Having a baby can be tricky, but like most other activities in life, it becomes easier with the help of a dedicated partner. It’s a general misconception that a pregnant woman needs only rely on herself to just push the baby out and get through with it, save for maybe someone else to catch the baby when it pops out. I’m here to tell you, one of the most important skills you can ever learn during childbirth is the importance of teamwork between you and your partner in birth.
Soon-to-be moms and dads, your lives are about to change in amazing ways. But first, you have a baby to be born. The process of pregnancy, labor, and eventually, delivery, will be tough at times, but working together will help to alleviate much of the stress the process generates.
It’s very important for everyone involved to know their roles and know what to expect from their partner. Going into the birth with a general sense of confusion or a lack of confidence will most likely create problems somewhere along the line. However, taking the needed time to learn birthing skills together as a team will prevent many problems.
As a team, you need to be ready for any inevitability. Birth is like a stage performance. No matter how many times you rehearse your lines and go over your blocking, something will go wrong and you’ll be in a situation where you have to know how to cover a dropped line or play off of a broken prop. The same holds true to birth. No matter how deliberately you craft a birthing plan, something will change, and just like on stage, you need to be able to rely on your fellow actors to get through to the next act with minimal screw ups.
The simplest things can go a long way to help team morale. Since both of you should have learned what your roles and your partner’s roles are, you will know when they’re doing them well. Take a moment to compliment them. Tell your wife how well she’s breathing, or thank your husband for being so good about massaging trouble spots. Thank each other for knowing the right things to do. Root for your team every chance you get and embrace this closeness.
Also, don’t forget how to laugh now and then. Birth is a wonderful and important event, but it is profoundly silly by nature. Laugh together openly and often. The act of laughter bonds people together, as well as releases endorphins, a much-needed ally in your current ordeal, so let it go as freely as you can. Do so and the experience will be one you can look back on fondly, regardless of what m