Gudrun Abascal shares her best tips and advice for how to prepare for childbirth. Both physically and mentally. This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

Preparation for childbirth

What are the different stages you go through when giving birth? When should you go and what can you expect? This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

Onset of labor

What happens during and after labor? And what can I expect the first hours with my newborn baby? This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

During & after labor

We might be used to seeing women lying on their back when giving birth, but there actually are several other positions you can choose from. This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

Birthing positions

It is known that giving birth isn't a walk in the park. But there are strategies to manage the pain, and that is what we will sort out here. This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

Pain & Pain relief

Here Gudrun Abascal has collected articles about complications that can occur during childbirth. This is a part of Gudrun Abscals guide about giving birth.

Complications during childbirth

There are so many thoughts going around in your head before it’s time to give birth. What do I need or what can I do if I feel scared? Read more about it here!

More information from the midwife

Prepare for the birth with Gudrun Abascal's complete Birth Guide and our other articles on childbirth.

Giving birth


### Braxton-Hicks contractions

- Are irregular
- Strong pressure on the lower part of the uterus
- No correlation between the hardness of the uterus and the pain
- Mucus plug / Fibrin clot
- No change in the cervix
- The baby’s head is not descending into the birth canal	

### Labor contractions

- Are regular
- Come more frequently
- Duration and intensity increase	
- The pain is in the back and the groin area over the pubic bone 
- Correlation between the hardness of the uterus and the pain	
- Bloody show
- The cervix thins out and dilates
- The baby’s head starts to descend into the birth canal

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Braxton-Hicks contractions and labor contractions

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Many parents describe the birth of their child as the experience of a lifetime.

As the partner, you can help out in several ways before, during and after childbirth. For the woman giving birth, physical, social and emotional support is priceless toward feeling safe and secure and getting through the birthing process. And all it entails. Providing support to the woman giving birth is a huge matter and not always easy. If it’s the first time, you’re treading on unfamiliar ground.

My best advice is: “Hang on, Hold close and Hold dear”. It can be incredibly frustrating to see the person you love in such a vulnerable situation, one that is both painful and requires patience. It’s not uncommon for the partner to worry firstly about how the woman will manage and secondly about how the baby will make it through labor. It is perfectly natural to feel helpless and the question of, “what can I do” arises.

After the baby is been born most women say, “The most important thing was that you were present and by my side. What you did wasn’t as important.” Obviously, most people like to feel needed, that they can do something concrete to help—but again, the most important thing you can do is to be there.

## Things you as partner can consider during delivery:

- Determine well in advance what support she will want during labor, what you can do to encourage her, which words will calm and give her strength
- Make sure you’re always there. Be sensitive to her needs, be affirming, supportive and encouraging as delivery advances
- Help her to be as relaxed as possible, both physically and mentally. Suggest a massage, bath, shower and warm wheat pillows, for instance. Say things that help her relax and feel safe
- Help her to find a good breathing pattern. In through the nose and out through the mouth usually creates a good rhythm. Make sure she does not hold her breathe or hyperventilate (can cause a tingling sensation around the mouth and fingers)
- Suggest and help her get into different birthing positions. 
- Keep her informed of what is happening. Keep her present and support her so she doesn’t feel afraid. Boost her self-confidence. Tell her things that she likes to hear 
- Try different types of massage, depending on which stage of labor she’s in 
- Help her to find the rhythm and go with the contractions. Don’t let the contractions come as a surprise
- If she perspires, help her to freshen up by brushing her teeth, giving her a shower or bath, or wiping her off with cold towels. If she’s freezing, a warm shower, something warm to drink or moving around will help. Remind her to drink water and to stock up on energy by eating. Remind her also to empty her bladder every other hour
- If and when she uses nitrous oxide, help her get in sync when the contractions begin and quickly find the right technique
- If things are not working out with the staff, it’s your job to remedy the situation. Ask to replace staff you feel do not work with you. There is always someone else who can step in.
- Continuously keep the midwife informed about what you’ve talked about regarding the delivery. You’re the person who knows her best.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Many parents describe the birth of their child as the experience of a lifetime.

