BENEFITS OF A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM DURING LABOUR

Having a good support system during childbirth can provide numerous benefits for the person giving birth and her overall birth experience.

Here are some key advantages:

Emotional support: Childbirth can be an intense and overwhelming experience, both physically and emotionally. A good support system, such as a partner, family member, or doula, can provide emotional reassurance, encouragement, and comfort throughout the process. This can help reduce anxiety, fear, and stress, promoting a more positive emotional state for the mother.

Information and advocacy: A support person can help gather and provide relevant information about the birthing process, interventions, and pain management options. They can serve as an advocate for the mother, ensuring her preferences and birth plan are respected and understood by the healthcare team. This empowers the mother to make informed decisions and feel more in control of her birth experience.

Physical assistance: During labor, a support person can offer physical comfort measures, such as massage, position changes, and breathing techniques. They can help create a soothing environment, provide hydration and nourishment, and offer practical assistance with tasks like timing contractions or packing the hospital bag into the car. This physical support can enhance the mother’s comfort, relaxation, and coping abilities during labor.

Continuous presence: Unlike healthcare providers who may be attending to multiple patients, a dedicated support person can be present with the mother throughout the entire childbirth process. This continuous presence offers a sense of stability and security, making the mother feel supported and cared for during this vulnerable time. It can also foster a stronger bond between the support person and the mother. You can always have more then 1 support person. Maybe your partner is great at giving massages but not so great with positive reassurance. Labour can also last a long time, so you may need someone to tap in while your support person gets some rest. Who you choose is completely up to you.

Reduction in medical interventions: Studies have shown that having a good support system during childbirth can lead to a reduction in the use of medical interventions such as epidurals, oxytocin augmentation, and cesarean sections. Emotional support, comfort measures, and advocacy provided by a support person can help the mother manage pain, maintain a sense of control, and cope effectively, potentially reducing the need for medical interventions.

Postpartum well-being: The benefits of a support system extend beyond the birthing process. After childbirth, a good support system can offer assistance with newborn care, breastfeeding support, and emotional support during the postpartum period. This can help ease the transition into motherhood, promote bonding with the baby, and mitigate feelings of isolation or feeling overwhelmed.

A good support system during childbirth can enhance emotional well-being, provide valuable information and advocacy, offer physical comfort, reduce medical interventions, and support the mother during the postpartum period. It plays a vital role in creating a positive and empowering birth experience.

Take our childbirth class with your support person. We share practical ideas of how to be a good support person!

Sources:

Society of Gynecologists of Canada – www. SOGC.org

www.pregnancyinfo.ca

Ontario Prenatal Education Key messages

Health Canada

When you attend a Baby Bumps and Beyond Childbirth Class, we provide you with a FREE Copy of our Exclusive Hospital Bag Checklist so that you will know exactly what you will need for labour, after giving birth and for postpartum. Our Hospital Bag Checklist also covers what your partner or support person should pack and what you will need for your baby.

We also provide a FREE Copy of our Comfort Measures in Labour Checklist so that you can pack all of the items you will need to feel comfortable while giving birth.