w it ot do ap ba ba re fu co th to ta sh Be D th pa is M fe Sh ex be yo
Dad’s Pregnancy Guide: From Dadchelor Parties to What to Expect After Birth By John Culhane
T here may be no greater “Honey, we are going to have a baby!” But after the slaps on the back and the congratulatory ceremonies are done, an expectant Dad can be kind of out there alone in left field. Baby showers with Pinterest crafts have been the realm of the Moms, but in recent years some trends have developed to keep Dad in the loop and feeling involved. Dadchelor Parties The Dadchelor Party can be anything from a get together barbecue to a party with feeling for a husband than for his wife to tell him, everybody bringing diapers. Babies need diapers, lots of diapers. Emily Granger Arostegui from Denham Springs, says, “During showers, the guys would get together to cook and drink while the girls had their fun. For the Diaper Party, people
would bring diapers, wipes and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. My husband loved picking out things for our baby girl, but being at a shower wasn’t his thing.” While Moms are getting ready for baby to come, Dads may have problems of their own and they could end up not knowing how to handle their feelings. Samantha Rauber, LPC, NCC, PMH-C, says, “Oftentimes during pregnancy and postpartum, so much focus and attention shifts to the baby and then to the mother, but often forgotten is the major transition that Dad is navigating as well. Dads need support too, whether they want to admit it or not. Dad/ Diaper Parties given by friends are a great way of honing in on the special and vulnerable time that becoming a parent is for him also.” Expecting Changes Oftentimes Dads are waiting in
the dugout, not sure of what they will need to be called to do next. Rauber wants them to know they can expect several changes and can be ready for them. She says, “As a woman’s body evolves to meet the needs of the developing baby, she may not be able to carry on life the way she did before being pregnant. Pregnancy comes with a plethora of hormonal, psychological, and physical changes. They can also expect positive changes that come with great reward also. Watching a woman’s belly grow with a moving baby can bring much joy and excitement into his next chapter of life.” Getting Involved Dads don’t need to stay on the sideline either. Rauber has suggestions for how he can be involved by bonding with the baby in many different ways during the pregnancy, each unique to
18
PINK&BLUE | SPRING 2024
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator