Helping at the birth
Find out how you can prepare for when your partner goes into labour and how you can help.
It’s only natural that partners want to get as involved as they can when it comes to labour and those first few months of parenthood. One of the best ways to prepare is to go along to antenatal classes.
Not only will antenatal classes help in preparing you for labour, they’ll also give you the chance to discuss any worries, make plans, and meet some of the people who will be looking after you when the big day arrives.
The topics covered include1:
It’s important to think about your priorities and book the right antenatal classes for both of you. This might mean that you opt for ‘pregnant women only’ classes with just a couple of partner sessions, or you might prefer to go along to couples classes from the outset.
Whichever classes you go for, remember to book them up early, as spaces can fill up quickly. Sessions are completely free through the NHS, and you can book them as early as your partner’s 12th week of pregnancy. Private, paid classes are available, but it’s often worth talking to your midwife for a recommendation first.
1. NHS Choices. Antenatal Classes [Online]. 2015. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/antenatal-classes-pregnant.aspx [Accessed August 2015]
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