'As a woman and man grow into parents, the arrival of their child means a new family is born.'
Finding out you will be a father can bring up a range of emotions. For many men the idea of having a baby can be quite a surreal experience. This can be the case until your partner starts to 'show' at around 4 months of the pregnancy, or even up until the birth, when you actually hold your baby in your arms...then it hits you.... "I am a father.' It is often hard to imagine what having a baby actually means during the woman's early pregnancy. The baby is not a part of your body and your life has not dramatically changed - yet! If this is your second, third (or more) baby, then the reality of parenting will probably be something that is more easily understood.
For many men, accepting (or coming to terms with) the pregnancy will usually involve a mixture of positive and negative feelings as well as spending some time thinking about what having a baby will mean for you. This can include contemplating changes to your lifestyle and/or relationship, financial pressures, the prospects of parenting, or perhaps considering how you will accommodate a second (or third or more) child into the family. These issues can arise regardless of whether the pregnancy was planned or not, as the idea of having a baby suddenly turns into a reality.
You may experience a mixture of emotions including being surprised or shocked, excited and pleased, or perhaps anxious, fearful or even disbelieving. Some men will question their readiness to start a family. Others will feel extremely happy, or possibly relieved, and if the conception has taken many months (or years) to achieve. (Most men will feel an inner sense of contentment in knowing that they are indeed 'fertile!')
Pregnancy is a life-changing event for both people in the relationship. Finding out about a pregnancy frequently involves immense emotional experiences and release (both positive and negative).