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Home › Articles › Dad's Health › Partner Power

Partner Power

How Your Birth Partner Can Help in Labor

By Joyce Haworth

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  

Massage her shoulders, arms and legs.

  • Press in. If she has a lot of backache, you are in for a workout. Pressing your fist firmly below the small of her back may make much of the pain go away. You may have to experiment until you get the right spot. You will have to press very hard and start before the contraction starts. Mark the magic spot with a marker so you can find it in a hurry.

  • Stroke her. Stroking is a gentler touch than massage, though not so light that it is annoying. Stroke the whole length of her arm, leg and back; stroke her face and head as well. Brushing her hair or scratching her back is another kind of light stimulation that can reduce pain sensation.

  • Run a warm bath for her. Water has been called "Mother Nature's epidural." It helps the laboring woman relax and eases the pain of contractions. Baths should be warm, not hot. If her bag of waters is broken, have her take a shower instead. Many hospital showers have seats in them. Bring your swimming suit, in case she wants you in there with her!

  • Try warm and cold compresses. Soak a washcloth in warm water and press it on her sore back during a contraction. Keep a cool washcloth on her sweaty brow during hard labor and pushing.

  • Make sure she's drinking enough. Dehydration will only make her body work less effectively. If the hospital will not allow her to drink water, she may be ble to suck on ice chips. Some hospitals allow laboring women to suck on frozen pops (get the 100 percent juice ones) or have a spoonful of honey for an energy booster.

  • Make sure she eats if she's hungry.
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