---------- OR ----------

Create account

Join clubs to discuss your interests
Connect with people like you
Share information, seek advice, get support


Home Pregnancy Baby Names Lucky Names Parenting Rhymes Stories Beauty Love Contests More Cooking Discussion Getting Pregnant Expecting a Baby Newborn Baby (0-3 months) Baby (3-12 months) Toddler (1-3 years) Preschoolers (3-5 years) Kids (5-9 years) Pre-Teens (9-12 years) Teens (13-18 years) Sex Education Preconception Miscarriages Fertility Issues Adoption Pregnancy Newborn Care Baby Names Baby Naming Tips Baby's Diet Child's Healthcare Child Development Pre-Schools Raising Children Food & Nutrition Manners & Discipline Intelligent Child Confident Child Teen Issues Baby Photo Contest Kids Photo Contest

select‌ stage

Pregnancy Topics..

India's Best Guide to Pregnancy for Indian Women

The Normal Pregnancy

Week-by-Week Fetal Development

Weight Gain, Diet & Exercise

Medical Aspects of Pregnancy

Complications during Pregnancy

Getting Ready for Delivery and Childbirth

Labour and Delivery

Once the Baby Arrives

How to Support Your Wife during Labour

Partner’ssupportcanhelpalotinbecomingmentallyandemotionallypreparedforundergoingrigoursoflabour.Isyourwifeexpecting?Hereishowyoucansupportyourwifeduringlabouranddelivery.Thedaysofpassivemalespectatorshiptotheperceived“allfemale”domainofbirtharenowathingofthepast.Themenoftodayorratherthedads-to-beoftodayareinterestedinorareoftenrequiredtoplayanactiveroleinthebirthoftheirbabies.Itisapleasantfactthatmoreandmoremenarevouchingvoluntarilytolearnalltheycaninordertosupporttheirpartnerduringlabour.However,doingtherighthomeworkisnecessarybeforestartingoffonlaboursupportandtheinformationbelowcanbeofgreathelp.InthisarticlePreLabourStageKnowingtheBirthPreferencesDuringLabourOfferActiveSupportActsofSupportduringDifferentStagesofLabourFirstLabourStageSecondStageofLabour(ActiveStage)FinalStageofLabourPreLabourStage:KnowingtheBirthPreferencesThereisnofixedwayofofferingsupportandhelp;alotoftheactsthehusbandhastotakeshouldbecustomizedaccordingtotheneedsandpreferencesofhiswife.Ifyouareadad-to-bethenanytimeafteryourwifeismorethan32weekspregnantisagoodtimetositdownanddiscussherbirthingpreferences.Itisimportantthatyougettoknowwhethersheprefersanaturaldeliveryprocessoracaesareanoranunderwaterbirthingexperience.Knowthingslikewhetherandtowantextentyourwifewantspainreliefbydrugsandwhethershewouldlikeyoutobepresentinthedeliveryroom.Askherifshewouldpreferabackmassagetorelaxherduringlabour.However,alwayskeepinmindthatyourpreferencesmightchangeduringtheactualprocessoflabourandtheinformationwhichyoucollectattheprelabourstageisaguideandnotanabsolute.Takeprenatalclassestounderstandmoreaboutthebirthingclassesandifyouarestillanxiousthenweightheoptionofhiringaprofessionalbirthattendant.DuringLabour:OfferActiveSupportLabourisusuallysignalledwhencontractionsstarthappeningforavaryingperiodoftime.Theaveragetimespanpriortotheactualbirthwhenyourwifewouldstartexperiencingcontractionsis12hours.Thecontractionisactuallyanaidtogetthecervixdilatedandopenthepathwayforbirth.Aminimumdilationof10cmofthecervixisrequiredforthebirthprocesstooccur.Thecontractionswillbepainfulandyoumightnotbeusedtoorcomfortableinseeingyourpartnerissuchphysicaldiscomfort.However,itisextremelynecessarythatyoudonotshowyournervousnessordiscomfortortensiontoherandmaintainasupportiveandencouragingdemeanour.Youcanfollowthestepsdetailedbelow.ActsofSupportduringDifferentStagesofLabourHaveaquicklookatsomeactsofsupportingyourwifeduringdifferentstagesoflabour.FirstLabourStage:CervixDilationupto3cmEncourageyourpartnertowalkaroundorstandorkneel(onlyifsheiscomfortabledoingthat)sothatthebabygetstheaidofthegravitationalforce.Thisbasicallymeansthataverticalpositionispreferredtoahorizontalpositionduringbirth.Showencouragementandhelpbyaskinghertorestbetweencontractionsandpropherupwithlotsofpillows.Keepmassagingherlowerbackgentlytohelpeasethediscomfort.SecondStageofLabour(ActiveStage):CervixDilationupto7cmLikethefirststagethepreferredpositionforthisstageismaintaininganuprightstance.Thehandsandkneesonthegroundisagoodposition.ThestepsyoushouldtakeareS.U.P.P.O.R.TS:OfferherasupportiveenvironmentU:UrinationshouldbedoneatleastonceanhourP:HelpchangeherpositionsometimesP:PraiseheralotO:OutofbedactivitieslikewalkingshouldbeencouragedR:RelaxhermindT:TouchherandkeepmassagingherFinalStageofLabour:Dilationmorethan7cmjustpriortobirthCallinthehospitalstafformidwifeasyourwifewillneedmedicalattentionfromprofessionalsatthisstage.Bepresentasasourceofmentalsupportthough.Although,yourcareandsupportwillbemuchneededduringthetimeoflabouranddelivery,youmustfollowyourobstetrician’sadvice.Accompanyyourwifeduringhereveryprenatalvisitandprepareyourselfduringthistimetoproviderightkindofsupporttoyourwifeunderthesupervisionofherobstetrician.Whyispartner’ssupportessentialduringlabour?Whatcanamandotosupporthiswifeduringlabour?Whatistheroleofadad-to-beduringpregnancy?Discusshere.

