Whether your partner is in the military, travels often for business or for a number of other reasons is far from home, you may spend part of your pregnancy alone. These situations are difficult both for the expecting mom and daddy too. Men want to be part of things, but being far from home makes this difficult.
There are some things you can do to help your man be part of the pregnancy, even if he can’t be there for every doctors visit or the first kick. The important thing to remember is you can celebrate the joy of this time even if you are physically separated.
The internet has made staying in touch so much easier. Pictures from the ultrasound or a recording of the baby’s heart beat can be sent in minutes. These are precious times in the pregnancy and including him will make him feel close to the baby and you, regardless of the miles in between.
Home Doppler devices sometimes come with a feature to record the baby’s heartbeat. This sound file can then be uploaded and saved on your computer. Once this is done, sending the sound file is quick. When daddy receives this message, he will get to experience the amazement of hearing the baby’s heart beat for the first time.
When you go in for your ultrasound, they will give you a few pictures to take home. Ultrasound pictures can be scanned and emailed. If you don’t have a scanner, ask a friend to do it for you. If you don’t have anyone to ask, take the pictures to your local Kinkos or another similar business. They will scan the pictures for you and give you a disk to take home.
These are good ideas for the big moments, but what about the day to day stuff? You can keep in touch by email and update him on the progress of the baby and tell him how you are feeling. Include a fact or two about the baby’s development, such as this week the baby is growing fingernails.
Another way to keep in touch is to start an online blog, journal or pregnancy journal. There are many sites that offer free hosting and allow you to upload pictures of your growing belly. You can update the content as often as you like and he can read along. After the baby is born, this becomes a great keepsake that you will both treasure later. You can also add baby pictures and other information for your partner or other family and friends.
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