How to Prepare Your Birth Partner for an Active Birth
Your birth partner isn’t just a support person — they’re the guardian of your birth space. Preparing them well can make a huge difference to how safe, supported, and empowered you feel throughout labour.
One of the best ways to get ready as a team is to attend aCouples Active Birth Workshop . These workshops are designed to guide both you and your partner through the stages of labour, teach natural comfort measures, and give your partner confidence in their role.
Here’s how a workshop (and some at-home practice) can help:
1. Learn the Stages of Labour
Understanding what happens during early labour, active labour, and birth helps your partner feel confident and calm. When they know what to expect, they can better anticipate your needs and respond calmly to unexpected moments.
2. Practise Natural Comfort Measures
In our Couples workshop, your partner can learn hands-on techniques to support you:
Breathing techniques – guiding you through slow, deep, or patterned breathing.
Massage and touch – helping to ease tension in your back, shoulders, or hips.
Water support – running a bath, using a shower, or a birthing pool.
Sound – encouraging moaning, humming, or other vocal expressions that help you release tension.
Movement and positions – supporting you in upright, squatting, or side-lying positions.
3. Practice Together Before the Big Day
Our yogababy Couples Active Birth Workshop provide a safe space to practise these techniques and role-play different birth scenarios. The more familiar they are with the process, the more confident they will be during labour.
4. Emotional Support is Key
Your partner’s role goes beyond physical support. Our Couples workshop teaches partners how to:
Offer reassurance and encouragement.
Keep the birth space calm and protected.
Help you stay focused and centred.
5. Be Ready for the Unexpected
Even with preparation, labour can be unpredictable. A Couples Active Birth Workshop equips partners to stay flexible, communicate effectively, and assist in decision-making if things don’t go exactly as planned.
Tip: Their presence, calm energy, and support are more powerful than any technique. Being attentive, patient, and responsive is the most valuable role they can play — and a workshop is the perfect place to practise doing exactly that.