Just Found Out You're Going to be a Dad?

Just Found Out You're Going to be a Dad?

That's great news, but pregnancy looks easy when it's happening to someone else! As men, you don't have to endure what's going on in a pregnant woman's body 24/7 – and a lot is going on. Help her get through the experience by trying a few of these tips from the founders of DIYFather.com

Take care of your lady: Growing a baby is hard work and takes quite a physical toll on a woman's body. The tiredness of carrying an extra person around puts all sorts of strains on the female body. Look after your partner 24/7 if need be, especially if she's having a difficult pregnancy, and do all you can to make life easier for her.

Get on the wagon: Your missus has to stay off alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, blue cheese, seafood and a whole lotta other stuff to keep that baby in there safe and sound. Seeing you downing a pint of beer and enough salami to sink a small ship could be enough to send her over the edge. Staying off alcohol and cigarettes and eating what she can eat is not only better for you, but it sets a precedent for how you intend to live as a father.

Give your partner some -me' time every now and then: The prospect of becoming a mother, while really exciting, is daunting, both mentally and physically. For most mothers, the first few months after birth end up being a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week job. During pregnancy, your partner is bound to have some trepidation about her new responsibility and how she's going to cope. Over the next few years you partner's always going to have one eye on what she's doing and one eye on your child. So, in the months before this all kicks off, let her have some time that's just for her.

Be there for the medical stuff: Go along to all the medical appointments, scans and meetings with your midwife or obstetrician. Your partner wants you to be there to share it. The first time you hear your baby's heartbeat or see the faint shadows of your baby moving around in your partner's belly during an ultrasound scan, you'll be glad you came along. Going to appointments also supports your partner because, in the event of any unwelcome news, you're there to help her.

Get with the program: Start skilling-up on essential baby knowledge and skills. Mums-to-be love to see their partner getting excited about their new life as parents, and what better way to show your excitement than to throw yourself into the preparations? You have so much to learn about looking after a newborn baby and the months after that, so why not find out all you can about it now?

Go on a babymoon: As a couple, now is the perfect time to take a relaxing and indulgent holiday somewhere. Somewhere sun lounges and swimming pools are more common than office blocks, with great restaurants and shops to browse. Somewhere the two of you can just hang out, sleep late, read books and do whatever you want when you want.

Be excited about becoming a dad: Finding out you're going to be a dad is a little scary, but burying your head in the sand and pretending the baby's not going to happen doesn't help. Even if the impending change of lifestyle takes a while to sink in, you can definitely make the pregnancy experience more enjoyable for your partner if you show a bit of excitement about becoming a dad. Showing your partner that you're excited gets her excited and happy about becoming a mum.

Celebrate!: In a few months when the baby is born, you're going to be celebrating a new person's presence in your life – the person who is on this Earth because of you. That's pretty special! But the arrival does come with a price – temporary sleep deprivation and a restricted social life. So make the most of your quiet nights and unlimited access to the outside world now! Take your lady for a flash dinner somewhere fancy, visit a special place together – do whatever spins your wheels as a couple.

Record that beautiful belly: Celebrating the physical changes that take place during pregnancy, such as the voluptuous new shape of a pregnant belly and those plus-sized bosoms that you gotta love, is now common. Most pregnant women, while despising the weight they put on, love their bellies, so get out your camera from week one and get snapping. You'll laugh when you look back and see how your baby grew even before you got meet your little champ.

Keep telling her how beautiful she is: For many women, the hardest part of pregnancy is near the due date. Your partner may be having a difficult time getting comfortable at night and suffering from heartburn or piles. You, as your partner's great ally, her support and rock, can earn mega brownie points and endear you to her always if you keep telling her how beautiful she is. She wants to know you still find her attractive and that she's still, despite everything going on in her body, the hot woman you fell in love with – not just because of the way she looks, but because of who she is – and that she's going to make a wonderful mother.

These tips have been edited from Dad's Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies by Stefan Korn, Scott Lancaster and Eric Mooij and have been distributed as part of For Dummies' 21st birthday celebrations.