A week-by-week pregnancy guide for dads and partners

When my wife Jamee was pregnant with our first daughter, I was worried about money and the baby skills I didn’t have. She was growing a person. I was getting pretty good at imagining all the things that could go wrong.

Learning helped. My dad sent us an American Academy of Pediatrics book, and I read it out loud to Jamee. We learned together, I felt calmer, and I had a better idea of how to show up for her.

That’s what I want this pregnancy guide for dads to do for you. Find your week, learn what’s changing, and pick something useful to do. If you’re worried about becoming a dad, I’ve been there. There’s plenty you can learn and practice before the baby arrives.

Some weeks, helping means taking over dinner. Others bring a decision to talk through, an appointment to prepare for, or paperwork you’ll be glad you started early. What you want to know at seven weeks will be different from what you want to know at thirty-two. Keep coming back as the questions change.

Pregnancy 101 for dads

If you’re looking for a pregnancy guide for men that starts from zero, begin with how the weeks are counted. Pregnancy is counted as about 40 weeks from the start of the last menstrual period. This guide uses weeks 1–13 for the first trimester, 14–27 for the second, and 28 onward for the third. The due date is an estimate. Pregnancy dating

Start with your week, then make time for the planning, baby skills, and conversations that continue across pregnancy.

Each week includes a baby update, context about your partner, and something useful to do. The trimester summaries explain common symptoms and appointments.

Development, symptoms, and size vary. The size notes use head-to-bottom length (also called crown to rump), not full head-to-heel length. Use these weeks as a general guide, and ask your partner’s care team about her pregnancy. The planning suggestions are flexible: you can start on the budget or learn to change a diaper whenever it makes sense for you.

Save the care team’s daytime and after-hours numbers in both your phones now.

A look inside Before Day One

Before Day One is our weekly pregnancy email for dads: what your baby is up to, what your partner may be experiencing, and a few things worth doing. Here’s an actual Week 7 email:

First trimester: weeks 1–13

Your baby’s growth week by week starts here: the major body structures begin forming during this stretch, often before anyone else can tell your partner is pregnant. Fatigue and nausea can make ordinary days hard; a husband or partner taking over meals and chores can help. First-trimester changes

What your partner may be experiencing

Fatigue, nausea, tender breasts, food aversions, constipation, heartburn, and frequent urination can all show up early. Some people have few symptoms; others feel lousy much of the day. “Morning sickness” can last well past breakfast. First-trimester changes

Take over practical work she would otherwise have to think about. Shop for foods she can tolerate, change plans when she needs rest, and listen without explaining every feeling as hormones. If symptoms interfere with eating, drinking, or daily life, help her contact the care team. See the warning signs for symptoms that need immediate care.

Doctor visits and prenatal appointments in the first trimester

The first visits establish care and give you a place to ask questions about dates, symptoms, health history, medications, and the pregnancy ahead. Blood and urine tests are part of routine prenatal care; early testing includes identifying blood type. Ultrasound timing and the visit schedule depend on the pregnancy and the practice. Prenatal care · Routine tests

Bring your family medical history as well as your questions. Ask which tests are routine, which are choices, what each can tell you, and when you need to decide. Screening and diagnostic tests are different. A concerning screening result is not a diagnosis.

Jump to your week: 1–2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Weeks 1–2: why the calendar starts before conception

Your baby: Pregnancy weeks usually count from the first day of the last menstrual period. Conception generally happens about two weeks later, so there may be no embryo yet during these first two counted weeks. A due date estimates 40 weeks from that starting point; the care team uses the dates and ultrasound findings to establish it. Pregnancy dating

Your partner: These first two counted weeks usually include her period and the days leading up to ovulation. Pregnancy dating

For you: If you’re planning a pregnancy, arrange a preconception visit to discuss health, medications, and prenatal vitamins. Check your insurance coverage, too. If she’s already had a positive test, use the due date her care team gives you.

Week 3: fertilization and the first cell divisions

Your baby: After a sperm fertilizes an egg, the resulting cell divides as it travels toward the uterus. Early development

Your partner: She may not notice any changes yet or know she’s pregnant.

For you: If you’re trying for a baby, ask whether she wants company when she takes a pregnancy test. Talk about who, if anyone, you want to tell while you’re trying.

Week 4: implantation and a possible positive test

Your baby: The developing ball of cells embeds in the uterine lining. Some cells will form the embryo; others contribute to the placenta. Implantation That placenta will become the organ that passes oxygen and nutrients to the baby and removes waste. The placenta’s role

Your partner: A missed period or positive test may be your first clue. Ask how she feels about the result, and tell her how you’re feeling too.

