G'day gents! There is a thread here already from a few years ago about first trimester valentines day gift ideas but I wanted some fresh input since things like pillow and yoga pants have already been purchased.

What are your thoughts? What did you get that made her happy? I was thinking something like a baby journal she can log everyday but I don't know if that's "for her" or for the baby if you know what I mean lol

We were set on the nuna tavo with the pipa car seat but my gf thought it was way to big and the fact that you have to set the car seat on top of the stroller made it feel even more bulky. She got wind of the evenflo pivot and liked that she could remove most of it and just latch the car seat but material looks a little weak? Anyone got references?

...til my partner and I started trying for our first baby.

She is early 41 and im mid 40s. What a rollercoaster its been to this point.

After a horrific year last year - we are now at 16.5 weeks and counting HG has been pretty horrific though.

Id be lost without the amount of info that I have found on this tread and feel major comfort knowing that we are all learning as we go!

My lovely girlfriend, future wife (24 years old) and myself (23 years old) are currently 8 weeks into her pregnancy. I’m going to get straight to the point here, it’s no mystery that women when they’re pregnant are crazy hormonal, emotional beings throughout a good portion of the ordeal. As the man, the supporter and the provider, how do I not go crazy with all craziness that goes on around me? Between her, the world around me, my own life (which can get pretty stressful itself sometimes) I find sometimes I struggle with my own emotions and in those moments I just want to shut down, and be alone. Obviously I can’t do that, because I need to be there for her and not let her know what I’m going through so she’s not all stressed out. She’s going through hell some days and I don’t want to burden her with that. Not everyday is like this obviously, most days are okay but it’s those other days that I find myself not knowing what to do. I’ve never struggled with depression or anything of that nature, and aside from some anxiety, I’m a relatively emotionally stable individual. I can handle a lot. I don’t generally do conflict well, which stems from childhood issues, so maybe that’s a contributor to it too, when she tends to get upset a lot more now. Is this a normal things that the guys go through? If so, how do you guys do it?

The wife and I graduated today…but not the typical graduation you would find in this group. We finally graduated from our fertility clinic after doing 5 IVF transfers 3 of which ended in loss. We’re not out of the woods yet, but this is finally feeling like it’s going to happen for us!

Just when I thought I was getting good at this game, my wife is pregnant with our second. My son is 17 months so we just made it out of the 2 under 2 but man I am not looking forward to the No Sleep Saga again.

So fellow dads — What are some of the ways you stay caffeinated? Coffee (pour over, Starbucks, espresso, kcups etc?), Energy drinks (Red Bull, Celsius, monster?), Tea?

For the other second time dads, what are something’s you are going to do differently this time around?

For all the first time dads, you got this! Welcome to the club! AMA while I can still remember

40M and my fiance will be 42 in March. Getting married in 2 weeks and decided to start trying 2 months ago because we thought it would take time. Second cycle off BC and BAM we are pregnant.

Any advice on how to help her ease anxiety? She’s worried about what will happen when we have a child and my concerns right now are about if we will lose it. I’m worried that if we start planning too much for the future then a miscarriage would be devastating for her. The internet says that there is a 40% chance she’ll miscarry at this age. Today she is texting me about how we will plan to find time to recharge ourselves once the baby arrives and she’s worried I’ll be like her friend’s partners who don’t share the workload. It’s a bit much to deal with those fears when I want to get through my own anxiety about miscarrying in the first 6 weeks and having no genetic abnormalities. The doctor doesn’t even want to see us until the end of next month.

Been having some recent spouts of depression coming back just over all the stress and issues in my life, and on top of it I’ve recently found out I have limited time left with both my parents (both are older as I was adopted when they where in their 40’s). I don’t know what to do or who I should voice it to. Honestly just kinda looking for any advice at this point. I feel like I’m drowning in stress and don’t wanna burden anyone else with my stress, or turn to my fiance and make her worry. Appreciate any input, been losing sleep over it

Only 1 week left!

Would love to hear your last minute tips - anything from things to do for self, partner or the future baby.

Hey guys, just about to enter the 3rd trimester and we’re beginning to look through training for infant and toddler CPR. I’ve begun searching around, but was curious if anyone here has any recommendations for checking this off? Any good nation wide orgs offer any classes that you know of? Any and all suggestions are welcomed!

