Place – As the partner who is not pregnant, you can take on the role of organising the route to the hospital. This could mean memorising the route to the hospital, ensuring there is petrol in the car or organising a lift if you do not have a vehicle. You should also know where the hospital bag is, as you’ll be grabbing it as you rush out of the door.

• Be Involved in the Labour – There is nothing easy about labour, so make sure you support your partner throughout and help her through the process. Find out what your partner wants and needs, and do your best to accommodate this. Does she need her hand held, her back rubbed or words of encouragement?

• Make Decisions – There are a lot of decisions to make during a pregnancy and preparing for the arrival of a new baby is not easy, so make as many decisions as you can. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion, do your research and talk openly with your partner. Everything from the child’s name and whether they will be breastfed to where they will sleep needs to be discussed.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to be involved as a dad. You can even go one step further and source personalised baby gifts, such as blankets and comforters, as it gives your partner one less thing to think about. To find out more, browse the My Personalised Baby collection.