For you: Agree before sharing the news. Contact a prenatal care provider to arrange care, and start a shared question list. Ask the clinic what to do about any symptoms or medication questions while you wait for the visit. Starting prenatal care

Week 5: the beginnings of the major body systems

Your baby: Three layers of embryonic cells are forming the foundations of the nervous system, skeleton, heart, lungs, and other organs. Week 5 development

Your partner: Tiredness, tender breasts, nausea, food aversions, and more bathroom trips can arrive early. Symptoms differ between pregnancies. Early changes

For you: Learn the food basics, then ask what sounds good to her. Offer a few meal options, then handle the shopping, cooking, and cleanup.

Week 6: tiny limbs and a developing brain

Your baby: Arm and leg buds are emerging, with small indentations where ears will develop. The head and heart areas stand out on a curved little body covered by very thin skin. The brain is developing, too. Week 6 development

Your partner: Nausea can happen at any time of day. If she cannot keep fluids down, seek medical care immediately. Nausea · Warning signs

For you: Ask how she wants you involved in appointments. Put the visits in your own calendar and help collect questions. If you can’t attend, agree on another way to participate. She shouldn’t have to remember your questions while also being the patient.

Week 7: a small baby and a fast-growing brain

Your baby: At about 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) from head to bottom, your baby is developing a larger head as the brain grows. The eyelids are starting to form, and small dimples mark where the nose and ears will be. Week 7 development

Your partner: Food smells, nausea, and exhaustion may make an ordinary day hard. Yesterday’s favorite dinner may be completely off the menu today. Week 7 symptoms

For you: Find out what sounds tolerable, then get it. Own a household job all week, from noticing it needs doing to finishing it. If you take over the trash, remember trash day.

Week 8: arms, legs, and a growing placenta

Your baby: The arms and legs are lengthening, and the head is beginning to uncurl. The placenta is developing the connections it needs to supply the baby. Week 8 development Your baby is still tiny, but the shape is becoming more recognizable.

Your partner: Bloating and sore breasts can make clothes uncomfortable before there is an obvious bump. Week 8 changes

For you: If you’re worried about miscarriage, the risk explanation is worth reading. Ask the care team what the dates, symptoms, and any scan results tell them about this pregnancy.

Week 9: a more recognizable face

Your baby: The eyelids, mouth, and tongue are developing, while the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and digestive tract continue to take shape. Week 9 development

Your partner: Nausea and tiredness can still be rough. Offer to cancel or adjust plans if she feels unwell. Week 9 symptoms

For you: Set aside time to go through the budget together: leave income, insurance, childcare if needed, and expected expenses. Start questions about life insurance and a will early; those can take longer than ordering a crib. Write down the costs you still need to check and divide up the research.

Week 10: bending elbows and separating fingers

Your baby: Elbows can bend, and fingers and toes become longer and less webbed. Week 10 development

Your partner: Nausea and tiredness may still be part of her day, and mood swings are common in early pregnancy. It isn’t unusual for both of you to have ups and downs, too. A partner’s guide to pregnancy

For you: This is also when decisions about genetic screening can come up. Cell-free DNA screening can begin at 10 weeks; it estimates the chance of certain conditions rather than diagnosing them. Screening options Before choosing a test, ask what it looks for, what it misses, and what happens after each possible result. Talk through the choices together and support your partner’s decisions about her care. See tests and decisions.

Week 11: moving before anyone can feel it

Your baby: Your baby is already making movements, though your partner probably won’t feel them for several more weeks. The fingers and toes are separating, and the body is catching up with the relatively large head. Week 11 development

Your partner: Ask what she wants to know before the next appointment. She may have questions you haven’t thought of.

For you: Pick something you both want to understand: a book, a short video, or a conversation after an appointment. Our list of the best books for expecting dads is a good place to start.

Week 12: small muscles starting to work together

Your baby: Nerves and muscles are beginning to coordinate, and your baby can make a fist. The eyelids are closed over developing eyes. Development around 12 weeks

Your partner: If she’s thinking about announcing the pregnancy, agree on whom to tell and what you’re both comfortable sharing.

For you: Check whether you both have the information you want from early appointments and screening. Ask about results you haven’t heard back on.

Week 13: more movement as the trimester ends

Your baby: Movements are becoming less random, and some babies suck a thumb as the sucking reflex develops. Week 13 development

Your partner: Some people begin feeling better around this transition; others continue to feel sick or exhausted. Pregnancy stages

For you: Ask what has helped over the past few weeks. Keep handling the meals and chores you’ve taken on, and adjust if her needs have changed. Bring any unanswered questions to the next appointment.