Hello old friend. Can't wait to get no sleep on you again. It's graduation day once again! I feel like an old pro being my second, but so excited to meet this little guy, and for my daughter to meet him!

After our third hospital visit with bleeding due to placenta previa in as many weeks, our baby boy is now expected to be delivered via c-section first thing in the morning at 29 weeks.

My wife was even rushed into the OR when her blood pressure dropped to 50/30…but thankfully she stabilized and the baby has been thankfully unfaced by any of this. Been a roller coaster of a day, though.

Trying to get some sleep before tomorrow, big day! I am internally terrified while remaining steadfast and supportive. Wish us luck!

What has been yalls partner’s biggest craving so far? My wife only wants to eat chick fil a and will go through a gallon of milk every other day. It doesn’t bother me just as long as she’s eating. I’m just curious what everyone else’s is.

Hi all,

Soon to be a dad in April and I’ve heard from people that night nurses are a godsend.

But seen some prices and it seem cost prohibitive for us. Just curious on if they are needed / are there alternatives for couple on a budget?

Should I discontinue use? My wife is at 8 weeks and I quit all my finasteride. Should this still be safe?

Baby is due March 3-7th. How does paternity leave for fathers work? He's been with his current employ since May 2024. Only asking for 1-2 weeks of paid paternity leave because we fear that his boss would fire him if he did more than that.

He's paid into CASDI consistently since 2017.

Title pretty much says it all. She’s less than two months in and she is toxic towards me daily. Today I came home early from work and she started in on me about a comment I made last week. I can’t do anything right by her and she refuses to look into the mirror and reflect on her behaviour.

I will not be able to put up with this for 7 more months. I have a FT job, coach basketball and to top it all off we also have a 13 year old who is her kid from a previous relationship that I parent with my wife.

Any tips on how to compartmentalize this part of my life so it isn’t leaking into how I’m feeling at work or when I’m not at home in general?

My wife came up to me in the middle of making dinner and said “I haven’t felt him move in a few hours and he hasn’t been very active today” so I asked her if she wanted to go to the hospital or if she wanted to wait and see we’ve been at the hospital for a few hours and so far everything seems fine. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else and how you took it? It’s a bit scary to think we might lose our baby just like that

Edit: thank you everyone for your input it really means a lot to me just for an update turns out my wife was just dehydrated so they made her drink water and our son started moving all over the place and the doctor said our baby was the poster child of health. Fingers crossed he stays that way, though with my genetics, I doubt it.

Hey everyone! My wife is due in June and her car (2017 nissan Altima) is approaching replacement age. Can anyone chime in on practical things that might tip the scales between family sedan (accord/camry), small crossover(HRV, CX5) and medium sized suvs (rav4, crv). This will hopefully be our first child

Hi Boyz

We just did our gender reveal and holy crap was it a rush. I went in there hoping for a boy but being super nervous. I realized afterwards that my nervousness was because I grew up with 3 brothers and lots of guy friends. I've only ever dated one person and it was the love I married. I have no clue about how to raise, speak to or interact with girls besides my wife and her friends. And low and behold were having a girl. What the f***?! I guess I'm on here now to vent about my increased anxiety and ask what's the difference..? Is there a difference? Does it matter? Do I even need to worry about it now? Wtf!!!!

I'm about to graduate in July!
We are on a single income and comfortable right now but with no real savings at the end of the month.

With the baby coming up we have expenses that I cannot fathom! or know or understand! I don't yet know how to or what to buy and keep and be ready for this! the prenatal classes are far away! and I'm worried I won't have enough to make ends meet with the baby!

I have about 20K in savings and need a new car (ours is too old and doesn't have restraints to fix the baby seat etc.
we only have 1 car between us so wanted a motorcycle (that seems like an overkill now)
I have nothing in mind on what to buy and looking at the marketplace to get used baby products

we did a budget and realised we could spare 200-300 from what we have right now! Will have to end our gym membership for the same!

baby expenses every month are unknown!

