Birth partner

They just need to provide the same reassurance to you, being in theatre can be such a nerve wracking experience. Is there anything they could talk about to calm you down if needed? Songs to put on? Etc

Someone who can read you well and able to communicate to staff if you’re unable to - for example my partner told the anaesthetist I was panicking / felt sick xx

I’d want to make sure they understand the process and that they’re okay with seeing blood. Also make sure they’re in tune with you and can communicate to the Dr/anesthesia if you are seeming nervous or nauseous, they can give you more /different medications for these things but it can be hard to communicate those yourself in the moment. At my hospital they/you can chose if they stay with you or baby after delivery. For us we chose to have them stay with baby, so they left my side immediately following the delivery and went with baby to the other side of the room for vitals and weight check. Once baby was cleared they brought baby over to my side so I could see/touch them. Also make sure they understand the recovery process and how difficult it may be for you to do some seemingly basic things. They should to fully support you after and encourage you to rest.

Physically write out your birth choices so that if you were incapable to do so for whatever reason, they will advocate your wishes for you.

I also asked my birth partner to repeat 2 positive affirmations to me in the scarier moments, ie. during the spinal block etc.

She was alsonin charge of my playlist and between the midwife and her, they got some amazing pictures of his birth which I'll treasure forever.

She kept me so calm, and we sailed through it!

I am guessing you are going for a planned caesarean and would then most likely have an epidural? I had an emergency caesarean and a spinal so it may be different, but with the spinal anaesthetic it makes you shake uncontrollable. I know this was something that concerned my partner a lot as we didn't know it would happen so just preparing them as much as possible as well as yourself for what will happen so they can be the calming force for you rather than panicking about things not being normal x

I second the spinal comment (I had an elective C-section). Prepare your partner that it does cause severe shakes, also when they were getting the baby out... They did a lot of tugging which was unexpected for both my husband and I 😅 they were moving the bed I was laying on getting him out and my poor husband's eyes got very wide. So, just a heads up for that. Other than those things, just being there for you, supporting you and advocating for you when needed.

Just make sure they don't want to look. Mine went very smoothly, after my friend who had hers shortly before, had a partner that stood up to adjust his jeans, accidentally looked then fainted 🤣 he will never live that down. My partner just held my hand, all went very well. For some reason I had no fear on the day, probably the excitement of what was coming 👍 hopefully you have this "I'm ready" feeling too