Second trimester: weeks 14–27

During the second trimester, your baby’s growth week by week brings developing hearing, and your partner may start feeling movement. The anatomy scan gives you a closer look at how the baby is developing. This is also a good stretch to work on leave plans, baby skills, and what you’ll need at home.

What your partner may be experiencing

Nausea and fatigue may ease, but they don’t disappear for everyone. A growing belly can bring back or groin aches. Stretch marks, darker skin patches, or a dark line down the abdomen can appear. Some people experience tingling hands or swelling. Sudden or extreme swelling needs prompt medical attention; don’t assume every new symptom is routine. Second-trimester changes

Ask what feels good to her: different clothes, a comfortable place to sit, a back rub, or help getting a question answered. Keep learning together; our new-parent checklists are a useful place to organize the practical side.

Doctor visits and prenatal appointments in the second trimester

A detailed anatomy ultrasound is commonly offered between 18 and 22 weeks. It looks at the baby’s physical development; finding out the sex, if you want to, is only part of the visit. Glucose testing for gestational diabetes commonly falls between 24 and 28 weeks. Some pregnancies need earlier or additional testing. Ultrasound and screening · Gestational diabetes testing

Ask who explains the findings and how follow-up works. If diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis is being considered, ask what it would answer, its risks, and how the result could affect decisions.

Jump to your week: 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Week 14: a more defined neck and continued growth

Your baby: Your baby’s neck is becoming more distinct, and the spleen is producing red blood cells. Week 14 development

Approximate size: Almost 3½ in head to bottom; about 1½ oz. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: She may have more energy as nausea eases, though some people continue to feel unwell. Ask how she’s doing before filling the calendar. Second-trimester changes

For you: Get the work plan moving if you haven’t already. Learn what leave is available, what paperwork is needed, and which dates can stay flexible. Compare plans before making commitments. Include the weeks after you go back to work, when she may still need substantial help.

Week 15: a fine layer of hair

Your baby: A soft covering called lanugo is developing over the body, along with eyebrows and eyelashes. Week 15 development

Your partner: Ask whether she’d enjoy a date or an evening at home together. Pick something she feels up for.

For you: If you’re wondering about sex, it’s usually okay unless her clinician advises otherwise; comfort and whether you both want it matter too. Sex during pregnancy

Week 16: coordinated movement

Your baby: The limbs are moving with more coordination, and the eyes can move beneath closed lids. Week 16 development Muscle and bone development continue as the skeleton takes shape. Development around 16 weeks

Approximate size: About 4¾ in head to bottom; about 4 oz. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: First movements are often noticed between 16 and 24 weeks. In a first pregnancy, she may not feel them until after 20 weeks. Feeling movement

For you: Ask her to tell you when she notices movement, if she’d like to share it. Take questions or concerns about movement to the care team.

Week 17: mouth and eye movements

Your baby: Your baby can open and close their mouth and move their eyes even though the eyelids remain shut. Fingernails are growing, too. Week 17 development

Your partner: She may enjoy reading to the baby with you, talking about names, or choosing something for the nursery. Ask what sounds fun to her.

For you: Pick something you can do together regularly. I’ve included some ideas in connecting during pregnancy.

Week 18: hearing and the anatomy scan window

Your baby: Hearing is developing, and the digestive system is beginning to work. Week 18 development A detailed ultrasound, commonly offered between 18 and 22 weeks, looks at the baby’s anatomy. Anatomy ultrasound

Approximate size: About 5½ in head to bottom; 7 oz. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Ask how she’s feeling about the scan and whether she wants you there. Agree beforehand on whether you want to find out the baby’s sex.

For you: Check what the visit covers and how long to allow. Tell the team if you want the sex kept a surprise, and leave time afterward to talk through the results.

Week 19: a protective coating

Your baby: Vernix, a waxy coating, is forming to protect your baby’s skin in the amniotic fluid. Week 19 development Baby teeth and the later adult teeth are developing inside the gums, too. Teeth developing before birth

Your partner: As her body changes, ordinary clothes and sleeping positions may be less comfortable. Ask whether she needs different clothes, extra pillows, or help with a task that has become uncomfortable.

For you: Start the gear list with sleep, feeding, diapers, clothing, and safe transport. Our baby essentials list can help you work through the categories. Agree on the essentials before adding extras to the registry.

Week 20: halfway, with kicking and swallowing underway

Your baby: Your baby is moving, swallowing, and may suck a thumb. Vernix protects the skin. If a size comparison suddenly seems much longer, check the measurement: some guides switch from head-to-bottom to head-to-heel around now. Week 20 development

Approximate size: About 6⅓ in head to bottom; about 11 oz. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: She may be noticing flutters or kicks, and may also have back discomfort or leg cramps. Week 20 symptoms

For you: After the anatomy scan, ask who will explain the findings and whether any follow-up is needed. Then check in with each other: what feels exciting, what feels uncertain, and what have you each assumed the other person will handle?

