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NCT

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When mums are about to go through an event as life-changing and unknown as childbirth, it's no wonder that most of them want their partner, friend or close family member by their side.

But what's it like for the birth partner themselves? Mums can feel like they're doing the 'hard' bit (and yes, let's face it, they are!) but the huge contribution that birth partners make to their experience shouldn't be downplayed.

It's been shown that having a birth partner present at the birth can lead to a better birthing experience and can even make labour progress more quickly.

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What's it like being a birth partner? - NCT Matters

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When mums are about to go through an event as life-changing and unknown as childbirth, it's no wonder that most of them want their partner, friend or close family member by their side. But what's it like for the birth partner themselves? Mums can feel like they're doing the 'hard' bit (and yes, let's face it, they are!)

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Whether it's your partner, daughter or friend due to give birth, it's an honour to be asked to be a birth partner. Yet this exciting role can also be daunting. Here we discuss some top tips to help you get ready.

You'll find a whole number of ways you can help support the mum-to-be during labour (NHS Choices, 2017a). One place to start is by talking to them in advance about their expectations of you - ask them how they'd like you to support them. This will help you both feel more prepared ahead of the birth and confident in your role as birth partner (NHS Choices, 2017b).

Watch this video for tips on how to support your partner during labour.

1. Be prepared

Birth partners should be prepared and ready. The weeks around their due date are not a good time to book an impromptu holiday or be in a meeting with your mobile phone switched off.

Talk through their birth plan (if they have one) with the mum-to-be well in advance. Attending birth classes like an NCT course together can help you learn about what to expect in labour (Which? Birth Choice, 2018). Classes will also help you write a birth plan if you want one (Which? Birth Choice, 2018).

Ask your partner if there are any specific ways they would like you to support them during labour and the birth. Also ask about any no-go areas. And know your limits too - if there are bits of the birth you prefer not to get hands on with, make it clear beforehand. For example, let her know if you don't want to help cut the baby's umbilical cord.

If you're planning to use any new kit during labour like a TENS machine, make sure you test it out ahead of time and know how to use it.

2. Be there and know what she wants

The number one thing you can do for a woman in labour is be there as continuous support for them and help them with whatever they need at the time. Research has shown that having a familiar birth partner present throughout labour can help improve the birth experience (Bohren et al, 2017).

Whether that's simply being there to hold her hand, or offering moral support and bringing some positive energy to the room (NHS, 2017b). Try to talk about what emotional, physical and practical support she would like too. Help her write down a birth plan or talk through it if she would like to. That way, you know her preferred birth choices like the back of your hand.

3. Provide company

During the early stages of labour you can help keep her company, make sure she is comfortable and help pass the time together.

You might be able to go for a walk together in the early stages of labour, watch television, listen to music or read together.

You can assist with whatever helps the mum-to-be feel comfy. She might like you to help her to bath, you could fetch her some relaxing creature comforts, or give her a hand to keep moving.

You'll also need a break. Make sure you bring some snacks for you too and wear comfy clothes to keep yourself in top form (Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS, 2015).

4. Give her practical support

You can help in lots of practical ways. You could drive the mum-to-be to the hospital, carrying her hospital bag and helping her check into the birthing suite or hospital (NHS, 2017b).

When you get there, you could do things like helping her to move around the room and change positions. She might love you to give her a back rub or get her a cup of tea.

If she is planning a home birth you can help set up everything she needs at home, whether that's a birthing pool or somewhere comfy for the mum-to-be. On the day you could offer to get the mum-to-be a hot drink and make phone calls to keep family updated.

The key here is to discuss and plan in advance what practical support she would like you to provide.

5. Provide emotional support

As the mum-to-be's labour progresses and contractions get stronger you can be her rock, comforting and reassuring her. Simple gestures like holding or squeezing her hand and giving positive words of encouragement can really help.

6. Support her physically and take care of yourself

You can encourage the mum-to-be to keep active during labour and help her move about or change positions so she feels more comfortable (NHS, 2017b). You could also offer to massage her back and shoulders, wipe her face with a cold flannel, or simply give her a reassuring hug. You might also find you need to back off a bit if she needs space. Ask what she'd prefer.