Recommendations for the partner ahead of childbirth

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Most women have about the same physical prerequisites when it comes to giving birth. Generally, the biggest difference involves the emotional prerequisites, and usually determines if the experience is a good one or not. The feeling of being safe and trusting of those around is paramount. But the ability to relax mentally and physically is also important. If you can relax and breathe calmly, most things work themselves out.

There are many different types of courses. Some people read everything they get their hands on and attend every available course. Others choose to read one book and maybe take one class, while others don’t want to think about childbirth at all but reason that it will work itself out when the time comes. 

The most important thing is that you do you. Lamaze classes may be the most common way to prepare, but yoga, hypnobirthing, mental training and other alternatives are available. 

All prenatal clinics are required to offer parent training classes, although the structure and content may vary. Regardless of which method you choose, you should consider the knowledge you gain. Put this knowledge in an emotional perspective and consider its relevance and value in helping you through childbirth.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Most women have about the same physical prerequisites when it comes to giving birth. Generally, the ...

Relaxation and breathing

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There are many ways to prepare for giving birth. It can be learning about the phases of childbirth, or about the different tools you can use to deal with pain and fear. But it is also important to prepare mentally for childbirth, and an increasingly common method of doing so is through hypnobirthing.

## What does hypnobirthing mean?
The first descriptions of the Hypnobirthing method came in 1987 and today there are several role models on the subject of natural childbirth. It is also a method that is deeply rooted in science and research. Hypnosis can be compared to daydreaming - or disappearing into something - like watching a movie or being deeply immersed in a good book. It can be similar to ending up in a "flow-like" state. Being in this state helps us to disconnect external factors and reduce stress. This allows the body to do its job and give birth in harmony. 

## Hypnobirthing as a method
Hypnobirthing is a method where you prepare and strengthen yourself mentally before giving birth using various techniques, such as positive thoughts, relaxation, visualization, breathing, concentration and deep relaxation. It is based on your learning to take control of your nervous system and your mental focus. This method is built on the foundation that you dare to disconnect your thoughts and allow the birth to take place. Your body knows what to do.

Part of Hypnobirthing is also understanding how the body functions physiologically, how our bodies are affected by stress and anxiety, and inversely how it is affected through feeling security, peace and harmony. A more positively charged word for pain in hypnobirthing is contractions or waves. Through security, calm and relaxation, hypnobirthing helps to attract the hormones that help the birth process. Oxytocin is the most important hormone and through hypnobirthing, we help the nervous system activate part in us that provides security, peace and harmony.

## How does hypnobirthing work?
What we do know is that women who use hypnobirthing in connection with childbirth use medical pain relief to a lesser extent. But the type of pain relief you choose in connection with childbirth is a choice you make yourself, and there is no value or prestige in it. 

Hypnobirthing can of course be used both with and without medical pain relief. For women who want to give birth without medical pain relief, hypnobirthing is an excellent choice for managing pain. Medical pain relief, such as spinal anaesthesia or epidural, does not in itself provide a more positive experience of the birth. What primarily determines whether the experience becomes positive or negative is more about how you handle the pain, and for pain management, hypnobirthing is a good choice.

Essentially, hypnobirthing is about listening exercises and doing them daily to help yourself set a goal and change your way of looking at the upcoming birth of your baby. During these exercises, you will arrive at a place of deep relaxation. You can also listen to the exercises during the birth. To get the best possible help from hypnobirthing, it is good to start practicing well in advance of birth. The recommendation is to practice every day from week 30 of your pregnancy. It requires a bit of commitment, so do not start too early if you know that you easily get tired or lose motivation. As with all training, the more you practice, the better you become. But of course, it is never too late to start if you want to utilize hypnobirthing. Even little practice is better than none at all.

*Source:*
- Atis FY, Rathfisch G. The effect of hypnobirthing training given in the antenatal period on birth pain and fear. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Nov;33:77-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Aug 18. PMID: 30396631.
- Uludağ E, Mete S. The effect of nursing care provided based on the philosophy of hypnobirthing on fear, pain, duration, satisfaction and cost of labor: a single-blind randomized controlled study. Health Care Women Int. 2021;42(4-6):678-690. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2020.1835916. Epub 2020 Nov 12. PMID: 33179993.

