What your Birthing Partner can do help
Support during labour and birth
Whoever your birth partner is – the baby's father, your partner, a close friend, or a relative – there are many practical things they can do to help you.
The most important thing your birth partner can do is just be with you.
Talk to your birth partner about the type of birth you'd like and the things you prefer not to do so they can help support your decisions. It can help to go through your birth plan together.
There's no way of knowing what your labour is going to be like or how each of you will cope, but there are many ways a partner can help.
Whatever kind of birth you're planning for, your birth partner can:
- keep you company and help pass the time during the early stages
- hold your hand, wipe your face and give you sips of water
- massage your back and shoulders, and help you move about or change position
- comfort you as your labour progresses and your contractions get stronger
- remind you how to use relaxation and breathing techniques, perhaps breathing with you if it helps
- support your decisions, such as the pain relief you choose, even if they're different from what's in your birth plan
- help you explain to the midwife or doctor what you need – and help them communicate with you – which can help you feel more in control of the situation
- tell you what's happening as your baby is being born if you cannot see what's going on
Your birth partner may be able to cut the umbilical cord – you can talk to your midwife about this.
Find out more about feelings and relationships in pregnancy including worries about the birth and sex in pregnancy.
Make sure you and your birth partner both know what to pack for birth, and what to expect at the hospital or maternity unit if you are planning to have your baby there.
Know where you’re going
It may sound obvious, and you’ve probably already thought of it, but when you’re preparing for birth make sure you know how to get to the hospital you plan to give birth in. You should also plan your route. It’s a good idea to do a trial run so you know exactly how long it takes you to drive there. A trial run will also help you become familiar with the route and how to get to the hospital from home.
Further information for Dad's and partner's can be found here