Everything your partner needs to know for game day
Partners have a huge role to play on “game day”. So to take the pressure off, I’m sharing my top tips for birth partners to ensure you feel like you’ve got your shit together and you’re ready to take on whatever happens on the day.
Do a drive-by of the hospital car park
There’s literally nothing worse than driving your partner to the hospital while they’re in labour only to realise you’ve taken the wrong turn and have not only ended up at the Children’s Hospital but that your car doesn’t fit in the carpark. It’s a literal disaster. So to ensure you know exactly where you’re going, I recommend doing a full run through from your house right up to the birth suite. This means you know the correct route, that your car DOES fit in the carpark (because you’ve left the truck at home), where to park and exactly how to get to the birth suites. If you feel confident with where you’re heading, mama can focus on getting through each surge rather than helping direct you.
Pack your own bag
It might sound simple, but you’d be suprised how many times I hear of partners rushing at the last minute to get their things together. Being organised with your things packed takes a load of stress off your partner who has probably (definitely) been thinking about the labour bag and baby bag for weeks now. When you pack your own bag, you know exactly where your things are and what you’ve brought, and don’t need to ask unnecessary questions while your partner is in labour.
Read the birth plan (again)
Chances are you spent a lot of time discussing the birth plan/preferences/map with your partner, but she has probably edited and changed things up. Taking a quick moment to read it through during early labour means the plan is fresh in your mind for when you arrive at hospital.
Redecorate like you own the place
When you walk into that birth suite (or home!), I want to see you redecorate that room like you own it. Fairy lights on, affirmations up, bed pushed to the side, curtains down, music on. We want the room to feel like its Valentine’s night: romantic, dark, sensual…. I know you know what I mean. WHY?! Because we need that oxytocin flowing after the big transfer from home to hospital.
Remember, it’s not rude to be assertive
Now that you’ve arrived at your birth place, you’re in the zone, the environment is perfect, this is your reminder that it’s time to body guard this space for your partner. You may have to advocate for your partner, decline procedures, or speak up for what you and your partner want. This is you reminder that being assertive or saying “no” doesn’t make you rude. You are there to hold the space for your partner, and protect the environment so that she can focus on each surge to bring your baby earthside.
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Want more support? I LOVE working with dads and birth partners… how about we spend 60 minutes together and deep dive on how you can be the BEST support person. Keen? Let’s do it.
