Any other expectant Dads?

Any other expectant Dads?

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Discussion

Gary29

4,131 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
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Frixturbo said:
Not long left for us, 38 weeks yesterday, due 13th Feb ????,

Looking forward to the baby but dreading the labour, any advise for a nervous dad to be would be much appreciated ????
She will blow your expectations away about what you thought was possible for a human being, and you'll feel wholly inadequate being just a man forever after that laugh So all you can do is be as supportive as you can, be positive, try to be a calming influence (even if you are stting yourself) as stress is counter productive to child birth.

Being a drawn out process as per the post above is the most likely scenario, but be warned, for me, it was over VERY quickly, I got 'the call' and one hour later I'd driven her to hospital and she'd given birth.....nearly in the car at one point eek

Just have a bag waiting by the door or in the car ready to go at a moments notice.

And good luck! You'll be fine.

Shakermaker

Original Poster:

11,317 posts

99 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
Frixturbo said:
Not long left for us, 38 weeks yesterday, due 13th Feb ????,

Looking forward to the baby but dreading the labour, any advise for a nervous dad to be would be much appreciated ????
Have a bag packed and ready to grab, you've probably already done this but just reminding you to do it again.

Pack a pair of shorts for you as the maternity wards are very warm, so if you're kept in for a long time you may begin to get somwhat uncomfortable if you're still wearing your trousers/jeans. I know I did.

I felt almost entirely useless throughout the period of my wife being in labour. She was amazing and all I felt like I was doing was lots of encouraging but seemingly empty words. but that's the effect of drugs/gas and air meaning they aren't really focusing on you. Listen to the midwife but just be there, and be prepared to be in an awkward position for a while but remember its really not as awkward as what your wife is going through! She was just holding my trouser leg really tightly and my forearm for support. No idea why, it felt very weird for 90 minutes (as that's all it took with us.. YMMV....) but I didn't have to squeeze a 7lb6oz baby through my piss hole. but it made her feel better, so I let her do it.

cbmotorsport

3,065 posts

117 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
Frixturbo said:
Not long left for us, 38 weeks yesterday, due 13th Feb ????,

Looking forward to the baby but dreading the labour, any advise for a nervous dad to be would be much appreciated ????
There's absolutely jack you can do other than be there, hold her hand, talk to her, encourage her, give her water (and food if she can stomach it)

It's a very surreal experience, and also hard for dads too. Watching someone you love go through that... and being absolutely powerless to help is a bizarre experience.

The moment they hand you that little baby though, and hold them for the first time is something else. Don't be afraid to have a cry at that moment. I did, and apparently most do. :-)



Stockman14

263 posts

69 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
Frixturbo said:
Not long left for us, 38 weeks yesterday, due 13th Feb ????,

Looking forward to the baby but dreading the labour, any advise for a nervous dad to be would be much appreciated ????
Get some comfy shoes! My feet killed and it's frowned upon to mention it.
The midwives are all incredible, so no need to be nervous. No matter what happens, it'll be over before you know it, so try to enjoy it. I can't remember half of what happened!

The Moose

22,821 posts

208 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
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Shakermaker said:
I didn't have to squeeze a 7lb6oz baby through my piss hole.
Man, you have a way with words. I wish I was as articulate as you.

Shakespeare, eat your heart out!

Stockman14

263 posts

69 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
Shakermaker said:
Frixturbo said:
Not long left for us, 38 weeks yesterday, due 13th Feb ????,

Looking forward to the baby but dreading the labour, any advise for a nervous dad to be would be much appreciated ????
Have a bag packed and ready to grab, you've probably already done this but just reminding you to do it again.

Pack a pair of shorts for you as the maternity wards are very warm, so if you're kept in for a long time you may begin to get somwhat uncomfortable if you're still wearing your trousers/jeans. I know I did.

I felt almost entirely useless throughout the period of my wife being in labour. She was amazing and all I felt like I was doing was lots of encouraging but seemingly empty words. but that's the effect of drugs/gas and air meaning they aren't really focusing on you. Listen to the midwife but just be there, and be prepared to be in an awkward position for a while but remember its really not as awkward as what your wife is going through! She was just holding my trouser leg really tightly and my forearm for support. No idea why, it felt very weird for 90 minutes (as that's all it took with us.. YMMV....) but I didn't have to squeeze a 7lb6oz baby through my piss hole. but it made her feel better, so I let her do it.
+1 for the shorts

CharlieH89

9,079 posts

164 months

Friday 1st February 2019
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34 weeks today.
The baby apparently is weighing ahead and we have been the hospital quite a few times now for scans.

In the early days you are paying for scans to see the baby and gender and towards the end of the pregnancy the amount of scans do your head in hehe

They’ve talked about going in at 38 weeks and maybe inducing but scans closer to the time will let us know.