To continue to support the mum-to-be well during labour, you also need to be on top form. You might be supporting and providing comfort to her for a long time. You may even find you haven't slept all night and are extremely tired.

So take time out if you need it - whether that's going for a quick toilet break, getting a hot drink or stepping out to make a phone call. Make sure you bring snacks and wear comfy clothes (Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS, 2015).

7. Listen to her

Try to really listen to what she needs on the day. It can be easier said than done but you will need to be intuitive and try and understand what she needs and when. Especially if she is in too much pain to express it well herself.

Be aware that her needs might change as her labour progresses. At times during labour, the mum-to-be might like emotional and physical support. Yet there might be other times when she would like to be left alone to help her focus.

8. Be confident, encourage and motivate

If you are upbeat and confident in a woman's ability to give birth, this will help encourage and support her.

Words are powerful. You can help your partner stay motivated during labour by offering words of encouragement. Tell her how much you love her, how well she is doing. Also respect her wishes if she asks you to be quiet.

Encourage her to use any relaxation and breathing techniques you have learnt, perhaps by doing them with her. She might not be able to see what is happening as the baby is being born. So help to motivate her by telling her what is happening and when you can see the baby's head.

9. Be an advocate

You might need to express the mum-to-be's needs to the midwife or doctor (NHS, 2017b). So help to explain to the health professional what she would like. You might also need to explain to her any new information from the health professionals.

Support the mum-to-be's decisions, even if they're different from what's in her birth plan. She might want to choose a different type of pain relief, for example.

10. Be flexible

Be prepared to be flexible. No two labours are the same and, although you can prepare, you will need to adapt to whatever is working or not working during labour. It's possible that everything will go to plan but you might also find that an urgent medical situation arises and alters the course of the labour.

If this happens, tell the mum-to-be what's happening if you can and continue to encourage and reassure her. This will help her feel more in control of the situation.

You might be waiting a long time for her labour to progress, or you may have to make quick decisions based on medical advice and her best interests. Be prepared to be flexible on the day and go with the flow.

Give yourself a pat on the back too

Being a birth partner can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Yet it can also be nerve wracking and emotionally draining.

As well as congratulating the mum-to-be on their new arrival, don't forget to take some time out for yourself afterwards and talk to a friend about it. Make sure you give yourself some recognition for the part you have played in the baby's birth too.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

Find out more about NCT Doulas and how they can during labour. NCT Doulas provide women, and their partners, with skilled physical and emotional assistance during labour. They have up-to-date knowledge and information about labour and birth and help provide encouragement to woman. This helps enable them to have the type of labour and birth they would like. NCT Doulas are qualified professionals who have completed a professional Doula UK course, developed by NCT in partnership with the University of Worcester.

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Whether it's your partner, daughter or friend due to give birth, it's an honour to be asked to be a birth partner. Yet this exciting role can also be daunting. Here we discuss some top tips to help you get ready. You'll find a whole number of ways you can help support the mum-to-be during labour (NHS Choices, 2017a).

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Giving birth is exciting, but not always straightforward. Your partner needs you there to help if decisions have to be made. Read on for some tips on how to make the right ones.

Will we be able to stick to our birth plan?

Labour and birth often don't go as expected. Try not to worry if you can't follow your birth plan exactly.

Perhaps the birth pool your partner has set her heart on is in use. Or maybe she ends up having an epidural when she thought she could manage with gas and air. Ultimately, what counts is that she and the new baby are happy and healthy.

Sometimes complications do arise and your medical team will have suggestions about how to proceed (NCCWCH 2007). It can be difficult to keep a level head when the pressure is on, especially when the wellbeing of your partner and baby are at stake.

Some people worry about being assertive or involving themselves in decision making. It's fine to make your views known, and helpful for your medical team.

Different healthcare professionals have different approaches. You and your partner have knowledge that they lack. After all, you know your partner best, and she knows better than anyone how she feels!

Usually, everyone wants the same result, but may have different ways of getting there. There are rarely absolute rights and wrongs.

What say do I have if there is an emergency?

