How to Care for a Woman in Labor

A woman in labor does not need her husband or significant other running around in a panic creating more stress for her. You need to keep your head on straight and concentrate. Here is how to properly help a woman in labor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Stay calm. No matter what happens you need to remain calm so you won't upset her. She can act as nuts as she wants to, what matters is that you're a rock and you don't crack under the stress.
2. Be prepared before you walk into that delivery room. Yucky things can occur during a woman's labor, so be prepared to see all sorts of body fluids. If you have a queasy stomach, it might help to take nausea medication before her labor gets too intense.
   
   Of course, a good doctor will ask you if you're interested in watching the actual birth well in advance of the moment. If the doc doesn't, make sure you tell them you're going to position yourself by your wife (or girlfriend's) head and you'd rather not see anything down there.
3. Stay by her as much as possible during the labor but do not forget to rest if the labor is long. Help with her breathing during her contractions. Hold her hand. Help her focus on the task at hand, but don't give her too much direction--that's what the doctor is there for. You don't want to mix signals with the doctor or nurse.
4. Reassure her during labor and keep her informed about what's happening. Try to get her mind off of the contractions and the delivery process. You might want to read to her if time permits.
5. Keep warm blankets on her if she's cold and wipe her forehead with a cold cloth if she's hot.
6. Remember it's all about her right now. She does not want to hear that you're tired or your back hurts from that uncomfortable chair you slept in last night. Give her compliments instead; "You're doing great honey," is good for starters.
7. Ask her what help she needs. In other words, do whatever you can to make her happy and comfortable. Don't make her angry; a woman won't let you live that one down.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have all of your insurance information with you. You're going to have to fill out lots of paperwork on the spot and if you don't have certain insurance and medical information, you're screwed.
• Be prepared to be yelled at. It usually only happens in movies, but every now and then, you'll get yelled at.