60 WAYS A LABOR PARTNER CAN HELP

by | Jan 15, 2018 | Birth You Desire Blog

60 WAYS A LABOR PARTNER CAN HELP

Do you know how many ways your partner can help you in labor?

In early labor, you can:

  1. Help her ignore it
  2. Encourage a nap
  3. Encourage her; say that she’s strong and ready
  4.  Make her tea or broth to drink
  5.  Make her something to eat
  6.  Go out to lunch, order dinner
  7.   Play cards or watch a movie with her
  8.   Suggest a shower
  9.   Help her remain calm, be calm yourself
  10.   Remind her to relax and focus

If she is having trouble keeping focus, you can:

  1.  Reassure and praise her
  2. Give her an object or picture to look at during contractions
  3. Remind her of the reason she’s here (baby)
  4.  Suggest a walk or position change
  5.  Ask extra people to leave the room
  6.  Place your hands on her face and breathe with her

If her belly hurts, you can:

  1.  Place a heated rice sock under her belly/on her pubic bone
  2.  Remind her to go to the bathroom often
  3.  Help her change positions
  4.   With a light touch, massage her lower belly and thighs
  5.   Get in the shower or bathtub

If she is having trouble relaxing you can:

  1.  Help her change positions
  2.  Place a hand over her hand and press firmly
  3.  Have her shake both hands in the air
  4.  Touch her, draw attention to her muscles and help her relax
  5.  Talk about a relaxing time
  6.  Play music that helps her relax
  7.  Read to her
  8.  Rub her back or apply a TENS unit 

If she is too hot, you can:

  1.   Wash her face and neck with a cool, wet cloth
  2.    Give her ice chips
  3.    Fan her face and body
  4.    Open a window

If her back hurts, you can:

  1.   Help her change positions
  2.   Put a warm cloth, heat pack, or TENS unit on her back
  3.   Get in the shower or bathtub
  4.   Put a cold cloth or ice pack on her back
  5.   Apply counter-pressure with hands or tennis ball
  6.   Sit back-to-back with her so your backs can press together
  7.   Have her lean against the hurt with her own fists
  8.   Help her stand and lean against the wall
  9.  Help her get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth

If her legs and arms shake, you can:

  1.   Remind her that this is normal
  2.   Hold her so she feels more in control
  3.   Use a soft touch or long, firm stroking on her legs and arms
  4.   Rub her feet and hands, curl her toes around your fist
  5.   Put a warm blanket on her

If her contractions stop, you can:

  1.   Help her change positions
  2.   Talk about her labor and any fears she is experiencing
  3.   Encourage rest and relaxation
  4.   Reassure her that they will start again
  5.   Help her with nipple stimulation
  6.   Kiss her
  7.   Tell her how strong she is
  8.   Make sure she’s drinking water
  9.   Suggest a hot shower
  10.   Help her take a walk
  11.    Rub her back
  12.   Take her outside
  13.   Make her laugh