Week 21: hearing the world outside

Your baby: Your baby can hear sounds from outside the uterus. Hair and eyebrows continue developing, and the placenta is still doing the work of supplying nutrients and removing waste. Week 21 development

Your partner: Talk about which baby-care skills she wants to learn and which ones worry you. You can choose a book or class together.

For you: Choose one skill to learn this week: diapering, soothing, or supporting feeding. Watch or read something together and compare what you understood. If you prefer a course, Father’s Ed is our option.

Week 22: hair, eyebrows, and steady growth

Your baby: Hair and eyebrows are visible. Week 22 development

Approximate size: About 7½ in head to bottom; about 1 lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Back or groin aches and skin changes can come with the growing bump. Ask what is uncomfortable and whether she wants help bringing it up at an appointment. Second-trimester changes

For you: If you’ll need childcare, check availability now. If family has offered help, find out what that means: meals, an afternoon each week, a visit? Specific arrangements are easier to plan around than “we’ll be there whenever you need us.”

Week 23: fingerprints and developing lungs

Your baby: The ridges that become fingerprints are forming. The lungs begin producing surfactant, which helps keep their air sacs open. Week 23 development The lungs are still immature at this stage.

Your partner: Movement may be becoming a more familiar part of her day. Questions about changes in movement belong with the care team. Movement guidance

For you: Work out where the baby will sleep. Use a firm, flat surface in a safety-compliant crib, bassinet, or play yard with a fitted sheet. Place the baby on their back; keep pillows, loose blankets, toys, and bumpers out. Share your room, not your bed. AAP safe-sleep guidance

Week 24: more detail, with lungs still maturing

Your baby: By this stage, fingerprints and footprints have formed, taste buds are developing, and sleep and wake periods are becoming regular. The lungs are still immature. Development around 24 weeks

Approximate size: About 8¼ in head to bottom; more than 1⅓ lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Gestational diabetes testing commonly happens between 24 and 28 weeks, sometimes earlier. Ask the clinic how to prepare rather than guessing about fasting. Glucose testing

For you: Keep track of the appointment, when results should arrive, and whom to ask about them. If she has not felt any baby movement by 24 weeks, she should tell her care team. Movement guidance

Week 25: sounds, movement, and amniotic fluid

Your baby: A loud sound may prompt a movement, and your partner may notice little hiccups. The baby’s urine now makes up much of the surrounding amniotic fluid, which cushions the baby. Week 25 development

Your partner: If she invites you to feel the baby move, take a minute to sit with her.

For you: Keep talking, reading, or singing if you enjoy it. The connection section has other ideas.

Week 26: eyes developing behind the lids

Your baby: The eyes have developed further, and eyelashes are present, although the lids may still be closed. Week 26 development

Approximate size: 9 in head to bottom; nearly 2 lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Sleep, digestion, and back discomfort may affect how much she feels up for. Revisit your division of household work as her experience changes.

For you: Talk about recovery at home: meals, laundry, visitors, and people you can call for help. Ask what she expects to want, then leave room for that answer to change after birth. Include someone you can call if recovery takes longer or you need more help than expected.

Week 27: gaining fat as organs mature

Your baby: Your baby is putting on fat, filling out some of the skin’s wrinkles while the organs continue to mature. Week 27 development

Your partner: Ask what she wants to discuss with the care team about birth, including pain relief and who will be with her.

For you: Finish one thing with lead time: a leave form, insurance question, class booking, or appointment about a will. Our free new-parent checklists can help you spot gaps.

Third trimester: weeks 28–40

Your baby keeps growing and maturing through the third trimester; follow your baby’s growth week by week below. Use these weeks to practice baby skills, arrange help after birth, and finish preparations that would be difficult with a newborn at home.

What your partner may be experiencing

Sleep can become more difficult. Heartburn, back discomfort, more bathroom trips, hemorrhoids, and breasts that leak a little colostrum can be part of late pregnancy. Colostrum is the early milk her body makes. Third-trimester changes

Revisit the household jobs and the plans you’ve made. Something manageable a month ago may be exhausting now. Make meals she enjoys, take over uncomfortable physical jobs, and ask what would help her rest.

Keep the warning signs handy. Difficulty breathing, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms shouldn’t be dismissed as what happens when someone is very pregnant.

