5 Things You Can Do for Your Pregnant Wife

Your wife is pregnant. As a husband, you may be wondering how you can make your wife’s pregnancy go as smoothly as possible. 

Marriage binds two people together, who then move forward in life as one. Every obligation in a marriage should be shared by the husband and wife, and this includes the pregnancy (and later on, taking care of the child from said pregnancy). 

Although the roles and obligations of parents vary depending on the dynamics of each partnership, both parents share equal responsibility during a pregnancy.

Assisting your wife in making her pregnancy smoother is part of the responsibilities of a supportive husband and soon-to-be father.

Our article today looks at the top picks of what a loving husband can do for his pregnant wife.

 

Feed Her

Let’s start off with the most important and obvious thing in the room right now. She’s got not only herself to feed, but there’s the old saying that she’s now eating for two. 

This not only means that there has to be more food (which isn’t always necessarily true), but what’s more important is that she is eating and drinking correctly.

Of course, a balanced diet is a definite must, but what about things that she can’t have? Things like alcohol, junk food, sweet desserts, etc. As her partner, this pregnancy isn’t hers alone. So, make it a point to learn as much as you can to educate yourself on things like food habits or what supplements she could take to help her along this journey.

Yes, there will be those weird cravings, but don’t laugh as that may just be either the baby wanting a certain food item…or, it could be her body telling her that it’s lacking a certain nutritional component which then manifests itself as a craving. Either way, be ever ready to do a food run at 3 o’clock in the morning.

“But nobody is open at 3 o’clock in the morning la” is what we can hear you complain about right now. Alright, we’ll grant you that nobody is open at 3AM in the morning, BUT that does not mean you can’t cook! 

First off, she’s carrying and growing a baby, the least you could do is pick up a skillet and a spatula. Besides, there are some really simple recipes out there that are not only tasty, but also nutritious. We guarantee that she will appreciate the gesture and it will take a load off her shoulders which results in a happier (soon-to-be) mummy.

 

Give Her A Massage

Your wife’s body will be aching, sore, and swollen. She may be in anguish both on the inside and on the outside. That is why you should massage her when possible. Especially the lower back, which bears the weight of her tummy.

Pay attention to her feet as well (Bonus tip: You get extra points if you rub her with lotion) and you can also learn some new massage methods by watching videos on YouTube.

Stretching is another technique to alleviate her aches and pains. For the most part, we would stretch out the legs, back, arms, and neck. Consult with your health professional regarding the frequency as well as how to best do the stretches.

 

Help Out Around The House

Taking up tasks around the house is a vital way to show your wife you care. It will soon become more difficult for her to care for the house, and it is your house as much as it is hers – it is time to care for it! 

Help her with the minor tasks she may want assistance with, but also take on some of the labour without her having to express it. 

It is not an easy undertaking to carry a baby. As a result, it is critical that the two of you share responsibilities at the very least. You will be making her happy by taking on some of her emotional and physical labour.

 

Let Her Rest

Yes, we understand that there will be a million things, at least, that needs to get done. What you can do as a starting point would be to get her to make a list where you then do the chores. This will let her rest and take some of the worry off her mind.

The thing here is to not have her exert herself. Encourage her to rest, clean up the house and while you can indulge her nesting instincts, try to get her to supervise you in the cleaning. This compromise will benefit her to not stress herself and you will get to learn how to do the housechores.

 

Don’t Let Her Go Through Pregnancy Alone

We can’t stress this enough. Her being pregnant is not external and separate from you. Those morning sickness episodes, those can be quite a painful experience that can tire her out, not to mention all the aches and the chores.

At this stage, your wife will need your support and encouragement more than ever. Sure, it’s a happy time, but there are lots of physical changes and a myriad of uncertainties as well as fear that she has to go through.

It is important that she knows and feels that you are there by her side and not need to worry alone.

Speaking of being alone, you know those doctor appointments? How about accompanying your pregnant wife to those doctor visits? Yes, we understand it is difficult to take time off from work to go see the doctor. It’s only fair that you try to understand just how scary and stressful those appointments can be for your pregnant wife to face all on her lonesome.

Also, being supportive does include preparing for the big day! All that planning, all that anticipation, all that waiting for the baby can be extremely stressful for her. Pro tip: get a maternity bag ready with all things necessary that she will need at the hospital.

It would also impress everyone to no end if you had read up on and know how to handle diapers, swaddles, spit-ups, and other parenting things that helps ensure your wife that the newborn WILL be the only baby she has to take care of from that point on.

 

Bonus Tips

Listen

Pregnancy may be a frustrating as well as a joyful experience, thus it is extremely understandable that your wife will have some complaints. It’s important to be a good listener during this time, so pay attention to your wife’s concerns about pain and discomfort, cravings, and physical changes. Giving her an ear will make her very happy since she will be able to express her frustration in a loving environment and return to a more relaxed frame of mind after.

Be Present

On some days, your wife may require a lot more from you than usual, which can be difficult for a working husband. Consider that during your wife’s pregnancy, you may have to adjust or cancel your plans in order to be present for her. Try scheduling informal gatherings with friends around your wife’s requirements, and don’t be afraid to request flexible work hours from time to time so you can spend time with her. You’ll be able to be there for her when she needs you this way.

Be More Patient

Things will change in the coming months, that much is for sure. There will be mood swings, emotional turmoil, pain, and so on. These changes are natural during this time, so learn to be patient as your wife goes through them. Always be receptive to her demands and reply with kindness. This will make her feel thankful to you.

 

Closing Words

You know what, there’s one more thing you can do for your pregnant wife. It doesn’t have to be some grand gesture, but it is most certainly one of the most thoughtful things you can do for her.

Think about it, after the delivery, someone will have to take care of the baby AND your wife needs to recover. It most certainly won’t do her recovery any good to try and recuperate while also taking care of a baby that seems to incorporate both Qualcomm’s quick charge technology and an iPhone’s battery – sleeping for 20 minutes to get a full charge, then crying for about an hour before needing to recharge again.

What you might consider doing here is to hire the services of confinement nannies who will take care of BOTH mummy and baby. If you are interested in learning more about what confinement nanny duties cover, or you’ve decided to hire a Chinese confinement nanny for after the kid is born, do feel free to contact us!