@hesaidshesaidofficial: @Ryan Libbey Speaking from his own lived experience... Pregnancy is a strange period of time for Dads. There's a lot of internal dialogue happening. One of those conversations that gets played on repeat in your head is, 'Am i ready for this'? You try quickly to answer it, to add conviction to the response and own it. But for 9 months, this exchange goes back and forth and it takes chunks out of you as time goes on. Meanwhile, all the focus and attention is directed at Mum. Now I'm not saying that's wrong, if anything I would say me and (I predict) most men facilitate this behaviour. We all want Mum to be as healthy, safe and as content as she can be. But it is my opinion that the Dad in this fictional picture has already started to edge out of frame. I can remember when we lost a baby in January 2021, very early on in the pregnancy. To this day, I'm not sure anyone has asked me how I coped or felt about that miscarriage. Sadly, miscarriages are common and lots of families go through this. I remember friends of ours went through it, in fact several, and I asked Dad how he was doing. It completely blindsided him and brought a tear to his eye. Until that point he hadn't been asked a single question. There's two things that I want to highlight with this post. One, Dads have a voice too. Dads have every right to ask questions to the midwife, to the doctor, to anyone who is involved in the handling of your pregnant partner. You are not going to be an inconvenience to anyone so don't worry about how many questions you might have. I wish I had asked more. You and your partner at some stage over the 9 months, will draw up a pregnancy plan, your preference on how the baby is delivered. Dads, do not be afraid to uphold your joint decision when it comes to it. Second, let's not forget about the Dads during any of this. Yes Dads have a role and a responsibility, they have to step up and accept and adjust to the new way of life. But let's stop assuming that Dads can do it as easily as flicking a light switch. It might only take a simple question like, 'how are you holding up' and that might be sufficient enough for the Dad to feel included and supported. A message to any dads out there reading / watching this. It's okay if you are struggling with parenting, we all do at times. Don't get lost in the frame, you are as important as Mum and baby, and they need you more than you know, so don't drift. Talk more, to friends and family, but also to your partner and baby. Lastly, check in on your fellow Dads. New episode coming this Wednesday! #HeSaidSheSaid #podcastclips #newborn #pregancytiktok #newdad #dadtok #mumtok #pregnancyjourney #pregnant

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Monday 14 October 2024 18:23:59 GMT