Making the decision to have a baby is thrilling, to say the least. But it’s also an emotional roller coaster – and we aren’t just talking about the hormones. Both hopeful parents-to-be experience this individually, and both the carrying and non-carrying sides of the equation have their own set of emotions. Specifically, dads can feel a little left out, particularly during the pre-conception stage and early part of pregnancy. And that makes sense. But flip the coin, and many women can feel like the burden to conceive and carry a successful pregnancy is entirely on them. It brings up an unexpected benefit of men’s prenatal vitamins – for both partners.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Men can help their partners feel supported during the TTC stage by staying engaged, being present, and being a willing participant in lifestyle changes.
- Men’s prenatal vitamins play a key role during preconception, supplying specific micronutrients shown to support and promote sperm health. Research shows that a man’s health prior to conception is tied to his overall health, his partner’s pregnancy, and the health of their baby.
- An unexpected benefit of prenatal vitamins for men is the level of involvement it imparts. It’s not uncommon for men to feel isolated or left out during preconception and early pregnancy, and this small daily action can help him feel more involved.
- For women, a partner taking prenatal vitamins can be a sign of his commitment to becoming a father.
It takes two to tango, as they say, but feeling like your partner is really supporting you during this whole let’s-have-a-baby thing requires a little more than that. Luckily, there are simple, meaningful ways your partner can show support. To make this crystal clear and easy, we’re bulleting it out – so send it to whomever needs to see it!
- Stay engaged and present. That means prioritizing all the doctor’s appointments. But beyond simply showing up, ask questions and really listen, both ways to show that you’re in this, too. Men should be checking in with their doctor as well to go over their health!
- Learn more about her cycle. If you aren’t yet even semi-clued in to her cycle, start paying attention. Having both partners pay attention to this can make her feel like it’s not just her job to time things properly, which can reduce stress levels. And you know what they say about stress and fertility
- Get on board with lifestyle changes. While a lot of the pregnancy equation is simply out of our hands, there’s much to be said about prioritizing the tenets of basic health. It’s not necessarily sexy or cutting-edge, but we do know that all of the things that support your health as a whole also support your fertility health. If your partner is making changes in her life – eating a more nutritious diet, trying to get more sleep, practicing stress management, exercising, that kind of thing – follow her lead. It’s a fact that a man’s health before conception directly affects everything from conception to the health of a pregnancy to the lifelong health of your baby. There is no better time to commit to a healthy lifestyle than this oh-so-important preconception window, so make a point of doing it together. We have a handy list right here to help you get started.
- Swap the multivitamin for a men’s prenatal. Yes, men’s prenatal vitamins are a thing, and yes, you should be taking them if you want to be a dad.
The Value of Men’s Prenatal Vitamins
A high-quality men’s prenatal vitamin goes hand-in-hand with living a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that the most common cause of deficiencies in a man’s sperm is a lack of specific nutrients and other lifestyle factors. Even more to consider, a 2012 study found that just one man in four has optimal sperm health. Clearly, a nutritious diet is important, and supplementing with a great men’s prenatal to shore up any nutrient gaps is a good way to cover all his bases.
The benefits continue during your pregnancy, too. It’s common for men to experience a decline in testosterone as your due date nears. Is there a worse time for a guy to experience mood and energy swings? There’s likely a biological component – men with lower testosterone levels would theoretically make better caregivers. Fortunately, sticking with the same men’s prenatal vitamin he started taking preconception can help keep testosterone levels stable.
The Unexpected Benefit of Men’s Prenatals for Both Partners
Aside from supporting and promoting a man’s fertility, there’s an unexpected benefit to men’s prenatal vitamins. It’s a small daily action, but it’s ripe with meaning. Just think about what it signifies. It’s a sign that your partner is in this with you one hundred percent. It’s how he shows you that you’re not alone on this journey, that he’s with you every step of the way. It’s how he lets you know that he shares all the same hopes and dreams of creating your own little family. For women who feel like the burden is entirely on them to conceive, carry, and birth a perfect little human, that level of support is huge.
Pretty impressive for two small vitamins a day, right?