I’m nervous about labour

Worrying about labour?

It’s completely normal to worry about how you’ll cope with labour and delivery. Seeing your loved one in pain can be difficult, especially when there’s little you can do to help. But remember that labour is a completely natural and amazing part of life. And at the end of it all you’ll have a beautiful newborn baby to hold! 

Preparing for labour

The better you prepare for labour, the more comfortable you’ll find the experience. Lots of first labours are very long, and providing emotional and physical support throughout can be exhausting. So make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes and take plenty of food and drink with you to the hospital. If you and your partner want a water birth, remember your shorts. And don’t forget some spare change for the coffee machine!

Take the mystery out of labour

Lots of dads say they never used the breathing techniques they learned with their partner at antenatal classes. But the classes are still are really good chance to take the mystery – and fear – out of birth as there is so much more to learn than just how to breathe. You’ll feel much more relaxed knowing what’s going on, and what you can and can’t do to make the experience easier for your partner. Reading pregnancy manuals and websites can help too – especially ones written by other dads. 

Focus on your partner

Remember that throughout labour and delivery you’ll be your partner’s most important support. Whatever she needs, whether it’s to rub her back, fetch a drink or speak to the doctor, she’ll be relying on you to supply it. So on the day you’ll probably be so busy and centred on her you’ll forget that you were ever worried about how you were going to react!