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Some of the toughest moments with which a mother begins her journey are the moments of labour pain and delivery. If the bulging belly, sleepless nights and swollen limbs were not enough, the ever-intensifying contractions and dilatation at the final stage sap all the energies from her body.
It is quite tough for the man as well to see his partner undergo the stress and pain of labour, but definitely, it is nothing compared to what the mother goes through. And that is why as a mother who has given birth to two beautiful children, I couldn’t help but pen down my thoughts about the great role that the daddies should fulfill as a birthing partner.
The duration of labour can be small or long, easy or difficult, depending upon individual circumstances. But one thing is for sure – it is difficult for us women to keep a tab of anything that is extraneous to the process of labour and birthing. And that is why the partners must take care of a few things that makes the mum comfortable and the experience a memorable one.
I truly wish I had chalked out these notes before so that I had more pleasant things to look back to, but I am sure, these tips will be of great help to you and your partner.
1. Capturing the Moments
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With all the stress and mayhem, you don’t expect a professional photoshoot, but it is a great idea to capture the moments of labour. The pain, the anticipation, the first setting of your baby’s appearance are some wonderful memories that you would cherish all your life. And there can’t be anybody better than the birthing partner to gather all those images of you and your baby.
2. Massages
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With all the strain that the body and muscles go through, a nice and warm massage or rub at the back is very comforting for the mother. It is also a great way to bond and be closer to each other, so that both the parents experience the birth in unison. It is a great tool for the daddy to make the mum feel assured and supported.
3. Storing on the Snacks
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You might have filled your hospital kit with all necessary stuff, but it is an excellent idea to keep some extra portions of snacks and ready-to-make meals handy. The daddies can plan out in advance and keep some surprise goodies for munching when the mum feels hungry between the meals. In case the hospital stay is longer, it will be even more useful.
4. Music for her Ears
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When the to-be-mum feels nervous and anxious with contractions and pain, the partner can play some soothing music to calm her down. Music is a great way to relax the mind and body and it will only make the mum so happy to see her partner going that extra mile to comfort her.
5. Planning a Special Hamper
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When the mum lies there exhausted and drained, some form of surprise from her partner can simply perk her up. A nice body shower, her favorite snacks or aromatherapy massage oils are only some of the ideas that make for a very thoughtful and a caring gesture. It not only makes her happy, but also de-stresses her and diverts her mind from the fatigue and weakness.
When the birth partner is considerate and pro-active, the birthing experience becomes smoother and easier for the mum. It is because she feels happy, secured and cared for. It will make their bond only stronger in an otherwise stressful period.
