What does a man need to know about pregnancy?

A man may be well aware of what pregnancy is - a condition in which a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus for about 266 days until the baby is developed enough to be born. But as it turns out during these months, pregnancy encompasses many aspects that men may not have realized. A woman's health greatly affects what she experiences during pregnancy and the health of the developing baby; a man may be asked to participate in exercise programs or special meal plans to help her in her endeavors. A woman needs a man's support in many other areas, too, so be prepared to be asked to do something. Anything you can do to help your pregnant spouse during this time also helps the growing baby! Work on it together.

As couples go through pregnancy together, they will hear and read a lot of unfamiliar words and terms. Women going through their first pregnancy (and even experienced mothers) can be just as confused by some of the definitions as men. Here are explanations of many of the terms that couples are likely to hear during these months. Knowing what they mean will make men feel safe (and superior) when it comes to discussing pregnancy-related issues. Learn them together when you can. Who knows, maybe the man will learn more about what's going on during pregnancy and be able to explain it to his wife!

Expected date of birth of the child

One of the terms that couples will become familiar with in connection with pregnancy is "Expected Due Date." This is the expected date of birth of the baby. "Expected" because only 5% of babies are born exactly on their due date. Determining the due date is not an exact science, there are many factors that depend on what happens during pregnancy that can affect the due date.

However, estimating the due date is important for several reasons. First, it is the expected date of birth of the baby, which will help the couple prepare mentally and emotionally for this moment. Second, it helps to assess how the baby is growing; it can determine whether the baby is overdue or premature. Third, it helps your doctor determine the timing of tests and procedures.

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Determining the expected date of birth

Most couples do not know the exact date of conception, but a woman often knows the day of her last menstrual period. The doctor adds 2 weeks to the date of the first day of the last period to determine when conception occurred. The estimated due date is 38 weeks after the calculated date (40 weeks after the last menstrual period).

A man can also determine the expected date of birth by adding 7 days to the day his wife's last menstrual period began, then subtracting 3 months. For example, if her last menstrual period began on January 20, the baby's expected date of birth is October 27.

It's best to think of the expected due date as a goal that the couple is trying to achieve. They can make plans related to the pregnancy, prepare for the birth, work out the details of financial changes, and prepare for the birth of their child. When the baby arrives, the couple will be ready!

During pregnancy, a woman experiences many problems.

In the coming months, a pregnant woman will go through many changes. Knowing about the upcoming changes will help men feel more comfortable and help and support their spouse.

During the first part of pregnancy, men will not see many physical changes. But spouses may feel more freedom in their relationship. There is no need to control contraception when you are already pregnant. For many spouses, this can be very romantic. They may also view pregnancy as a goal achieved - perhaps the couple wanted to get pregnant together, and now it is done! A man may feel that pregnancy is the development of his masculinity, just as it is the development of his wife's femininity.

At the beginning of the 4th month, people around you may notice that you are pregnant. This is one of the most unforgettable parts of pregnancy. You will start to feel the baby move! This can be a very exciting and touching time for both spouses (a man can feel the baby moving by placing his hands on his wife's belly when the baby is active. This can be exciting for him too).

During the rest of the pregnancy, the man will see many changes. His baby will grow quite well and gain weight, preparing for birth. This growth can cause discomfort to the pregnant woman, so it is necessary to provide her with understanding, help and support during this time. It is not "all her imagination."

By noticing the various changes that occur during pregnancy, a man can help his wife cope with many of them. A man's understanding is important if she cries sometimes, doesn't feel well enough to cook dinner, or can't go out until she takes a nap. One thing to understand is that if one member of the team is unhappy, the whole team is unhappy.

If an unusual situation arises, be patient. A woman is going through many of these situations right now. The hormones her body produces to support the pregnancy can affect her in many different ways! This is not an excuse for the peculiarities, it is an explanation. See Chapter 3 for a full discussion of the physical changes and major problems that may arise during pregnancy, and learn ways a man and his wife can cope with them.

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Pregnancy tests

Pregnancy test

The first test the couple will take is a home pregnancy test. It can be positive (showing that the woman is pregnant) even before the woman's period is missed. Some modern home pregnancy tests are so effective that they give a result with 99% accuracy 3 days before the expected start of menstruation! However, we recommend that the man wait until his wife's period is missed before using this test to save your emotions and money.

If the result is positive, rejoice! A positive pregnancy test result is a reason to be delighted. A man's reaction can show his wife his feelings about your common pregnancy. Some women may be shocked or a little scared if the test is positive. The first thought is "What should I do now?" You should be smart and answer: "Call to make an appointment with a doctor."

