The Last Trimester - What To Expect From A Father To-Be

While the whole journey that is pregnancy has no doubt been a whirlwind of change and learning, this last stage of pregnancy is the most anticipatory; baby will be making its debut in a matter of weeks. While dad may think that things can only get worse in the way of stress and exhaustion, many soon to be parents often find the last trimester the best. Life seems to strike a balance and while mom may be uncomfortable because of the size of her tummy, mentally the couple is often in a very good place. Because mom's hormones have began to stabilize, mood swings are less likely at this stage of the pregnancy, however, they're probably not over. Mom can often get irritable and cranky because of the sheer discomfort of carrying around a 20lb plus weight gain. The baby is big enough now that she can feel his every movement, and oftentimes he'll manage to rest himself against the spine, which can be pretty uncomfortable and cause lower back pain. This stage of pregnancy can also be very difficult for mom to find a good position to get much needed rest. For these reasons, mom's mood swings should not be taken personally. By now dad is also used to the late night cravings and constant bathroom breaks. It's important to understand that at this stage the baby is both large, and moving towards the birth canal, which means he is almost always situated on mommy's bladder. While it may be frustrating to make frequent restroom stops, think of the discomfort mom feels about always having the urge to use the restroom! The best thing a soon-to-be father can do is to patient. While mommy may not realize it at the moment, she will look back and realize how thankful she was to have an understanding partner. Another thing that dad may notice is mom's nesting. While it may be difficult or near impossible for her to clean, she may use what little energy she has to prepare the home for baby. It's essential for dad to recognize that not only is baby sapping a lot of energy, but struggling with the added weight can be tiring; frequent naps may become part of the routine. It's important to be understanding in these last months of pregnancy and be willing to help with the chores around the house to take the burden off of mom. With a little understanding and patience, this last stage of pregnancy preparing for baby can be a joyous one!

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