How to Support Your Partner During Pregnancy and Beyond

January 27, 2025  By: Women's Health Team

Loving husband relaxing with his pregnant wife.

Content medically reviewed by Cassie Kurtz, APRN, CNM

Pregnancy is an exciting time, whether you are first-time parents or already have a family. But it can also be an overwhelming and nerve-wracking time as well, especially for the pregnant person. Knowing how to support your partner during pregnancy, both emotionally and physically, can make a significant difference during this time and beyond as you grow your family.

“Your partner may feel physically unwell at times throughout their pregnancy and feel emotional due to changing hormones,” said Cassie Kurtz, certified nurse-midwife at Essentia Health. “They might also be nervous about the birth and feel overwhelmed with making preparations. Making healthy changes together and doing all you can to support your partner can help ease their anxiety and help you both be well prepared for your baby’s arrival.”

Commit to Healthy Habits

Your partner needs to focus on taking good care of themself and baby to ensure a healthy pregnancy. This may mean making changes to their diet or other habits. You can help by doing these things right along with them.

Things you can do include –

  • Eat healthy foods. Your partner needs to make sure they are getting proper nutrition. You can help by eating healthily along with them. This includes eating plenty of fruits and veggies as well as foods such as whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. Avoid foods high in sodium, sugar, or unhealthy fats.
  • Exercise together. Regular exercise can be great for your partner and the baby during pregnancy. Make it easier for your partner to stick to a routine by being active together. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are good choices. Talk to your partner’s provider for more advice on exercise during pregnancy.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking. Your partner cannot drink alcohol while pregnant, so cutting down or avoiding it completely is a good way to show support. It’s also important not to smoke. Not only is secondhand smoke unhealthy for your partner and the baby, but smoking is also dangerous for your own health.

Give Emotional Support

Pregnancy can affect mental health, and your partner will likely experience many emotional ups and downs during pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones can trigger mood swings, and the challenges of being pregnant can cause frustration.

As the pregnancy progresses, they may feel increasingly uncomfortable as the baby grows and puts pressure on their back, bladder, and blood vessels. They may have backaches and other pain, as well as the need to urinate frequently. These issues can also make it hard to get a good night’s sleep, all of which can lead to irritability.

“Offering emotional support to your partner by listening, asking them what you can do to help, and being there for them can help them process their feelings and alleviate frustration,” Kurtz said. “You can also take on more of the household chores and responsibilities as the pregnancy gets further along. All these things can strengthen your relationship while helping your partner feel you are in this together and they are not alone.”

Prepare for Childbirth Together

There are many things you can do to help your partner prepare for the birth as well as help you both know what to expect after the baby arrives.

  • Attend prenatal classes with your partner. Going to birthing classes with your partner can not only help you know what to expect during labor and birth but also help you learn the best ways to support your partner during the entire process.
  • Go to appointments. If possible, accompany your partner to pregnancy-related appointments so you can ask questions and understand how the pregnancy is progressing.
  • Make plans for getting to the hospital. As the due date gets closer, make sure you are well prepared. Plan your route to the hospital or birthing center, make sure you have plenty of gas in the car, and keep a bag packed for the hospital stay.
  • Read up. Read books on pregnancy so you can better understand what your partner is going through. You can also read about what will happen during the birth so you can be prepared.

“Remember, you want to be as prepared as possible before the birth,” Kurtz said. “You should also gather information about parental leave, insurance, and other financial and practical matters well ahead of time.”

At Essentia Health, our goal is to provide resources to your entire family during pregnancy and beyond.

“We take a whole-family approach to care to ensure that both parents, as well as siblings, feel supported as your family grows,” Kurtz said. “Through classes and other resources, we strive to provide everything you need for pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn.”

Some of the prenatal education classes available at Essentia Health include –

  • Basic Training for New Dads. Fathers can learn basic newborn care and get advice on supporting their partners and adjusting to being a dad.
  • Childbirth Preparation. This class focuses on the birthing process, including techniques, the role of the support person, and interventions, as well as breastfeeding and newborn care.
  • Childbirth Refresher. This class is designed for parents who have at least one child and have taken childbirth education before.
  • Grandparents Class. Grandparents can learn ways to support the family and how to keep their new grandchild safe.
  • Sibling Class. Children can learn ways to adjust to having a new brother or sister.
  • Strategies for Low Intervention Birth. This class offers non-medical strategies to use during labor, such as relaxation, positioning, and using a tub.

We also offer many amenities to help make the hospital stay more comfortable for the family, such as aromatherapy, an in-room fridge, sleeper sofa, and a celebration dinner complete with a personalized cake.

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