Common pregnancy tests used by a doctor

The doctor will likely suggest several tests at a woman's first prenatal visit. We cover all pregnancy-related tests in detail in Chapter 6; readers can also find explanations of them in Pregnancy Terms for Expectant Parents. Some routine tests that almost every woman needs during her first pregnancy include a complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, blood typing, syphilis testing, cervical cultures, rubella titers, Rh testing, hepatitis B antibody testing, and ultrasound.

If this is not a woman's first pregnancy, some tests, such as Rh factor, blood type, or rubella antibodies, may not need to be done again. Other tests are always done when a woman goes to the clinic for her first prenatal visit, including blood pressure, urine testing, and weight determination.

The tests described here are usually done in a clinic or laboratory, and they do not require the presence of the man unless he believes that his wife will need his support. The exception is ultrasound - most spouses prefer to do this together.

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Other tests you may need to undergo

Nowadays, there are many special tests that can monitor the health of a woman and her growing baby during pregnancy. These specialized tests can range from simple blood tests to more in-depth tests that involve amniotic fluid or tissue samples taken from the uterus through the abdomen or vagina.

Couples may wish to discuss some special tests with their physician. These are discussed in more depth in Chapter 6; readers can also find descriptions of them in the section "Pregnancy Terms for Expectant Parents" beginning on page 19. Some of these tests include amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, blood sugar test, triple and quadruple tests, fetal fibroblastin (FBX) test, embryoscopy, passive analysis, contraction response analysis, biophysical profile, and others.

Some of these tests can be stressful for pregnant couples, especially the woman. If the woman must undergo one of the more in-depth tests, the man should try to go with her. In some cases, she may need a man's spiritual support. In other cases, she may be temporarily physically unable to get home on her own and will need a man to care for her and take her home.

The doctor should be asked what tests he or she recommends the woman have. Let the doctor know that the couple will want to discuss the test results at prenatal visits, which will help them clarify why each test was needed and what the results mean.

An overview of pregnancy and the people involved

Prenatal care is the care that a woman receives during pregnancy. Prenatal means before the birth. This special care is needed to identify problems related to the pregnancy and to solve them before they become serious. The couple usually wants to feel confident that this care is the best they can get so that they can both rest and enjoy their pregnancy. It is a truly special and enjoyable time in their lives. They also want to do everything possible to make this period the best for their growing baby.

Choosing a Doctor

There is a wide range of doctors who monitor a woman during pregnancy. Prenatal care is provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist, a family doctor, or a nurse. In the case of a difficult pregnancy, a woman may need a perinatologist.

An obstetrician (often also an obstetrician-gynecologist) is a physician or osteopathic physician who specializes in the care of pregnant women, including childbirth. He or she has completed training in obstetrics and gynecology after medical school.

A family doctor, sometimes called a general practitioner, usually specializes in caring for the entire family. Many family doctors have delivered babies and are therefore very experienced. In some cases, an obstetrician/gynecologist may not be available because the clinic is small or far away, so a family doctor often delivers babies. If any complications arise, a family doctor may recommend that a pregnant woman see an obstetrician for prenatal care.

A nurse caregiver is an experienced neonatal care professional who cares for a woman (including delivering a baby) whose pregnancy is not severe or complicated. These professionals are registered nurses who have completed additional professional training and are certified as a nurse caregiver. They are supervised by a physician, who they call when needed.

A perinatologist is an obstetrician who specializes in complicated pregnancies. Of all pregnant women, only 10% ever see one. If a serious problem arises related to pregnancy, a woman may need to see a perinatologist.

A health care provider who supports a woman during labor and acts as her birth assistant is called a nurse. Most nurses are women who have given birth themselves, so they are familiar with many of the situations that may arise during labor. Nurses are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9.

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Prenatal consultations

A doctor specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. He or she can answer questions and address concerns for the couple during this important time. Even though the man is not the primary participant in the pregnancy, the woman's doctor should address his personal concerns and answer his questions. Therefore, it is important for the man to attend prenatal visits. This will give him the opportunity to show his wife that he supports her, and the man will also be able to find answers to questions related to the pregnancy. A more in-depth discussion of these visits is in Chapter 6.

Moments that Dr. Papash remembers

Stas and Natasha came to the clinic for a consultation related to their infertility. They were upset because they had been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for over two years. Natasha reported that her breasts were a little sore and she did not feel quite healthy. She wondered if her discomfort could be caused by the infertility test she had taken. Her periods had always been irregular and she noticed that it had been two months since her last one. Something told me that I should take a pregnancy test, so we took one right there in the clinic. It was positive! They both cried when their first pregnancy visit replaced the infertility consultation! They left the clinic with prenatal vitamins instead of fertility drugs.