Richard Oxenham, our “Daddy Doula,” specializes in helping birthing partners sort through their feelings before and during labor and delivery. He urges honesty and openness to help feelings evolve. He encourages partners to spend months leading up to labor and delivery supporting the birthing person educationally, emotionally, and physically. Birthing partners who connect deeply before labor can have a more intimate birthing experience.
The time and energy expended during labor and natural home birth can be dramatic for everyone. It can feel like a marathon for all involved parties, including the caregivers. Birthing partners must practice good self-care leading up to this time so they can be an available and present support source for the birthing person.
All the time and effort preparing for that one special moment will pay off in spades. There is no greater feeling for partners than knowing they gave their all during every aspect of the pregnancy, labor, and birth.
