Partner Through

If I had to guess, I’d assume that – at most – it took you no more than a couple days after you found out that you’re going to be a dad to discover that, while there are seemingly a million resources out there for new moms, there are relatively few for new dads.

This fact alone might be enough to persuade you that pregnancy, labor, birth, and newborn care are solely the domain of those who’re actually giving birth… that any role you might play in this arena is minor at best.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Should you choose to, you can play a VITAL & INTEGRAL role in every single part of the process.

What does that look like during pregnancy?

Well, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of tangible, substantive ways that you can provide invaluable support to both your partner and your baby.

But for now, (again, we’re thinking in big picture/broad strokes at this point), I’ll leave you with two words to keep in mind above all else when you’re thinking about how to best support your partner during pregnancy, labor, and birth:

MAXIMIZE RELAXATION.

If there’s only one guiding principle that you latch onto for the coming weeks and months, it’s to do all you can to minimize stress/discord for your partner and in your relationship while simultaneously maximizing harmony and relaxation.

Your partner’s body is undergoing a series of truly phenomenal, astounding changes in order to create the most hospitable, nurturing environment possible to care for your baby until they’re ready to be born. These changes can be challenging and uncomfortable not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

One of these changes is an increase of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Amongst other things, cortisol plays an important role in:

• Regulating the body’s stress response.

• Controlling the body’s metabolism.

• Suppressing inflammation.

• Regulating blood pressure.

• Regulating blood sugar.

• Helping control your sleep-wake cycle.