The Kinhood collective put on a workshop, in London’s LGBTQ+ community centre, all about how to be a supportive and supported birth partner. They covered topics including how to be an advocate, the stages of birth from an outside perspective, how to look after yourself as the partner, and how to generally ensure the birth giver is always the priority.
Whilst birthing people often have a team around them, their partner is still an important part of the journey - who can also be supported themselves by a birth team. Often being the one who will know the birth giver the best, they will be able to pick up on non verbal communication - whilst their conscious mind may be preoccupied. Being able to support a birth plan being carried out can be an important role of the birth partner - especially noticing cues when things may not go to plan.
The space that Kinhood collective created felt inclusive, calm and informal, with space for discussion and interaction. I can't wait for the next workshop!