Life

9 Ways Dads Can (And Should) Help With Morning Sickness

by Olivia Youngs

It goes without saying that pregnancy is one of the craziest times of a woman's life. Along with all of the physical changes that come in the beginning (and there are a lot of them), it often feels like your body is waging war against itself. As a dad-to-be, watching your partner struggle can make you feel just as helpless as she does, but luckily, there are lots of ways dads can (and should) help with morning sickness, no matter how mild or severe her case may be.

According to Baby Center, morning sickness usually starts around six weeks and lasts till about week 12. And although each pregnancy is different (some women experience no morning sickness at all), the most common symptoms are nausea, heightened sense of smell, aversion to certain foods, and frequent urination, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The same article states that experiencing morning sickness is usually a good sign that your baby is growing just as he or she should be, but that doesn't make it any easier to go through. As the father of the child, your role can make a huge difference in her comfort and confidence as she goes through one of the "necessary evils" of pregnancy. So if you're partner is coping with a case of the morning pukes, here are some ways to help her through.

1

Learn Her "Triggers"

Morning sickness is different for every woman, and there may be some unexpected things that will make her sick. Learn what sets her off, makes her nauseous, or just uncomfortable and do everything in your power to help her avoid those things.

2

Be Prepared

Learning about pregnancy and morning sickness should only fall on the mother's shoulders. Though she is the one physically pregnant, you have a pivotal role to play in making sure she takes the best care of herself and your growing baby as possible.

3

Be Sympathetic And Indulge Her

Your SO will probably act like a completely different person, and that's OK. No matter how severe her morning sickness is, let her do what feels best to her. If she wants frozen yogurt for all three meals a day, then gosh darn it, give her fro yo three times a day.

4

Don't Complain

Not to devalue how you feel, but she probably doesn't want to hear about the headache you've been battling or the stomach ache from that burrito you ate earlier. Be sensitive about what you bring up, because, she has no choice in the way she feels and there's not much she can do about it.

5

Help Out (More) Around The House

Whether she stays at home, works full time, or a mixture of the two, there are a multitude of things you can do to alleviate some of her stress. Take over cooking or dishes (since the smells most likely make her feel even more sick), fold some laundry, or handle the other kiddos. She will appreciate it more than you know.

6

Run Errands For Her

When just about everything makes you feel like vomiting, getting out of the house can be a literal pain. Run her errands for her, even if it's as simple as grabbing a tub of ice cream or paying a few bills.

7

Let Her Rest

Sleep may be the only thing that helps her feel better, and trust me, she'll need lots of it. According to Fit Pregnancy, sleep issues can start right off the bat during pregnancy, so let her get it whenever she can.

8

Go To Her Doctor Appointments With Her

Though she's the pregnant one, she shouldn't have to go to appointments alone. If nothing more than to offer moral support, accompany her for each and every baby-related thing.

9

Be Patient

Even though the love of your life is acting a little less like the woman you fell in love with, being patient is one of the best things you can do. Know that morning sickness doesn't last forever (thank the gods for that) and that you truly have an invaluable role in making her as comfortable as she can be.