For most couples, having children is a dream come true. However, there is one thing that many do not understand–that pregnancy is a shared responsibility between the husband and wife. Thus, the husband should proudly say “we’re pregnant” instead of “my wife is pregnant”.
How can a husband take part in the pregnancy? He should make sure to actively take good care of his wife and the baby inside her.
If you are an expecting dad, especially if this is your first time to be one, then these are some of the healthy ways to take care of your pregnant wife.
1. Make sure she eats nutritious fruits and veggies each day.
If you want both of your wifey and your baby to be healthy, then these should take over their daily meals. Without a doubt, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the proper development of the baby. However, make sure to pick fruits and veggies which are fresh, organic and free from pesticides and harmful bacteria. Here’s a list of best fruits to eat during pregnancy from Medical News Today.
2. Remind her to drink plenty of water.
Pregnant women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is not only harmful to the mommy but also to the baby. For this reason, see to it that your wife gets to drink a lot of pure and clean water every day.
3. Let her drink milk twice a day.
Aside from water, it is also important that your wife can drink milk daily–better if both in the morning and at night. She and the growing fetus inside her womb need a lot of calcium.
A pregnant woman has to strengthen her bones as her body carries a growing weight inside. Her teeth become more vulnerable to damages during this time too. Of course, the baby needs a good supply of calcium to support his/her bones’ development.
Make sure to pick pasteurized milk and other dairy products. Raw or unpasteurized milk usually contains bacteria that can be dangerous for her and her baby.
4. Minimize her intake of sugar, salt, carbs, and processed foods.
The pregnant should not be consuming much sugar, salt, and carbohydrates in her diet. First of all, they can have a bad effect on the fetus’ development and the overall health of the mother. Also, sugar and carbs can make the baby grow a lot in the womb, which would make normal delivery difficult.
Additionally, processed foods, like hotdogs, canned goods, and instant noodles should be avoided. Aside from being low in nutritional value, they are also known to increase the risk of cancer. Thus, if you want to protect your wife and baby from cancer threats, stay away from such products.
5. Limit her caffeine intake.
Most people could not start their day officially without a mug of coffee—and your wife could be one of them. According to an article published by the American Pregnancy Association, it is safe for pregnant women to consume up to 200 mg of caffeine per day. This is equivalent to about one 12 oz cup of coffee. More than this, it will already be unhealthy for the baby inside, since it could cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, and even birth defects.
6. See to it she gets enough sleep daily.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through a lot of physical and mental adjustments. For this reason, she would often have sleep problems, which is not good for her and the baby. Thus, allow your wife to stay in bed more than eight hours a day to get enough rest for her and your upcoming bundle of joy.
7. Prohibit alcohol and smoking.
Needless to say, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarette are harmful during pregnancy. These unhealthy habits can cause birth defects in the baby and even miscarriage. Thus, if you want to have a healthy child, then be firm in prohibiting your wife from drinking and smoking sprees.
8. Make sure she takes vitamins regularly.
At this point, your wife is sharing her body’s nutrients with your child. For this reason, it is not enough that she only eats enough food. You must supplement her diet with multivitamins that are recommended by her doctor or midwife.
9. Visit the doctor with her.
Being with your wife every pre-natal checkup is also encouraging for her. No matter how busy you are, make time to accompany her to the doctor. This will also help you learn how to take better care of your wife and child.
10. Do not give in to all her cravings.
Expect that your wife will be hungry all the time in the next months, and even if she is not hungry, she would still want to eat. As much as you would want her to satisfy her desires, be reminded that anything too much will not be good for her and the baby.
11. Keep her from being stressed.
Stress is a big ‘no’ for pregnant women. This can harm your wife mentally and emotionally, and may even affect the development of the baby inside her. Take care of your wife by always making her happy. Do your best to make her smile every day. Always give her good vibes.
ALSO READ: 16 Ways to Make Your Wife Happy
12. Go for a regular walk together.
Your wife needs regular exercise. This will help improve the chance of her giving birth through normal delivery. Since it is not advisable for her to do heavy workouts, walking is good enough, especially during the last trimester.
13. Serve her.
As the baby inside of her tummy grows bigger, your wife experiences more discomforts. It is normal for her to feel lower back pain, more frequent need to pee, and the uneasiness to move around because of her heavy belly. Do not call her lazy. This is the time you need to assist and serve her more—like cutting her toenails, helping her undress and dress up, and walking her to the bathroom.
14. Assure her that she is still beautiful.
Last, but not least, never forget to tell her she is still lovely despite her body’s changes. Many pregnant women suffer from insecurities, which often leads to depression when they see how they have lost their figure and gained weight. It does not help when you tease her about finding someone sexier than her.
She Needs You More than Ever
Remember, your wife has to battle with hormonal imbalances and mental and physical stress while she is carrying your baby for nine months. Then, soon, she would have to go through extreme pain just to bring your angel out to the world. She needs more of your support right now.
There would be times when she is hard to understand because of mood swings, but please, be patient with her. Do not let her feel that she is going through this alone. Again, pregnancy should be a shared responsibility between the mum and dad.
ALSO READ: 15 Simple Ways to Make Your Wife Feel Special
Online courses recommended for you:
- How to Become a Good and Godly Husband:
how to love your wife in the ways she feels your love. - Love & Connection: The Science of Successful Relationships:
this course will show you how to examine the unknown path that you’ll travel with your spouse, and carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship.