Doctor visits and prenatal appointments in the third trimester

Use the schedule her care team gives you; visits and monitoring are tailored to her needs. Ask about the baby’s growth and position, blood pressure, upcoming tests, vaccinations, and the birth plan. Group B strep screening generally happens during weeks 36–37 in US care. Prenatal care · Group B strep testing

Get clear instructions for calling about contractions, waters breaking, or changes in movement. You should both know the daytime and after-hours numbers. Ask what happens if the due date passes, and discuss recovery support before you need it.

Jump to your week: 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Week 28: opening eyes and practicing movements

Your baby: The eyelids can partly open, and the nervous system can direct breathing movements. Week 28 development These are practice movements inside the uterus; the placenta is still supplying oxygen. How the placenta supports the baby

Approximate size: Nearly 10 in head to bottom; about 2¼ lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Sleep and everyday tasks may be getting harder as the third trimester starts. Ask what has changed for her since you last divided up the chores.

For you: Ask the care team about upcoming visits, tests, and vaccinations. Also ask how she should monitor movement. If movements slow, stop, or change from the usual pattern, call immediately, even at night. Movement guidance

Week 29: growing into the last trimester

Your baby: Your baby continues gaining fat while the organs mature. Week 29 development Your baby can kick, stretch, and grasp. Week 29 movements

Your partner: Talk about how she wants you to help during labor: touch, encouragement, quiet, or help asking questions.

For you: Practice what you learn in a childbirth class, and be prepared for her preferences to change during labor. A back rub she wanted at home may be the last thing she wants then.

Week 30: eyes open and blood cells forming

Your baby: Your baby can open their eyes, and the bone marrow is producing red blood cells. Week 30 development

Approximate size: More than 10½ in head to bottom; nearly 3 lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Heartburn, tiredness, or trouble sleeping can make a full weekend of errands unappealing. Late-pregnancy changes

For you: Take stock of what you already own and what still needs arranging. Prioritize things that need assembly or practice. If you have twelve tiny outfits and nowhere ready for the baby to sleep, you know which job gets the weekend. Here’s our longer third-trimester checklist.

Week 31: filling out and staying active

Your baby: Your baby is putting on fat and looking less wrinkled, while continuing to move and suck their fingers. Week 31 development

Your partner: Ask what is making sleep or daily tasks difficult. Help her bring persistent discomfort to the care team’s attention.

For you: Give willing friends and family specific ways to help after birth. Meals, groceries, a dog walk, or laundry are easier to arrange than a vague offer. Ask which visits would feel helpful and which would feel like hosting.

Week 32: practice breaths and stronger movements

Your baby: The baby practices breathing movements while the lungs continue developing. Bones are formed but remain soft, and the eyes can open and close. Development around 32 weeks

Approximate size: 11 in head to bottom; about 3¾ lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: A bigger bump may change how she walks or moves around. The baby should continue moving; less space is not a reason to dismiss reduced movement. Week 32 changes

For you: Choose a pediatric care provider if you haven’t already. Ask about availability, insurance, and arranging the first visit after birth. Save the contact details and after-hours instructions. Find out what the hospital will arrange and what you need to book yourselves.

Week 33: hardening bones, a flexible skull

Your baby: Bones are hardening, but the skull remains flexible, which helps during passage through the birth canal. Week 33 development The pupils can also react to light. Week 33 eyes

Your partner: Go over what she wants to bring to the hospital, including clothes and comfort items.

For you: Pack the hospital bags together using your birth facility’s list. Include her preferences, required paperwork, chargers, and your own supplies. Know where everything is, and keep a list of last-minute items beside the bag.

Week 34: nails at the fingertips

Your baby: Your baby’s fingernails now reach the fingertips, and growth continues. Week 34 development Fat added during this later stretch helps the baby manage temperature after birth. Late-pregnancy growth

Approximate size: Nearly 12 in head to bottom; more than 4½ lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Offer to handle assembly, installation, and errands so she can rest when she needs to.

For you: If you’ll travel by car, install the rear-facing car seat using both its instructions and your vehicle manual. Practice the harness and removing the carrier if it has one. A certified child passenger safety technician can teach you and check the installation. Car-seat guidance

Week 35: more fat, with movement still important

Your baby: Your baby is getting plumper, building fat that will help with temperature control after birth. The space is tighter, but movements should continue. Week 35 development

Your partner: She may be experiencing irregular tightenings called Braxton Hicks contractions. It can be hard to distinguish these from labor without medical assessment. Recognizing labor

For you: Review the care team’s instructions for contractions, suspected waters breaking, and where to go. Call about possible waters breaking even if contractions haven’t started. Don’t wait for an app’s contraction timer if something concerns her. Waters breaking

Week 36: position matters as birth approaches

Your baby: More body fat is smoothing the skin, and most babies are head down by now. If your baby isn’t, the care team can discuss the position and options. Week 36 development

Your partner: Group B strep screening is generally done during weeks 36–37 in US care. A positive result commonly means antibiotics during labor to help protect the baby. GBS-specific antibiotics aren’t needed for a cesarean (C-section) before labor starts if the waters haven’t broken. Screening · Treatment

For you: Ask how you’ll receive the result and what to remember when labor begins. Confirm that you both know the plan if there are questions about the baby’s position.