 # What is hypnobirthing - and how can it help me during birth?

What is hypnobirthing - and how can it help me during birth?

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- Is there anything about you and your partner that the midwife should know ahead of childbirth in order to provide the best possible support?
- What reactions and emotions might the pain trigger in you? Is it important to avoid pain completely, is some level of pain acceptable, or will you take it as it comes? How can your partner and the staff help you?
- In what physical position do you feel most safe and focused?
- How important is the feeling of being in control? Can your partner or the midwife help you with that?
- Are you concerned or afraid of anything? Can the midwife help you to not feel afraid?
- As new parents, do you have any thoughts regarding how to care for your newborn infant?
- Do you have any particular feelings and thoughts on breastfeeding and the first few weeks with your baby?
- How can the staff give you the best start on your journey into parenthood?

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

- Is there anything about you and your partner that the midwife should know ahead of childbirth in o...

Things to consider

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It’s good to avoid stress and conflicts if you can since you are more sensitive, more vulnerable and less able to deal with issues and complications to the same extent as before. Your partner plays a big part here by assuming a protective role. It can be difficult to see your body change. You feel heavy and awkward. Could this be how the body prepares the brain to look forward to childbirth?

Thinking about the baby, planning and making purchases so that everything is in place could be a way to nest while waiting for your baby. If you can, try to enjoy long, invigorating walks during which you allow your thoughts to wander freely. Many people enjoy this type of activity. You can exercise your pelvic floor muscles to prevent tears in conjunction with delivery.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

It’s good to avoid stress and conflicts if you can since you are more sensitive, more vulnerable and...

Avoid stress and conflicts

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It can be immensely valuable to form a realistic understanding of the actual birth process and then speak with someone you trust. One good way to sort out emotions is to write down your thoughts and expectations in a birth letter. Some choose to write in great detail, and others are more concise. And then there are those who feel that a birth letter is unnecessary. For the midwife, the birth letter provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of your personality as well as what emotions and thoughts you and your partner have about labor.

It can be particularly valuable if you arrive at the birth center/hospital in active labor and have difficulty expressing yourself. The letter can also serve to give you a chance to reflect on your thoughts, and check-in with each other’s expectations on childbirth and on becoming parents. It is important to know that the birth letter is not a contract. A lot can happen during childbirth that will require you and your partner to reassess what is written together with the midwife.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

It can be immensely valuable to form a realistic understanding of the actual birth process and then ...

Birth letter

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Everyone prepares differently for childbirth. The choices you make are determined by your personality, but also by other women’s accounts and advice. Understanding and knowing about the stages of labor can help and give a sense of being in control. Although it is easier to deal with things that we understand, it isn’t necessary to read everything and take all the courses. Find out what is available and choose what feels right. Then give some thought to what you’ve learned; how do you think you will react emotionally and physically when you give birth? 

## The midwives are there for you 
It can be difficult to expose yourself in a situation that is as emotionally and physically vulnerable as giving birth. It’s a question of trusting your body and your ability. You need to feel that you are the person who is best equipped to give birth to your baby, and that you are allowed to be who you are. At the same time, you need to trust that everyone in the room will do their utmost to give you the best support and help, regardless of what happens. You’re not alone; everyone in the room is there for you.

At the end of pregnancy, most women are affected by their hormones. Many go into a relaxed state of mind, one of “not doing anything”. Your thoughts go back and forth: *“What will it be like now that I’m to become a mother?”*. Or, if you already have children, *“Will I be able to love this child as much as the one(s) I already have?”*.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Everyone prepares differently for childbirth. The choices you make are determined by your personalit...

Preparing for birth, emotionally and physically 

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During my 47 years as a midwife, I have strived to improve maternity care—primarily in Stockholm, but also in other parts of Sweden. I have worked to give parents-to-be the very best start to parenthood.

