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A Dad's Guide to Pregnancy - Second Trimester
After the initial excitement and flurry of activity during the first trimester, the second trimester of a pregnancy seems to slip by without fanfare. They say that this is the best stage for a woman, as the worst of the hormonal rushes and stomach upsets are behind her and the heavy work of carrying a near-full-term baby is still over the horizon. However, things are still happening, and it is important that the dad is “up with the play” as the pregnancy progresses.
A study done on the psychological state of pregnant women in the Journal of Clinical Psychology noted that, as the pregnancy developed, women were less anxious or stressed, and the concerns of “keeping the home” were less significant to them. The good news is that this means your partner will likely be more relaxed, but it also could mean that there is less getting done as she focuses on baby-oriented projects. Don’t bug her to keep up on the housework, but accept that her priorities are shifting at this stage. Discuss any really important jobs that may need attention and be prepared to take up a little of the slack if required.
Most women will be bouncing back from the early exhaustion of the first trimester, and their bodies are beginning to show signs of the pregnancy now. A lot of guys will appreciate some of the body changes they notice, but be aware that your partner may be feeling self-conscious about them. A study in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy showed that women generally became less interested in sexual activity as their pregnancy progresses, initiating sex less often, and being less responsive to their partners. The study said that some of this was, in part, due to negative feelings about their own bodies as they changed with the pregnancy. Around the mid-point of pregnancy, stretch marks may begin to appear and many women are very sensitive about these skin blemishes. There are numerous creams and oils that can help prevent or alleviate them. Offer to apply one of them for your partner. While the research indicates many women feel less sexual desire as the pregnancy goes on, a majority of the subjects said they continued to be sexually active in order to feel intimate with their partner. Massaging skin cream into a growing tummy might help with this, too. Try to be sensitive to how these feelings are affecting your spouse and discuss ways you can meet both of your needs during this period.
The second trimester quickly gives way to the third, final stage of pregnancy. Make sure you enjoy this time and make the most of your partner’s energy and enthusiasm. Encourage her, build her self-confidence before of the final leg of the journey, and invest in each other in preparation for the arrival of your new baby.
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