So you've found out you're going to be a dad, what next?
(other pages available - birth to 5, 5 to 11, 11 to 16, 16 to 19)
Know the choices and risk factors that may affect you and your partner;
- Miscarriage - read our information leaflet [2673KB] or visit the Miscarriage Association for more information and forums
- Abortion - read our information leaflet [2292KB] or these details from dad.info
- Smoking, Drinking and Drugs - all of these things can have an effect on your partner and your unborn child, read this dad.info page. The Fatherhood Institute explain some of the smoking dangers. To get help to quit, contact New Leaf Nottinghamshire on 0800 389 7712
Understand your rights;
- Attending appointments - although there is no law to support this, employers are encouraged to allow dads-to-be to be as involved as possible in this early stage
- Applying for Paternity leave - read this information from DirectGov, but remember that you need to give 15 weeks notice of your intention to take this time off work.
- Dads at work - this new area at DirectGov has lots of useful information
Understand the changes your partner will go through and how to deal with her new emotions;
Know what to prepare before the baby arrives;
- discuss a birth plan, including;
- what you and your partner will need to pack in an overnight bag
- the best routes to the hospital (drive, taxi, bus? be sure to consider all possibilities as babies often come at unexpected times)
- practice fitting the car seat - best done by following the in-box instructions - but check this dad.info page on what the law says about car seats
- preparing the nursery/baby's bedroom
- discussing names - babynames.co.uk has many lists of christian names, but you should also discuss the surname with your partner, particularly if you are not married, or do not live together. When considering names, it is important to say the whole name out loud to see if it sounds right, and to write down the initials to check it doesn't spell anything silly!
Know what will happen during labour and birth;
- your role during birth (10 top tips from babycentre.co.uk)
- possible complications - don't be too worried if you're asked to leave the room
What you can do when baby gets home
- support mum in breastfeeding - read this leaflet from the Fatherhood Institute
- do your share of nappy changing - did you know you can save money and the environment by using "real nappies"
- hold, talk to, bath and dress the baby
There are many myths surrounding fatherhood, so just remember that you need to be as involved as possible to give your child the best start in life.
If you think anything is missing from this page, please get in touch using our contact form
Disclaimer - whilst Nottinghamshire County Council is committed to the highest standards of quality of information, we make every effort to ensure that information is accurate, but the Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.
