Top Ten Terms & Definitions For All Expecting Dads

Your partner is pregnant, the weeks are flying by. So many appointments, so much shopping to be done. You have no idea what anything means.

Becoming a parent for the first time is hard. It’s important for guys to remember that a mother-to-be is fighting so many emotional and physical battles that they don’t have all the time in the world to get you up to speed.

We at Daddy’s Digest are making it a little easier for you to be ‘in the know’. We’ve put together a list of the top ten pre-parenting terms that every to-be father needs to have in their back pocket. We’ve got you covered guys.

Braxton Hicks Contractions – the tightening of the womb (uterus) that feels like a labor contraction. They aren’t painful and do not mimic the course of true contractions. Commonly known as ‘false labor’.

C-Section – a caesarean section is a surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through a cut in the abdomen and uterus.

Epidural – a type of anaesthetic commonly used during labor. The drugs are used to numb the lower half of the body.

Gestational Diabetes – when a woman’s blood sugar levels become too high during pregnancy due to inadequate levels of insulin. It is a treatable condition and usually goes away after pregnancy.

Meconium – your baby’s first poo, a dark tar-like substance. Passing meconium before birth may be a sign of fetal distress.

Postnatal Depression – while it is commonly believed to be experienced by women alone, men too may experience this condition and are affected in the days, weeks or months after giving birth.

Breech – this happens when the baby is positioned inside the uterus with its bottom or feet down, instead of its head.

Natural Birth – childbirth without intervention. A C-section is an example of childbirth with intervention.

Fontanelles – your baby is born with six soft spots on its head that allow its skull to compress during birth, so it can pass through the birth canal. The fontanels completely fuse by the time the child is two years old.

Lactation Consultant – a healthcare professional trained to provide information and support about breastfeeding.

Remember to always check-in with a qualified medical professional. Our lists and definitions are here to make life easier and not a substitute for medical care.