The perfect birth partner

Labour, is considered by many an ‘out-of-this-world experience. The pain is often inexplicably coupled with the immense desire to do all it takes to meet that wonderful person who has been growing inside of you. That aside, a mother in labor needs support. This she should get from doctors, nurses, midwives, and her loved ones.

The importance of support is to make the laboring mother feel loved and cared for in the otherwise trying moment. From her loved ones, physical presence is not adequate.

She needs both the physical magic of touch and emotional encouragement. You may be saying you don’t know just how to do that. Most of the time, the laboring mum will tell you how. This varies from one culture to another.

The supportive companion may maintain eye contact for reassurance, walk with her and hold her hand. If you are the companion, be acquainted with the facts and processes of labor. Praise her for every labor stage she goes through and give her lots of encouragement.

Every woman has a right to choose her primary source of social support in labor. The medical team is to respect her choice and provide additional appropriate help should the birth partner fall short. Isolation from loved ones and only being surrounded by strangers, that is, the midwives, doctors, and other medical personnel also induces the stress of labor, Partners supporting women in labor are expected to reinforce what they learned in childbirth classes; such as gently rubbing her back when she; requests it, breathing in her rhythm, squeezing her hand as with audible encouragement when the labour pangs happen, not being shy about saying ‘PUSH’ among others.

The environment in which the birth takes place also counts. The stress brought about by labor, insertion of intravenous fluids, food restrictions, and requirement to shave pubic area, enemas, epidural anesthetic, and vaginal examinations among others can be heightened by noisy activity which more often than not takes her fear, pain, and anxiety to another level.

For the medical team, their support includes continuous presence, using encouraging vocabulary-such as telling the laboring mother of a mishap, answering her questions with optimism, praising her for cooperating, and urging her encouragingly when she behaves as though she is giving up.

When a laboring woman experiences your ideal support, the fear that causes many of them to bawl for cesarean section will be greatly reduced if not totally done away with.

Picking the ideal birth partner

Calm – So that he or she can be able to handle you and your reactions without taking things you say, in the midst of labor pains, personally.

Informed – He/she should at least be knowledgeable in helping you cope, for example, has gone through Lamaze classes with you.

Spokesperson – Ideally, your birth partner should speak up for you to inform the medical team of your wishes.

Have been there – with someone who has been through childbirth, particularly more than once, you are assured of a companion who knows how to cope with an experience like the one you are about to delve into.

Cheerful – An enthusiastic birth partner will help keep your spirit up as you await your bundle of joy.

A good medical team member

Dedicated – to give continuous care to the mother from the time she is admitted in the care of the team up to when she leaves safely with a healthy baby.

Patient –to handle the mother’s needs without being Irritable even when she does not follow instructions as expected.

Professional – They should be trained in the highest standard of mother and childcare, and have enough practice in the same field.

END: PG30/44