That's a detailed description of how she wants to do labor and delivery -- where to go, who'll attend the delivery, how she intends to labor, whom she wants in the room, and what your role will be.Taking a birthing class together can help you figure out the best practical ways to support her throughout labor.Remember also that all smoking inside your home has to stop right away. A generation or two ago, it was unusual for an expectant father to be present during labor, let alone hang out with his pregnant wife in the exam room when she saw her doctor.Now dads are encouraged to go to prenatal care appointments.It's also good to have an idea of ways you can be helpful to the mom-to-be.

Afterward, don't be surprised if she needs you to "spend half an hour drying tears over the weight gain and explaining that, 'no, you don't look like a cow,'" Woods says.

You may even lose your bedmate for a while, because some pregnant women prefer to sleep in a reclining chair.

Sex during pregnancy is a whole other matter on which plenty has been written.

Another thing that could catch you off guard is the internal pelvic exam, which may be done in front of you.

It's a standard obstetric procedure, but to the guy standing there while his wife has one -- even a guy who happens to be a medical doctor -- "no matter what, it just seems weird," Woods says.