What does a birth partner do during the labour?

Mainly, your birth partner will be there for you – encouraging, reassuring and assisting you in any way you find comforting and useful. For example, to help you move around and change positions. Plus, he can ask questions on your behalf, help you find a pattern of breathing throughout your contractions, listen to you and provide emotional support so you stay as relaxed as possible during labour.

How should my birth partner prepare?

Involve your birth partner in your pregnancy, sharing visits to the midwife, antenatal classes and scans. Having a basic understanding of the process of labour will help remove some of the anxiety associated with it.

So will talking through your expectations from him and what you'd like to happen as well as not to happen. Keep in mind, however, that things can change quickly on the actual day, so it's important that your birth partner is flexible and mentally prepared for your impromptu requests.