Through my work as midwife, and my books “Att föda, “Att möta förlossningssmärta” and “Vattnet går”, co-authored with Nina Campioni, I have tried to share my experience and knowledge about childbirth and everything related to it.

Today, most parents-to-be have prepared for the delivery and parenthood. They’ve packed their bag with several items. Not just a toothbrush, robe and baby clothes, but also a healthy serving of self-confidence and the expectation that childbirth will be a positive experience. Self-confidence also includes knowledge about childbirth and having the conviction to trust one’s own ability. This makes the birth a positive experience, one that they will cherish for life. 

Those of you reading and learning about childbirth in this guide will have greater self-confidence and more insight into what it is like to give birth.

You will: 
- trust your body. It’s designed to give birth.
- understand that pain during delivery is perfectly normal. Every contraction brings you closer to your baby and you will have a range of pain-management strategies.
- know that you need to concentrate on listening to your body’s signals. You will discover a rhythm in the contractions so that you work with them instead of against them.
- be in awe of the force of each contraction, that gradually increases the further along in the birthing process you advance. 
- notice that there is a pause in between each contraction that gives you time to gather your strength and energy to handle the next contraction. 
- focus on one contraction at a time. Don’t think about what has been or make an issue of what remains—think positive: “I got this. I’m doing just fine.
- know that you can never be fully prepared for each stage. Delivery is not a predictable process in which everything can be resolved beforehand. However, you will feel confident that there is a solution for everything when you reach that point. 
- understand that women have the most incredible innate resources to give birth as long as fear is not part of the equation and there is support from others. Together with your partner and the staff, childbirth will be a fantastic experience that you, as a parent, will cherish for the rest of your life.

I am fully convinced that women are most suited to childbirth and that midwives are here to help. Our job is to bring forth the inner strength inside every woman, and to keep fear and anxiety at bay.

In 2006, the City of Stockholm awarded me the St. Erik Medal for my work, and in 2015 I was awarded the Swedish Association of Midwives’ honorary award for “Her efforts to help change and improve the care of women who are pregnant and give birth in Sweden”. Two awards of which I am immensely proud.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

During my 47 years as a midwife, I have strived to improve maternity care—primarily in Stockholm, bu...

Who is Gudrun Abascal?

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When you should go to the birth center/hospital depends on whether you are expecting your first baby or if you have given birth before. 

### Recommendation to women who are giving birth for the first time 
•	When the contractions come three times over a 10-minute period, last about 60 seconds and increase in intensity and pain, you should go to the birth center/hospital.
•	If your water has broken and the contractions have not started, we will want you to come in for a checkup. If everything is normal and the contractions have not started, you will be allowed to go home again. While you are at home, we want you to take your temperature to discover a possible fever, monitor if the amniotic fluid changes color and make sure that your baby is moving as usual. Normally, we wait up to 48 hours before inducing labor after your water breaks.

### Recommendation to women who have given birth before
•	Consider what your previous deliveries were like. What were you thinking then? What was the birth process like?
•	When the contractions come twice over a 10-minute period, it’s usually time to go to the birth center/hospital.
•	If your water breaks and the contractions have not started, then the same applies for you as for women who are birthing their first child. Refer to the recommendation above.

Our recommendations are general and differ from woman to woman. You will decide when it is best for you to go in together with the midwife at the birth center/hospital. Read about what questions we will ask and need answers to in the article When to call the birth center. 

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

When you should go to the birth center/hospital depends on whether you are expecting your first baby...

Time to go?

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Many parents who call the birth center/hospital want to touch base and get good advice from a midwife. Most are wondering if labor has started and when they should head to the birth center/hospital. When you call, the midwife will need certain details: 

- the woman’s personal identification number
- where you live
- frequency between contractions
- how much pain from the contractions
- has the water has broken
- is there any bleeding
- the position of the baby
- is the baby kicking
- how the pregnancy has been 
- is the woman taking any medication. 

It probably feels frustrating to answer these questions. You just want to hear, “Come in and we’ll take care of you”. 

