how does partner cope durning labour?

[katie23913]

I’m 32 weeks and this is our first baby. I am unsure how my partner will be during the birth. He has told me he is nervous about being baby home as he has never been around babies so it’s all completely new to him. I have a niece and 2 nephews so I have a little experience with babies. He hasn’t admitted it but I think he is also nervous about the birth and how he can help me. How was everybody else’s partners at the birth the first time? I have this feeling he is going to pass out haha

@SoyDora that's why I'm suggesting factoring it into birth plans, would he like to cut/clamp the cord? If you are having a suprise, could he reveal if it's a boy or a girl? If you're having a pool birth does he want to help 'catch' the baby for want of a better word. That way they feel they have a purpose and are more involved and you're free as you were anyway to focus on you.

I just had DH with me, similarly to yours he's had no real experience of babies and was an only child. He was my absolute rock through a very difficult labour, which ended in me being rushed to theatre, I looked at him in the theatre (baby was stuck) and he was still calm and reassuring (without patronising me) but his face had drained of all colour. He told me after he was scared for me and for DS but he just tried his best not to show it. He was also amazing after when DS was poorly and we were kept in for five days. I saw an awful lot of cocklodgers on that ward, moaning at their partners, swearing not turning up when they said they would leaving women in tears, swanning in for an hour then sodding off again, showing little interest in their babies. DH was there all day every day well into the night and slept in the chair a couple of nights when DS was especially poorly. He wanted to know everything I did and me and DS were his sole focus. We've been home a few days now and he is still besotted with DS learning quickly and running around after me more than he needs to. Just because your DH is a first timer and he's a bit anxious about it doesn't mean he won't be everything you need him to be, I'd rather that over someone cocksure or disinterested, it shows he's taking it seriously.

My 1st pregnancy the Drs nurses and midwifes pushed him away from me whilst I was giving birth due to complications. We was in Hosp about 12hrs before D's made an appearance. Although I was ordered to eat toast, crisps and have sugary tea, my do was not offered anything. So I would say make sure he has alot of snacks or on way to Hosp order akeaway too!

Mrs Strowman

Congratulations. Hope all's well and calming down. Well done both of you.

When I was pregnant with our first, my DP was saying how terrified he was, what does he do when I'm in labour, but the biggie was when I asked if he would watch our DD being born he said no, it would freak him out so he'll stand up by my head!!

So I sneaky put One born every minute on TV when he was there. I could see him watching with one eye thinking I couldn't see him 😂 Eventually we were watching episodes together.

He was great when I was in labour, prepared with snack etc and he watched our DD being born! He admitted watching the hospital series about women giving birth made him more confident and less freaked out by it all 😊 x