Medical Uni References – Pregnancy Issue and Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

The more comfortable and relaxed a mother feels during labour, the better her ability to cope with pain. She can find this security with loving support from a birth assistant. The partner is the natural choice, as he will probably be closely involved throughout the pregnancy, and eager to share the experience of his child’s birth. Most hospitals now welcome fathers, friends or relatives to support the labouring mother.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE

Like many partners, you may be nervous or worry about feeling squeamish, or being inadequate at offering sufficient support. You can help combat this by prepar­ing yourself in advance. It s important that you know as much as possible so that you can effectively help the mother meet the physical and emotional demands of labour. At the antenatal classes there will be demonstra­tions to describe the onset of labour and the effect of contractions, and you will be taught techniques for helping her relax. Read the rest of this entry »

If it looks as if the baby will be born at home without medical assistance, you should telephone the hospital or the midwife if you haven’t done so already. If you haven’t got a telephone, on no account should you leave the mother alone.

However anxious and overwhelmed you are, you must stay calm and reassure her – she needs to feel confident and relaxed. Encourage her to take up any positions in which she feels most comfortable and to eat and drink if she feels like it. Speak quietly and keep any onlookers at bay.

Between contractions

Turn up the heating in the room if at all possible. Wash your hands thoroughly in soap and water, and then fetch several clean bath towels and place them conveniently to hand. Fold one and put it on the bed or floor so that you have something soft on which the baby can be laid. Read the rest of this entry »