Birthing partner

[VenusStarr]

My sister has asked me to be her birthing partner (her partner will also be there but she is allowed another so she asked me :) )

i'm just wondering about the logistics. i work 9-5, my work are good and i'm sure in theory they will be ok with this, but babies don't tend to arrive on schedule so I might have to ring in to say sorry can't come in today and things i have planned at work might need to be cancelled or covered, but I can't not put things in my diary for the weeks leading up to (and after!) the birth.

just wondering if others have any advice. im thinking of putting clothes in a bag in the car and some change for parking. anything else i need to consider?

thank you!

I think you need to talk frankly to her about it, for instance if there is any chance you might NOT be able to make it because of an important meeting or something.

If you pretty much know you'll be able to prioritise the birth then that's brilliant. I hope it happens at a good time for you, anyway

Not sure what you might need but probably moral support is the best thing, and to be a voice for her when she is being told to do things by the midwives or doctors and might feel too distressed to stand up for what she wants.

You know her really well and that's so important. I had a close friend there with ds2 and she was brilliant, asking the midwives all the things I wanted to ask but couldn't think of. She was a strong advocate as well so I knew I had someone on side as it were, if anything was suggested that I wasn't comfortable with...thankfully the midwives were brilliant anyway.

I think the fact your sisters asked you really is an honour, she must trust you and really look at you for support. Work should completely understand. However meetings can be very important..what do you do if you don't mind me asking? I had my sister and my mum for my first and was induced so they where at hospital with me for a very long time. About 2 days! Bless them, they wouldn't leave. Anyway they hadn't packed anything! So I'd recommend a tooth brush to freshen up as well as some spare clothes.

Hi both

thank you for replying. it is a real honour to be asked :) i like to think that i would be a calming influence for her. her partner is worried he may be a bit squeemish and might not know what to do, so i think i can be there to support her (and possibly explain things to him) we are very close and even though she is my older sister i am very protective over her (and vice versa) so the fact that she has asked me to be there to support her at the birth of her first child is amazing.

i work for the nhs in the community, so have a caseload, i usually see around 4 or 5 clients a week (its a relatively new service) but my managers are understanding and flexible. i need to speak with them next week to discuss. i just hope i can be there to support my sister, but like you say flightty, we also need to think about what if i can't be there due to work committments (but am almost certain this can be worked around)

i shall have to start thinking of packing my bag for hospital!! haha! good thinking confused90 about toothbrush etc! :)