Ideas for birth helpers
- Encourage woman to drink. – water, other drinks eg juice (orange not generally in favour) or milk or other energy drinks. Good to have bendy straws
- Offer and prepare food in early stages of labour and with energy food/during as labour progresses
- Assist with baths or showering by directing water spray onto ‘sore’ bits’ if needed
- Wipe face and neck, shoulders with cool flannel as woman gets very hot in labour
- Clean up vomit if it occurs quickly (nicer – for you- to have a bowl handy)
- Remind woman to pee regularly
- Go walking with her (night or day) This can often bring some energy and resolve to a woman’s labour
- Organise cushions/pillows etc for comfortable positions
- Massage, often lower back, shoulders, down thighs, feet (may not be appreciated during a contraction)
- Stop chatting when contractions are on, and as labour intensifies become quieter, following woman’s own lead
- Take photos if wanted
- Keep self and others well fed and drinking regularly
- Clean own teeth regularly (long labours) and shower too to be fresh and recharge energy
- Look after other children if requested
- Manage relatives if requested to do so prior to labour
- Take phone calls if it rings during labour – be non-committal with labour info if you have not been asked by woman to provide it
- Provide never ending hot nappies if used
- Heat wheat packs or hot water bottles if wanted
- Offer ice to suck (may need to pop it is woman’s mouth)
- Hold hand
- Eye contact/focus point
- Create a birth story as time goes by (details get lost in a very quickly)
- Tactfully encourage anyone who is radiating fear or anxiety away from the birth place for a while
- Remain calm
- Continual emotional support, affirmation and encouragement
- Respect woman’s privacy (and couple’s at times)
- Express woman’s wishes (or remind her/them about past stance if she is able to make own case)
- Offer support to partner (reassuring word, touch/ hug etc)
- Encourage partner to take a breather or sleep if labour is slow
- Take time out yourself if labour is slow. You need to keep some energy up for the whole event
- Remember not to crowd the woman (you can take a back seat at times: don’t need 3 support people in bathroom for example)
- Keep alarm off your face (about birth noises or suggestions for labour management)
- Offer calm problem solving approach if woman (and partner) need to make decision about labour management. Give them private time to make decisions. Respect her/their decision