The previous article talked about how you can care for your lady during her pregnancy.  But you’re going through a lot of changes, too, and you need some TLC as much as she does.  Here are some ways that you can do to take care of yourself during your partner’s pregnancy.

• Enjoy the benefits. You know those hormones? Once the adjustment period of her first trimester is over, her breasts will begin to enlarge and her sex drive will kick into high gear. Sure, she’ll be showing a little, but it’s nothing you can’t manage. And you don’t have to handle her with kid gloves; there’s nothing that you can do in normal (and by that I mean non-abusive) sexual relations that can hurt the baby.
• Boys’ night. Go, get out, be a guy! You can be the world’s best daddy-in-training, and still need to get far away from the very female world of pregnancy and the sight of anything pink or blue. Encourage her to go out with the gals, too. You both still have to be yourselves, as people, in addition to your new roles as pending parents.
• Accept the grief. Any change in life brings grief, even the good changes. A baby is good news, but things are going to be different. This can be hard for the dad, especially if he liked the way things were. From now on, you’ll have to share your lady with someone who needs her even more. That can be really frustrating. Don’t feel guilty about it; it’s normal to grieve the loss of a life you liked, even if something better’s coming down the road.
• Keep in shape. First of all, being in good physical shape will help you deal with stress much better. Second, during a pregnancy, men tend to gain “sympathy weight;” she puts on, say 25 pounds (some of which comes off after childbirth) and so does he (none of which comes off after childbirth!). And physical activity is a good way to get guy time, or to work out any anxieties or frustrations you might have simmering in your mind.

Being a dad is a great thing, and you’re going to be really good at it. Just take care of your lady, take care of yourself, and follow the above advice. You’ll be just fine.