Advice please - how to support friend during childbirth

[Sunnywithshowers]

My lovely friend is due to give birth next week and has asked me to be there to support her.

She is having a birthing pool and there will also be a doula.

Can you tell me what to expect, and how I can best support her? I haven't had children and my experience of birth is mainly from OBEM...

congratulations to your friend and well done to you

Wonderful news! Congratulations to her (and to you for being there).

Congratulations!

That's great news Sunny, well done!!

Do tell us how it went though:)

Hello everyone

I've not been ignoring you, I've been with my friend and her new baby :) and have just got home.

The birth was incredible. My friend was magnificent - very strong and doing what she needed to do. In the early stages all I did was make her laugh - we were joking all over the place. Later it was giving her a hug when she felt exhausted, and the doula and I took turns handing her sick bowls / entonox / water and the occasional arm stroke. The doula was a lovely woman, really calming which helped me stay calm and she made sure my friend had ice on her head when she needed it (I probably wouldn't have thought of it) and talked her through the worst parts. My friend would have decked me if I'd told her how to cope with pushing, as I've never given birth :)

My friend asked me to cut the cord. I always thought I was rubbish with blood, but it turns out that I laugh like a drain when I cut the cord and it rains on my face! I was also able to give baby a long cuddle while my friend was delivering the placenta.

It was beautiful and I laughed and cried throughout. I'm so grateful my friend asked me to be there I've had lots more cuddles over the last few days. And have experienced the dreaded meconium nappy...