In my experience, antenatal classes can be more important for the support person, as they are for the woman giving birth. From early in pregnancy the woman is reading, listening to podcasts, talking to friends, family and care providers. Whereas the partner often isn’t motivated to do this until well in to the third trimester of pregnancy. Birth Circle can help with this.
The support people play a really important role during labour in helping her feel strong and capable (or not!). They should think of themselves as the coach of someone doing a marathon – assessing how she is coping, ensuring she is hydrated and fed and most importantly, having utmost belief in her capacity to birth her baby and offering words of affirmation (if she likes it, as some women may prefer silence).
Here are some of our suggestions from the Birth Circle Information booklet. Attendees get to take home our A4 booklet, packed with information from pregnancy, labour, birth, breastfeeding, sleep, all the way through to introducing solids at 6months.
- Offer drinks frequently
- Remind her to wee if it’s been more than 2hours since the last one.
- If she is coping fine, maybe prepare a meal for once you are home (or even a birthday cake) and the baby is keeping you busy.
- Remind the hospital to prepare the pool/bath for your arrival.
- Ensure the heat packs remain hot
- Keep music playing and the essential oils going
- If she permits, encourage visualisations during contractions.
- Breathe together
- Massage/acupressure
- Apply iced washers to her forehead which can be soothing
- Assist with changing positions
- Assist with turning the TENS boost button on and off.
Come along to the unique and comprehensive antenatal class Birth Circle to receive the complete list of tips for the support person.
Abby.x
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