How Pregnancy Impacts Your Partner

How you can provide support to your pregnancy partner

A good support system can help an expectant mom cope better with the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. Anyone who provides you with primary support is your pregnancy partner, this can be a same-sex partner, parent, grandparent, any other family member, or a friend. By showing support and understanding for your partner, you show them that you valuable their presence and assistance on your pregnancy journey. It is also important to note that you obviously go through physical changes during your pregnancy, but pregnancy also has an impact on your partner.

Impact of change on your partner

Pregnancy can be both exciting and challenging. Just as your body goes through many physical changes, your relationship with your partner will grow and change too. Working through these changes and the myriad of emotions you experience are part of your pregnancy journey.

One of the more curious impacts of pregnancy on an expectant parent-to-be , occurs when they experiences several sympathetic symptoms (where a partner experiences pregnancy symptoms) with mom. Officially it’s called Couvade syndrome, although healthcare professionals don’t recognise it as a real medical issue. Partners may suffer with nausea and a decreased appetite, gain weight, or suffer with heartburn or back pain. There’s no specific treatment but medication can be used to ease the discomfort of some of these symptoms. They typically disappears after the baby’s birth.

On an emotional level, your partner may experience:

• A disconnection. The pregnancy is real to you because you experience physical and emotional symptoms and you get to feel your baby move, but for your partner, it may not yet be a reality. They may only be able to connect later in the pregnancy, as your bump grows, or when you are able to feel the baby kick and of the anticipation of the birth as it gets closer.
• Anxiety. Your focus may be on your health and your growing baby, but your partner may be more concerned about the practicalities of bringing a child into the world. Perhaps they have concerns about your changing relationship, shifting family dynamics or financial stress.
• Conflict. Emotions can run high and a difference of opinion or misunderstanding can lead to a conflict situation. It’s important to address these timely to avoid ongoing stress and anxiety.

Support for your partner

Good communication is the best way to manage the impact of pregnancy on your relationship with your partner, deal with conflict and ease anxiety.

• Talk about your needs. Your partner may not know how to support you. This may cause them more anxiety or they may even become uninvolved as they do not know how to best support you. Have a discussion and let them know how they can help. Share your feelings and concerns.
• Invite them to your prenatal visits. Seeing baby on an ultrasound can make the pregnancy more real for your partner.
• Prepare for baby’s arrival together. This can be a special bonding time. Together, plan out and decorate the nursery.
• Talk about sex. Your partner may be concerned that sex in pregnancy can harm the baby. In a normal pregnancy, sex is safe up until your membranes rupture (water breaks). Consider you own needs and communicate these to your partner. It’s normal for your sexual desire to change through the pregnancy. Continue to use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In some high-risk pregnancies, your healthcare provider may ask you to abstain from sex.
• Facilitate the bond between your baby and your partner. Let your partner talk or sing to the baby.
• Attend childbirth classes. If your pregnancy partner is also your birth partner, sign up for antenatal classes. Discuss your birth plan and their role in the baby’s birth.

Your partner’s health

Your partner’s physical and mental health is just as important as your own at this time and should be prioritised.

• Know their numbers. If your partner hasn’t had a cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure test within the last year, encourage him to see a healthcare provider or visit a pharmacy clinic. Hypertension (high blood pressure), high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and high blood glucose levels can increase your man’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Find out from your medical aid or clinic if you qualify for a cholesterol screening benefit twice per annum for all beneficiaries 20 years or older and blood pressure monitoring twice per annum for beneficiaries over 18 years. Those aged 45 years and older can have two glucose screenings per annum.
• Help your partner make positive lifestyle choices. Quitting smoking can be a challenge, but encourage him to do so, for a healthier environment for everyone in the family. Cutting back on red meat, fatty and fried foods can help to reduce the risk for heart disease, important changes to make as you enter a new life-stage.
• Exercise together. A great way for couples to bond. Swimming, walking and prenatal yoga are all safe and beneficial in pregnancy and can help you build fitness and flexibility in preparation for the birth.
• Have those difficult conversations. If you notice your partner smoking more or drinking more alcohol than usual or relying on medication or drugs to cope with stress, this needs to be addressed with them. Show care and empathy and pledge your support to help them get treatment.

Mutual support can help you and your partner prepare for the next chapter in your life. Take a moment to share this article for your partner to read. If your pregnancy partner lives with you, he or she can also call your dedicated midwife or counsellor on the Maternity Programme for advice and support anytime whilst you are registered on the Programme.

Contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your partners health and wellbeing.

Resources: https://www.mottchildren.org/; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/;https://www.bellybelly.com.au/; https://www.verywellfamily.com ; https://raisingchildren.net.au/;https://myhealth.alberta.ca/; https://www.heart.org/; https://www.eatthis.com/; https://www.livescience.com/; https://www.mayoclinic.org; https://www.webmd.com/; https://www.parents.com/