1. Prepare a hospital bag in both of your cars for her and him. Get generic basic cheap clothing and cheap bath supplies. If it does happen you will have no time to prepare, these quick generic hospital bags will help you through the first few days.
2. Moms check your blood pressure, if you see a hike in your BP that is out of the ordinary, call your doctor or get to a hospital. Dont try to play it off as a salty meal, you and your baby are at risk.
3. Dads you need to support. I know it seems obvious but this is devastating to the Mom. You need to take control and take it fast. Contact everyone of her friends and family and tell them to contact you for updates. Allow her to rest and not stress or worry about work or social media drama. Get her insurance card, ID and SS# ready because you're going to need it.
4. Dads keep track of medication given to your wife and times. Ask questions. The nurses and doctors want you to advocate for your wife. While in the hospital they weren't sure how much medication they gave my wife, I was able to pull out my phone and tell them. Things were so hectic and crazy some information might not have been delivered.
5. Dads it is very scary, try to reassure her that she is where she needs to be for her and the baby, that this is the best decision. The information is overwhelming and you feel helpless. This is the time to ask the doctors "why are we taking these steps towards a c section". He will give you that information. Advocate. Let her know this is not her fault and make sure she hears the nurses and doctors reiterate that fact.
6. I brought this card game to help pass the time. Our Moments . It keeps her engaged and present.
7. Dads get a routine, if you're in the hospital with her, do something to take care of yourself. Walk to the cafeteria, sit down and update everyone. Before you reenter your wife's room, talk with the nurses and see what the plan is for the day. Let the nurses know that she needs to hear that shes doing good and shes strong. Ask them to come in and just reassure her that she'll get through this.
8. Dads ask for a folder to be able to hold all the paperwork you'll receive. Every doctor or specialist that comes in ask for a business card or write their name down and what the specialize in.
9. Dads rub her feet and legs, if there is fluid build up, your rubbing will help move it in to the system.
10. Dads and Moms try to find some sort of positive aspect and hold on to it. Try to find humor and laugh. My wife and I kept saying "Well at least this is better than our Gettysburg trip". Just the ridiculousness of the situation allowed us to break away for a small period of time.
11. Dads use friends and family any chance you can. If its bringing you extra clothes to the hospital or checking on your house or feeding your animals. USE the resources you have so the stress is less.
12. Dads dont carry the burden on your own. Reach out to close friends and family to be able to vent about everything and anything going on. Your wife needs a rock by the bedside, make sure you can provide it. Let her cry and express every emotion she has, you dont have to fix it, just listen, comfort her and be there for her.
No comments:
Post a Comment