Who is your birth partner if you're not with the father?

[starsshinebright]

I am not with my babies father and he won't be at the birth.

I don't really want my mum at the birth, we're very different and I don't think she'll be a good support.

If you were/ are in this position who was/ is going to be your birth partner?!

Either a best friend or hire a doula?

I wasn't in this situation but do you have a sister you're close to and could ask? Or a close friend?

Best of luck with your pregnancy and the birth

As MamaOfTwos said, a good friend or a doula are great ideas. Even your dad or if you have any grandparents? Anybody who you think would be good support. However if it comes to it and you are alone, you will likely be given the extra support in the form of having the midwives come in and have a chat every so often, you will also likely have a student midwife (if there is one) who will spend as much time as possible with you. They have to rack up hours and they'd be happy to do it! Good luck x

My best friend is being my birthing partner 😀

My daughter is being mine (she's 21)

My sister is being mine.

My sister is being mine.
Have a 13mo DD, her dad was with me at the birth of her..we're not together now and he wants nothing to do with this baby (it is his), my sister will be a lot more supportive than he was anyway!

I didn't have one

I had my mum. That said, my best friend was going to be there too under strict instructions to step in and remove her if needed. In the end my labour was too fast for her to get there and my mum was well behaved.

I found the midwife the most support, and moving forward would hire a doula in the same situation. I was glad my mum was there though and we got to share that experience. It was a hellish labour (ds in distress, crash team, episiotomy and forceps with no pain relief) and I needed someone to talk to afterwards to remind me of things and go over it with.

crispsheets How did you find it on your own?

If the budget will allow I'd recommend a doula - ones in training will offer you quite a discounted rate to build up their experience. Plenty of people do birth on their own so to speak (of course you'll have hospital staff and midwives supporting you), especially if there are issues about childcare for older kids etc.

Good luck to you OP!

stars..absolutely fine. Arrived hospital at 5.30 am by taxi and baby born 7.45.
Had a great midwife. And no pain relief.