When making a decision it is important that you have been given the information you need. You'll need time to take in the information and be sure that you understand it. Your medical team should involve and support you in making decisions (NCCWCH 2007), but sometimes it seems as if there is no time for discussion.

In this situation it can be helpful to ask: "Is this an emergency or do we have time to talk?" Another way to find out if the situation is urgent is to ask: "Is my partner OK? Is the baby OK?"

This will help you find out if the concerns are directly about your partner and baby or about something else, such as hospital policy or guidelines.

Decision making should be a team effort, although you and your partner have the final say (NCCWCH 2007). If this feels like a lot of responsibility, do tell your medical team. It is fine to acknowledge that you are upset or frightened. Being honest will help them support you and your partner.

How do I get the information I need?

There is a simple, easy-to-remember tool to help you make sound, informed decisions in even the most complicated situations. It is called Brain, which stands for:

Following the five Brain steps will help you get the right information, weigh up the pros and cons, and, finally, lead you to a decision you can be satisfied with.

Benefits: what are the benefits of this procedure?

First, make sure you understand what your medical team is proposing and why. Perhaps your partner is a week overdue and they are considering artificially starting labour?

Your midwife should explain that inducing labour reduces the tiny but slightly increased risk that you may lose your baby as the days tick by (NCCWCH 2008a, b). Your partner may also be fed up with pregnancy and welcome the chance to get on with having her baby (NCCWCH 2008b).

Risks: what are the risks of this procedure?

Most medical procedures have risks as well as benefits and you need to know what they are. For example, some methods of inducing labour (such as a membrane sweep) are uncomfortable (NCCWCH 2008b). Other methods, such as using synthetic hormones, may make contractions more severe and painful (NCCWCH 2007, NCCWCH 2008b).

There is also no guarantee these methods will work first time. They may have to be repeated. Also, despite being induced, your partner may still give birth to your baby by caesarean section.

You may also need to weigh up the pros and cons of an assisted birth. If your partner is becoming exhausted, your medical team may suggest using instruments such as forceps or ventouse to help your baby be born.

Both increase the likelihood of your partner suffering soreness and bruising afterwards (RCOG 2011). Your baby too may also have slight bruising on his face (RCOG 2011). However, bruises fade and serious injury to babies from forceps or ventouse is rare (RCOG 2011).

Alternatives: is there a choice of obstetric procedures?

Like everyone, midwives have their favourite ways of doing things, but these are rarely the only ways. If your baby is overdue, ask about the various methods of inducing labour, from a membrane sweep to synthetic hormones.

You may want to try an old-fashioned spicy curry followed by some gentle sex. But be warned. There's not much evidence of either of these working (Schaffir 2006, Tan et al 2006, 2007).

Similarly, when considering a caesarean section your partner may be offered the chance to try an assisted birth with a ventouse and an episiotomy first. If the assisted delivery doesn't work you have the back-up of a caesarean section. Although going through both could leave your partner feeling battered and bruised.

Instinct: what does your instinct tell you?

Pay attention to what your instincts are telling you. After all, you know your partner better than anyone else in the room. If you feel she is, for example, able to cope with the pushing stage for longer, then you should support her if she turns down an assisted birth.

But if you feel she is refusing forceps or ventouse simply because she always imagined having a totally natural birth then you should say so - tactfully!

Nothing: what happens if we do nothing?

Doing nothing can sometimes be justified. For example, if your baby is overdue, you and your partner may decide to wait a few days to see if nature will eventually take its course. The risk to your baby does rise, but only slightly. At 37 weeks of pregnancy, one in 3,000 babies is stillborn. This rises to four in 3,000 at 42 weeks (NCCWCH 2008a,b)

Doing nothing is rarely an option in a medical emergency. However, it is still worth asking your medical team "what happens if we do nothing?" as the answer may help to clarify your thoughts.

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How do you support your partner when making decisions during labour? Find out using our decision-making guide.

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Writing a birth plan and deciding about pain relief

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Writing a birth plan and deciding about pain relief

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Should we write a birth plan?

