Welcome to the second trimester! You survived your partner’s overwhelming fatigue, irritability and strange eating habits. Now she’s acting more like the woman you love and cherish. And you are getting used to the fatherhood idea and are thinking about baseball bats, gloves and your child’s first home run. Maybe you can even see yourself outside chasing a soccer ball around and teaching your little one a move you learned in high school.

The second trimester is the best part of the pregnancy. Your partner is feeling better and her stomach is finally starting to expand. She will actually buy maternity clothing and wear it! Sure, the pants look huge now but in another three months, they will be fitting just right. People will start to comment on her size and tell her their war stories … beware!!

The first problem will arise at the maternity store. Your partner will be trying on some clothes when someone will ask her how far along she is. Her response will lead to the inevitable, “You look too small. Is everything okay with your baby?” Yikes! Trouble is brewing, and you’re about to get a frantic phone call from your partner. First, calm her down. Then, remind her that the pregnancy has been going well. Let her know that a first-time mom’s belly acts like a girdle, holding the baby in, and that gives the appearance of a smaller baby. Tell her that in future pregnancies, she’ll be hearing the opposite comment, “Are you having twins?”

The second problem is all the unsolicited tales about pregnancy your partner is sure to hear. Strangers will share their war stories about their pregnancies. But it doesn’t stop there— friends and acquaintances will eagerly share more bad news about pregnancy. Once again, your partner will begin to hyperventilate. And I should warn you, the stories will head in your direction too; your friends and coworkers will tell you “lovely” tales of pregnancy. Before getting upset, look around a shopping mall at all the healthy babies. Understand the reality of pregnancy is that the great majority of pregnancies are uneventful and moms and babies do fantastic! Sure, there are bad outcomes, but they are very rare.

Please, please relax and enjoy the second trimester. If you’re worried (after all those stories you’ve heard, it’s hard not to be!) or have concerns about your partner’s pregnancy, just ask your practitioner about your questions or fears. We want to help make your experience a pleasant lifetime memory. Good luck.

One final note: As you make the transition into your role as a parent, you’ll have many financial responsibilities. However, there’s one important responsibility that may not be as apparent as the others: it involves ensuring future economic security for your child and your partner. Many of us forget about protecting our family by purchasing life and disability insurance, but these are important considerations for everybody’s sake. Please take the time to consider providing this coverage to your family—the start of the second trimester is a good time to take this step.