s your head swimming with pregnancy information? Not sure if you should pack a hospital bag in the twentieth week or thirty-sixth week? Think it’s already time to sign up your gestating child for preschool? Here’s a handy checklist to reduce some important details into quick points.

First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester

FIRST TRIMESTER (Weeks 1-13)

1. Talk

She’s the one carrying the child, but you’re going to be with her every step of the way. Talk, especially with your partner, about how life will change during pregnancy and once your child leaves the womb.

2. Comfort

For your partner, this trimester often involves morning sickness, nausea at other times of the day, and emotional instability frequently brought on by the raging hormones. Help her slow down by fixing breakfast, encouraging her to miss a day of work if necessary, and just listening to her outpouring of feelings.

3. Hear that Heartbeat

Around the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, you can go to your wife’s prenatal doctor visit and hear the heartbeat. It’s an amazing time and you should be there for that first opportunity.

4. See that Fetus

Past the tenth week, you might be able to see the first ultrasound of your baby. Be there and make sure to get copies of the pictures.

5. Cook

Not only can cooking for your partner support her, it can also help her eat right for two. Plus, you can practice making family meals once baby arrives.

SECOND TRIMESTER (Weeks 14-26)

1. Enjoy the Honeymoon

In this trimester, your partner may undergo a period of physical comfort and energy as her body adjusts to carrying a child. She may also be very interested in sex, so enjoy.

2. Compliment

Mixed in with this bliss, and because she may not be showing her pregnancy that much, she may see her new shape as unattractive. Make her feel great by telling her she looks beautiful. Help her shop for cool maternity clothes.

3. Consider the Genes

Decide if you want to know the gender of the baby. Also, consider genetic testing to check for birth defects. This is a hard decision and you should read up about the different tests (because of the possible effects on mother and child) and the emotional trial if defects are actually discovered.

4. Feel the Joy

No, this isn’t about sex again. It’s about the fact that you can probably start to feel the baby move. This is also a good time to talk, read, and play music (or sing!) for your baby, who can now hear Dad’s voice in the womb.

5. Attend a Class

Go to a birthing class, learn baby CPR, and consider a dad course to prepare yourself for birth and the care and feeding of babies.

THIRD TRIMESTER (Weeks 27-40)

1. Comfort Even More

Your partner may start having trouble with eating, breathing, feeling aches and pains (possible leg cramps) as the baby grows bigger. Massage your partner and help her relax a lot more.

2. Visit the Doctor

This is the time when your partner will get tested for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and will be under more careful observation. Be sure to attend as many of these appointments as possible for emotional and physical support and personal knowledge.

3. Make a Birth Plan

Decide with your partner all the details of labor and delivery, from pain medication (if you don’t go natural) to whether or not you want to cut the umbilical cord yourself. You should also know which hospital you will go to and any particulars regarding health insurance coverage for the delivery.

4. Interview a Pediatrician

Check out a few local pediatricians to decide who will take care of your baby once s/he comes out. Ask your family and friends for recommendations and visit at least two doctors to get first-hand knowledge.

5. Practice

See about asking a family member or friend if you can practice holding, diapering, bathing, and feeding a baby. It will help make you more confident about taking care of your own.

6. Shop for Baby

This is fun, especially if you like to buy stuff. Among other things, shop for any furniture for baby’s room (crib and changing table) and transportation gear (car seat – which must be installed before you take baby home, stroller, diaper bag – there are manly choices, these days).

7. Decide on Childcare

Discuss how you will configure childcare with your partner. You may need to interview nannies, babysitters, nurses, daycares, and grandparents (don’t laugh, some are more reliable and qualified than others, which can be sticky, but worth thinking about).

8. Arrange Paternity Leave

Fill out any necessary forms for taking time off after baby arrives. Give yourself at least a week, preferably two or more if you can do so because you want to have the time to get right into the rhythm of fatherhood.