Week 37: early term, with development continuing

Your baby: Your baby makes facial movements that can look like smiles or frowns. Week 37 development This is early term. Full term begins at 39 weeks. Term definitions

Your partner: Review when she should call about contractions or other symptoms. Keep the care team’s instructions easy to find.

For you: Confirm transport, the after-hours entrance, and arrangements for pets or older children. For a planned induction or cesarean, follow the team’s instructions. Ask about what happens before, during, and after the procedure.

Week 38: less lanugo and a baby still growing

Your baby: Most of the fine lanugo has disappeared, and toenails extend to the tips of the toes. Week 38 development Week 38 is still early term.

Approximate size: About 6½ lb; babies vary in size. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: Other people may be asking for updates more often than she wants to give them. Agree on what she wants shared and offer to handle the messages.

For you: Revisit your birth-news and visitor plan. If you’re both tired of answering questions, a group message can help: “We’ll let you know when there’s news.”

Week 39: full term

Your baby: Your baby is now full term. Week 39 The skin is becoming a stronger protective barrier and may still carry some white, waxy vernix at birth. Skin near birth

Your partner: The walk, visit, or restaurant outing she liked last week might sound terrible today. Check what she wants now.

For you: If induction comes up, ask why it’s being discussed, what the alternatives are, and what the benefits and risks mean for her pregnancy. It isn’t only something that happens after a due date has passed. Induction explained

Week 40: the due date is an estimate

Your baby: Your baby is full term, but the estimated due date does not predict the exact day labor will start. Week 40

Approximate size: Around 14 in head to bottom; about 7½ lb. Mayo Clinic

Your partner: She may be uncomfortable and tired. Keep helping with meals and chores, and check before agreeing to visits or outings.

For you: Follow the care team’s appointment and delivery plan; the date alone isn’t a signal to head to the hospital. Know what happens next if pregnancy continues into week 41.

Week 41 and beyond

By 41 weeks, the care team may recommend additional monitoring and discuss delivery timing. Confirm the plan and the next appointment. ACOG on pregnancy past the due date

Help write down the options and questions. If symptoms or movement change, use the team’s urgent contact instructions rather than waiting for the scheduled visit. Ask for an explanation of any recommendation you don’t understand.

Across pregnancy: learning, planning, and becoming parents together

Understanding any given week is useful. Some of the most important things you can do as a dad take weeks or months: learning baby skills, preparing financially, supporting your partner, and getting yourself ready. Spend some time with these sections, wherever you are in the pregnancy.

Food basics worth knowing

Knowing the basics helps when you’re shopping, cooking, or choosing takeout.

• Deli meat and hot dogs: heat to 165°F or until steaming hot before serving.
• Milk and cheese: choose pasteurized milk. Some cheeses need extra care: unheated queso fresco-type cheeses should be avoided even when made with pasteurized milk.
• Meat and eggs: cook thoroughly; use a food thermometer and the recommended temperature for the food.
• Raw sprouts and premade deli salads: skip raw sprouts and premade meat or seafood salads.

These are starting points, not the entire list. FoodSafety.gov’s pregnancy guidance

Sushi needs a more useful explanation than “no sushi.” Avoid raw fish and shellfish. Fully cooked or vegetarian options are different choices, though ingredients and preparation still matter. FDA/EPA guidance recommends 8–12 ounces a week of lower-mercury fish during pregnancy. Use its fish chart when choosing what to buy. FDA/EPA fish guidance

Keep your home and car smoke-free, too. Secondhand smoke can harm a pregnancy and a baby after birth. If you smoke, ask for help quitting. CDC on secondhand smoke

No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Have appealing alcohol-free drinks available if you’re hosting or planning a meal. ACOG’s guidance for partners

If something on the list surprises either of you, look it up together or ask the care team.

Tests and decisions to understand together

Appointments can introduce unfamiliar terms quickly. You can help by writing down questions and keeping track of answers, while giving your partner room to speak for herself.

Screening and diagnosis are different. Screening estimates the chance of certain conditions. Diagnostic tests can determine whether certain conditions are present. A lower-chance screening result cannot promise that every possible problem has been ruled out; a higher-chance result needs discussion about next steps. ACOG on prenatal genetic screening

Useful questions include:

• What does this test look for, and what can’t it tell us?
• When do we need to decide?
• What are the risks or downsides?
• What would we do next with each possible result?
• When will the results arrive, and who will explain them?

