Hi all,
This is my first post and could really use some advice.
I'm 34 weeks pregnant and my partner and I are FTP. We have been together for 8 years and have a wonderful and loving relationship.
Unfortunately, in 2015 my partner lost his father to cancer and a year later, his mother passed suddenly from a cancer-related stroke. They were both under 50 and - as you can imagine, it was incredibly traumatic and shocking for him. He has found ways of coping over the years - namely meditation and an exploration of spiritual philosophy which has really helped him. He, of course, has his moments where he breaks down and he always misses them, but has seemed really strong and mainly a happy person overall in recent years.
Since I've been pregnant, he has been amazing. Incredibly supportive and excited to be a father. However, in the past month or so - since I've been in the third trimester, I've noticed a shift in him. He is getting down a lot more, sometimes quiet and withdrawn and has maybe been drinking more than usual. He spoke with me this morning and told me that the impending birth of our child is reminding him he doesn't have his parents around and that he keeps thinking when she is born, he will have nobody to phone and nobody who cares. I know this isn't the case, he has plenty of friends and some family- but I understand completely that his parents, specifically his mum, would have been completely invested and over the moon at the prospect of him becoming a dad. He seems to be going through a bout of depression and he really seems out of sorts.
I feel helpless and completely heartbroken for him. I want to make him feel better and reassure him, but - I don't know how. And selfishly, I'm starting to worry that my due date is nearing and I need him to be strong and in the best place to help me.
Any advice but be greatly appreciated. Thank you!