Support During Birth  

 

 

 

 

Women who are supported during labour need fewer pain-killers, experience fewer interventions and give birth to stronger babies. After their babies are born, supported women feel better about themselves and their babies. So you should consider a birth partner

  • you feel completely relaxed and comfortable with
  • who knows what's involved and ideally will go to antenatal classes with you
  • you can trust to be able to communicate your needs to your medical carers
  • who will be able to cope and with everything that happens
  • who want to be there.

A birth partner should make sure that

  • the mother is changing her position regularly and moving about
  • is going to the toilet every hour
  • is as relaxed as possible
  • is breathing evenly and not gasping
  • is making the most of the break between contractions to rest and refresh herself?

Remember to give her constant encouragement and reassurance and don't forget your own needs:

  • remember to eat and drink
  • wear loose comfortable clothing
  • stay as relaxed as possible
  • take a break if necessary
Your Partner  
 

Many women like to have their partner with them at the birth. In some cultures, fathers are not allowed in the delivery room. Only in places where men and women share their lives together intimately as partners can they comfortably share the experience of childbirth.

Most men say that they need to be there and some wouldn't want to miss it for the world. "A Fathers' Survey published by the NCT in 2000 found that 96% of men who answered the survey had been with their partners during childbirth and more than two thirds said the birth was emotional, exciting and wonderful. However, the same proportion were frustrated that they were unable to help when their partner was in pain and a quarter said they had only felt fully informed about what was going on some of the time." (NCT web site). Many fathers wish to support their partners and want to be involved in their baby's birth. However if your partner feels uncomfortable about it, it's probably better for both of you if you choose someone else.

Friend or Mother  
  Your mother may be a good choice of birth partner if you are close. She also has the advantage of having experienced labour herself. However, you may feel that your mother is the last person you want with you when you give birth! Some women might prefer to ask a friend who they can really trust. Your sister or a friend may be able to relate to you and understand your needs, especially if she has given birth herself. However, preparation is vital if your birth partner is to feel confident helping you through the birth.
Your Midwife  
  Your midwife will be with you during labour, but if you give birth in hospital she may be looking after other women as well and the chances are that you won't have met her before the birth. One of the recommendations of Changing Childbirth, (the Department of Health's maternity services report of 1993) was that 'within five years 75% of women should be be cared for in labour by a midwife whom they have come to know during pregnancy'. But this is not yet reality. There are ways of finding a midwife you know to support you in laboursuch as having your baby at home. Although it can't be guaranteed, one of the advantages of booking a home birth is that you are more likely to be cared for in pregnancy by a midwife you are familiar with.
A Doula  
 

"Doula" is a Greek word meaning 'a woman who gives another woman help and assistance'. It has now come to mean a birth attendant who is hired to give hands-on emotional support and encouragement through labour and childbirth, using touch - such as massage in early labour or help with positioning during late-stage labour plus eye-contact and comforting words throughout.

Birth and Bonding International keep a register of doulas and can give you information if you send an s.a.e. and covering letter to: Birth and Bonding International, 60 Nottingham Road, Belper, DE56 1JH.