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Communicate with Your Partner

Partners sometimes feel left out of the pregnancy. Communication is important. You can help your partner feel a part of the experience.

Leave time in your day to communicate about one another’s needs and feelings.

  • Share your fears, excitements, and anxieties together.
  • Encourage your partner to come to prenatal visits.
  • Encourage your partner to share concerns or questions with us during the visit.
  • Be specific with your needs and expectations. Do not expect your partner to guess what you need.

Spend Time Together

You may want to spend time together by:

  • Reading pregnancy books and watching videos.
  • Attending prenatal education classes.
  • Exercising. You can reconnect while taking a daily walk.

Together, you can talk about one another’s expectations and desires about important issues such as:

  • Finances
  • Working
  • Family help after delivery
  • Childcare responsibilities
  • Chores
  • Styles of raising your child together 

Also, remember to take care of yourself so you have something to give to others.

Disclaimer

If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.