Dads Guide to Pregnancy

Dads & early pregnancy

Men: your reactions to pregnancy

Whether a pregnancy is planned or a surprise, hearing that you’re going to be a father is huge. This Dads Guide covers men’s feelings about early pregnancy.

Pregnancy: where do men fit in?

Some men feel left out in pregnancy. Some even feel jealous of pregnancy. If you need help with feelings, talk to your partner, or a friend or counsellor.

Men's feelings in early pregnancy: not into it?

In early pregnancy, it’s normal for men to feel uninterested or just ‘not into it’. Read more about men’s feelings during pregnancy in our Dads Guide.

Thinking about being a dad in pregnancy

‘What does being a dad mean to me?’ Thinking about this in pregnancy can set men up for a rewarding experience as a father. Our Dads Guide explains.

Sex in early pregnancy: men

Sex in pregnancy is usually fine, but many men find their sexual relationship changes, especially in early pregnancy. Read more in our Dads Guide.

Moods and morning sickness: a guide for men

Most women have mood changes and morning sickness in pregnancy. Our Dads Guide explains how men can help their partners cope with this part of pregnancy.

Scans and screening in the first trimester: for dads

This Dads Guide to Pregnancy article covers early pregnancy scans and screening, plus normal fetal development and early miscarriage – for men, by men.

Miscarriage: a guide for men

This Dads Guide to Pregnancy covers miscarriage, the grief men might experience after miscarriage, and how to support partners after pregnancy loss.

Exercise and your partner in early pregnancy

How much exercise is safe for your partner in early pregnancy? Unless a doctor says otherwise, light to moderate exercise is OK. This Dads Guide explains.

Smoking, alcohol and other drugs in pregnancy: men

If smoking, drinking alcohol or taking other drugs is part of your lifestyle, your partner’s pregnancy could be the time for change. Here’s how to do it.

Dads: money, budgets and providing for your family

Many dads and dads-to-be worry about being a family provider. Our Dads Guide takes you through options for money and budgets in pregnancy.

Dads and work-life balance: putting work into perspective

For many dads, it can take time to find a work-life balance. But having a family can put work challenges into perspective, as our Dads Guide explains.

Dads: preparing for relationship changes after baby

A baby’s arrival can put extra pressure on men’s relationships with partners. Our Dads Guide to Pregnancy can help you prepare for relationship changes.

Men: anger and violence in pregnancy

Many men feel stressed in pregnancy. For some, pregnancy can trigger anger and violence. If anger in pregnancy is an issue for you, our Dads Guide can help.

Dads & middle pregnancy

What men can expect in middle pregnancy

Tiredness and morning sickness often ease up in pregnancy’s second trimester. Our guide explains how this can be a special time for men and their partners.

Men’s feelings in middle pregnancy: not real yet?

It’s pretty common for men to feel pregnancy is happening at a distance. Even in the second trimester, it might not feel real. Read more in our Dads Guide.

Sex in middle pregnancy: men

In the second trimester, women might go through body and hormone changes that affect their desire for sex. Our Dads Guide describes how this can affect men.

Stress during pregnancy: for men

Pregnancy can be stressful for men. Staying relaxed is better for your health – and baby’s. Our Dads Guide has tips to help men handle stress in pregnancy.

The 20-week ultrasound scan: for dads

This Dads Guide to Pregnancy covers the 20-week scan, normal and abnormal fetal development, and finding out the gender of your baby – for men, by men.

Exercise and your partner in the second trimester

How much exercise is safe for women in the second trimester? Unless a doctor says otherwise, light to moderate exercise is OK. This Dads Guide explains.

Building your relationship in pregnancy: dads

The middle months of pregnancy can be a great time for men to strengthen their relationship with their partner. This Dads Guide to Pregnancy explains how.

Men: thinking about your dad and family in pregnancy

The way you were brought up can influence how you parent your own children. As a man, you might or might not want to be like your dad. Our Guide has more.

Birth classes: what they are and why they’re good

Birth classes help you and your partner get ready for labour, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting. Our Dads Guide explains why they’re good for men.

Birth classes just for men

In birth classes for men, you learn about things like supporting your partner in birth and becoming a dad. Read about men’s birth classes in our Dads Guide.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads

Our Dads Guide has tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men on being a dad and supporting partners during birth, breastfeeding and early parenting.

Benefits of work-life balance for dads

A work-life balance has many benefits for men, their partners and their families. Our Dads Guide explains why balance is important and how to achieve it.

Work-life balance stories: dads

Work-life balance often isn’t easy – but it’s worth it. In our Dads Guide, fathers share their stories of juggling work, a new baby and family life.

Dads & late pregnancy

What men can expect in late pregnancy

The third trimester is an exciting time, as baby’s birth gets closer. It’s a time for men to prepare for a birth support role and their first hours as dads.

Dad and Partner Pay

Find out whether you can get Dad and Partner Pay, a leave entitlement for working fathers and same-sex partners under the Paid Parental Leave Scheme.

Dads: including you in antenatal care

In late pregnancy, your partner will have more check-ups and appointments. Dads – here’s how you can be more involved in antenatal care.

Men’s feelings in late pregnancy: still not real?

For many men, the third trimester is when pregnancy starts to feel real. But if you’re still getting your head around it, our Dads Guide has tips to help.

Sex in late pregnancy: men

It’s usually fine to have sex in pregnancy, but in the third trimester it might feel different or awkward. Our Dads Guide describes how this can affect men.

Antenatal depression and postnatal depression in men

Men can get antenatal depression and postnatal depression. If you’re a man with symptoms of antenatal depression or PND, don’t ignore them – seek help.

Pregnancy complications in the third trimester: for dads

Men – find out about pregnancy complications in the third trimester in our Dads Guide to Pregnancy. Read about coping with worry and getting support.

Men: planning your family support network

Late pregnancy is a time when men can plan a family support network to help them and their families after baby arrives. Our Dads Guide has tips and ideas.

Nesting in late pregnancy: a guide for men

As a dad-to-be, you might have noticed your partner getting stuff ready for baby. This is nesting and it’s normal in pregnancy, as our Dads Guide explains.

Looking forward to being a dad

Being a dad – what does it mean to you? As a father, you don’t need to do things the same way as your partner to be a good parent. Our Dads Guide has more.

New dads: time with your partner, time for yourself

For new dads, making time for yourself and your partner can be challenging. This Dads Guide has tips to help you plan this time and make the most of it.

Men preparing for birth support

As a dad-to-be, you’ll be more confident about labour and birth if you prepare for your birth support role. Our Dads Guide has ideas to help you get ready.

Your first hours as a dad

If all is well, the first hours after birth are a time for dads and partners to bond with their new babies. This Dads Guide has tips to help you prepare.

Birth: dads’ stories

Your child’s birth is likely to be one of the most amazing moments of your life. Dads share stories about their babies being born in this Dads Guide.

Stillbirth: a dad’s story of loss

‘We had a daughter and she died. And we loved her.’ A father tells the story of his child’s stillbirth and describes the grief of having a stillborn baby.