You are excited about being a new Dad, but you are filled with questions and concerns as your partner goes through her pregnancy: we have some answers that will ease your mind and provide you with useful information at this very extraordinary time!
1.) My wife is having a lot of mood swings and behaving very differently during her pregnancy…she is only seven weeks pregnant! Is this going to get worse? What should I do?
- Worried Dad to Be
Dear Worried,
Your wife is going through one of the biggest changes in her life, even though she is not very far along in her pregnancy. The first three months (trimester) of pregnancy can be extraordinarily unpleasant for the unlucky percentage of women who suffer from morning sickness and fatigue. Try to understand that, although her pregnancy is still invisible to most, her body is changing every day, and working much harder than usual, in order to support the growth of a healthy baby. If your wife cries a lot, or snaps at you, it may simply be an overload of hormones, similar to PMS or other hormone-related symptoms! Try not to get angry if your wife seems moody or short with you, she needs a lot of love at this time, and her discomfort is very real!
2.) I’m concerned about being able to care financially for the new baby? How can I feel better about this, and stopping worrying?
Being a father is lot of responsibility, and you are already stepping up to your responsibilities by thinking about how you are going to support your new baby. If you will be the primary breadwinner after your wife gives birth, you will have a lot on your shoulders, but there are some ways you can feel more comfortable and secure. Consider living frugally until the child is born, cutting out restaurant meals and movie nights in favor of augmenting your savings account. If you save steadily for nine months, you should have a tidy nest egg set aside when your new son or daughter arrives: this will make you feel a lot better. Also, you can investigate you wife’s maternity benefits, if she has them, and your own rights to parental leave. There may be a way you can manage all your expenses, and still enjoy some quality time with the baby. Try not to worry too much, but it’s good to plan ahead and save – there is no perfect time to become a parent, and there will always be concerns and pressures. Talking to a financial advisor about a savings or investment strategy could really provide you with a feeling of security right now – consider calling your bank or broker and making an appointment.
