Tag: birth partner prep

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Birth Partner Do’s and Don’ts

Birth Partner do's and don'ts

You are going to be a birth partner? Here are some Birth Partner Do’s and Don’ts! Well do’s really. You’ll get the don’ts from looking at them!

To be a supportive, confident and well-informed birth partner try the following:

  • Attending childbirth preparation classes with your partner will help with your understanding of what is going on and what she is talking about. There is also some new vocabulary you may wish to learn.
  • Be available by phone, especially closer to the due date.
  • Have your own hospital or homebirth bag including: change of clothes, swimming trunks to wear in the birthing pool, your own drinks and snacks (please don’t drink/eat hers!) and maybe some comfortable shoes or slippers.
  • Make sure you know how to fit the car seat and keep it in the car.
  • Be familiar with the route to the hospital or birth unit and that your car is filled up with petrol regularly.
  • Make sure you know where her maternity notes are.
  • Discuss who to tell and when to tell them that your baby was born. Make a list of contact details.
  • Make sure your camera is charged and the memory card is empty or a new film is in it – maybe have it ready in your bag!
  • Support your partner where you can and try to take over some tasks like shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning to give her some time to rest before and after the birth of you baby.
  • Make sure that you know and understand your partner’s wishes in her birth plan and add your wishes, too. Or even better: write the birth plan together!
  • If this is not your first baby or you have pets, make sure you know who will look after the older one(s) / pets and how to contact them.
  • If it is not your first baby, wherever you can, take over looking after / entertaining the older one(s) to give mum a break before and after the birth.
  • To practice for labour and birth offer a massage and / or slow dance twice a week before the birth of your baby.  Use these techniques during labour to make your partner more comfortable.
  • Practice some affirmations with your partner. You can download free affirmations here and there are some examples below! Alternatively, you can purchase and download some mp3s here.
positive birth affirmations
positive birth affirmations
positive birth affirmations
positive birth affirmations
positive birth affirmations

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I hope you find these ideas useful. If you have already been a birth partner, share with us what worked for you and your partner. We’d love to know!

My Birth Preparation Course (online) is for Birth Partners, too!

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enroll now
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The role of the birth partner

role of the birth partner at a caesarean birth

The role of the birth partner includes many different ‘hats’. But it could be as simple as being there… The key is the partner’s presence. Being there in the moment, being the guardian of oxytocin, the birth keeper, the advocate. Your role will be led by the birthing mother/person who you are supporting.

Who can be a birth partner?

A birth partner could be the father or other parent of the baby, the pregnant woman’s/person’s partner, a friend, a family member or a professional birth partner such as a doula.

What does the birth partner’s role include?

During the birth, the role of the birth partner may include:

  • offering massages
  • reading hypnobirthing scripts
  • advocating for the birthing mother/person
  • reminding to go to the loo
  • keeping the birthing woman/person hydrated and engergized
  • supporting words and touch
  • protecting the birthing space
  • ….

Here is a great example of a birth partner advocating for the birthing woman’s options:

How can I prepare for the role of the birth partner?
  • Have a discussion with the pregnant mother/person about their wishes and birth preferences.
  • Plan the route to hospital/birth centre and which entrance to use at different times of the day or night – although google maps timings are pretty accurate
  • Know where the birth bag is
  • Familiarise yourself with the contents of the birth bag aka hospital bag, maybe get involved in packing it, so that you can find things quickly if you need them
  • Think about ideas how to time contractions without a watch/clock – watching the clock may create unwanted tension in the mother’s/birthing persons’ mind and body. Be creative!
    • I’ve seen families watching a series with approx. 30 minute-length episodes and they’d count how many contractions they had in 30/60 minutes.
    • Others had a 30/60 minute playlist and would count the number of contraction waves they had during that time.
  • You may need to speak to the health care professionals during the birth, if the person you are supporting cannot. Knowing the birth plan/birth preferences and being able to communicate wishes and symptoms clearly is beneficial
  • Look after your own needs, too. You can only support others when you are well and comfortable. The birth may take quite some time, so bring spare clothes and refreshments for yourself, too.
  • Bring a charger for your phone so that you are able to contact your family and friends when you need to (if that is what you have decided/agreed to do).
  • Most vending machines and car parks accept contactless payments now or you can pay by phone. You may not need loose change, but you may wish to check with your local hospital/chosen birth place.
  • Join the pregnant mother/person for their antenatal appointments and childbirth classes
  • I also offer live virtual birth partner workshops, where we look at different practical support options and practice movement, massage and breathing techniques. A workshop for you both to attend, to work together as a family/team.
  • Do your research about options, procedures and birth.

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enroll now