This post was supposed to go up on Father’s Day but I am so out of whack lately. Â Forgive me for the lateness because the fact is, understanding how Daddy can be hands-on during a difficult pregnancy and even after birth is always relevant.
My pregnancy in 2005 was a difficult one. My husband and I had experienced a previous loss due to pre-term labor. The innocence of pregnancy was long gone and when we entered this pregnancy with fear. In addition to carrying the knowledge that pregnancy is not always perfect, I had to have a cerclage to help prevent pre-term labor, was borderline gestational-diabetic and I was also diagnosed with Hyperemesis- severe nausea that is often times plagued with dehydration and repeated trips to the hospital. Needless to say, our pregnancy was less than stress free. I visited my OB/GYN regularly as well as a Perinatologist and was eventually put on bed-rest from November 1 to my daughter was born (4 weeks early) in April.
Often times men may feel disconnected from a pregnancy and eventually from their newborn, but there are so many ways that they can connect. I decided to exclusively pump breast milk for my daughter in part because I wanted my husband to have a chance to bond with his daughter through feedings (and it provided me with a break too).
Our daughter made it into the world with minor complications. I delivered a healthy girl, but I could not have done it without my husband nor his understanding, patience, and his willingness to help. He was there in the hospital with me every time I needed to be stitched, hydrated, ultrasound-ed, and checked. He cleaned up after I vomited even when I had vomited for the sixth time that day.
Most importantly, in addition to doing the grunt work, my husband also took every opportunity that he could to learn about my pregnancy, the problems we were facing, and what he could do to help. He remembered to ask the questions that I could did not and he reminded me of the doctor’s order when I was too tired to think. I am grateful!You May Also Like:
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© kristinabrooke for Mom on the Rise, 2009. |
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