Hey Birth Partners, what’s your plan?
This post is specifically for birth partners, pop this in your toolkit for when the time comes and you are supporting your partner / birthing person.
Giving birth is one of the most transformative experiences in life, and this is not only true for the person giving birth, it is also very true for the support person. You have a huge influence on the birth environment and the way your birthing person feels, your influence change completely shape the whole experience for you both (no pressure).
Here are some tips to help you prepare to support your birthing person:
Get involved in birth preparation and education. Do the courses, watch youtube videos, listen to podcasts, and read the books. Do ALL the things. Knowledge = Power for both the birthing person AND you. This is a short period of time investment from you that will significantly impact they way you are able to support the birthing person and you’ll feel 100% more confident with this under your belt.
Ask questions about their birth goals and how they want to feel during labour and birth, be curious. This is important so you are a - across her goals and b - able to advocate for her with her birth preferences in mind.
Practice the breathing techniques and other comfort methods they are wanting to try, this will help you to feel confident when supporting them in labour as these are some of the most important parts to remember.
Be prepared for things to change in labour, your birthing person might want you close and touching one minute, then as far away as possible the next. Don’t take it to heart, they are doing something HUGE here, just go with their flow and be responsive to their needs.
Use positive affirmations! Words of encouragement are KEY when supporting someone giving birth, you are their strength when they feel like they don’t have any left so lots of encouragement is important.
If you are reading this, you have already started your journey to being the best birth support person there is! The bond after this experience you have together will be incredible, take hold of it with both hands!