First Time Dads: Fears and Challenges

There are fairly recent statistics available concerning the median age when men and women are having children.  In 2010, this has risen to 33.1 years for men and 28.9 years for women.  The Huffington Post reports that there is a new fad now, where some new dads are having “bachelor-dad parties” to mark the impending birth of their children.  You will think that because of the rise in the child bearing age, they would be greater prepared to have kids.  Unfortunately, this is not usually the case and many of them are caught up in the euphoria, fears, and nervousness of this event.  An occurrence that they would have had at least  nine months or even longer for which to plan for junior’s arrival.

How must dads deal with these situations?

Regardless if a couple is married, there will be problems with which to contend.  Married couples are not immune to these.  Some may argue that if the couple is married it will make the situation easier.  That however, may not be exactly so.  We often hear stories of women who do not wish to have babies nor children.  Some dads may become upset at this prospect while others may support and encourage them to put him up for adoption or have an abortion.  Let us assume that the couple does decide to keep their children, that does not mean that they will not be other concerns and fears.

One important question is how will they manage to support junior?  Let us assume that they are financially secured like some couples and both of them have jobs, it means that some time during the pregnancy and afterwards either the woman or the man will have to stay home with the child.  It generally happens that this responsibility falls to the woman.  There are challenges of seeing the pregnancy through to fruition.  To differing degrees with pregnancies, many women’s health is compromised.  We have heard of the usual morning sickness.  Some women see their doctor and are advised that they should be on total bed rest.  But even if these scenarios were not the case and they are lucky to have a more normal pregnancy, there still may be some difficulties.  Some women as their embryos develop put on much weight.  It is for the new fathers to continue to love them although their once alluring figure is changing before their eyes.