BABY'S DREAM NURSERY BLOG

Men Only: 8 Tips to Living with a Pregnant Woman

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From one "crazy pregnant lady" to the people who care for one... here are some tips to keep the pregnant woman in your house happy:

1. Amp up your Chivalry: That's right, I know you have it in you, try to get creative with the nice things you offer to do for her. Cook dinner every once and a while. If your budget allows, surprise her by picking up dinner on your way home. Once she reaches her third trimester, reward her with a pedicure gift certificate or offer to paint her nails yourself, she will be forever thankful! Pick up some of the housework without being asked. When asked, she will say that she can handle it all. While this may be true, it's nice to see you doing the dishes without prior knowledge.
2. Become a Masseuse (or at least try): Once she starts complaining of backaches, either learn how to give a massage, or make her a surprise appointment for a prenatal massage.
3. Watch You Words, Pregnant Women are Sensitive: Pick your battles. Pregnancy makes her moody and easily angered. Before disagreeing on something, decide if it is really worth it. When she complains of a pregnancy symptom, don't say it's "psychosomatic". Or that she only thinks there is a problem because she looks everything up in books and online. Don't tell her what she can/cannot do. There are so many things that women are told not to do during pregnancy, constant reminders are not nice. Never tell her she looks fat. Even if you are joking, pregnant women have no sense of humor about the subject, instead give POSITIVE comments at random times.
4. Food Discussion is Off Limits: Do not take food from the pregnant lady. This includes eating the last of something. Never comment on how much or what she is eating. Any craving a pregnant woman wants should be deeply respected; see #3.
5. Nighttime Tips: When she wakes up screaming in pain and grabbing her leg, don't go back to sleep. She seriously is in pain with a leg cramp, try to help her! If you wake up before her... do not hit the snooze alarm more than once unless you have a death wish. After getting up every few hours to pee and just being uncomfortable, she will not care about your need for a few extra minutes of shut eye.
6. Be Conscious of Smells: Her sense of smell is on overload. If she complains about your breath, go brush your teeth. If she can't stand the smell of gasoline, fill up her car without telling her.
7. Get Involved and Learn. If you can, try to go to an appointment every now and then. This is most appreciated when she's going to the doctor every week. It's nice to have someone to talk to while waiting and this is an experience that she wants to share with you.
8. Take Interest in her Baby-Related Conversations. Or, at least fake it. Mothers-to-be will want to talk about nursery furniture, names, and every cute little outfit she sees. While it may get old, humor her.

Feel free to post this on your refrigerator or in the bathroom. Or, just hand a copy to your loved one with a smile.