Well, you don't have to write a birth plan and it's not clear yet whether birth plans can actually improve your birth experience (Cook and Loomis, 2012; Mirghafourv and et al, 2019). But you might find birth planning gives you both a handy framework for talking about and thinking through what you'd like to happen during the labour and birth (Cook and Loomis, 2012; NHS, 2017).

It's helpful if birth partners are aware of the mum-to-be's preferences because as labour gets going she might not want to talk about the fine details. In fact, don't be too surprised if the mum-to-be actually stops talking as her hormones help labour to progress. She's concentrating on what her body needs to do (NHS, 2017).

Discussing your birth plan can help you feel more prepared and confident about entering the world of giving birth. That way you know you've done as much as you can to get ready. And birth partners can focus on supporting the mum-to-be and embracing the amazing experience of becoming a parent (RCM, 2018).

Are birth partners part of the birth plan?

Writing a birth plan is also a chance for birth partners to put down what they'd like their role during labour to be. See our article about what it's like for dads in labour and how birth partners can support labour for more ideas.

Birth plans will help birth partners in the thick of labour, as well as making the part they want to play clear to the midwife. The idea is that the midwife will then be able to help them fulfil this role. This can help birth partners feel more included in the birth (Machin, 2018).

What should the birth plan include?

The plan can cover:

the place of birth

who will be with the mum-to-be

what role the birth partner would like to play

mobility during labour

coping strategies, such as birth positions, massage and breathing that you may have practised as a couple in antenatal classes

pain relief

what to do if intervention is required

who will hold the baby and cut the cord

breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact

whether you want your baby to have the vitamin K injection.

You could also talk about your plans with friends and relatives and get tips from them as well as your midwives and doctors (Cook and Loomis, 2012).

It's worth considering all the nitty-gritty choices you'll both have to make in advance, as labour can progress quickly.

Good questions the birth partner might like to think through beforehand could include:

Do they want to take an active role, for example cutting the cord?

How much do they want to see 'down there'?

Do they also want skin-to-skin contact with your baby after they're born?

How else can we prepare ourselves for the birth?

You might find it helpful to go on an NCT antenatal course to meet other local parents-to-be and to help prepare you for your baby's arrival. A course will help you to think about:

what happens in labour

the role of the birth partner

options for pain management

communicating with your caregivers in labour

making decisions and understanding when more support might be needed during birth

practising birth positions

relaxation strategies in different birthing scenarios

looking after and feeding a newborn

how your lifestyle might change in the early days of parenting.

(Birth Trauma Association, 2019)

You might also want to consider alternative choices for your next birth if you experienced a difficult birth last time (Ayers et al, 2006).

How do we write a birth plan?

Some midwives or hospitals have a birth plan template that can help get you started. The NHS has a useful template you can download here

Unless you're using a template, try and keep your birth plan to a single sheet of A4, typed in a large font to make it easy to read. The midwife present when the mum-to-be goes into labour might not be the one you've seen before, so try to keep the birth plan simple.

Attach one copy of the plan to the maternity records and have a copy for yourself and one for the midwife.

The important thing to remember is that a birth plan is not set in stone. Things may happen during labour that you hadn't planned for, so it's good to be flexible. You should also both feel you can change your mind as labour progresses.

How birth partners can help to prepare for a home birth

A growing number of parents are choosing to give birth at home. Planned home births are safe for healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy; they're also relatively straightforward to organise (Broklehurst et al, 2011).

Your midwife will talk you both through what you need to do to prepare. As birth partners might be on home turf, they can help with lots of things at a home birth. These could be to:

arrange soft lighting and music

find some plastic sheeting to protect furniture or carpets

get a bucket or bowl for the placenta

keep the birth pack the midwife provides at around week 36 somewhere handy; it'll contain sheets, pads and items the mum-to-be might need

have a trial run at assembling and filling your birth pool beforehand if you're using one

pack an emergency bag and have it ready in case you need to go to hospital.

(Homebirth, 2008)

Various methods of pain relief to consider

An important point to include on your birth plan is what, if any, pain relief the mum-to-be plans to take. Many women use self-help methods to help them cope during labour, such as hypnobirthing. You might also want to discuss the medical options available, such as Entonox, remifentanyl, opioids, epidurals, TENS and sterile water injections.

