We recently took a tour of the hospital that we'll deliver at in September (Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego). Among many things I learned was that I'd be expected to fill the role of birthing coach. After my initial reluctancy (hidden reaction of course) I've warmed up to the idea and now I'm pretty excited! My first time to "step up" and participate. I fully intend to step up in a big way, I even thought I'd get a polo shirt with my name embrioederd on it "Coach Mike" or something a little more clever. I'll avoid the whistle and drill-seargant rhetoric for safety reasons. Any advice out there of where I can read up on how to be a great birth coach? I found the below link on Babycenter, but I'm good on the obvious "Don't call her fat" advice, I'm talking X's and O's. Any help is appreciated.

www.babycenter.com/0_ten-tips-for-labor-coaches_1072.bc

In the end after all those classes and the training the most she will expect out of you is just to be there and calm her. I learned the breathing techniques and how to coach her from the classes. But when they are in real labor its really different. Hold her hands watch her eyes tell her everything will be fine. If she curses you take it. I found myself being much more of a post birth coach than a pre. We were in hospital for 5 days after birth and I felt like a lactation consultant helping wife feed the newborn.

Congrats on the little one on the way. I would go to the birthing classes, they will be boring as watching cable access reruns but you get a few nuggets that will come in handy on the big day. I think the most important are the following:

manage the room and keep it peaceful as possible

know your birth-plan and advocate to medical staff to follow it

bring change for snack machines

charge camera batteries

know breathing routine and help her keep it

Be uber supportive

It's crazy in there but you will do great and witness a true miracle.

Keep us posted. B

My wife wanted to do the all natural Bradley Method (no drugs at all, not even an epidural) at a birthing clinic with a midwife, and I was expected to coach.

Well, I would reclassify my role as manager, not coach. I was all prepared to hunker down for a long labor with food and water, and helping her with certain birthing positons and relaxation methods, but we were only there for less than an hour and 40 minutes before she gave birth. She sat in bed for few, then I helped her over to the tub. I held her hand as she sat in the tub for about 45 minutes, then out came Olivia.

The midwife was awesome. The birthing center was like a little B&B, super quaint. It was a perfect experience.

Hopefully yours will be too.

My parents live 2500 miles away, but I wanted them to share in as much of the exeperience as possible, so I called them to let them know we were on our way to the birthing center.

As soon as Olivia was born, the midwife immediately put her on my wife's chest so they could bond. I kissed my wife and new baby, then dialed my parents on my cell phone, but instead of saying hello, I set the phone down and went back to kneel beside my wife and baby for a moment and then began videoing as my wife had planned for me to do. My parents picked up the telephone (two phones simultaneously on their house landline) just in time to hear Olivia's first cries. After about 30 seconds of that , I got up and went back over to the phone to say hello and congratulate them on the new granddaughter. They were really excited to hear her first cries. Later, when they came out to visit, I got to show themn the video and said here is the video of Olivia's first cries that you heard on the telephone. They say it is memory they will always cherish.

Just incase something like that may apply to your situation.

Great advice guys! I'm taking notes! Thanks!