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Partners and families

Here you can find information that you may find useful if you are the partner of someone expecting a baby.

Dad and baby - Partners

Having a baby can be a very happy experience, but can also be very stressful. Whether you have had a baby before or not, your midwife and health professionals are there to help support you and your family.

You are likely to have many questions about what comes next, so we have tried to include an overview of the most useful information but this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are a number of ways that you, as her partner, can share the load, too.

Make sure your partner knows she can talk to you about all the changes she is experiencing: nerves about having tests, anxiety about what kind of mum she’ll be, annoyance at her swollen feet. Even if you think her concerns are trivial, keep the thought to yourself. Don’t tell her to 'stop worrying' or 'chill out.' Instead, listen to her, offer to help her find information, go to midwife appointments with her, or take an afternoon off to have some fun together. And since you’re a team, don’t hold back on sharing your fears, too. Speak up, and things will go a lot more smoothly for both of you. You may not know what to do in every situation, just being there to listen helps her out a lot. Find out what you need to know to get through the 40-odd weeks, month by month by visiting the other areas of this website, and see below for some helpful links.

Go with her to her midwife/doctor visits when you can and attend antenatal classes together. Learn about the changes taking place to your partners’ body and your baby’s development. The more information you have, the more relaxed you’ll feel.

Research shows new mothers have a better overall pregnancy experience when partners are actively involved. In your role as your partner's number one pregnancy partner, you’ll enjoy the experience more and give her some much-appreciated relief by sending the message that you’ll be a reliable partner in childcare.

Your partner may be tired and emotionally vulnerable too. So try to help whenever you can, and think about ways to lighten her load. Consider stocking up the freezer with nutritious meals during pregnancy, so if you are too tired to cook after the baby arrives you will be prepared. If you can save extra money, this may help relieve some anxiety.

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Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (4)

Your baby is now the size of a kidney bean and weighs 1g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Welcome to the second trimester!

Your baby is about the size of a small lime and weighs approximately 14g.

You have hopefully seen your midwife for your 'booking in' appointment, if you have not yet seen a midwife please make an appointment quickly, so you can have all of your choices about screening tests explained and offered to you.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/12-weeks-pregnant/ for more information. You can also link to the 'Pregnancy Journey' area here.  

2019-07-03

Your baby is about the size of an avocado and weighs approximately 100g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/16-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby has grown in length and is now the length of a small banana and weighs approximately 300g. Around this time you will be offered your '20 week' scan, also known as the 'anatomy' or 'anomaly' scan.Click here for more information about screening. 

This is a also a good time to talk and sing to your bump as your baby can now hear sounds. This is great way for you and your partner/family to bond with your baby.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (8)

Your baby has grown again to the approximate length of an ear of sweetcorn and weighs about 600g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/24-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (1)

Welcome to the third trimester!

Your baby is now approximately the weight of an aubergine; about 1kg and approximately 37cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/28-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (3)

Your baby now weighs approximately the same as a coconut; around 1.5kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/32-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (5)

Your baby is now around the same size as a lettuce, approximately 47cm long and weighs around 2.6kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/36-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (9)

Your baby is now the weight of a small watermelon which is approximately 3.3kg and around 50cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/40-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.