What can you do?
Some fathers feel like a bit of a
‘spare part’ during labour, but
you can be a big help:
- hold her hand
- massage her back
- get her drinks
- talk to the midwife for her
- help her move around
Who’s who?
Midwife: looks
after mum through
her pregnancy and
just after the birth.
Health visitor:
looks after baby
from 4 weeks old
to school age.
As a dad you can
contact them for
advice about
anything.
Don’t be afraid.
Take pride in
asking questions.
Get involved in
your baby’s life.
Jargon-buster
Trimester
“She’s in her third trimester” means she is in the last three months of pregnancy
Gestation
The time it takes for a baby to develop
Labour
The process of giving birth; it can take hours!
Premature labour
Going into labour before 37 weeks
Contraction
The painful muscle movements which move the baby down the womb. As birth gets closer, the contractions come quicker and last longer.
Gas and air, epidural, pethidine
Pain relief options for women in labour
Caesarean
An operation to deliver baby through the abdomen
