Image: iStock
Pregnancy is a life-changing event of every woman’s life. Your body goes through a ton of changes, and you experience weird cravings, moodiness, and nausea due to the hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy is a journey with lots of ups and downs. One minute you are amazed that you are growing a little human inside your baby bump, and the next minute, all the weight gain, heartburn, and backache makes you dread every second of it. The weight gain and stretch marks also cause women to feel insecure about their bodies (1). That is why women need all the support, help, and love they can get during this phase of their lives.
Unfortunately, when it comes to providing support and guidance, most dads-to-be are clueless and lost. Even the most well-meaning husband struggles to be the best partner during this time. So, how can husbands be of help during this time of a woman’s life? It’s important that the partners are always considerate of the mom-to-be’s feelings and act accordingly to be the most helpful partner.
Scroll below to find out what women wanted to hear from their husbands when they were pregnant.
Image: IStock
“You Are Beautiful”
“With nausea, acne, weight gain, and stretch marks, you barely feel like yourself. And every time my husband assures me that I still “look” beautiful, it gets a bit hard for me to believe him. So, instead of saying I look beautiful, a better way to frame it would be “you are beautiful.” I know my husband was only trying to make me feel good, but saying that I look beautiful when I feel the opposite actually made things worse.” – Sanya
Image: Shutterstock
“You Got This”
“It was my first time being pregnant. Everything was new to me, and it was overwhelming, to say the least. Towards the end of my second trimester, I began freaking out as there were so many things I didn’t know. People just assume we know we’re doing, but that’s rarely the case. My husband would struggle to comfort and reassure me every time I started questioning myself and my parenting abilities. But you know what would have worked — a simple “you got this”. I would have believed it, and it would have given me the confidence I needed then.” – Mia
Image: Shutterstock
“I Am Excited To Be A Dad”
“Our first pregnancy was not planned. Nevertheless, I was excited to be a mom. But I always wondered if my husband felt the same way. Whenever I asked him, he would assure me that he was. But it never felt convincing enough. His responses always lacked the excitement and energy I was hoping for. Pregnancy is stressful enough as it is. It would have helped me a lot more if I could hear how excited my partner was, without having to ask him.” – Jenny
Image: Shutterstock
“Do You Need Anything?”
“As a pregnant woman, there are so many things that you need. Sometimes, it’s a relaxing foot massage or a snack, and other times, you just need a hand in helping you shave your legs. My husband was always present when it came to taking me to all my doctor’s appointments or buying all the baby stuff, and painting the nursery. However, it would’ve been nice if he pampered me every once in a while. Granted, it’s impossible to know when I’m hungry or exhausted. But a simple gesture from his part such as asking if I needed anything would have made my day a lot better.” – Jessie
Image: Shutterstock
“I Brought You Food”
“My cravings were off the charts during my pregnancy. I constantly craved spicy and tangy foods. But I would make do with whatever we had at the house. My husband was well aware of my cravings, and he would constantly tease me about it. I would have appreciated it a lot more if he stocked the pantry with my favorite foods or cooked something special for me during that time.” – Rebecca
Image: Shutterstock
“I’m Not Drinking Tonight”
“Because alcohol is deemed unsafe during pregnancy, I couldn’t indulge even in a glass of wine. So, whenever we would attend a party or a social gathering, I felt slightly isolated. My husband never got blackout drunk, but he would always oblige to a drink whenever we went out while I just sat there with a glass of water. I know it isn’t a big deal, but showing that we’re in this together would have been such a sweet and supportive gesture.” – Gina
Image: Shutterstock
“I Know It’s Not Easy”
“Pregnancy sure as hell is a tough ride. Imagine dealing with mood swings, cravings, and heartburn while throwing up every few hours. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting. My husband helped out during the weekends whenever he could. And my mother-in-law would constantly praise him for it. I wish he acknowledged that growing a baby is no mean feat. But I never got the recognition during the nine months, and I really wish he had said something at least once. Honestly, it’s not a big ask.” – Meenakshi
What are some of the things you wished your husband or partner had said during your pregnancy? Let us know in the comments below.
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
