Congratulations, you’re about to be a dad! Contrary to popular belief, there are actually tons of guidebooks for Delivery Day Tips for Dad.It’s Go Time! There is a baby getting born here to you and your life is about to become something better/crazier/and more insanely beautiful than you have ever dared to dream.
Listen up, daddies-to-be: When it comes to delivery room etiquette, the mama gets to make the rules. Take a few hints from these real new-dad blunders and you’ll be on the right track.
Up in Maternity, it’s a whole different ballgame. And, lucky for you, Mr. Daddy Newguy, we Care4 got all the inside scoops you’re ever gonna need to get you where you need to go.
Here are some Delivery Day Tips for Dad that will hopefully help you
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Be strong
Difficult decisions may need to be made, and they will likely fall on your shoulders. You may have to make some tough decisions. Sometimes emergency C-sections happen. Sometimes when the baby is born, he/she needs immediate care and is taken away right after delivery.
Doctors will still be focusing on your wife and ensure her body is taken care of, so that leaves a lot of wondering what you should do. In these situations, it’s important for you to keep your composure. Difficult decisions may need to be made, and they will likely fall on your shoulders.
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Stay calm
Your partner will be worried and nervous when she goes into labor, and when everything starts to happen it’s likely you’ll be the only person with her. This is a moment when you need to be calm and confidence, so take a few deep breaths then try to take control of the situation.
The contractions may soon become so painful that she can hardly communicate with you, so call the hospital and inform them you’re on the way.
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Give your non-throwing arm to her for help
Always be ready! Anytime your wife may need anything, you should offer your arms to her for help. This doesn’t just apply to giving her something to grab onto, it also goes for picking things up. Your arms will get a workout, so be careful.
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It is an out-of-body experience and the greatest moment of your life
So even though it is a tense situation, try to find the joy in every situation. Notice I said “joy” and not “enjoy.” If you’re enjoying this painful process, it’ll probably seem and little weird and you’ll be in trouble. Keep your phone and camera charged because you’ll want to share the amazing moment with everyone.
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Know what to expect during labor
Forget those TV sitcom episodes in which a woman goes into labor and a baby pops out by the second commercial. It sometimes happens that fast, but not normally.
For most women, especially first-time mothers, labor is a tough stage of life, not an event. Don’t expect labor to be over in just a few hours. Every woman’s experience is different for labor pain
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Pack yourself a bag
Get yourself set up two weeks before her due date, throw the bag in the trunk, and you’ve got one less thing to worry about. Incidentally, if she is running around packing last minute things for herself keep your trap shut!
Overnight kit/knapsack/man-bag/whatever you want to call it: get that packed up and ready to roll pretty well in advance. Believe me when I tell you that you don’t want to be the dude trying to recall where he put his razor when she is out in the car counting the seconds between contractions.
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Love her unconditionally
Realize that her words and behavior are largely influenced by hormones and body chemistry, and while she may even get easily frustrated or take out her stress on you, remember to love her, “through sickness and health,” and that this is the time she needs you the most.
Be strong for her. Talk calmly; don’t let yourself get caught up in the emotions. When one of you is weak, the other must be strong. Continue being kind, continue serving her, and try to meet her needs. This time will pass and things will change, but your life for each other should not
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Learn relaxation techniques for yourself and mom
There are recordings you can find that can help you relax, and don’t hesitate to use them. Clear minds make rational decisions and this a time when you need a clear mind.Labor can take a while, and result in long stretches of discomfort and uneasiness.
Waiting for test results or progress in the labor can be stressful, but it’s extremely important that you handle this stress constructively. Learn breathing techniques, learn how to relax your muscles, learn how to slow your heart rate, and learn how to coach your wife to relax.
In the end, as long as mother and baby are healthy, that’s what really matters for you as a dad. Your main job throughout the process is one of encourager and coach, but it’s also your day. A day you share with a woman you love and a new child that you’ll shower with affection and care.