Tips for partners when preparing for childbirth

Childbirth is a huge, life-changing event for families. Preparation often focuses on preparing the birthing parent for labor and birth. This can leave partners wondering about what their role will look like. How can they be supportive and an effective birth partner?

Labor can be intense; it’s called labor for a reason! For a partner, it can also be hard to see your loved one in physical pain, and it can be even scarier if you weren’t expecting it. Taking childbirth education classes can help partners gain insight on what to expect, what’s normal and how they can help. For instance, the Bradley method is designed with partners in mind and focuses on using teamwork to get through labor.

Having a doula is also a great step in preparing partners for childbirth. A good doula has seen it all before and can guide both the laboring person and the partner through the process.

Midwives also practice informed choice and explain what is happening throughout labor so both the laboring person and their partner feel respected and heard.

In the postpartum period, the birthing person will most likely be busy feeding the baby. Sometimes this task can get divided up amongst the family, but in