Your physical presence and physical contact
Her responses
When she feels pressure
Listen to your caregiver
Listening
Your physical presence and physical contact
communicates many things to a labouring woman. It tells her you are there with her, it provides reassurance, and it can soothe her when she feels frightened. The majority of women need their partners or support people to at least remain close, some will want physical contact in some shape or form, either constantly or occasionally, others will want to be left alone. Compassion can be communicated as you wipe her brow, tie her hair up out of her face, help her drink and provide ice chips, physically assist her when she needs to change position and telling her how wonderful she is. Your presence, your hands and your loving attitude are very powerful support tools.
Her responses
When a woman moves into the birthing phase (2nd stage) her awareness of her environment around her can become clearer, as opposed to the intense inward focus of the active and transitional phases of the 1st stage of labour. She can be more aware of who is around her and can become quite specific about her needs. Other women will sleep and doze, only waking to respond to the next contraction, her communication may be foggy and vague and she may rely on you to prompt her to change position or to drink. Others remain inwardly focussed, feeling as if all they can concentrate on is the pushing and birthing.
When she feels pressure
on her anus remind her that the fullness she feels is normal, and a good sign that the baby is descending past the bowel. Guide her to relax, let go of her pelvic floor muscles, to let go of the anus, allow the baby to come. Give her encouragement and praise, "the baby is coming", "I can see the head", unless she tells you to stop talking.
Listen to your caregiver