Antenatal Classes in Bingham and surrounding areas - Bingham Antenatal -Childbirth and Parenting Education in Bingham and surrounding areas

How to be a supportive birth partner #10

11/23/2016

#10 Be strong for her and your baby
Finally, yes, be strong. You have got this! You can do this! The midwives will be there to support you both also. Be strong, be confident!

Thank you for following this little series. I hope you've found it helpful. All these tips have been collected from new mothers and mothers-to-be. I've asked them what they've found / would find most supportive and useful and these were the top 10 answers (in a randomised order though). I am sure you can also come up with some of your own! Take care & be strong.

How to be a supportive birth partner #9

11/22/2016

#9 Reassure her.
Often all that is needed is a bit of reassurance. Being in labour and giving birth can be hard work and tiring. Reassuring words, eye contact and touch can help your partner to get through it all. You might also want to try some praise or affirmations such as "You are strong." or "You, our baby and your body can do this!"...

How to be a supportive birth partner #8

11/22/2016

#8 Support her choices.
It is important that your partner feels supported in her choices. It may be beneficial to discuss her choices and agree on few prior to going in to labour. Some women choose to write a birth plan, others prefer to write down just a few preferences. If you have strong believes or preferences around certain approaches or procedures, it may be worthwhile discussing these and write them down for future reference. Only if you are aware of her preferences and know what they are about you can support her in them.

How to be a supportive birth partner #7

11/21/2016

#7 Be assertive. Ask if you are not sure what is happening.
When making decisions, remember to ask your B.R.A.I.N.

What are the    Benefits?
What are the    Risks?
What are the    Alternatives?
What do my     Instincts tell me?
What if we do Nothing for a while?

How to be a supportive birth partner #6

11/20/2016

#6 You can do this!
Yes, you really can! Be confident, you've got this!

How to be a supportive birth partner #5

11/20/2016

#5 Give your partner your full attention!
Give her your full attention, notice when she's starting to get tense. Help her by breathing together, massage, eye contact etc.
Follow her lead! Remember #1 You know your partner best. You are confident and supportive.

How to be a supportive birth partner #4

11/19/2016

You are a very important part of the team!
Please be assured that you are a very important part of the birthing team.
Your partner will appreciate your help, so will your baby. A supportive birth partner will also make a midwife's or other health professional's job easier as usually a more relaxed mother will be more likely to experience a straight forward birth.

Childbirth Educators: These cards and a poster will be available to purchase from my website once the series on this blog is finished

How to be a supportive birth partner #3

11/18/2016

Look after yourself, too!
As a birth partner, you'll need to be well and comfortable, too. The better you feel, the better and more supportive you are going to be for your partner. Make sure you
* drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
* eat
* wear comfortable clothes
* go to the toilet regularly
* have a change of clothes in your bag

These are just a few things to keep yourself comfortable. You might also wish to think about your position and posture while you are possibly massaging your partner. Anything that will make you more comfortable will help your partner to feel more supported and comfortable, too.

Childbirth Educators: These cards and a poster will be available to purchase from my website once the series on this blog is finished

How to be a supportive birth partner #2

11/18/2016

Be calm and patient. That will help her to stay calm, too
When a mother is calm, her body will release Oxytocin more effectively.

What is Oxytocin? Oxytocin is the hormone which triggers her contractions and keeps them coming. Oxytocin is also known as the hormone of love. At the same time, a mother's body produces another hormone, prostaglandin, which helps softening the neck of your womb (the cervix) to help it to open up (dilate). This allows your baby to come through to be born. This is how a female body makes labour happen.

Her body does also produce its own painkillers, endorphins, to help her cope with labour. Endorphins not only reduce the pain she is feeling, they also reduce stress and make her feel good.

Unfortunately, fear upsets the amazing and complex process of labour. Fear, makes your body release another hormone, adrenaline. Adrenaline slows down the production of oxytocin. When a mother is feeling tense, her contractions are less efficient and she will feel more pain. Tension makes labour longer and more painful.
Being relaxed and calm is the key to coping with labour! A calm and patient birth partner is the key to help mum to stay calm!

Childbirth Educators: Please check out my website full of teaching activities, posters and banners.

How to be a supportive birth partner #1

11/17/2016

#1 Be confident! You know your partner best!
You are going to be a birth partner for your partner? Be confident! You know her best! You will know your partner better than anyone else in the birthing room. This should make you confident. You know when she is doing well, when she needs reassurance, when she is thirsty etc. Trust your instincts and your relationship. Listen to her, look at her closely and support her when she needs it. Follow her lead. The two of you will know best what is best for her, your baby and yourself.

Childbirth Educators: Please check out my website full of teaching activities, posters and banners.

Comfortable Upright Birth

Me

Mum of four, NCT Antenatal Teacher and Birth & Beyond Practitioner, Breastfeeding Peer Supporter.

I like baking and experimenting with food. Also I love starting (and usually not finishing) many crochet and knitting projects.

Married to a music addict, who writes his own songs for his band.

get £5 off your order at www.mama-tens.info please quote discount code JC1011

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