Should Your Partner Come to Prenatal Appointments?
Author: Heather Slee
Should your partner come to prenatal appointments? It's up to you, but my recommendation is yes. And no.
I think it's important for you and your partner to experience the prenatal appointments together. Many times, fathers don't feel as though they are included in the pregnancy. And while they aren't, physically, there are things you can do to make them feel part of the team. Attending some prenatal visits is one way for your partner to feel as if they are contributing, and a way for them to feel connected with the baby.
However, you're going to have about twelve to fifteen prenatal appointments during your pregnancy. That's a lot of waiting room visits, old magazines, blood pressure pumps, and urine samples. If that's too much-- if your partner can't get off work that often or if you feel that it's not necessary to both be there at each appointment-- then list all the prenatal visit appointments with your care provider and determine which appointments are the most crucial.
For example, your 37th week appointment will probably be just a urine sample, weight, and blood pressure. And at your 37th week, this is old hat. But other appointments are much more interesting: your first appointment, where you'll be discussing prenatal care and determining the due date, your ultrasound, the appointments where you may be testing for abnormalities, and an appointment when you'll be discussing the birth plan. Talk to your partner about which appointments are essential and which are... well, boring.
If your partner doesn't come to all of your appointments, be sure to keep a journal. You don't have to write an essay or anything-- just jot down some notes from the appointment and if anything interesting happened. That way, you don't have to worry about remembering something important, and you also have some great info for your baby album.
