Second Stage and Birth
September 16th, 2008 Posted by: admin
Helping your partner and watching your baby being born is an overwhelming experience for all fathers. The second stage is hard work for mothers, but there are ways you can really help your partner during this stage, so that you can feel as involved in your baby’s birth as possible.
Practical help If you’ve been going to childbirth classes together, you’ll already have worked out together the positions that your partner thinks will be best for her when giving birth. Help her to get into the position she feels is right, and support her there.
Of course, this may not be the one she thought of using, nor even be among the ones you’ve practiced. That doesn’t matter; just support her in whatever position she feels comfortable in at the time. Keep talking to her and encouraging her all the time throughout the second stage, and stay in physical contact so she knows you’re with her all the way.
The moment of birth If you can see your baby’s head as it crowns, describe it to your partner or hold a mirror for her so she can see the head, too-this will be a huge encouragement to her. Don’t get in the midwife’s way, though-she’ll need to be able to monitor your baby’s progress second by second. Once your baby is fully out, let your partner know what sex it is even if you’d been told this during the pregnancy. It’s a good idea to say that you have a son or a daughter, not just “it’s a boy”or “it’s a girl”; the word “son” and “daughter” express family feelings. If the midwife agrees, clamp and cut your baby’s cord yourself. It’s a fantastic moment-the moment your baby really becomes an individual being.
Sharing feelings When your baby is born, share the first minutes of your child’s life with your partner. If you feel like crying, don’t hold back. This is one of the most emotional moments of your life. By all means photograph or film your partner and baby, but don’t do this instead of helping them If they need you. They are more important than anything else.
