Birth partners help list

Birth is a wild ride, even if you're not the one giving birth it is important to be prepared. A birth partner being prepared and knowing how to support a mama during labour can significantly improve a birthing experience.

We have created a birth partner help list to help birthing partners prepare for labour so they can feel empowered with what they need to do and their important role when it comes time for the exciting big event.

You may want to go through this list prior to birth and add to it anything you would like your birth partner to do during labour.

Hot tip! Have your birth partner print out this list and keep a copy so they can refer back to it during the early stages of labour.

Good to know before birth:

• Early signs of labour
• Understand contractions and when it’s time to leave for the hospital
• Know how your partner would like to be supported during labour e.g massage, TENS machine, music, lighting
• Understand your partner's birthing preferences
• Breathing techniques
• Familiarise yourself with the birth plan (if mama is using one)
• Familiarise yourself with the hospital and know drop off location, where to park and location of the birthing suites

Tips to support Mama during labour:

• Try to do all the talking with the nurses so your partner can remain focused on labour
• Ensure the room is a comfortable temperature and lighting is dim
• Refill water and encourage your partner to take regular sips
• Offer easy to eat snacks when allowed
• Offer soft touch massage
• Go through suggested list of pain relief options that mama has opted for
• (e.g tens machine, hot shower, birth pool, acupressure)
• Play music from labour playlist
• Remind mama to breathe and guide through breathing techniques
• Tell her you’re proud of her
• Try to remain off your phone and focused on your labour

Birth partners hospital bag:

• Medicare cards/ private health details
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Bottle of water
• Phone charger
• Labour playlist downloaded on phone
• List of people to contact when baby arrives
• Most importantly, don’t forget to pack mama’s bag and baby bag in the car!