The real journey begins after the child is born. Get in the game early because you'll want to develop your own unique bond with the baby. You will want to establish your own tricks of the trade when it comes to coddling, feeding and changing the baby. These rites of passage lay the groundwork for your future relationship with your child.

When it comes to your relationship with your partner, you MUST learn about the signs, symptoms and remedies for postpartum distress syndrome. You can read more about this in the other articles on our website The First 6 Week After Birth and Etiquette for Expectant Fathers . But remember, you MUST take it seriously because the consequences of inaction can be disastrous and tragic for everyone involved.

Get Ready To Be A Dad!

By the time the third trimester rolls around, you will be making a very quick transition from expectant to full-time dad. In the life of the relationship between father and son/daughter, pregnancy is only a small slice. Your real role in the pregnancy is to get ready to be a major player in the family and show personal leadership when it comes to raising your new child. In the meantime, you should be thinking about the kind of father you want to be, the kind of values you want to instill, the kinds of things you'll want to teach your child. Spend some time reflecting on this both alone and with your partner.

You should also spend some time reflecting on how having a child will change your family dynamics and your relationship with your partner. By the time your baby is born, you will be different people with a different outlook on life. After all, at the end of this process, two will have become three.

www.Thefunkystork.com is a pregnancy resource and parenting guide for expectant fathers and new dads.  It provides only general information designed for educational purposes, and does not offer pregnancy or pediatric advice. You should always consult a physician about concerns you have with your pregnancy or your child's health.