Male testosterone DROPS pre-birth👨🏻‍🔬

Hi, this is Dan from Dad Psych.

Every Wednesday, we deliver an informative newsletter backed by psychological insights, designed for soon-to-be and new dads.

Here’s what’s on the menu today:

• 👨🏻‍🔬 Male testosterone DROPS pre-birth

• 🍉 The ladies are fighting back… with fruit

• 🧏‍♂️ We want to hear from you!  

• 📲 5 worthwhile new-dad apps

Male testosterone DROPS pre-birth👨🏻‍🔬

As you’re frantically reading up on how your partner will change during pregnancy, we're 100% sure you've come across information about how the mother's hormones are all over the place.

In fact, you've most likely experienced some unpleasant effects of these changes yourself. Perhaps she’s sending a few more death threats and angry texts than usual?

But did you know men’s hormones, especially testosterone, take a dip when expecting a child?

Let’s break down the research

1. Expectant fathers saw declines in testosterone, which is associated with aggression and parental care.

2. There were also declines in estradiol, which is associated with caregiving and bonding.

So what does this mean for you?

With lower testosterone, you might find yourself becoming more patient, less confrontational, and better at parental care and nurturing. This shift can make you more supportive and cooperative in family and social settings.

However, a drop in estradiol could slightly reduce your desire or ability to form strong emotional bonds, potentially affecting your nurturing roles and emotional connections in relationships.

How can this research help you going forward?

Knowing these hormonal changes means you can ace the new "Dad Mode." You’ll understand why you’re smashing bedtime stories but maybe struggling with those emotional heart-to-hearts. Embrace your inner zen dad, adjust accordingly, and remember: everyone need a little tweak now and then.

Want to learn more about this study? Check out our blog, where we go a little more in-depth on the topic

Experience pregnancy… with fruit 🍉

If you’re anywhere near the 2nd or 3rd trimester, you may have noticed your partner struggling to do certain tasks due to the ‘all-you-can-eat-buffet’ sized bump in her belly that’s obstructing her.

• Tying shoelaces? Forget it

• Picking something up from the floor? No chance

• Being stuck on the sofa with no way of getting up? Yeah, jokes to watch though, i mean, yeah so difficult for her, right?!

Well, if you’ve found yourself chuckling at a few of these moments, the ladies have found a way to bite back (and quite rightly, too).

As we can see in the GIF, the pregnant lady has come up with a genius idea on how men can feel a little bit of her struggle; by strapping a few KGs of large fruit to act as heavy boobs and stomach.

Looks easy at first right?

Yeah, bloke was on the floor on the second attempt. Lol.

While we’re not here to preach or wag fingers, just be mindful that even though you’re both having a baby soon, she needs to be taken care of as though she is the baby until then!

We want to hear from you! 🧏‍♂️

• Veteran Dad?

• Newbie but have some fantastic stories to share?

We’re just getting started here at Dad Psych, so we’d love to hear your new Dad stories. No matter what the topic is, we want to hear it!

Reply to this email with your chance to feature in our next newsletter!

5 worthwhile new-dad apps📲

Let’s face it, there’s a lot of sh*t out there when it comes to parenting apps. A lot of them require time for you to work out whether or not they’re actually useful in the long run.

Aint nobody got time fo dat.

This is why we’re presenting 5 apps that have been recommended, tried and tested by other dads. You owe us a pint:

The Big Daddy- Created by a doctor-dad, The Big Daddy app humorously tracks baby’s development with "dad-centric" size comparisons like tools in a toolkit. It’s perfect for dads wanting a fun, relatable way to stay updated on their baby's growth.

Pro Daddy- Pro Daddy is a straightforward guide for first-time dads, offering weekly updates on baby’s size and weight, a pregnancy countdown, and daily gift ideas for expecting moms. It’s a no-frills app that helps dads stay engaged and thoughtful during pregnancy.

Daddy Up- Daddy Up, also known as The Dad’s Field Guide to Pregnancy, provides detailed baby growth info, hospital bag checklists, a contraction timer, and doctor-approved articles. Weekly tips offer insights into your partner's hormonal changes and how you can support her.

Ovia- Ovia offers a comprehensive guide for new dads, including baby development tracking, health tips, and parenting articles. Its standout features are personalized updates and symptom tracking for both mom and baby, helping dads stay informed and supportive throughout the pregnancy journey.

Uber Eats- You deserve a burger every now and again lad. You’re doing great.

That’s about it for now, have a great week.

- Dan from Dad Psych