Possible birth partner addition - questions.

michellechacon

I am hoping for a med-free bradley approach birth. 

DH and I will be moving two weeks before my EDD, the few weeks prior to this my DH will be helping his parents move, before that we have my family (all from the UK) stay with us for a month, and so we are all busy.  Esp my DH, he is very busy right now, and I know he has no tme to read books and really prepare and know what it is I want and what it is he needs to be able to do during the birth.

My Mum will not be here for the birth, they were scheduled to be for my last EDD (misscarriage) and so our timing is off for my september due date. 

I am thinking about asking a close friend to be my official birth partner, and of course DH will be there too, but this will take the pressure off him, (he is also very disractable, and since we are first-timers we have no clue what to really expect)  my close friend has three boys, two delivered naturally, and so I feel like I may be happier having a woman there who has been through it, and can really help me focus etc...

My DH is completely happy for me to have a close female friend there, if I feel that it will be the best thing for me... he is very sensitive and really just want to make sure I will be as comfortable and happy as possible at the time.

I guess I just wanted to ask you all about your birth partners, what was helpful to you, how did you ask them, can you tell me anything else about having a friend there that is not family, was it awkward?  was it as helpful as you expected?  did you regret it not being just you and DH? 

Thank you ladies.

cwifekmom

I'm planning a natural, VBAC birth and will be using a doula in addition to my DH, so it seems logical to me to have another support person there to help.  I love my DH and he is my biggest support and rock but he doesn't know all of the tricks/tips for pain relief during labor that my doula can offer.

Nurse122705

DH was supposed to be my partner but I also had my best friend prepared.  DH did great all day but in the last hour he suddenly froze like a deer in head lights & just stood in the room staring at me.  My best friend jumped right in, rubbing my back & giving me positive affirmations.  It was great to have them both.