Talk about what each of you wants to understand before the appointment. Diagnostic options include chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. They answer different questions from a screening blood test and have their own timing and risks to discuss with the clinician. Diagnostic testing

Your partner can accept or decline genetic testing after counseling. Your role is to participate in the conversation and support her decisions about her care. ACOG on deciding about testing

Do dads need vaccines before the baby arrives?

Check with your own clinician that your routine vaccines are up to date. CDC recommends Tdap for adults who have never had it and a flu vaccine each flu season. If you need either, aim to get it at least two weeks before meeting the baby. CDC guidance for family and caregivers

When does miscarriage risk drop?

Miscarriage risk generally falls as an early pregnancy progresses. Your partner’s history, symptoms, and scan findings also matter.

For context, a 2008 Australian study followed 696 women without symptoms, each carrying one baby, whose ultrasound showed cardiac activity at a first prenatal visit between 6 and 11 weeks. Eleven of the 696 (1.6%) miscarried. The rates by completed week at the visit were: 9.4% at 6 weeks, 4.2% at 7 weeks, 1.5% at 8 weeks, 0.5% at 9 weeks, and 0.7% at 10 weeks. The results apply to that study population; they can’t give you an individual risk estimate. The original study

ACOG estimates that early pregnancy loss happens in about 10 out of 100 known pregnancies. About half of early miscarriages happen when the embryo doesn’t develop properly, often because of an abnormal number of chromosomes. ACOG on early pregnancy loss

A useful question for the care team is: “Given the dates, history, and what you saw today, what does this mean for us?” There is no week when the risk disappears entirely.

If your partner has bleeding or pain, contact her care team rather than using statistics to decide whether it matters. ACOG’s symptom guidance

A few things to plan together

Leave arrangements, childcare, life insurance, and a will can take time. Start asking questions early, and divide up the work so your partner isn’t managing the whole list.

• Start early: work and time off. Compare leave options, paperwork, and how you’d like to use the time. Discuss the handoff back to work, too.
• Start early: money and paperwork. Look into life insurance, a will, and how your budget might change. List the questions you need qualified help answering.
• Start early if you’ll need it: childcare. Check availability, costs, application timing, and backup options in your area.
• Across pregnancy: appointments and decisions. Keep a shared calendar and a running question list. Agree on how you’ll talk through information afterward.
• Before birth: skills and home setup. Learn basic care, arrange a safe sleep space, and practice with the equipment you’ll use.
• Before delivery: who gets the news. Agree on whom you’ll tell first, who handles calls, and what you’re comfortable sharing. After a rough delivery, Jamee was asleep and people were calling. I ended up ignoring calls because I wasn’t sure who she wanted to tell. That’s one small decision I wish we’d made beforehand.
• Before you’re home: help and visitors. Talk about meals, household jobs, privacy, and whom you can call when you need another pair of hands. Check in again after birth to see what help you actually need.

Choose one item you can move forward this week. Put the rest somewhere you’ll both remember to check.

Find something you like doing together

Reading out loud worked for Jamee and me. My dad’s gift gave us a place to start, and the reading became something we did together during pregnancy. It helped me feel more prepared, and Jamee found it useful too.

We were learning how to care for our daughter together before she was born.

You might prefer talking about names, keeping a journal, singing to your baby, or picking out furniture together. Find something you both enjoy enough to keep doing.

Your mental health: getting yourself ready, too

Your partner is doing the physical work of pregnancy. You are also becoming a parent, with your own questions about how life is going to change.

For me, the worries included finances, skills I didn’t have, and things that could go wrong with my baby. Getting educated helped me help myself, and then helped me show up for Jamee. I wrote more about that in what becoming a father felt like for me.

Try making the worry specific enough to act on. “I don’t know anything about babies” can become “I want to learn how to hold and change a newborn.” “How are we going to afford this?” can become a conversation about leave income or childcare costs. Some questions belong with the care team; some need time with your partner or someone you trust.

For worries you can’t resolve by reading or making a plan, talk to someone you trust. If anxiety, low mood, irritability, or sleep problems are affecting your daily life, talk with a healthcare professional. More pregnancy reading isn’t a substitute for getting help. NIMH’s guide to seeking support

In the US, you can call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. Call 911 for an immediate life-threatening emergency. 988 Lifeline

If you or your partner are struggling during pregnancy or after the birth, these lines are for you too:

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). It’s free, confidential, and open 24/7 in English and Spanish, and partners and family members can use it. HRSA’s hotline page
• Postpartum Support International (PSI) HelpLine: call or text 1-800-944-4773. Leave a confidential message and a trained volunteer will get back to you. This is a support and referral service, not an emergency line. PSI

New dads can have postpartum depression and anxiety, too; ACOG notes it isn’t only the parent who gave birth. ACOG’s partner’s guide We’ve gathered the research on postpartum depression in fathers.

