What you need to know about a man about pregnancy?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Perhaps a man knows well what pregnancy is, a condition in which a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus for about 266 days, until the child develops enough to be born. But, as it turns out during these months, the pregnancy covers many aspects that men did not know about. The health of a woman significantly affects what she experiences during pregnancy, and the health of the developing child; a man may be asked to participate in exercise programs or special meal plans to help her in her endeavors. A woman needs men's support in many other areas, so you should be prepared to be asked about something. All that you can do to help your pregnant wife during this time also helps a growing baby! Work on this together.
While the couple are experiencing pregnancy together, they will hear or read a lot of unfamiliar words and terms. Women experiencing the first pregnancy (and even experienced mothers) may also be confused by certain definitions, like men. Here are explanations of many terms that the spouses may have heard during these months. Knowing their meanings will provide men with a sense of security (and superiority) in situations where they have to discuss various issues related to pregnancy. Learn them together when you can. Who knows, maybe a man learns more about what happens during pregnancy, and can explain what is happening to his wife!
Expected date of birth of the child
One of the terms with which the spouses will become acquainted in connection with pregnancy is the "Expected date of birth". This is the expected date of birth of the child. "Alleged", since only 5% of children are born on time. Determining the term of birth is not an exact science, there are many factors that depend on what happens during pregnancy and which can affect this period.
However, estimating the date of birth is important for several reasons. Firstly, this is the expected term of the child's birth, which will help the spouses to be mentally and morally prepared for this moment. Secondly, it helps to assess how the child grows; you can determine whether the child is born or premature birth. Thirdly, it helps your doctor determine the term of tests and procedures.
Determination of the expected date of birth
Most spouses do not know the exact date of conception of the child, but the woman often knows the day of the onset of her last menstruation. The doctor adds 2 weeks to the date of the first day of the last cycle in order to determine when the conception occurred. The estimated expected date of birth will be 38 weeks after the calculated date (40 weeks after the last menstrual period).
A man can also determine the expected date of birth, adding 7 days to the day of the beginning of the last menstruation of his wife, and then subtracting 3 months. For example, if her last menstruation began on January 20, the expected date of birth is October 27.
It is best to think about the expected date of birth as the goal that the spouses are trying to achieve. They can make plans related to pregnancy, prepare for childbirth, study details of financial changes and prepare for the birth of their child. When the child is born, the spouses will be ready!
During pregnancy with a woman there are many problems
In the following months, the pregnant woman will go through a lot of changes. Knowledge of the upcoming changes will help men feel more comfortable, and also help their spouse and support her.
During the first part of pregnancy, men will not see great physical changes. But the couple may feel more freedom in their relationship. There is no need to monitor contraception when you are already pregnant. For many spouses this can be very romantic. Also, they can view pregnancy as a goal - perhaps the couple together wanted to get pregnant, and now it's done! A man can feel that pregnancy is the formation of his masculinity, as well as this becoming the femininity of his wife.
At the beginning of the 4th month, others may notice that the woman is pregnant. This is one of the most unforgettable parts of pregnancy. The woman begins to feel the movements of the child! This can become very exciting and touching for both spouses (a man can feel the movement of the child, putting his hands on the belly of his wife, when the child is active.) This can also agitate him).
During the subsequent period of pregnancy a man will see a lot of changes. His child will grow well and gain weight, preparing for birth. This growth can cause discomfort to the pregnant woman, therefore at this time it is necessary to provide her understanding, help and support. This is not "all of her fabrications."
Noticing the various changes that occur during pregnancy, a man can help his wife cope with many of them. Men's understanding is important if she sometimes cries, does not feel well enough to cook dinner, or can not go anywhere until she's taken a nap. It should be understood one thing: if one member of the team is bad, the whole team is bad.
In case of an unusual situation, you should be patient. A woman goes through many such situations right now. The hormones secreted by her body to support pregnancy can affect her in many different ways! This is not an excuse for features, it's an explanation. See Chapter 3 for a full discussion of the physical changes and major problems that may occur during pregnancy, and remember the ways that a man and his spouse can cope with them.
Tests for pregnancy
Pregnancy test
The first test that will be held by the couple is a home pregnancy test. It can be positive (showing that a woman is pregnant) even before the woman has had a delay in menstruation. Some modern home pregnancy tests are so effective that with an accuracy of 99% give a result 3 days before the expected onset of menstruation! However, we recommend that a man wait for a delay in his menstruation before applying this test to save your emotions and money.
If the result is positive, rejoice! A positive test result for pregnancy is an occasion for admiration. The reaction of a man can show the wife of his feelings in connection with your overall pregnancy. Some women may be shocked or a little scared in case the test gave a positive result. The first thought is "What to 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 is likely to offer several tests in the first prenatal visit of a woman to him. We examine in detail all the tests related to pregnancy, in Chapter 6; readers can also find their explanation in the terms related to pregnancy, for future parents. Some routine tests required for virtually every woman during her first pregnancy include a complete blood test (PIC), urinalysis, blood group determination, syphilis test, cervical cultures, rubella titres, rhesus factor determination, antibody test hepatitis B and ultrasound.
