When Ty found out he was going to be a dad, it was not in the way he had imagined. The news of an unplanned pregnancy hit like a tidal wave. Equal parts love, fear, and uncertainty. 

“It was a big shock,” Ty recalls. “I wanted to be there for her, but I did not know how. I felt like I had to have all the answers, and I did not.”

For many men, the journey into fatherhood is rarely spoken about, especially when the pregnancy is unplanned. While the focus often turns to the expectant mother’s needs (and rightly so), research shows that fathers are a powerful influence on the health and wellbeing of both mother and baby.

A study from the Journal of Perinatal Education found that when fathers are actively involved during pregnancy, mothers are more likely to access prenatal care, make healthy lifestyle choices, and experience lower stress levels. Another report by the Fatherhood Institute highlights that a father’s emotional support during pregnancy can even improve birth outcomes and early child development.

But what happens when a dad feels unprepared, isolated, or unsure of his role?
That is where Diamond Women steps in.

More Than Just Pregnancy Support

For Ty, Diamond Women was not just a lifeline during the pregnancy. It was the beginning of a holistic support network.

In fact, on Kayleigh and Ty’s eventual wedding day, Kayleigh sent our founder this beautiful text message: “We feel the support from Diamond not only helped us with an unplanned pregnancy, but helped us lay great foundations for our relationship as a whole.”

“They did not just ask about the baby,” he says. “They asked about me. How I was coping, what I needed, what I was scared of. It was not just pregnancy advice. It was life advice.”

From counselling sessions to practical resources and ongoing check-ins, Ty experienced what Diamond Women calls wrap-around care. It is a person-first approach, supporting not only the physical and emotional needs of women, but also walking alongside their partners.

“Fathers are an integral part of the pregnancy journey,” says Dr Jennifer L. Barkin, Associate Professor of Community Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mercer University School of Medicine. “Their involvement can help reduce maternal anxiety, improve relationship satisfaction, and set the stage for a strong co-parenting partnership.” (Source: Barkin, J.L., & Wisner, K.L. [2013]. The role of paternal support in pregnancy. Journal of Perinatal Education.)

The Ripple Effect of Support

For Ty, being supported as a whole person changed how he approached fatherhood.

“I learned that I did not have to be perfect,” he says. “I just had to be present. And having someone in my corner gave me the confidence to show up for my partner and my baby in the best way possible.”

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Republished with thanks to Diamond Women.