Father Child Development Activities - Prenatal

Although you and your partner may not see or feel an immediate change in her body, many things are indeed changing inside her.

Oral Heath – Mothers–to–be should take extra care of their teeth and gums. Some research has linked premature births to gum disease and tooth decay.

Support – It's not only important to find a doctor whom the mother likes and is comfortable with. That doctor should also respect you and encourage your participation during the entire birthing process.

Fatherhood Development – Making personal sacrifices for your child is important for your child's well being.

Health – Fathers can help prevent Toxoplasmosis, a disease that can be transmitted through cat feces, by taking preventative steps.

Support – It's important for mothers and fathers to attend doctor's visits.

Health – Fathers should lose all the bad habits they may have as a way of showing support to your baby and your partner.

Fingers, toes, blood vessels, nerves, part of the lungs, and liver are some of your unborn baby’s body parts that are beginning to develop.

Energy – Sleep is important when women are expecting. As the father, it's your responsibility to encourage her to rest as much as possible.

Fatherhood Development – By the second month of pregnancy, the initial feeling of shock and excitement fathers feel may turn to anxiety and fear.

Support – During the first few months of pregnancy, your partner may begin to experience nausea and vomiting, which is commonly referred to as morning sickness.

Health – Fathers can learn the health benefits of breast–feeding their baby.

Health & Wellness – The benefit of exercising during pregnancy will help the mother during labor. Strong muscles and stamina will ease her fatigue during labor.

Nutrition – Fathers can support the mother of their child by avoiding junk food and eating healthy food.

During the third month — first trimester — of pregnancy your unborn child’s external body parts are developing into a recognizable form.

Health – Your partner may become constipated during pregnancy. Monitor your family's daily fruit, vegetable and fiber intake.

General Information – Your partner will undergo many lab tests throughout her pregnancy to determine any potential health concerns with her or the baby.

Bonding – Whether you're a first time father or a father of multiple children, it's very important that you bond with your newborn baby when he or she arrives.

Health – During pregnancy, certain foods and the way they're prepared may be harmful to your partner and unborn child.

Bonding – Hearing the baby's heartbeat may be the first time fathers realize they have created a living being.

Safety – Begin to prepare your home before the big day. Make sure the home is safe for your newborn.

During the fourth month the muscles are developing and your unborn child is able to wiggle fingers and toes, kick, swallow, and move around.

Sibling – Preparing your child for a sibling during this stage of pregnancy gives that child time to adjust to the idea of new family member.

Safety – Protect your family from this poisonous and deadly gas by ensuring all appliances and chimneys are ventilated properly.

Support – By this time in the pregnancy, you may notice that your partner's moods and emotions have been changing and may change several times per day.

Safety – Before your baby's first car trip home, make sure his or her car seat is installed properly and that you know how to safely secure him or her into the child restraint.

Support – Learn a new task or chore around the house.

Relaxation – If the baby's mother is tense, the baby is tense. The baby will feel well if the father helps make the mother feel more at ease.

Hair, fingernails, toenails, eyelashes, and eyebrows have started to grow, and tooth buds are formed.

Health and Safety – During a difficult or high–risk pregnancy, mothers may be required to be on bed rest for their health and the baby's health for the duration of the pregnancy.

Preparation – The financial impact of bringing a child into this world and being able to provide for it's basic needs can be overwhelming if you're not prepared.

Bonding & Safety – When holding, feeding, and handing newborns to other adults, neck support is very important and parents need to be sure the head is stable.

Safety – During pregnancy your partner's body is constantly changing, and her belly is growing outward.

Bonding – A name is very important to the identity of the child.

By the sixth month - the end of the second trimester - fathers should be able to feel the unborn child when he or she is moving around.

Planning – The rush of family and friends to see your newborn can be overwhelming and create tension among some parents

Safety – Prepare yourself and take a CPR, rescue breathing, and first aid class that will teach you live–saving skills.

Bonding – By now, you may be able to see and feel your unborn baby's movements on your partner's belly.

Relaxation – Worrying may bring on extra stress to the mother and the unborn child.

Knowledge – Gain knowledge from other fathers about parenting.

Entering the last trimester of the pregnancy your unborn child is 14 to 18 inches long and can weigh three pounds.

Trust – Creating a comfortable space and location for you to care for your newborn sends a message to your child's mother that you are ready to help and contribute to the care of your child.

Newborn supplies – By the time your partner reaches her seventh month of pregnancy you should be completing your preparation for this day. As a father you should make sure you're prepared and have the essential supplies to care for your baby's basic needs.

Fatherhood Preparation – Often, fathers learn their parenting styles from the men who have had a powerful impact on their lives.

Safety – If you're planning to enroll or register your child into a child care facility be sure you research all of your options.

Health – During the third trimester mothers may have an ultrasound.

Relaxation – Fathers should plan to attend all child–birthing classes with his pregnant partner.

He or she is growing bigger and can weigh up to five pounds and be 18 inches long.

Stress – Make this as easy and stress–free for your partner.

General Information – A cesarean delivery, sometimes called a C–section, is a surgical procedure for delivering a baby through a mother's abdomen.

Preparation – During pregnancy, some mothers may experience pre–labor contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions.

Preparation – Ensure that on the day of the delivery the process of admitting her into the hospital is smooth and easy.

Bonding – Fathers can read to their partner's belly to strengthen the bond between them and their child.

Baby Stimulation – Music can be very stimulating and have positive developmental effects on the unborn child.

The last month of the third trimester your unborn baby is ready to be born.

Health and Safety – It's your responsibility to ensure your baby is healthy and safe. One way you can ensure your baby's is safe is to baby–proof your home.

Safety – In the mid 90s a national effort to reduce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), called the Back to Sleep Campaign was launched to educate parents and professionals about reducing the risks of SIDS.

Self–Esteem – Soon your newborn baby will arrive. This is a time for new experiences and some trials and tribulations.

Support – After the birth of your baby, your partner may experience a variety of emotions.

Preparation – Before the child is born, have a plan in place that will help you to avoid any problems before delivery.

Support – There's nothing in life that can compare to witnessing the birth of your child.