Dad Tip #2 – Know the accurate date of the pregnancy in weeks
This is a big one. Better connect with her by getting on track with the progress of the pregnancy and in sync with what’s happening with the baby right away. I earlier mentioned that one of the things that will come out of the first Midwife or OB appointment is a good grasp of the age of the pregnancy as measured in weeks. Even if you are certain of the exact date that you kicked off this pregnancy, they will still do some funny math and calculations based on previous period times and whatnot, so don’t get too bogged down by this aspect. The takeaway is that ALL pregnancies are tracked in weeks, not months! Everybody in the know will ALWAYS talk about pregnancies in weeks. Months will only be occasionally used as shorthand in casual conversations. Pregnancies are medically tracked this way because Baby’s growth and developmental milestones are more accurately marked and measured in weeks. For example, you’ll be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat around 9 weeks, they’ll start to suck their thumbs at 16 weeks, you can feel them hiccupping at 25 weeks, etc...
Now, go into your calendar or calendar app and mark ahead all Baby’s age weeks from this week till 2 weeks past the estimated due date. Your OB will have told you more or less what day of the week your “week age” changes so go ahead and mark down all the week ages for the next 30+ Mondays, or whatever day of the week you and Mama choose. Make a point to mention this number to Mama each week as it changes to show her that you’re tracking the pregnancy’s progress too. Remember this number and bring it up in conversation with friends, or better yet, YOU answer when somebody asks you guys how far along you are so far. Huge Dad Card credits to the guys out there that can regularly answer this question. You’d be amazed to know that it’s probably less than 10 percent of all Dads-to-be.
As a further part of this plan, it’s a great idea for you and your partner to get a pregnancy tracking app, such as Ovia or What To Expect When You’re Expecting (don’t worry, she already has them) and make it a weekly “date” to sit down together to watch the short 5 minute videos that give you all the updates on what’s happening with the baby’s growth and development each week along the way. They’re pretty funny and informative, and often give Baby’s size in terms of funny objects like fruits and animals. Telling your friends that growing Baby is now the size of a chipmunk or hedgehog always gets a laugh.
Pro tip: Offer to help document her progress by taking a “baby bump pic” around the same time each week. She probably won’t be obviously pregnant for a little while yet, but keeping a file of weekly “bump pics” is a great way to help you better connect with your partner and also help you remember what week of the pregnancy you are in. Doing these few simple things couldn’t be any easier and will pay awesome dividends in your partners appreciation of your involvement in the pregnancy – helpful and supportive indeed!
