8 Weeks Pregnant

The Importance of Prenatal Appointments with Your Partner
Going with your partner to her healthcare visits is one of the most important things you can do as an expecting father. You don't have to attend every appointment, but the more you do attend, the better it will be for you, your partner, and your baby.

There are four primary reasons why your presence is so important:

• Knowledge is power: The more you know about your new baby and about what your partner is experiencing, the better prepared you will be to support your partner's pregnancy and for the dramatic moment of delivery.


• Bonding with Baby: Accompanying your wife to her appointments will help you connect to your unborn baby. Seeing your baby in ultrasounds and gaining an understanding of how your little one is growing and developing can help you get used to the idea of having a new baby and set you on the right path for becoming a good father. Your partner gets a head start on building a connection because your baby is growing inside of her. However, you will need to create a connection with your growing baby, and a big element of that is participating in as much of the pregnancy and delivery process as you can.


• Form a united front: Being involved in your partner's visits to the doctor or midwife establishes a positive tone for how you and your partner plan on dealing with parenting issues. Yes, this is her body, but it is a baby you are having together. The more you get used to making decisions together about your child, the more prepared you will be to continue making those decisions once your newborn arrives.


• Getting to know you: Lastly, it's important that your partner's doctor or midwife gets to know you. Of course, attending appointments will give you a chance to ask questions and voice your own concerns, but it will also show your partner's healthcare provider that you're involved in this pregnancy every step of the way. This groundwork is crucial because labor and delivery doesn't always goes as planned. Ensuring that you have an established relationship with the healthcare provider will help you effectively act as your partner's advocate throughout labor and delivery.