Dad-to-be pregnancy calendar
The essential pregnancy milestones a dad-to-be needs to know
Dad-to-be pregnancy calendar
Finding out your partner’s pregnant is an exciting moment. You may think that you’ve got nine months before there’s much that you need to do. Think again!
There are lots of pregnancy milestones that affect dads too so you’ll want to find out what to look out for and when and how you can get involved.
Dad-to-be pregnancy milestones
Week 2-4: Finding out the news
Week 8: First antenatal appointment
Week 12: First scan
More like this
Week 17: Boy or girl
Week 20: Second scan
Weeks 21 and 22: First kick and baby talk
Week 25: Paternity leave
Week 28: Antenatal class
Week 35: Birth plan
Week 36: Plan your hospital route
Week 2-4: Finding out the news
So you’re going to be a dad? You’ll probably be feeling all sorts of emotions and no doubt you’ll have lots of questions. You may wonder whether you’re ready and whether you will be a good dad, but don’t worry these are all normal feelings.
Sadly 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage within the first 12 weeks, so you and your partner may prefer to wait until the pregnancy passes this stage before making any public announcements. There are a few things your partner can do to avoid giving the game way in the first 12 weeks.
Week 8: First antenatal appointment
Antenatal care is the care you and your partner receive from healthcare professionals during the pregnancy. You will be offered a series of appointments, with the first taking place around 8 weeks. It’s useful for you to go to the first appointment as the doctor of midwife will need both of your medical histories, and it’s important to know any medical conditions that run in the family.
Week 12: First scan
The first ultra sound scan can be exciting and also nerve wracking for both you and your partner. You’ll see your baby and its heartbeat, and the scan will check your baby’s measurements, position and growth. If you’d like more information find out what else you can expect to find out.
Week 17: Boy or girl
There are lots of old wives' tales on predicting the sex of your baby, so you can try and guess for your self. But if you actually want to know then your baby’s sex can be determined after about 16 to 17 weeks and you can find out at the 20 week scan. You and your partner may be excited to find out what sex your baby is, or you may want to wait until the birth. Either way it’s good to bear in mind that doctors can sometimes get it wrong.
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