𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 & 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝: 𝐃𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞 & 𝐃𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐚

 

Pregnancy and childbirth are the life changing experiences in a woman’s life. Research shows that when a mother receives continuous support during labor it leads to less medical interventions, improves pregnancy and newborn outcome and increases satisfaction.

The role of a supportive partner starts even before pregnancy to provide emotional support & lower anxiety levels. Support person can be husband or carer and can help by reading baby or pregnancy books or going for antenatal classes etc.

 

1. Who can give support to mother during pregnancy, labor and birth?

 Can be baby’s father, boyfriend/girlfriend, mother, mother-in-law, doctor, nurse or midwife or a doula

2. When does the role of the support person start?

 The role of the birth partner starts before pregnancy

During the course of pregnancy – go for prenatal check-ups, to give reassurance about things that are causing anxiety or uncertainty, ultrasound appointments, blood tests, exercise, discuss your expectations and fears, encourage by reading, watching videos

In last weeks of pregnancy – encourage the mother to continue healthy eating habits, help her in preparing the baby bag, making a birth plan, and attend birth preparation, breastfeeding & newborn care classes, practice relaxation techniques before labor begins and make a plan for house help after birth

During labour, by giving massage, arranging food & drinks, encouraging her to use breathing and coping techniques to ease the labour pains.

After delivery, the support person can help in handling the baby, cleaning, arranging the things for both mother and baby, giving support while breastfeeding.

3. Does the support person need to get any kind of training?

Yes, so he/she can help the mother to manage with the labor pains. For this they can attend the childbirth education classes, interact with other parents, can help mother to cope up with pains physically, emotionally and mentally. During labour can give massage to the lower back, encourage her to eat or drink, and help in bearing down in second stage of labour.

4. Who is doula?

Is an experienced guide to the mother or couple during labour and birth. They come to you on call at your home or to hospital at the time of need, and stays with you until after the baby is born.

She helps you to make right decisions. Her role is also to provide emotional support, physical comfort and non-clinical advice. With her experience, she empathizes, reassures and comforts the mother. She advises your partner on how he can help.  Her goal is to help mother be comfortable and have desired birth.

To conclude, we encourage you to be the best support partner after reading this & watching our video through the link given below.

To watch video, click SUPPORT PARTNER