by Jason Ryser December 04, 2024 6 min read

Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it is also overwhelming — especially for first-time parents. Including your partner in the journey is one of the best ways to strengthen your bond and ensure they feel connected to this exciting chapter. Simple, meaningful gestures can help your partner feel involved, supported, and ready for the adventure ahead.

From attending prenatal appointments to celebrating milestones together, there are so many ways to share the experience as a team. 

Thoughtful actions, like creating a birth plan together or surprising her with a comfortingpregnancy care package, show love and appreciation during this transformative time. 

In this blog, we’ll explore practical and heartfelt ideas to help you include your partner in the pregnancy journey, foster connection, and prepare for parenthood together.

A woman consults with a doctor and a man, engaged in a serious discussion in a medical setting

Share the experience of prenatal appointments

Including your partner inprenatal appointments is a powerful way to help them feel connected to the pregnancy and the baby’s development. These visits offer incredible moments that make the journey more real for both of you. Here’s how to make the most of these experiences together.

Attend appointments together

Invite your partner to doctor’s visits, ultrasounds, and other prenatal checkups whenever possible. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time or seeing those tiny movements on the ultrasound screen will be unforgettable for both of you. 

These moments create emotional connections that allow your partner to feel more engaged and excited about the pregnancy. Even routine appointments — like measuring your belly or discussing milestones — help them stay informed and included.

Involve them in asking questions

Encourage your partner to ask questions during the appointments. Whether it’s about the stages of pregnancy, what to expect during labor, or how they can best support you, their involvement shows they care and are eager to understand the journey. 

Preparing a list of questions together beforehand will help your partner feel confident and engaged, turning these visits into a team effort.

Questions might include:

  • “How can I support her through each trimester?”

  • “What signs should I look for if she needs rest or extra care?”

  • “What can I do during labor and delivery to help her feel calm and supported?”

When your partner takes an active role, they better understand the process and strengthen their connection with you and the baby.

Virtual options for long-distance partners

Take advantage of virtual options if your partner can’t attend appointments in person due to work, travel, or other commitments. Many doctors’ offices now allow video calls during ultrasounds or checkups, so your partner can still be present from afar. Even a quick phone call during the appointment can help them feel included in the updates and milestones.

After the visit, share photos or videos of the ultrasound or describe what the doctor discussed. If your provider offers printed ultrasound pictures, bring one home so your partner can see the baby’s progress firsthand. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to help them feel involved, no matter the distance.

By sharing the experience of prenatal appointments, you’re inviting your partner into one of the most meaningful parts of the pregnancy journey. These visits give them a front-row seat to the baby’s growth, fostering excitement, understanding, and a deeper connection as you prepare to welcome your little one together.

Learn and prepare together

One of the best ways to include your partner in the pregnancy journey is to learn and prepare as a team. By gaining knowledge and building confidence together, you can turn the process into a shared experience that strengthens your connection and prepares you both for parenthood. Here’s how to tackle this exciting chapter as a team.

Take a childbirth or parenting class

Sign up for a childbirth, baby care, or breastfeeding class to attend together. These classes provide practical tools and guidance to help you feel more confident as you approach delivery and those early days with a newborn. 

Your partner will gain hands-on knowledge — likehow to swaddle, change diapers, or soothe the baby — to help them feel more prepared and involved.

Childbirth classes are also an excellent opportunity for your partner to learn how to support you during labor. They’ll gain insight into comfort techniques, breathing exercises, and what to expect during the different delivery stages. 

Sharing this learning experience creates a sense of teamwork and helps your partner feel ready to advocate for and assist you when the big day arrives.

Read pregnancy or parenting books as a team

Choose a pregnancy or parenting book to read together and make it a bonding activity. You can take turns reading chapters aloud, share highlights, or discuss takeaways that resonate with you. 

Books that explain pregnancy changes, labor expectations, or newborn care will particularly help, as they give your partner valuable insight into what you’re experiencing and how they can best support you.

Look for books written specifically for dads or partners for something more engaging. These often include practical advice on how they can be involved in the process. 

Create a birth plan together

Collaborating on a birth plan is a meaningful way to ensure you and your partner feel prepared and aligned for labor and delivery. Sit down together and discuss your preferences, such as:

  • Where you want to give birth (hospital, birthing center, or home)

  • Comfort measures you’d like (pain management options, music, or calming techniques)

  • What role your partner will play during labor (advocating for your needs, helping with breathing techniques, or offering physical support)

Creating the plan as a team helps your partner understand your expectations and how they can actively contribute. Knowing their role during labor reduces anxiety and gives them the confidence to be the supportive teammate you need when the moment arrives.

A couple lies in bed, the man on his phone, enjoying a moment of leisure together

Make the pregnancy milestones meaningful

Pregnancy is filled with special milestones. Celebrating these milestones with your partner creates meaningful memories and strengthens your bond. Here are a few ways to make these moments even more memorable and inclusive.

Celebrate key moments together

Pregnancy is a journey full of “firsts” that deserve to be recognized. Whether it’s hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, finding out the gender, or feeling those first little kicks, share these moments as a team. 

Plan small celebrations to make them extra special, like cooking a favorite meal, grabbing dessert from a spot you love, or simply taking a quiet moment to reflect together.

These don’t need to be big, elaborate events — what matters most is acknowledging these milestones and creating memories along the way. Even small gestures like a heartfelt note, a celebratory treat, or sharing how excited you are about the next step will significantly impact you.

Plan a babymoon

A babymoon is an excellent way to enjoy quality time together before your little one arrives. Think of it as a “last hoorah” as a couple before life gets a little busier. 

The getaway doesn’t have to be extravagant — whether it’s a weekend at a nearby hotel, a day trip to a scenic spot, or even a cozy staycation, the goal is to relax, connect, and enjoy each other’s company.

Choose activities that allow you both to slow down and reflect, like a leisurely dinner, a couple’s spa day, or a walk in nature. This time together lets you strengthen your relationship, recharge, and savor the excitement of what’s to come.

Take photos or start a memory book

Documenting the pregnancy journey is a beautiful way to include your partner and create keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come. Invite your partner to be part of regular “bump photos” as a way to track the baby’s growth and capture your joy as expectant parents. 

Whether you take professional maternity photos or simply snap candid shots at home, these photos tell the story of your shared experience.

Starting a pregnancy memory book is another excellent way to preserve these moments. Include ultrasound photos, notes about milestones (like the first time you felt a kick), or sweet messages to your baby. 

Encourage your partner to contribute to the memory book with their own reflections, letters to the baby, or little mementos. This shared project is a bonding activity and a meaningful keepsake for your growing family.

Celebrate your pregnancy journey with Sunflower Motherhood

Show the mom-to-be in your life how much you care by treating her to a thoughtfully curated pregnancy care package. Designed to provide comfort, support, and a little extra pampering, these care packages are perfect for helping her feel loved throughout her pregnancy journey. 

Whether it’s soothing self-care essentials, cozy items to help her relax, or thoughtful touches to celebrate this special time, a pregnancy care package is the perfect way to say, “I’m here for you.” 

Visit Sunflower Motherhood today and find the perfect gift to support, nurture, and delight the amazing mom-to-be in your life!


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