The first step when you arrive at the hospital is for your partner to be checked over by a midwife. If your midwife decides that her labour has not progressed far enough yet, you may be advised to return home so that she can be in a more relaxed environment.
If you stay in the hospital, she will be given a bed in an early labour ward where the midwife will go through her birth plan with her – make sure you’re part of this conversation so you know what to expect. When the labour progresses, your partner will then be moved to the delivery room.
If you arrive at the hospital when your partner is in full labour, she’ll be taken straight to the delivery room where your midwife will go through her birth plan with her. If things are moving quickly at this stage, you will need to step in, so make sure know her preferences on:
- Pain relief.
- Birthing position.
- Skin-to-skin contact with the baby when it arrives.