Sorry I am just freaking out and cannot seem to understand how I would be able to provide for my family! I love my wife and she was studying to clear her dental licence exams but that will have to wait a year before she does that! I am also looking for a job that can help boost my salary by at least 20k annually to be able to live easily! but that is not going great considering that the country is in its worst recession in 25 years! and have now started having panic attacks (not had them in 1.5 years) in the morning for this scare!

I guess I am just looking at advice on what others did! how... and do you have lists?

Sorry about the rant from someone who is about to graduate in 5 months but is already freaking out!

Landed on this sub recently as my wife and I (both 34) just entered week 9 of our pregnancy. We had been trying for 2 years (1st year naturally, 2nd year IVF) and we were now successful for the first time at our 5th attempt of IVF.

Finding out it had worked was a feeling I'll remember forever. It felt as if a weight the size of an Airbus had just been lifted off my chest. Pure, raw emotions of joy and relief, after months of grief, sadness and pain.

Now that the dust has settled, I'm realising that the overall process has really taken a toll on me and may have conditioned me to always expect bad news, and I'm now finding myself to be constantly anxious of the possibility of something going wrong with the pregnancy. Our 6 week scan was reassuring, yet as I sit here waiting for our 12 week scan, I find myself overthinking on the days where my wife's symptoms aren't as strong, wondering if the baby is still there and fearing how we'll cope if we have a miscarriage.

I've read in this sub that anxiety is the only consistent symptom throughout all pregnancies and I know there isn't a quick and dirty solution to solve how I feel, but in our society where it's not always easy to talk about our feelings, especially when we're told to not overshare during the first 12 weeks, I've found a lot of reassurance by reading through this sub and seeing the overwhelming support from a lot of people here has already helped me quite a bit.

Gents (and lurkers) - after a whirlwind of a 12-hour labour, my boy arrived at little after 10 this morning, beautiful and healthy. Lost for words on that experience and also awestruck by his mother's sheer power - what a soldier!

All the prep and planning for the perfect birthing atmosphere went out the window, and there was only time to refill the cup of water between contractions - re-feckin-lentless.

I've come home to sleep while mum and baby stay over at the hospital and now my head is ringing. This time yesterday we were sitting down to watch The Men Who Stare at Goats and since then a whole new collection of core memories have taken up residence in my mind.

It's feckin epic, boys.

Anyway, this sub has been invaluable over the last 9 months and you guys are all kind and patient and inspirational. Thanks to all contributors and for all you dads-to-be, it's all in front of you like a wheelbarrow - best of luck!

Apologies in advance this post might be all over the place.

Hi! I’m Kyle 31/USA. After 4 years, 8 tries (IUI/IVF), 3 miscarriages, our first is due in March. Looking for any advice for a first time dad who had no real father figure in life. I’m terrified that I’m going to subconsciously focus on not becoming my dad instead of being the father my child needs.

Next question, in this now tech filled world, are there any apps that are a must have? I’ve learned from my only other dad friend that Huckleberry for feeding/poops was helpful.

Anything you wish you had brought to the hospital either for you or mom? We have a scheduled induction and we’ve toured the hospital and we love it.

Again, sorry for not being entirely coherent. I’m just so excited and anything/everything helps!!

I am expecting to become a dad for a first time in my life this summer (due month: July), As much as exciting the news are for me, it is also overwhelming as you can imagine… I would like to ask you if you would recommend me any books/literature for preparation to go through - it can be about the pregnancy (for my wife), about how to be a good parent, about breastfeeding or anything related to baby, kids, parenting…. I am trying to read and educate myself now as much as I can till baby comes and takes all my time to take care for it! 👶🏻

Hey everyone,

Fatherhood is a huge milestone, and two military families in our community could use a little support as they navigate this journey.

👶 Sergeant Ebohon and his wife just welcomed their third child, a healthy baby girl! They’re experienced parents but still need some essentials to make this transition smoother. Registry Link

👶 Staff Sergeant Holloway and his wife are expecting their first child in February! First-time parenting comes with a lot of unknowns, and they’re preparing as best they can. Let’s help them out! Registry Link

Thanks to anyone who helps these military families get ready for their newest additions! ❤️

Mods, please remove the posting if it violates any rules. Thank you in advance.