I’m 30, first child, and we’re currently at week 40+4. So yeah… overdue and counting. I fully understand — and genuinely respect — that my partner is the one going through the real physical and hormonal hell. No comparison there. She’s a champ. But man… I didn’t expect this side of it for me. For days now it’s: • Constant checking • Timing pains / contractions • “Is this it?” → false alarm → reset • Always half-ready for fight-or-flight • Sleeping lightly, brain always on • Trying to stay calm and supportive while internally being wired 24/7 I feel like I’m permanently on standby mode. Not panicking — just exhausted in a very specific way. Mentally alert, emotionally loaded, never fully off. I’m just asking other men who’ve been here: • How did you cope mentally while waiting? • Any tricks to stop over-scanning every sensation and sound ? • Does this feeling drop once labor actually starts, or does it just mutate? I want to be present, solid, and useful — not a burnt-out zombie before the baby even arrives. Any perspective from dads who survived this phase would help. submitted by /u/Opposite-Agent-2867
Originally posted by u/Opposite-Agent-2867 on r/AskMen
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