Labour is a big moment in your life, months go by thinking about this moment, preparing your home, preparing yourself. There are many courses, classes, and articles that you can complete/read in preparation for labour. But nothing can really prepare you until you are in the moment.
This blog post is for the birthing partners out there, the ones who will be in the room with you, your support person who just wants to know how to help more. To hopefully help you feel more prepared for what’s ahead. This blog will contain some ideas and some conversation starters about how you can support one another in this time of your lives.
The contents from today’s blog are a culmination of advice other mums and women have put together to help each other. There are many ways to show your support, and this is by no means an exhaustive list. I only offer some examples that have been shared before by others to start a conversation.
Know and Share the Birth Plan
It is a great idea for both of you to understand what’s going to happen in the birthing suites. For example:
- What pain medications would your partner like to use?
- What type of birth would they like to have, vaginal or caesarean?
- How long would they like to try for a vaginal birth before moving to a different option?
- What’s the back-up plan if plan A isn’t possible?
- Would they like to use instruments like forceps or suction? Or do they want to avoid these options?
Your partner may not be able to answer questions from midwives or obstetricians so as their support person you may have to help advocate for your partner. Therefore, knowing their birth plan can help ease any stress from unexpected or unplanned delivery moments.
What Does Support Look Like to Your Partner?
Everyone appreciates support in different ways, for some women, they might want you to be there every step of the way, telling them when to breathe, when to push, offering words of encouragement. Other women may want absolute silence, not be told what to do, to just feel their body and know that you are there is enough. Some may want you to have hands on contact, others may not want to be touched and have hands off altogether.
This is an important conversation to have and understand on both ends because what you think is supportive to your labouring partner may be completely different to their idea of support in the delivery room.
Go to the Classes
There are many different types of birthing classes available to the public. The more educated you are, the better decisions you can make as a pair. Everything from basic knowledge of labour stages, birthing positions and how to care for yourself and your little ones post birth. Knowing relaxation techniques and how they can be implemented may assist your partner during delivery.
Understanding what the Recovery Postnatal Period Will Look Like
Delivery is not easy on the body, your partner is going to need some time to recover. From a women’s health physiotherapist perspective, we recommend our new mums take at least the first 6 weeks to recover. This looks like: limited exercise, walking within pain limits, avoiding any abdominal crunching. As a new mum they may not be able to help out around the house as they did before delivery. Meal prepping can be helpful prior to delivery and having a support system in place will make this transition phase a little easier.
There are many ways to support your partner that have not been discussed in this blog! And there is no right or wrong way. I have added some amazing businesses that can help you and your partner during your pregnancy journey.
Hypnobirthing
Quay and Co
IG @quayandco.community
Midwife/Birth Coach
Steph Oliver Positive Birth Initiative
IG @positivebirthinitiative
Build your Village – Cece can help you with meal prepping, organising the home and more…
Mama’s Hands
IG @mamashandsgc
Recovery
BumpFitness Women’s Health Physiotherapy
IG @bumpfitnessau
Until next time!
Courtney