The use of water for labour and birth The Benefits: Contractions will be less painful No side effects on baby or mum The warm water helps you to relax Being relaxed helps your body to produce more endorphins (natural pain killers) Being relaxed helps your body to produce more oxytocin (makes your contractions more efficient)… Continue reading Planning a Waterbirth (at Home?)
If you were lucky enough to delve between lines of this blog last week, you may remember the challenge I set myself persuading a sceptical Mr Hubby of the values of re-usable nappies. Persuading the hubby can sometimes be like riding a bike uphill in a stiff wind, but just like the equally stiff wind… Continue reading Persuading the Hubby: Waterbirth in the kitchen by Lara Robinson
#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… Continue reading How to be a supportive birth partner #10
#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… Continue reading How to be a supportive birth partner #8
#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.
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… Continue reading How to be a supportive birth partner #4
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… Continue reading How to be a supportive birth partner #3
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… Continue reading How to be a supportive Birth Partner #2
Distraction Find some distractions in the early stages, such as a book, music, etc. Waiting for contractions creates tension. So cover up your clocks and watches and get distracted by something 🙂 This is the final post of the series. Thank you for reading and following!
Being Assertive - Making Decisions When making decisions, ask What are the Benefits? What are the Risks? What do my Instincts tell me? What are the Alternatives? What if we do Nothing for a while? Use the acronym BRIAN (or BRAIN).