Mums-to-be might change their wishes during labour and may want to try pain relief. So you could find that things change from what you've requested on your birth plan.

While the best laid plans can change during the birth, it is still a great idea to write a birth plan. A little thought, research and a good chat can help you both feel prepared for what happens during labour and birth.
This page was last reviewed in May 2019.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby

Ayers S, Claypool J, Eagle A. (2006) What happens after a difficult birth? Postnatal debriefing services. British Journal of Midwifery. 14(3):157-161. Available at: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/2023/6/What_happens_after_a_diff... [Accessed 14th January 2019]

Birth Trauma Association. (2019) Supporting parents with birth trauma. Available at: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/for-health-professional/suppo... 14th January 2019]

Brocklehurst P, Hardy P, Hollowell J, Linsell L, Macfarlane A, McCourt C, Marlow N, Miller A, Newburn M, Petrou S, Puddicombe D, Redshaw M, Rowe R, Sandall J, Silverton L, Stewart M; Birthplace in England Collaborative Group. (2011) Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study, BMJ BMJ. 343:d7400. Available at: https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7400 [Accessed 1st July 2018]

Cook K, Loomis C. (2012) The impact of choice and control on women's childbirth experiences. The Journal of perinatal education. 21(3):158-168. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3392605/ [Accessed 14th January 2019]

Homebirth. (2008) Homebirth equipment list. Available at: http://www.homebirth.org.uk/list.htm [Accessed 1st July 2018]

Machin AJ. (2018) The life of dad: the making of the modern father. Simon & Schuster, London.

Mirghafourvand M, Charandabi S, Ghanbari-Homavi S, Jahangiry L, Nahaee J, Hadian T. (2019) Effect of birth plans on childbirth experience: a systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 25(4). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30675962 [Accessed 20th August 2019]

Obstetric Anaesthetists Association. (2016) Pain relief comparison chart. Available at: http://www.labourpains.com/assets/_managed/cms/files/InfoforMothers/Pai... [Accessed 1st July 2018]

NHS. (2017) Tips for your birth partner. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/families [Accessed 1st July 2018]

RCM. (2018) Reaching out, involving fathers in maternity care. The Royal College of Midwives, London.

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Writing a birth plan and deciding about pain relief

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Well, you don't have to write a birth plan and it's not clear yet whether birth plans can actually improve your birth experience (Cook and Loomis, 2012; Mirghafourv and et al, 2019). But you might find birth planning gives you both a handy framework for talking about and thinking through what you'd like to happen during the labour and birth (Cook and Loomis, 2012; NHS, 2017).

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Birthing partner information - caesarean birth

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Birthing partner information - caesarean birth

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Togel Hongkong - Togel Singapore - Togel Sidney - Keluaran SDY - Pengeluaran SGP - Data HK Hari Ini

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Togel Hongkong - Togel Singapore - Togel Sidney - Keluaran SDY - Pengeluaran SGP - Data HK Hari Ini

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Togel Hongkong - Togel Singapore - Togel Sidney - Keluaran SDY - Pengeluaran SGP - Data HK Hari Ini

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Togel Hongkong Togel Singapore Togel Sidney merupakan pasaran togel hari ini, dimana memiliki keluaran sdy, pengeluaran sgp dan data hk hari ini terlengkap.

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Fathers during pregnancy and at the birth in the UK

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Birthing4Blokes supports you to be the very best that you can be
on the day that she gives birth to your baby.

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The risks of not breastfeeding
A lot that you and you partner have about breastfeeding, will give you this information, but they will emphasis the benefits for breastfeeding rather than talk about the risks of not doing so. I say that breastfeeding is the way we have evolved over millions of years to feed our babies, and that anything else is a risk. Some people find this way of looking at it uncomfortable, but if you read around it I think you'll see it makes sense. Remember we are mammals, and have been for millions of years. All mammals feed their young milk from breasts or teats. The word mammal actually means that the animal has a mammary gland to produce milk.
The use of artificial formula is a very very recent phenomenon, and is not as safe as you might think. For one thing, babies fed on 'modern' formula (since, say, the 1970s) are not even in middle age yet.

