I find it shocking that a news station doesn’t fact check before airing a story to the public… So here a few corrections they got wrong in the segment above…

• The Family I work for lives in Hancock Park NOT Encino
• I did not say “Freshen up your make and take off your husbands shoes when he comes home.” That is a quote from an article I posted from a 1954 Home Economics text book I found comical.
• I do not cook or do laundry in vintage dresses.. Unless I just happen to be wearing a vintage dress.

“And in the most surprising fact of my life. That at one point I thought I was incapable of feeling and unworthy of achieving I am still in love with my wife. After almost 20 years of marriage I look at her face and see her radiant light and hold her and feel our hard earned times and sometimes difficult history passing between us enveloping us in an aurora of comfort, gratitude and profound attraction. If you would have asked me when I was a young punk what is the best thing that would have come my way I would have said “Making a movie with Martin Scorsese.” But God had other plans, he gave me Cheryl.” – Rob Lowe on wife Cheryl on Oprah

In today’s society, it’s easy to forget that there any major differences between the genders. Until your wife gets pregnant. Then the difference between the sexes will yawn like a great chasm before you. While your wife spends nine months growing a baby inside of her, you will be left to watch from the outside; after you’ve made your deposit, your role in the baby-making miracle is complete. But while your biological contribution might be over, if you’re like me, you’ll still want to be part of the pregnancy process.

Being pregnant is tough. Seeing what Kate went through to bring my child into the world certainly gave me a greater appreciation for her and for womankind in general. As a man I wanted to be there for Kate as much as possible while she cooked the bun in her oven. I wanted her to be as happy and comfortable as possible, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help our little kiddo come out kicking and screaming like a champ.

A lot of guys find the pregnancy process a little bewildering. Not knowing what to do, they end up nervously backing away instead of stepping up the support when their women need them the most. So I decided to start a series for dads-to-be to discuss the ins and outs of this very cool but nerve-racking period in your life. Today, we’ll talk about how to take care of your wife while she’s with child. Then we’ll talk about how to get ready for the new arrival to come home, how to deliver a baby in an emegency (you never know!), and how to be an awesome coach during the birthing process.

How to Take Care of a Pregnant Wife

Respond appropriately to the news she’s pregnant. If you weren’t planning on the arrival of a bundle of joy, make sure you don’t respond in a way that shows you’re not excited about the news. Inappropriate responses would include: breaking down and crying tears of agony, making a face of disgust, or asking why she wasn’t using her birth control. You want your wife to feel confident and secure that you’ll be there for her during these trying nine months and that you’re willing to step up and be a great dad.

Read some books on pregnancy. The more you know about what she’s going through, the better equipped you are to empathize and know how to help. There are hundreds of pregnancy books to choose from. What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a classic and guides you through what your wife is experiencing during each step of her pregnancy. They have a section dedicated just to dads that has a lot of useful information. It also lays out the development of your baby throughout his/her incubation. I thought it was kind of fun to check the book to see when the baby lost his vestigial tail or his eyes moved from the sides of his head to the front where they belong.

Accompany her to doctor’s appointments. This serves three purposes. First and most importantly, it shows your wife that you’re with her all the way in the pregnancy. Second, you’ll know exactly what’s going on with her pregnancy and will be better prepared to help her.  Pay close attention to what the doctor says at these visits. A woman’s memory takes a dive during pregnancy and she may be nervous and excited, so your wife might rely on you to remind her about which cheeses she’s not supposed to eat. Finally, seeing your baby’s picture, even when it looks like an indistinguishable lump, and hearing its heartbeat will help create a fetus/father bond. Even if you’re really busy at work, always make time for the doctor’s appointments.

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