Most often, the woman’s partner makes the call and gives information about the situation, answers the questions and takes the advice that the midwife gives. If everything is clear, and you both agree with the midwife on the other end, then things are fine. However, it may be that the partner needs to ask the woman for an answer after each question. This makes it more difficult to determine what should be done. Second-hand information can be difficult to interpret. In some situations, it is therefore better that the woman speaks with the midwife herself. By listening to the tone of the woman’s voice and how she is breathing, the midwife can get a better understanding of the situation. 

### When the call is about other things
The phone call can also be about complications related to the pregnancy. For example, that the baby is not moving, not kicking like before—less frequently or differently—is a common reason for a phone call. It is important that you reach out when you have questions. Before the call ends, the midwife usually summarizes what’s been discussed and decided during the call. 

Remember, it is better to ask one too many questions than one too few, and you need to feel satisfied with the answer.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Many parents who call the birth center/hospital want to touch base and get good advice from a midwif...

When to call the birth center

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Labor can start spontaneously in two different ways:

1.	The most common is the onset of contractions. Most women describe this as a form of menstrual cramping; pain is typically mild, irregular and localized to the groin and lumbar region. While it doesn’t happen often, the contractions can occasionally come at close intervals and be extremely painful. If the contractions do not start, it is standard practice to wait up to two days before inducing labor with the help of hormones.

2.	In about 15 percent of the cases, the amniotic fluid (the water) breaks. For some women this means that just a little amniotic fluid leaks out, which can make it difficult to distinguish from regular discharge. For others, the amount is so great that there’s no question. Amniotic fluid is typically clear like water with tiny white flecks, although it occasionally has a yellow/greenish tint. If the amniotic fluid is greenish, it means that the baby has passed the first bowel movement while in the womb. 

If you think that your water has broken, contact the birth center where you are scheduled to give birth. The midwife will tell you what to do and explain what will happen. If everything is normal, and you and your baby are fine, you do not need to rush in for a checkup. The most typical scenario is that your water breaks at the end of active labor.

*Sources:*
Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Labor can start spontaneously in two different ways:

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After weeks of longing and waiting, your family is finally complete. It’s time to let everything calm down in the room.  It’s all about skin-to-skin time, and creating the best environment for parent-baby bonding. Because the baby recognizes the parents’ voices, the medical staff should retire if everything is normal. The baby wants to hear the parents’ voices and not the staff’s (which can occasionally be interrupted when the staff is happy and congratulates the parents).

Now it’s time for the next phase of the baby’s and the mother’s life. The newborn, guided by instinct, now moves in to feed for the first time. For some, this is an easy journey; for others, it is both complicated and demanding. Be patient and let it take as much time as your baby needs. All babies are unique and different when they are born. They should be respected for this and not forced to follow a fixed pattern.

### A newborn’s different stages:
The birth cry stage—Most newborns have taken their first breath and filled the room with crying within 30 seconds. 

The relaxation stage—The newborn has stopped crying and rests to gather strength to keep on living. Typically, the baby has not started to look around but lies with closed eyes.

The awakening stage—The newborn starts making small movements with the body, primarily the arms and legs, and pushes the head back and forth a bit.

The activity stage—The newborn moves the body more, tries more frequently to lift the head and now opens the eyes. It’s time to locate the breast because that’s where the baby wants to get.

The crawling stage—By pushing with the feet, the baby can move to the breast. Generally, the woman has helped her baby to locate the breast.

The resting stage—The newborn takes a break in attempting to reach the nipple. This is to gather strength to make it to the final destination.

The licking and familiarization stage—The baby now focuses on the areola and nipple. The newborn has almost reached the final stop, where the baby will find food and survival. It’s time to lick the nipple so that it takes on the proper shape for the baby’s first feed. Sometimes a hand gets in the way and a finger makes its way into the mouth, but the baby is used to this from the time spent in the womb. 

The sucking stage—The newborn is almost there. He or she opens wide, latches on to the nipple and starts sucking.

The sleep stage—A long period of sleep begins after the newborn has finished sucking on the breast. It is not uncommon that it will be up to 24 hours before the next feed.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

After weeks of longing and waiting, your family is finally complete. It’s time to let everything cal...

