How Your Partner Can Support You During Birth Preparation

11 Mar

Pregnancy and birth are not just a woman’s journey, they are a shared experience. Having your partner involved in birth preparation can make you feel supported, confident, and less anxious as the big day approaches. With the right tools, your partner can play an active role both before birth and during labour, making the experience more positive for both of you.

Why Partner Support Matters

Emotional reassurance : Having your partner by your side reduces stress and boosts confidence.
Shared responsibility : Preparing together helps partners feel involved, not just as observers but as active participants.
Stronger connection : Working together during pregnancy and birth can strengthen your bond as a couple.

Supporting You Before Birth

1. Learning Together

Attending physiotherapy sessions or prenatal classes as a couple helps your partner understand the role of the pelvic floor, breathing techniques, and birthing positions. This knowledge makes them better able to support you when labour begins.

2. Perineal Massage

One of the most effective ways a partner can help prepare for birth is by learning perineal massage. Starting around week 34 of pregnancy, gentle perineal massage can:

Improve tissue flexibility
Reduce the risk of perineal tearing or episiotomy
Increase awareness and relaxation of the pelvic floor

A physiotherapist can show you and your partner the correct technique, ensuring comfort and safety.

Supporting You During Labour

1. Breathing Guidance

Your partner can gently remind you of the breathing techniques you practised, like the E Technique (slow, prolonged exhalation), to help manage contractions and keep calm.

2. Massage and Touch

Simple massage techniques during labour can reduce tension and pain. For example:

Lower back massage to ease contraction pressure
Shoulder or hand massage to release stress and promote relaxation
Gentle counterpressure on the hips or sacrum for comfort during contractions

3. Encouragement and Advocacy

Partners can be your voice, reminding medical staff of your preferences, encouraging position changes, and offering reassurance when labour feels intense.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Couples

At Renard Clinic, we encourage partners to be actively involved in birth preparation. Our physiotherapists can teach you both:

Breathing and relaxation strategies
Safe perineal massage techniques
Positions and massages to use during labour
Ways to support recovery together after birth

Birth is a team journey. When your partner is prepared and confident, you feel more supported and empowered. From perineal massage before birth to comforting touch and encouragement during labour, their involvement can make all the difference.

✨ Want to prepare for birth together? Book a session with our women’s health physiotherapists Mathilde and learn practical tools for you and your partner.