There is one thing that all birthing people want and need during labour- to feel supported and safe. Who is supporting you during labour can of course vary. Depending on where you decide to give birth this may include nurses, midwives, doctors, etc. Many people also have their partner, friend, family member or hire a birth doula to support them along the way too.
No matter who your chosen birth partner(s) is/are do not underestimate how incredible they can be on the day!
Television often portrays partners (especially men) as being completely useless, panicked or lost in the background. The truth is your birth partner can be as involved as they want to be! Some partners don't want to be in the thick of things (which is totally okay by the way), while others want to be really involved.
Most birth partners want to help but may not know how! Below you will find a list of practical tips and ways your birth partner can support you on the day. These tips are broken down into stages for ease. (Download or print your FREE guide for birth partners here!)
Click this image to download your pregnancy + labour MP3!
THROUGHOUT ALL OF LABOUR
Remind them to use the toilet regularly, approx every hour. Emptying the bladder can assist with labour progression
Offer food + drink. Labour requires energy! Most people will continue drinking throughout all of labour but want less food as labour progresses.
Tell mom/parent that they are doing amazing! Remind them of their strength, that they are safe and they CAN get through each contraction, one at a time
EARLY LABOUR: this is the first stage of labOUr and often the most mild. Even if someone is giving birth in a hospital or birth cenTre, it is often beneficial to stay at home during this phase.
Help prioritize rest! Encourage a nap, bath, shower or help organise music/hypnobirthing tracks. If labour starts in the middle of the night (which is common), sleep, sleep, sleep!
Encourage activities that take the focus off labour- go for a short walk, watch a film you enjoy, cook/bake together, engage in intimacy (including sex, if waters have not released).
If any last minute items need to be packed or organised, help with this to keep stress levels low.
Organise the transfer to the hospital/birth centre or ring the midwife if a home birth
Download or print your FREE guide for birth partners below!
ACTIVE LABOUR: contractions will be increasing in intensity, length and frequency.
Do not interrupt during a contraction. Moms will often need to focus more inward during surges and may prefer silence. It is often easier to communicate during the breaks/rests between contractions.
Create the warm, cosy, safe space the birthing person needs. This often includes dimmed lighting, reducing noise + interruptions. Protect the birth bubble.
Keep mom comfortable. Use pillows, blankets, a peanut ball, fan (if it's hot), etc. to do so. Ask for a birth ball if needed.
Encourage change of position, approx every 45 min. Upright positions help labour progress and keep contractions effective. Remember UFO (upright, forward and open)
Counterpressure on back/hips, massage as needed (during or between contractions, as preferred)
Encourage slow, deep breathing and breathe WITH birthing person if needed
Organise hypnobirthing tracks and/or music
Help advocate for the birthing person and encourage BRAIN decision making
TRANSITION: this is the most intense part of laboUr and also the shortest!
Continue using BRAIN decision making and ensure mom is heard and her wishes respected
Continue promoting upright positions if possible. If mom has received an epidural, helping turn her from side to side every 30 minutes can help open the pelvis
Offer words of encouragement, reassurance and motivation- the end is near!
Aim to keep mom cool- many people will become warm and may start shaking (this is normal!)
Encourage breathing through the contractions and taking them one at a time. These surges tend to be more intense and you may need to breathe in sync with mom
PUSHING: Baby is on their way! All of the recommendations above, especially during transition, can be helpful now! The tips below may also help!
Warm compress on the perineum to reduce chance of tearing (if preferred)
Cool compress/towel on the forehead- pushing can be hard work!
Words of encouragement and motivation (You’re doing great! You are so strong! We will be meeting our baby soon!)
Help mom get into any position that feels best for pushing- being in an upright position can reduce the length of pushing, open the pelvis more, reduce the likelihood of episiotomy and tearing
Offer drinks frequently
Encourage mom to “let go” of each contraction and breathe between them. She can use these resting periods to regain strength and be ready for the next surge + time to push
Looking for antenatal education and/or hypnobirthing support to help you enter labour feeling confident and prepared for any path your birth may take? Get in touch with me to organise your virtual (Zoom) or in-person session!
