How to prep your partner for birth – with 5 easy steps. Have you been one of those people that researches and researches so that you can feel mentally prepared? Then you talk to your partner about it and they just nod their head and say okay. Haha!! So frustrating! I want to help you know how to incorporate them in your birth planning!

Having your partner be apart of your birth planning can help on so many levels. I can help you feel empowered, it can give them a sense of understanding and it can help you both feel like you’re on the same page.

Here are 5 easy steps to help you prepare your partner for your birth.

1. Tell them how much you need them.

This is going to be a really hard experience and you NEED there support. This may sound silly but having this statement being told to them will help them with the rest of the steps.

2. Prep them on what happens during labor and birth.

Even if its not their first time watching you in labor. LOTS of husbands pass out because of what they see. So lets prep them a little more! Go to THIS blog post for what happens step by step in labor. Also help them know how to help you postpartum. This stage can we rough and unknown. Please go to THIS post to learn more about it and how your partner can help.

3. Teach them how to help you relax during labor and birth.

Figure out what helps you relax. Is it back rubbing? Is it relaxing music? Is it essential oils or a candle? Is there words of affirmations you need to hear? Talk to them about it. Figure it out together. MAKE A LIST. This will help when you’re in labor and give them a task to be helpful. Giving them something to do before hand will help them not feel hopeless and lost while you’re in pain.

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Lets teach them counter pressure and the hip squeeze! This helps so much when you are in pain. I will do my best to explain it but if you need a visual there are lots on YouTube. Place your upper body onto a counter or bed, made it so you are bend over. Now have your partner place their hands right on the top of your hips on the bottom of your back. Once they have their hands in the right position have them press down HARD! You will love the pressure when you are in labor. If it is painful it means their hands are in the wrong spot. The hip squeeze- have your partner take their hands and place them on the sides of your hips and press hard again.

4. Give them tasks to do while you are in labor.

Tasks will help them relax because they are in charge of something. We don’t want your partner to feel helpless. Like, being charge of the phone chargers and the bathroom supplies. Have them be in charge of snacks tell them what you want during labor and what you want postpartum. Examples of snacks could be nuts, fruit snacks, popcorn, gatorade, whatever it is that you like that is quick and easy. (PLEASE snack while you are in labor. Even if you are doing a hospital labor. It is vital to keep your nutrition up while your body goes through the hardest thing.. EVER. The reason they ask you not to eat is if you need an emergency c-section.)

5. Have them help you with the birth plan!

GO HERE for a free birth plan. Just scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for a free birth plan. Fill it out together and talk about all the little things on the sheet.