Dad to be page

Babysitting for the first time!

"I'm pregnant, the line's blue!"

We'd only been trying for about two weeks when I got 'the news'.
I hadn't expected progress so fast and I wasn't prepared to be a parent.
I was enjoying the trying part and was looking forward to many further months of fun! I wasn't so sure about becoming a dad now.

I started questioning whether I had made the right decision.
Was I responsible enough to bring a baby into the world?
From a selfish point of view, I wondered how a baby would affect my cash flow.
Would I still be able to go to the pub with my mates every weekend?

Well, the pregnancy progressed and things got slightly harder, but we got through it. Went away for a few quick breaks as my partner was so exhausted at times.

At this point, I need to recommend some excellent books:

Books

There are many books available for the mothers, but very few for fathers to be.

Buy the blokes guide to pregnancy from Play.com

The Blokes guide to pregnancy by Jon Smith was really excellent.

This book takes a 'warts and all' sensible yet humorous look at the many stages of pregnancy.
It explores the changes, physical and emotional, that any man can expect to see in his partner and in their relationship over the coming months.
Becoming pregnant involved two people. The rearing of a child will involve two people; there is every reason that your partner's pregnancy should also involve the two of you, together.

For any man that has been put off reading pregnancy books because he doesn't feel he was the intended audience or that something about the tone of these books was alien to him, yet he still has questions that need answers; then The Blokes' Guide to: Pregnancy is the book he's been looking for.
As a father himself, Jon Smith realized, when his partner Lisa became pregnant that there was nothing out there that he could relate to.
The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy is the result. Jon takes a comical yet informed look at the ups and downs of life as a father to be. Guaranteed to educate you while making you laugh out loud!

If you've ever serviced your car, you'll be no stranger to the Haynes manuals.

The Haynes Baby Manual is all about babies and it's written in quite a technical way - ideal for engineers.

This manual gives you what you would expect from Haynes: down-to-earth, step-by-step instructions, written by professionals from practical experience. The manual should help you to: decide when and how to start; keep your cool in the delivery room; maintain baby's bodywork in optimum condition; prevent corrosion of vital parts; understand the on-board diagnostic system; and decide when to call in professional assistance. We went away for a holiday and it was re-energizing. If the funds are available, it's well worth it, even if you stay with a relative or friend.

As the pregnancy progresses, you might want to go with your partner to the Hospital for the many checkups. If you do and have to take time off, leave plenty of time. The NHS does not offer a fast service for pregnant women.
Allow 3-4 hours per visit and take lots of money for the car park.

My big job for the birth was to get the "entertainment" sorted.
That meant buying some mood CD's, books and magazines.
You should think about the following:

the quickest hospital route (going through as few speed cameras!)
Important phone numbers
Camera
Entertainment (CD's games, books)
Snacks and bottled water