With the big focus on mom and her growing belly, it's easy for dads to get overlooked in the pregnancy drama. Remind your significant other that you're in this together. If he isn't quite sure of his role in this new adventure yet, he could be looking to you for cues. Encourage him to join you at prenatal checkups as well as share pregnancy education and experiences like the first kicks. You should also try to pencil in some special couple time to talk to baby, contemplate names, and share your hopes and dreams about your family's future.

From Two to Three

The new person in your life has already started competing for your attention, changing your eating and sleeping patterns and perhaps slowing down your pace. Unexpected emotions may surface between you and your significant other as your pregnancy progresses. He may feel pangs of jealousy at the loss of your couplehood and your focus on the baby. On the flip side, you may be feeling as if you're playing second fiddle to your future child as the prospective father questions the safety of every move you make. Such growing pains are normal. Try to talk about your feelings and approach parenting (even now) as a team effort.

Strange but true — men can have pregnancy symptoms too. Known as couvade, this sympathy pain phenomenon may have your significant other experiencing nausea, fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings. What's behind it? Anxiety associated with impending fatherhood is suspected by some, but a Canadian study found that men experiencing couvade had distinct hormonal changes that mirrored their pregnant partners.

Some dads are intimidated by the size and vulnerability of an infant and as a result pass most of the child-care responsibilities on to the mother, a potential lose-lose situation for both of you. If he is feeling uneasy about his lack of experience in the child-care arena, suggest a few tag-team babysitting sessions for a niece or nephew or a friend's child to build his confidence.

The Bond of Parenthood

Pregnancy can bring a couple closer together than they ever imagined, but it can also present new frictions in your relationship. The aches and pains of pregnancy push the most even-tempered woman to her limits. Add to that a healthy surge of estrogen and progesterone and you have the recipe for major mood swings. Other stressors, like a tepid sex life and financial fears, can also stir the pot. Try to approach these temporary changes with understanding and empathy for your partner and a healthy sense of humor, if at all possible.