The future Daddy - Get ready or else . Review on Dealing with Pregnancy

If this topic is pertaining to pregnancy- why can't men take the initiative, After all the expectant daddy's do have a role in this. A very important yet Vital role

It has taken me 8 months to finish writing this review.

I've seen it in the most of the movies even before I was taught sex and reproduction at high school. The wife hints to her husband that there is a'guest' coming. hubby is so happy and excited, he picks her up in his arms. Although I thought it would be like that for me, None of that ever happened with me. Things were different. Life is not a child?s fantasy(pun intended). We brought the home pregnancy test kit. We crossed fingers till it showed positive.

We just sat down for some time staring at each other not knowing what to say. Was it fear, anxiety, nervous or joy we did not know. We were just looking at each other for about 10 minutes, which seemed like an eternity. After asking around from friends and a few referrals from friends, I found one gynecologist who is the best in this field of medicine. Dr. Jalaja Raju. With 30 plus years of experience and consulting in best of the hospitals, she was the right choice. After all, I have to do the best for my wife and baby.

I was just looking at the first ultrasound report endlessly. I just didn?t know what to do. I was happy but there were other worries too. Would I be a good Father? How will I provide for my baby? Will the baby be healthy? After reading a few books and magazines, online journals I had realized that this was a pretty normal for first time dads. Endless dreams I had, I was counting the baby's toes and fingers. But there was one thing for certain; I was simply not prepared for fatherhood. I braced myself and went through a series of sleepless nights just to get used to the fact that I am going to be a dad.

You have background scores in the movies, before you know it the toddler is out, baby is already grown, and is singing around the trees in Nilgiris or ice caped mountains in Switzerland with their love. I wish it was that simple bringing a kid up. Perceptions alter and life takes a turn. Get used to it. You are more responsible. Whatever you think, say and do - you just cannot be self centered anymore.

Now I know why parents have the 'Get home before 8' rule. Now I know why they forbid you from hanging out with those'wayward' friends. I realize why parents try to'protect' us and how I have often misunderstood them. Parents are never sure that you can do things on your own. Am I sounding like a grandpa already? I have yet to become a papa.

The gestation period lasts 40 weeks.

Ok lets do some math.

begin

• 280 days divide by 7 gives you 40 so 40 weeks

  
  




• 280 days divide by 30 gives you 9.3 so its 9 months.

  
  

End of math

begin life science lecture.

All your calculation of the age of the fetus goes into weeks. The fetus developments will be read out in weeks on ultrasound reports. Since it is almost impossible to determine the date of conception the doctors usually take the time since the last menstrual period as the gestation period.

The baby due date= 9 months+ seven days.

Due to Hormonal changes there would be a lot of changes in lifestyle. Things wouldn?t be the same anymore. Although the symptoms differ from pregnancy to pregnancy, there should be appropriate care has to be taken to allow her get used to the changes.

Common Symptoms and behavior patterns

Her joints would loosen up. So make sure she is careful while walking. In your absence make sure you check on her all the time. Call up once every hour or two to check on her. Mood swings, Irritable behavior, feeling depressed, excessive crying. All these are due to the hormonal changes. She is having a life inside her. Do put up with her. If her mood swings are getting on your nerves, grit your teeth and put up with it. All these are temporary. Within the first 20 to 22 weeks the morning sickness prevails. There will be changes in the diet. Just buy only what can be consumed during this time. Keep a large supply of Glucon C or D and / or Electrolyte.

After the 20th week when the eating patterns comes to normal her appetite increases. Keep an abundant supply of apples, milk, ice creams, desserts, yoghurt, cookies to cater to the 11 pm craving for food. The objective is she should never feel hungry. The hormonal changes also lead to gums bleeding. get the toothbrush with softer bristles. Some women feel weak, exhausted and tired due to the changes in diet and morning sickness. She needs adequate rest.

Daddy's Care

1. The doctor would recommend Folic acid supplements during pregnancy. Make sure this is taken regularly. The doctors usually prescribe Fallvite. Have the doctor?s phone number ready with you. Just in case. Keep all the doctors prescriptions in a file arranged date wise with the latest first. Also include the scan reports and test results. Keep a check on her weight every week and record this in a diary. The events like doctors? visit, the medicine prescribed, the weight, baby movements must be recorded(especially the time). This would really be helpful.

2. Keep a check on the movements. The baby should be showing regular movements or kicks from the 25th week onwards. The movements would last for anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes with 20 minutes to one hour intervals. You need to worry if there are excessive movements(8 to 12 hours) or if there are no movements. Either visit a doctor immediately or rush to scan.

3.Accompany her for walks everyday. Ideally half an hour of walk, morning and evening is ideal. Maintain a steady and slow pace. If she gets tired, stop for a minute or two. I recommend going to a nearby park, where she could sit in case she gets tired. There are some recommended breathing exercises. Make sure you accompany her to all these exercise sessions.

4. Keep her happy. Make her laugh. Make her watch comedy shows on TV. On the second thought, avoid TV as much as possible. Usually lot of people would be giving advices. Some people may give some disturbing news like?that lady who was pregnant she had a miss carriage.' The first thing you should make sure is make sure she doesn?t entertain these thoughts. You wouldn?t want to hear about airline crashes when you are flying would you?

5. There are certain No - No's during pregnancy. No smoking(applicable to both parents), no alcohol consumption, No carbonated and aerated drinks, no tight clothes, no heels. Strictly no to high heels or pointed footwear. Wear a comfortable pair of scandals. Wear loose fitting clothes. For those husbands who smoke, it is a very good idea if you quit smoking now(like I did). Incase you can?t, make sure you smoke very far away from the vicinity of your house.

6. Blood pressure and sugar should be checked and monitored. The salt intake and sugar consumption should be regulated and kept strictly under control. Take her for the albumen test every 10 days. Especially during the third trimester.(the third trimester starts from the 27th week onwards)

Kid # 1

Date: 11 may 2004

Time: 7: 44 AM

Location: Best Hospital Chennai.

Kid # 2

Date: 18 October  2005

Time: 6: 46 AM

Location: JV Hospital Chennai.