Prepare For the Birth of a Child As a Father

As a modern day dad-to-be you will be participating in the birth of your child. Here are some tips they don't teach you in birthing class.

Steps

 * 1)  Bring a pen and notepad - Have one handy in case you need to take notes or sign forms.
 * 2) Bring at least $10 in change - The delivery could take a couple hours or a couple days. Hospital cafeterias are not open 24 hours and there's a good chance you'll be eating out of a vending machine. Murphy's law says a) it won't take bills b) the change machine will be broken c) the only thing left will be a bagel dog.  Also, be sensitive to the fact that your wife may object to food smells, so be prepared to eat quickly and away from her.
 * 3) Bring Snacks or a Sandwich - The odds are you'll be in the delivery room for minimum 5-6 hours and you won't want to leave for fear of missing the big moment. Bring something to snack on to keep your energy up.
 * 4) Bring Reading Material - You may end up waiting for a few hours for the contractions to build. If your wife gets anesthesia she may end up sleeping. If you can, you should sleep too (it'll be the last sleep you get for 3 months so enjoy it.) If you can't sleep you'll be glad to have a good book or magazine.
 * 5) Bring a Toothbrush, razor, and change of underwear - If this is your first child or there are complications, you might end up staying with your wife and child for a few days and sleep in the hospital room. If you do, you'll need to "freshen up".
 * 6) Practice how to use the Child Seat - You've got the child seat, but have you tried it out?  Practice on a teddy bear. Keep in mind that when the real event comes, the baby will be moving its arms and legs and probably crying. Make sure you know how to loosen the straps and attach all the clips.
 * 7) Bring at least 3 baby blankets and a couple towels- Roll these up and stuff them around the baby in the car seat, especially the baby's head so it  does not flop over.

Related

 * How to Prepare for the Arrival of a Newborn As a Father
 * How to Help Your Child Accept a New Baby
 * How to Make and Print Birth Announcements
 * How to Choose a Unique Name for Your Baby
 * How to Fight Jaundice in a Newborn
 * How to Choose a Caregiver for Pregnancy
 * How to Prepare for a New Baby