3rd pregnancy for me... 1st for him

[thepartysover]

Hi there

Looking for some advice on how to get my partner up to speed on the birthing process, and the early days of parenthood. I feel like an old hand but it's all new to him. He's been reading from my old pregnancy books a bit but has a very Hollywood idea of what birth looks like (on your back in a hospital bed, two pushes and an immaculate baby emerges).

My concern is that it's all going to be a massive surprise to him, and I'm struggling to explain the benefits of active birth, birth choices (Vit K, managed third stage etc) adequately as well. I don't want to go into labour worrying that I'll have to advocate for myself - I can hardly imagine anything more likely to put the breaks on that all important oxytocin.

Doing antenatal classes again seems silly (esp given the expense!) but any advice on how to get us on roughly the same page very welcome.

Firstly,congratulations,how very exciting
2nd you’ll both never be on same page,your pg x 3 he’s a newbie
It’s not a problem,just you’re both different experience,and expectations
By all means guide him to useful website & books but he’s at the woo hoo 1st baby stage
I’d say tell him about bustle of a hospital birth,the amount of staff and what’s he will see and hear
Be clear what you want and need from him,he’ll not know so tell him
Who’s looking after other 2 when you’re in hosp?

My hospital advertised online antenatal classes. I didn't look in to it as it was second pregnancy but could work. You could chat about the key bits after. Don't know how universal they are though.

Do a tour of the hospital of choice that way you'll be guided by midwives and be able ask questions

Great advice, thanks all. Keep it coming please! Especially keen to hear from others in the same boat.

Other kids will be with their dad