Emotional quotient of a pregnant husband!

Progesterone and estrogen in a pregnant woman does it all. Pregnancy brings a lot of undesired issues along with the expected bundle of joy. A pregnant woman undergoes a lot of mental and physical changes during pregnancy. She is on the emotional roller coaster ride 24/7. The mood swings make the woman vulnerable to break down. Since a new life is growing inside the body of woman, it all seems obvious. Some times it becomes easy for the woman to enjoy all the attention she is getting making her forget her man. Does this sentence look familiar to you? Then this is for you to read.

Image courtesy Akiko Takeyama

Have we ever wondered about the ups and downs of would be father?

No, there are no such obvious hormones released in a man because his wife is pregnant.  Neither there is a need to fight the un-triggered emotions within nor does the need to bear the pain in back. And yet he is facing the changes taking place now and preparing himself for the future challenges.

Here is the list of standard problems your man might be getting anxious about and trying to cope with the burst of adrenaline:  

• Your man still needs to answer his boss. While you might have been given the liberty to make a genuine excuse of pregnancy, he is not. You want him to be on your side during your emotional eruptions and you want him to be with you on all your appointments with your gynecologist. But his boss wants him to attend an important meeting.      
• Men tend to get more protective towards their pregnant wife/girlfriend and may invite some stress for themselves. You might never want to listen to the word no from your husband/boyfriend during these months. The same is true with him. In an effort to be more cautious about yours and baby's health he insists you not to eat or drink something. A no from you might trigger his health affecting hormones. 
• A few other men are constantly worried about the extra expenses they may have to take care off. After all arranging for the delivery and also for the baby's future expenses is not all that easy task. Some of the expecting mothers may take a decision to give up job and become a full-time mom. This means increase in expenses and decrease in income.
• Sex life, a vital part of a man's life is at stake for a year or two. In the nine months journey he has to fore-go his desire at times for the sake of your health and will. In future he may have to fore-go his desire for the sake of baby and it's immediate needs.
• He might feel like a bloke with no choice left. If you happen to take decisions on your own without having a talk about your birth options, baby's sex determination, quitting your job or anything else directly or indirectly related to your pregnancy, then you are challenging his right to involvement in your pregnancy and your baby. 

                                                     
The matter of perception: Pregnancy and children means different to different people and differs from gender to gender. While women are naturally more emotional compared to their counter parts they tend to analyze things by heart. While men see things more practically and are believed to be brain teasers see pregnancy as a responsibility of a new life. The idea of being a dad in the near future may put in a little extra tax on their mind. Some men show mixed emotions and reactions of happiness, fear, panic, excitement and disbelief  at the beginning. But that does not mean they do not care for or love you and the baby. Its just about the way they look at things.

Men might not undergo physical pregnancy but are always part of the process and feel things but in a different way. They are need help and support but the other way round.

So ladies and would be moms, your man don't love you less. Its the life that does not allow them to say yes to you all the times. I know the nine months time is not all that easy for you but its tough for your love too.

A journey becomes more memorable when enjoyed together. A little support to your man in-return  for the unconditional care from him will not only strengthen your relationship but also keep up your and his spirit sky high and you end living pregnancy together. 

Happy pregnancy; Happy motherhood; Happy fatherhood.