Part 2. Fathers support during labour.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

• Be present, encouraging, and positive.
• Do what your partner asks and respond to her needs, so she knows you’re there with her.
• Make sure she has drink bottle nearby, a cool cloth to mop her face and neck, and a container if she feels like throwing up.
• Remind your partner to breathe through the contractions and encourage her to be mobile and change position regularly.
• Listen to the Midwife and help your partner make choices.
• If you don’t understand anything, ask questions for you both.
• Remember to eat and drink regularly to keep yourself strong. Take regular short breaks and get some fresh air.
• If your partner gets annoyed with you, be patient, take a breath, and roll with it! It is common and it will pass.
• If you feel your partner is not being listened to, speak out for her.
• When your baby is born help to support with skin-to-skin contact with Mum (sometimes baby’s position needs support). You can put your baby on your bare chest for skin-to-skin too.
• Visitors! How many do you want? Every couple is different. This is a special time for you to enjoy your newborn(s). There is plenty of time for all to share. Allow what is important for you both at the time, you call it!
• Help get your partner’s toiletries and clean clothes ready for her post-birth shower.
• Don’t forget to take the whenua/placenta home (if keeping it)!

Often fathers comment after birth that they wish they could have done more for their partners or they felt helpless.

 The new mum usually has a different perspective. She will have felt total support by having her partner by her, feeling his love and encouragement. These things may seem minor to dad but to mum, they are so important.

Here is a great site. For Dads by Dads

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