Tips for Coach/Support Person

Before labour

  • Make sure everything needed for labour is planned and ready (e.g., childcare arrangements, transportation, pets, household needs).
  • If the birthing person wants, help share updates with family or other support people. 

First stage of labour

  • Help the birthing person relax—offer gentle back or foot massages.
  • Time contractions from the start of one to the start of the next.
  • Offer a light snack and plenty of fluids.
  • Encourage the birthing person to move around as much as they feel comfortable.

Active labour and delivery

  • Help the birthing person feel more comfortable—offer gentle touches like stroking their face or hair, or massaging tense muscles if it helps.
  • Support their breathing with calm guidance, for example: “Breathe with me… just like that… stay with it… now rest, that was great.”
  • Encourage them to change positions between contractions. Use pillows for support and help them sit up if they wish.
  • Apply gentle pressure to their back during contractions if it helps.
  • Consider playing soothing music or offering words of encouragement.
  • Offer ice chips or lip balm if their mouth is dry and place a cool cloth on their forehead.
  • If something isn’t working for them, try a different approach.
  • Help communicate the birthing person’s wishes and feelings to staff when needed.
  • Support the birthing person’s choices without judgment or criticism.
  • If the birthing person feels overwhelmed or says they can’t go on, offer reassurance and remind them that this phase is intense but temporary, and that you are there to support them.
  • Stay positive and offer praise and encouragement, especially during the transition phase, which is often the most challenging part of labour.
  • Take care of yourself too. If possible, eat something, drink fluids, and rest when you can.
  • Ask the health care provider if there are other ways you can help support the birthing person.

After labour

  • Support bonding between the parent and the baby.
  • Help the parent get comfortable and support positioning for infant feeding.
  • Offer a drink or a cool cloth if needed.
  • Acknowledge and reinforce the hard work the birthing parent has done.

Important tips to remember

  • If the birthing person says something hurtful, try not to take it personally. Intense labour can bring out strong emotions.
  • Stay as calm and relaxed as possible. Use a firm, confident touch if offering physical support.
  • Stay close and remain by the birthing person’s side.
  • If something you try doesn’t help right away, don’t feel discouraged. Needs and feelings can change during labour, and something that didn’t help earlier may help later.