If this pregnancy is not the first for a woman, then some tests, such as a Rh factor, blood group or antibodies to rubella, may not need to be done again. Other tests are always done when a woman goes to the clinic for the first prenatal reception, including blood pressure measurement, urinalysis and weight determination.
The tests described here are usually done in a polyclinic or in a laboratory, and they do not require the presence of a man unless he believes that his wife will need his support. The exception is ultrasound - most couples prefer to do it together.
Other tests that you may have to undergo
Nowadays, there are many special tests that allow you to monitor the health of a woman and her growing baby during pregnancy. These specialized tests can range from simple, blood-based, to deeper analyzes, in which amniotic fluid or tissue taken from the uterus through the abdomen or vagina is taken for analysis.
Spouses may wish to discuss some special tests with their doctor. They are considered in greater depth in Chapter 6; readers can also find their description under "Pregnancy-related terms for future parents" beginning on page 19. Some of these tests include amniocentesis, a chorion hairs sample, an alpha-fetoprotein (TAF) test, a sugar test in blood, a three-component and four-component test, an embryonic fibronoscin test (EFN), embryoscopy, passive analysis, abnormal reaction analysis, biophysical profile, and others.
Some of these tests can cause stress in pregnant spouses, especially in women. If a woman must undergo one of the deeper tests, a man should try to go with her. In some cases, it may require male spiritual support. In other cases, she may be temporarily physically unable to get home on her own and need to be taken care of by the man and taken home.
You should ask the doctor what tests he or she will recommend to pass the woman. Let the doctor know that the couple would like to discuss the results of tests on prenatal visits, which will help them to clarify why each test was required and what the results mean.
Overview of pregnancy and people involved in it
Prenatal care is a care that is surrounded by a woman during pregnancy. "Prenatal" means "prenatal." This special care is necessary to determine the occurrence of problems associated with pregnancy and to address them before they become serious. Spouses usually want to feel confident that this care is the best they can get; in this case they can both relax and enjoy their pregnancy. This is a really special and enjoyable period of their life. They also want to do everything possible to make this period the best for their growing child.
Choosing a doctor
There is a wide selection of doctors who follow a woman during pregnancy. Provide prenatal care to the obstetrician-gynecologist, family doctor or average staff. In case of severe pregnancy a woman, a perinatologist may be needed.
The obstetrician (often also an obstetrician-gynecologist) is a doctor or an osteopath specialist specializing in caring for pregnant women, including childbirth. He or she graduated from obstetrics and gynecology after a medical school.
A family doctor, sometimes also called a general practitioner, usually specializes in caring for the whole family. Many of the family doctors took birth, and therefore are very experienced. In some cases, the obstetrician-gynecologist may be unavailable, because the polyclinic is small or far away, so the family doctor often takes delivery. If there are any difficulties, the family doctor may recommend that a pregnant woman consult an obstetrician so that she can provide prenatal care.
Nurse-nurse is an experienced professional in caring for newborns who cares about a woman (including delivery), whose pregnancy is not difficult or complicated by something. These professionals are registered nurses who have completed additional professional courses and received a nursing nurse certificate. They are managed by a doctor, whom they call, if necessary.
A perinatologist is an obstetrician specializing in complex pregnancies. Of all pregnant women, only 10% have ever contacted him. If there is a serious pregnancy-related problem, a woman may need a perinatologist.
A doctor who supports a woman during childbirth and acts as her assistant during childbirth is called a nurse. Most carers are women who gave birth themselves, because they are familiar with many situations that can occur during childbirth. The nurses are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9.
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Prenatal consultations
The doctor specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. He can answer questions and resolve anxieties of spouses during this important time. Despite the fact that a man is not the main participant in this pregnancy, a woman doctor must also resolve his personal concerns and answer his questions. Therefore, it is important for a man to go to prenatal consultations. This will give him the opportunity to show his wife that he supports her, and the man will be able to find answers to questions related to pregnancy. A more in-depth discussion of these visits in Chapter 6.
The moments that were remembered by Dr. Papa
Stas and Natasha came to the polyclinic for a consultation related to their infertility. They were disappointed, because they tried unsuccessfully to become pregnant for more than two years. Natasha reported that her mammary glands are slightly numb and she feels not completely healthy. She wondered if her ailment could be caused by a test for infertility, which she was going through. Her menstruation has always been irregular, and she noticed that two months have passed since the last. Something prompted me that I should do a pregnancy test, so we did it right in the clinic. He gave a positive result! They both cried when the first visit, related to pregnancy, replaced the consultation about infertility! They left the polyclinic with vitamins for pregnant women instead of funds for the treatment of infertility.