Tips for Your Birthing Partner
It probably will feel funny to say these out loud now, but if you practice now it will feel more natural during birth. Reading them out loud while imagining labor may make it less awkward.
Help her remember to:
- Relax during your contractions. Relaxation allows the cervix to open more quickly. It relieves pain. It also keeps energy/calories focused on the uterus, not other muscles.
- Focus on one contraction at a time. She may feel overwhelmed at the thought of finishing labor and pushing the baby out - she doesn't have to finish now, she only needs to do this one contraction. Even if this one is long, there will be a break soon.
- Release fear. Fear makes your cervix dilate slowly.
Things you could say:
- I love you.
- I’m here. I’m going to stay with you.
- We’ll see this through together.
- You only need to make it through this contraction.
- I believe in you. You are working so hard. I am so proud of you.
- Don’t be afraid of the intensity. Remember to let your breath go through – let it go through. Just breathe it through.
- Your body is working perfectly. You are strong and able to birth your baby.
- Your body is made to give birth.
- The contraction will peak….breath through the peak….and see it subside.
- As you feel their intensity relax yourself – the more intense, the more you relax.
Things you can do:
- Massage lower back, especially over her sacrum
- Massage shoulders
- Hold her hand
- Stroke her hair or face
- Cool cloth or warm compress on her forehead or neck
- Rub her legs and feet