Can’t wait to push her around in this vehicle of choice

cbmotorsport

3,065 posts

117 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
CharlieH89 said:
34 weeks today.
The baby apparently is weighing ahead and we have been the hospital quite a few times now for scans.

In the early days you are paying for scans to see the baby and gender and towards the end of the pregnancy the amount of scans do your head in hehe

They’ve talked about going in at 38 weeks and maybe inducing but scans closer to the time will let us know.

Can’t wait to push her around in this vehicle of choice
One thing we learned is that scans, and even growth scan are so inaccurate. We were apparently to expect an 8lb baby according to growth scans (they were worried about sudden increase in size) and actually got a 6lb 12oz baby.

cbmotorsport

3,065 posts

117 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
CharlieH89 said:
34 weeks today.
The baby apparently is weighing ahead and we have been the hospital quite a few times now for scans.

In the early days you are paying for scans to see the baby and gender and towards the end of the pregnancy the amount of scans do your head in hehe

They’ve talked about going in at 38 weeks and maybe inducing but scans closer to the time will let us know.

Can’t wait to push her around in this vehicle of choice
Do you have a carrycot for that push chair? It's not great to leave them in a car seat for any length of time. We bought the car seat adapters for ours, and have never used them.

Shakermaker

Original Poster:

11,317 posts

99 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
CharlieH89 said:
34 weeks today.
The baby apparently is weighing ahead and we have been the hospital quite a few times now for scans.

In the early days you are paying for scans to see the baby and gender and towards the end of the pregnancy the amount of scans do your head in hehe

They’ve talked about going in at 38 weeks and maybe inducing but scans closer to the time will let us know.

Can’t wait to push her around in this vehicle of choice
That's the newer version of the set up we got. Managed to avoid the bright pink chair though!

Car seat adapters are great when they're asleep and you need to pop into the shops quickly!

Vaud

50,291 posts

154 months

Friday 1st February 2019
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Stolen from the jokes thread:

A married couple went to the hospital to have their baby delivered.

Upon their arrival, the doctor said he had invented a new machine that would transfer a portion of the mother's labor pain to the father. He asked if they were willing to try it out. They were both very much in favour of it.

The doctor set the pain transfer to 10% for starters, explaining that even 10% was probably more pain than the father had ever experienced before. But as the labor progressed, the husband felt fine and asked the doctor to go ahead and kick it up a notch. The doctor then adjusted the machine to 20% pain transfer. The husband was still feeling fine.

The doctor checked the husband's blood pressure and was amazed at how well he was doing. At this point they decided to try for 50%. The husband continued to feel quite well. Since the pain transfer was obviously helping out the wife considerably, the husband encouraged the doctor to transfer ALL the pain to him. The wife delivered a healthy baby with virtually no pain. She and her husband were ecstatic.

When they got home, the postman was dead on the porch.

CharlieH89

9,079 posts

164 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
cbmotorsport said:
One thing we learned is that scans, and even growth scan are so inaccurate. We were apparently to expect an 8lb baby according to growth scans (they were worried about sudden increase in size) and actually got a 6lb 12oz baby.
We think the same will happen too. A lot of people on the net had the same happen when I googled smile

cbmotorsport said:
Do you have a carrycot for that push chair? It's not great to leave them in a car seat for any length of time. We bought the car seat adapters for ours, and have never used them.
We have a carry cot too which came with the set. Have read it’s not advisable for more than a couple of hours. It’ll be handy for when we don’t want to wake the baby from car into the house


Shakermaker said:
That's the newer version of the set up we got. Managed to avoid the bright pink chair though!

Car seat adapters are great when they're asleep and you need to pop into the shops quickly!
If I’m right the baby will only be in the car seat for 6 months or so? I don’t mind the berry red tbh when the whole pram is black biggrin

ST_Nuts

1,487 posts

106 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Vaud said:
Stolen from the jokes thread:

A married couple went to the hospital to have their baby delivered.

Upon their arrival, the doctor said he had invented a new machine that would transfer a portion of the mother's labor pain to the father. He asked if they were willing to try it out. They were both very much in favour of it.

The doctor set the pain transfer to 10% for starters, explaining that even 10% was probably more pain than the father had ever experienced before. But as the labor progressed, the husband felt fine and asked the doctor to go ahead and kick it up a notch. The doctor then adjusted the machine to 20% pain transfer. The husband was still feeling fine.

The doctor checked the husband's blood pressure and was amazed at how well he was doing. At this point they decided to try for 50%. The husband continued to feel quite well. Since the pain transfer was obviously helping out the wife considerably, the husband encouraged the doctor to transfer ALL the pain to him. The wife delivered a healthy baby with virtually no pain. She and her husband were ecstatic.

