In today’s episode, Adriana Lozada focuses on the essentials of partner labor support during this time of the pandemic. Many hospitals are limiting birth support to one healthy person, so we wanted to do a special episode on how to prepare for providing labor support during these times, and also help birth partners feel more confident about their active involvement in the process. Go listen.
What we talked about:
- Preparation for providing support in the times of COVID-19
- Determining your birth feelings
- Setting the stage
- Gathering your tools
- Requests for your nurse
- Follow the labor
- Tension release
- Move and rest; rest and move
- Bringing your calm
- Advocacy
Helpful resources & links*:
- The Birth Partner’s Ultimate Labor Support Toolkit
- My Own Your Birth online birth prep series
- Birthful playlist of 6 essential episodes during uncertain times
- Coronavirus COVID-19 | Evidence Based Birth® Resource Page
- Resources for skilled lactation providers on COVID-19, from International Lactation Consultants Association
- People are Giving Birth Alone, Right Now, the petition from Change.org that made a difference with 613,659 signatures.
- ‘Women Will Not Be Forced to Be Alone When They Are Giving Birth,’ NYT article about Gov. Cuomo’s executive order
- Google search for petitions on Change.org to protect the right of having labor support (sign them all, or start your own!)
Related Birthful episodes:
- Connecting With Your Baby in Utero, with Penny Simkin
- Prenatal Bonding, with Dr. Jay Warren
- The Power of Comforting Touch During Labor, with Yiska Obadia
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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).
Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).