Make time to learn the baby skills

If the part worrying you is what happens once the baby’s home, put some time on the calendar to learn together. Feeding, changing a diaper, and settling a baby are things you can start learning about during pregnancy.

We made Father’s Ed for new and expecting dads. It’s our paid video course (also part of the Dad-to-Be Bundle), with lessons on baby skills, sleep, safety, and supporting your partner. Have a look at the curriculum and see which parts would help you feel more prepared.

Birth: what to expect, and the first days home

Discuss birth preferences during pregnancy, including pain relief, who will be present, and how you can help. These are the basics to get familiar with; the linked guides explain each topic in more detail.

Labor: signs, contractions, and when to go in

Contractions help the cervix thin and open. Ask the care team when to call and when to come in. Call if she thinks her water has broken, even without contractions. Read more about labor stages and waters breaking.

Pain relief

Ask what options the birth facility offers, including an epidural, and support her choices if they change during labor. Read about pain-relief options.

Delivery

The team will guide your partner through the baby’s birth. Afterward, the placenta still needs to be delivered and she continues receiving care. Keep checking on her. Read about labor and delivery.

Induction

Induction uses medication or other methods to start labor. Ask why it is being recommended, what the alternatives are, and what to expect. Read ACOG’s induction guide.

C-section

A cesarean is surgery to deliver the baby through the abdomen and uterus. It may be planned or become necessary during labor. Ask where you can be and how to help during recovery. Read about cesarean birth.

Hospital bags: what to bring

Use your facility’s packing list. Include clothes, toiletries, paperwork, chargers, supplies for yourself, and the baby’s going-home outfit. Know where everything is packed. Our third-trimester checklist covers more preparation.

Postpartum recovery at home

Take on meals, laundry, diapers, and agreed visitor arrangements while your partner recovers. Review discharge instructions and follow-up appointments together. Read about recovery after birth, and keep the warning signs handy.

Pregnancy for dads: common questions

What should a husband or dad do during pregnancy?

Take practical work off her plate, go to appointments if she wants you there, and learn what’s changing as the weeks go by. Early on, that usually means meals and chores while nausea and fatigue hit. Later it shifts to leave plans, baby skills, the car seat, and the hospital bags. ACOG’s partner’s guide Start with the first trimester or things to plan together.

How can I support my pregnant wife or partner?

Ask what would help that day, listen without explaining every feeling as hormones, and keep doing the jobs you’ve taken on. ACOG notes that when partners are involved and supportive, the pregnant partner may be less anxious and have less stress in the weeks after birth. ACOG’s partner’s guide If she seems persistently low or anxious, help her talk to her care team; the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) also takes calls and texts from partners. HRSA’s hotline page

When can the baby hear my voice?

Hearing starts developing around week 18, and by week 21 your baby can hear sounds from outside the uterus. Week 18 development · Week 21 development By week 25, a baby may move in response to familiar sounds, such as your voice. Week 25 development Talking, reading, or singing to the bump is one way to start; see week 21 and week 25.

When is miscarriage risk lower?

Miscarriage risk generally falls as early pregnancy goes on, but there is no week when it disappears entirely. In one study of women without symptoms whose ultrasound showed cardiac activity, the miscarriage rate was 9.4% for those first seen at 6 weeks and 1.5% for those first seen at 8 weeks. The original study Those figures describe that study group, not your partner’s individual risk; ask her care team what her history and scans mean. More in understanding miscarriage risk.

What should dads prepare before the baby is born?

Start with the jobs that need lead time: leave paperwork, childcare, life insurance, and a will. Before birth, set up a safe sleep space, choose a pediatric care provider, install the rear-facing car seat, and pack the hospital bags. Learn basic baby care, too: feeding, diapering, and settling a baby. See things to plan together and baby skills.

How many weeks is full term?

Full term begins at 39 weeks; weeks 37 and 38 are early term. Term definitions The due date marks 40 weeks, but it’s an estimate: only about 1 in 20 women give birth on their estimated due date. ACOG’s partner’s guide See week 37 and week 39.

Keep learning as the questions change

You may need the food list this week and the leave conversation next month. Save the guide and come back to the part that helps.

If having a small pregnancy brief arrive in your inbox would make that easier, that’s what Before Day One is for. Each week brings a baby update, context about your partner, and practical things to try. Sign up below and we’ll send the next installment to you.