The days of passive male spectatorship to the perceived “all female” domain of birth are now a thing of the past. The men of today or rather the dads-to-be of today are interested in or are often required to play an active role in the birth of their babies. It is a pleasant fact that more and more men are vouching voluntarily to learn all they can in order to support their partner during labour. However, doing the right homework is necessary before starting off on labour support and the information below can be of great help.

Pre Labour Stage: Knowing the Birth Preferences

There is no fixed way of offering support and help; a lot of the acts the husband has to take should be customized according to the needs and preferences of his wife. If you are a dad-to-be then anytime after your wife is more than 32 weeks pregnant is a good time to sit down and discuss her birthing preferences. It is important that you get to know whether she prefers a natural delivery process or a caesarean or an underwater birthing experience.

Know things like whether and to want extent your wife wants pain relief by drugs and whether she would like you to be present in the delivery room. Ask her if she would prefer a back massage to relax her during labour. However, always keep in mind that your preferences might change during the actual process of labour and the information which you collect at the pre labour stage is a guide and not an absolute.

Take prenatal classes to understand more about the birthing classes and if you are still anxious then weigh the option of hiring a professional birth attendant.

During Labour: Offer Active Support

Labour is usually signalled when contractions start happening for a varying period of time. The average time span prior to the actual birth when your wife would start experiencing contractions is 12 hours. The contraction is actually an aid to get the cervix dilated and open the pathway for birth. A minimum dilation of 10 cm of the cervix is required for the birth process to occur. The contractions will be painful and you might not be used to or comfortable in seeing your partner is such physical discomfort. However, it is extremely necessary that you do not show your nervousness or discomfort or tension to her and maintain a supportive and encouraging demeanour. You can follow the steps detailed below.

Acts of Support during Different Stages of Labour

Have a quick look at some acts of supporting your wife during different stages of labour.

First Labour Stage:

Cervix Dilation up to 3 cmEncourage your partner to walk around or stand or kneel (only if she is comfortable doing that) so that the baby gets the aid of the gravitational force. This basically means that a vertical position is preferred to a horizontal position during birth. Show encouragement and help by asking her to rest between contractions and prop her up with lots of pillows. Keep massaging her lower back gently to help ease the discomfort.

Second Stage of Labour (Active Stage):

Cervix Dilation up to 7 cmLike the first stage the preferred position for this stage is maintaining an upright stance. The hands and knees on the ground is a good position. The steps you should take are S.U.P.P.O.R.T

S: Offer her a supportive environment

U: Urination should be done at least once an hour

P: Help change her position sometimes

P: Praise her a lot

O: Out of bed activities like walking should be encouraged

R: Relax her mind

T: Touch her and keep massaging her

Final Stage of Labour:

Dilation more than 7 cm just prior to birthCall in the hospital staff or mid wife as your wife will need medical attention from professionals at this stage. Be present as a source of mental support though.

Although, your care and support will be much needed during the time of labour and delivery, you must follow your obstetrician’s advice. Accompany your wife during her every prenatal visit and prepare yourself during this time to provide right kind of support to your wife under the supervision of her obstetrician.

Why is partner’s support essential during labour? What can a man do to support his wife during labour? What is the role of a dad-to-be during pregnancy? Discuss here.