The Mental Side of Labor: How Partners Can Help
Labor is hard work, y’all.
It’s mentally exhausting and needs to be prepared for just as much as the physical side. This is where the partner’s help can be so, so important!
Help your partner relax a bit every day. If this is your first baby, relax with them! You can only benefit from deep breathing and taking a physical inventory of yourself as you relax each muscle. You can even be the leader of talking them through relaxing each muscle while she lies on the couch or bed. If you need some help getting started check out The Honest Guys on YouTube.
If you have multiple children, you might try taking over bath and/or bedtime routine for the last 5 weeks or so, so she can go lie down in bed or soak in the tub and practice deep breathing and full body relaxation.
During labor she will need and want to hear YOUR birth affirmations. She wants to hear “I love you”, “you are amazing,” and the truths that you really feel about her. Your touch and your encouraging words are incredibly important to your partner during labor.
Read More: 10 Things I Wanted to Hear During Labor or What is a Birth Affirmation?
Bible Verses For Labor
Bible verses can be a wonderful thing to add to your affirmations. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Isaiah 43:1-2 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” And Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Read More: 12 Bible Verses for Labor
Make it Personal!
Add in some inside jokes, encourage her the way only Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory could (or whatever your favorite show is), just don’t forget to make her laugh. Distraction is a great way to help her forget the pain for awhile and help her relax. Write them all down as you think of them because in the moment you might want that paper to help YOU relax!
Remember, just be you.
Sway with her, sing to her, lay down next to her, rub her back while she is backwards on the toilet (trust me, it will happen).