Tips For Birth Partners!

Hi birth partner!

So let's be real, unless you are the most chilled out person in the world, you're probably going to experience a myriad of emotions for most of the labour. It's not nice seeing someone you love in so much pain. It's also very nerve-racking as you don't really know what to expect, no matter how many books you read or classes you went to, I'm not entirely sure you can ever really be ready. Neither of you probably will be, especially if this is your first baby.

Here's the top tips for being a great birth partner:

Support, support, support.

If your partner has a birth plan, discuss it much earlier on so you both know what it is. Talk to your partner before the labour so you know exactly what to say when the nurses and doctors ask, especially if she can't answer for herself. Be ready to take charge. When your partner is going through something like this, she may be very overwhelmed and may not be able to make the harder decisions without your help.

Be aware and be present. Don't sit on your phone scrolling through Facebook and offer to show her the funny video you just watched about cats. Keep an eye on her body language and watch her for signals. It's very reassuring to have someone calm with you when you are going through something unpleasant, so if you see a contraction happening or you see her begin to get anxious and fearful, help her to calm down in whatever way she needs.

Learn to time contractions. There's a bunch of apps you can download, or alternatively you can use the stopwatch on your mobile and make notes. What you need to remember is:
When did the contractions start
How far apart are the contractions
How long does each one last

Care for yourself. No one wants to ask ''where's (your name)'' and see you passed out on the floor because you have forgotten to eat or drink anything for hours. Make sure you are on top of your needs. There will be a lot of waiting, so in between, make sure you grab something to eat and drink, or bring it with you from home so you can access it easily without having to go anywhere. Get some fresh air if you need it, go for a walk. A good birth partner is a relaxed birth partner.

Keep calm. Be prepared to experience some really full on stuff. Not all birth stories are horror stories, and we always hope for an easy, beautiful labour. But be prepared there may be blood, screaming, pain, tears, frustration and even aggression. If you feel like you need a second to regain composure, go outside, take some deep breaths or go for a walk. After the labour, be prepared that you are about to meet your little person for the first time and you will probably feel a lot of emotions you've never felt before. It will be a complete rollercoaster ride!

Don't take anything personally. If your partner flips out - it's got nothing to do with you, it's completely situation. She won't even remember saying anything, so neither should you. She may want you to massage her lower back for one second, then scream and you to stop, then scream at you for stopping. There's no right or wrong, just attend to her every need. If there's any time for your partner to be a complete psycho, this is it. And if there's any time for you to deal with it with a smile on your face, this is definitely it.

Don't forget the bags!
You may also want to pack a few things for yourself.
- Snacks
- Camera
- Drinks
- Change of clothes
- Coins for parking
- Toiletries 

This will be one of the most amazing things you will probably ever experience. This post isn't meant to scare you away - it's meant to prepare you so you aren't in shock!