When they got home, the postman was dead on the porch.
Thanks for the chuckle hehe

Shakermaker

Original Poster:

11,317 posts

99 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
CharlieH89 said:
If I’m right the baby will only be in the car seat for 6 months or so? I don’t mind the berry red tbh when the whole pram is black biggrin
No no.. well it depends on how quickly your baby grows but we've only put our daughter in other car seats a couple of months ago when she was about 11 months. I still occasionally use the old maxi cosi when I am nipping out as it is easier to get her in and out of inside the house, than the one in the car which is a bit more involved.

They can sleep in the pram part for as long as you want, no issues with that if they're flat on their back. But yes, try not to leave them in the car seat for more than 2 hours at a time, even less when they are very young, think 30-40 mins maximum is advised without a break.

GIYess

1,311 posts

100 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Shakermaker said:
No no.. well it depends on how quickly your baby grows but we've only put our daughter in other car seats a couple of months ago when she was about 11 months. I still occasionally use the old maxi cosi when I am nipping out as it is easier to get her in and out of inside the house, than the one in the car which is a bit more involved.

They can sleep in the pram part for as long as you want, no issues with that if they're flat on their back. But yes, try not to leave them in the car seat for more than 2 hours at a time, even less when they are very young, think 30-40 mins maximum is advised without a break.
You will be lucky if thes sleep that long anyway laugh

richatnort

3,018 posts

130 months

Monday 4th February 2019
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Evening fellow dads. We had our 12 week scan today. All good with the little one. Went to tell our parents and they're over the moon it was so nice to tell them. Roll on / around 16th August.

ST_Nuts

1,487 posts

106 months

Monday 4th February 2019
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^^ Congrats smile

Couple weeks to go until our 20 week scan - Can't wait! biggrin

We popped into Mothercare yesterday to have a browse... Can't believe how expensive everything is!

Picking up a 4 month old Mothercare pram on Gumtree in new condition for £80 - £370 saving!!

Moses basket in Aldi - £30. One in Mothercare which was not as good - double the price!

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Monday 4th February 2019
quotequote all
well 3 weeks into having 2 kids knocking around the place, back to work tomorrow, and i have to say it's been nowhere near as mental as we had assumed it would be. Paternity has been really awesome, and actually with relatively little in way of the difficult bits. Fortunately the daughter has really taken to her new little brother. She reads him stories and chats away to him cuddles him... it's been really lovely to see. Esp as it could have gone either way! There are clearly logistical challenges to it all and more things to think about when you want to, say, leave the house (!) but we'll get better at it. Oh and we need a bigger house, or less stuff. I think the former is unfortunately more realistic...

Vaud

50,291 posts

154 months

Monday 4th February 2019
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
well 3 weeks into having 2 kids knocking around the place, back to work tomorrow, and i have to say it's been nowhere near as mental as we had assumed it would be. Paternity has been really awesome, and actually with relatively little in way of the difficult bits. Fortunately the daughter has really taken to her new little brother. She reads him stories and chats away to him cuddles him... it's been really lovely to see. Esp as it could have gone either way! There are clearly logistical challenges to it all and more things to think about when you want to, say, leave the house (!) but we'll get better at it. Oh and we need a bigger house, or less stuff. I think the former is unfortunately more realistic...
Wait until no 2 has a view on being cuddled. Or their favourite toy is suddenly their eldest sibling's favourite toy (despite the fact that they haven't played with it in years...)

Bath time gets to be fun at about 12 months+.. though the proportion of water in the bath vs on the floor is questionable...

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Monday 4th February 2019
quotequote all
Vaud said:
Blown2CV said:
well 3 weeks into having 2 kids knocking around the place, back to work tomorrow, and i have to say it's been nowhere near as mental as we had assumed it would be. Paternity has been really awesome, and actually with relatively little in way of the difficult bits. Fortunately the daughter has really taken to her new little brother. She reads him stories and chats away to him cuddles him... it's been really lovely to see. Esp as it could have gone either way! There are clearly logistical challenges to it all and more things to think about when you want to, say, leave the house (!) but we'll get better at it. Oh and we need a bigger house, or less stuff. I think the former is unfortunately more realistic...
Wait until no 2 has a view on being cuddled. Or their favourite toy is suddenly their eldest sibling's favourite toy (despite the fact that they haven't played with it in years...)

Bath time gets to be fun at about 12 months+.. though the proportion of water in the bath vs on the floor is questionable...
yep I am definitely not daft enough to assume this is a lifelong patter smile The Mrs and I have discussed this already... it's all fine whilst he's essentially an inert object, but when he starts having his own preferences and starts competing for parental attention... i am sure we will have scenes!