First hours with baby

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The cervix is completely dilated, and baby’s head has rotated and descended through the birth canal. The feeling of wanting to push will gradually increase. It is time to push when the baby’s head has descended and is situated against the pelvis. This is done with the help of the fetal ejection reflex. Pressure on the rectum results in a feeling of “I have to push”. The midwife is there to guide you throughout the process. 

For first-time mothers, it is considered normal that it takes two hours from when the cervix is completely dilated until baby’s head is pressing on the pelvis. From then, it normally takes one hour to expel the baby. If the woman has given birth before, the process goes considerably quicker. Baby number one has paved the way for his or her siblings, so to speak.

In this stage, you will need help focusing on the breaks between contractions and resting, even though these breaks last only one or a few minutes. At this point, it’s common for women to say things like, “This is never going work. I want to go home”. You need to believe that things will be fine and that your baby is almost here. When the expulsion contractions increase and pressure on the rectum is at its greatest, many women are convinced that they will have a bowel movement and that their entire genital area will rupture. Many women are concerned that they will have severe vaginal tears, which is fully understandable. It might be good to know that one of the midwife’s primary tasks is to do everything to ensure that the tear is as little as possible.

At this point, when the baby arrives, communication and trust between you and your midwife is important. The midwife will guide you through your baby’s delivery so this is not something you need to concern yourself with in advance. Your partner may be feeling “out of the loop” but from an emotional perspective, your partner’s presence is important in making you feeling safe.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

The cervix is completely dilated, and baby’s head has rotated and descended through the birth canal....

Expulsion stage

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Active labor. Your contractions are now coming closer together, they are stronger and they last longer. The pain moves from your back down toward the lower part of your uterus. It is not unusual to have three to four contractions within a 10-minute period.  At this stage of the birth process, you could have some light bleeding (called a bloody show), which means that the cervix is dilating. 

During active labor, your cervix will dilate from 3–4 centimeters (cm) to 10 cm, and then become fully dilated. At the same time, baby’s head pushes/rotates down from your pelvis, past the ischial spines and toward your pelvic floor. Your contractions will become steadily stronger, more intense and painful, and they will last longer. During active labor, the amniotic sac may burst and your water breaks. Most women find the most difficult part to be the final stage of active labor and the first part of the expulsion stage—commonly referred to as the transition stage. Time-wise, the cervix typically dilates 1 cm per hour during active labor. 

At this point, many women find it helps to set milestones, such as switching positions after between five and 10 contractions, or after 30 minutes. An upright position is best if you want to speed up the process. There are several various positions: kneeling, sitting on a birthing stool, using a walker, sitting on a birthing ball or hanging on your partner.

As the pain increases, you may need help to manage the pain. The midwife will support you and give you various alternatives ranging from alternative pain relief therapies to drug-based solutions, such as a spinal anesthesia. Trusting communication between the midwife and you is essential to ensure that your choice of pain relief is the best. It is up to you to say when you need help. We will then decide together which method is best at that time. 

Many emotions can surface as the pain increases. You may become impatient and have difficulty focusing on the present. It is not uncommon for women to transition from a state of “I’m doing fine. I’m having my baby”  to“I can’t do this any more”. Support from others in priceless. It’s also a good idea to replenish your energy with water and easily digested food. Sweet, diluted juice mixed with electrolyte supplements are a good combination. 

An empty bladder is key during labor in order for baby’s head to make its way into the birth canal. Think fluids in and fluids out. A general rule of thumb is to empty your bladder every two hours.

Your partner’s support is priceless. If you come alone to the birth center/hospital to give birth, your midwife will give you the support you need. Words of encouragement, help getting into different positions, showering, bathing and a massage are a few things that a partner can help with. Many times, your partner also has an important role as a spokesperson for what is important to you when you give birth. Your partner knows you better than the staff. At the same time, the staff and midwife are there to support the partner too. After all, we are a team working together.

*Sources:*
- Abascal, G., & Huss, M. S. (2018). Att föda. Bonnier Fakta.

Active labor. Your contractions are now coming closer together, they are stronger and they last long...

Active labor

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