No long- term studies have been done. What we do know is that artificial formula changes the body: it alters a baby's gut (breastfed babies' poo is yellow and smells milky, while that of formula fed babies is browner and smellier, more like adult poo) and immune system, making babies more vulnerable to infections. The immune protection that your partners
breastmilk provides cannot be underestimated.

Breastfeeding has served us as a species for millions of years of successful evolution, and probably has many more effects on the body than we currently know about - and we know about a lot. If you read about it, or Google the benefits of breastfeeding, you will probably be overwhelmed! Artificial formula can never come close to matching the living fluid that your partners breasts will produce.

Having said all this, her choice regarding how you feed your baby is sovereign, and supporting her choices is your role, sharing your opinions but understanding that whatever conclusions you come to are the right ones for you and your family.

The risks to your baby (and partner) from not breastfeeding:

The risks of not breastfeeding for the mother:

Any breastfeeding will protect your lover and your baby from these risks, and the longer she breastfeeds for, the longer the protection will last.

Where to get breastfeeding support

In most hospitals the midwives will be able to help your partner and your baby get breastfeeding started. There are infant feeding advisors on staff if you need more help.

In some hospitals there are maternity assistants or volunteer peer supporters on post-natal wards who can also offer support. If you give birth at home, or once you come home from hospital, community midwives will visit or offer clinics in the early days.

Then you'll be allocated a health visitor, who should be able to direct you to breastfeeding groups or peer supporters in the community. Peer supporters are other mothers who've breastfed their own children, who've had additional training in supporting breastfeeding.

They can offer understanding and support and help with minor challenges, such as poor attachment/'latch', and they can signpost you to more help for other difficulties. They often run breastfeeding groups where your lover can meet other mothers with new babies, which can be very reassuring.

There's also a national breastfeeding helpline staffed by trained breastfeeding counsellors, and organisations like La Leche League, the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and the Breastfeeding Network which run support groups, online discussion groups and Facebook pages and offer great information on their websites. Details of them all are at the back
of the book. There's bound to be something in your area. If your partner is finding breastfeeding challenging, you can help her to access the support she needs.

Copyright 2017 by Birthing4Blokes.

Get the Free E-book 'A Man's Guide to Sex & Intimacy in Pregnancy'

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Supporting your partners breastfeeding choices

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A lot that you and you partner have about breastfeeding, will give you this information, but they will emphasis the benefits for breastfeeding rather than talk about the risks of not doing so. I say that breastfeeding is the way we have evolved over millions of years to feed our babies, and that anything else is a risk.

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Support during labour and birth

Whoever your birth partner is - the baby's parent, a close friend, partner, or a relative - there are many practical things they can do to help you.

The most important thing your birth partner can do is just be with you.

Talk to your birth partner about the type of birth you'd like and the things you prefer not to do so they can help support your decisions. It can help to go through your birth plan together.

There's no way of knowing what your labour is going to be like or how each of you will cope, but there are many ways a partner can help.

Whatever kind of birth you're planning for, your birth partner can:

keep you company and help pass the time during the early stages

hold your hand, wipe your face and give you sips of water

massage your back and shoulders, and help you move about or change position

comfort you as your labour progresses and your contractions get stronger

remind you how to use relaxation and breathing techniques, perhaps breathing with you if it helps

support your decisions, such as the pain relief you choose, even if they're different from what's in your birth plan

help you explain to the midwife or doctor what you need - and help them communicate with you - which can help you feel more in control of the situation

tell you what's happening as your baby is being born if you cannot see what's going on

Your birth partner may be able to cut the umbilical cord - you can talk to your midwife about this.

You can also read about feelings and relationships in pregnancy, including worries about the birth and sex in pregnancy.

Make sure you and your birth partner both know what to pack for the birth, and what to expect at the hospital or maternity unit if you're planning to have your baby there.

Find maternity services near you.
Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Whoever your birth partner is - the baby's parent, a close friend, partner, or a relative - there are many practical things they can do to help you. The most important thing your birth partner can do is just be with you.