Antenatal classes can completely change the pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience for the birth partner, optimising the support they provide to both mum and baby. High quality antenatal education is not available to everyone, and Unii is proud to provide classes, articles and other resources taught by leading obstetricians, midwives and other professionals. You can access Unii’s resources any time– it’s never too soon or too late. You can start before your partner is pregnant or after her due date, at your desktop computer before work or on your phone at night. It’s never a bad time to start understanding how a pregnant body works and how to support a woman in labour, birth and beyond. Nobody– male or female– understands pregnancy, birth, or how to take care of a newborn properly without being taught. You can sign up to Unii any time, learn at your own pace, and feel more confident right away.

Antenatal knowledge helps the birth partner to understand how the pregnancy changes the mother’s body and mind, how the baby is developing, and how nature prepares both mum and baby for labour and birth. Understanding labour and birth is incredibly empowering but also calming– it can be very frightening watching someone you love go through this without some sense of what to expect. Mum’s body is generally working on her side– even when babies enter the world in an awkward way she is designed to support this – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for the birth partner to actively support (or even passively observe) without the confidence that comes with a great education.

You’ll also find you enjoy your partner’s pregnancy more when you understand the process. You can have any burning questions in your head answered. Pregnancy is a complete miracle, and Unii believes that spending weeks and months worrying and stressing about the birth shouldn’t be anyone’s pregnancy journey. True, some pregnancies are more high risk than others, but this makes education even more important.The birthing mother will need the birth partner’s support every step of the way in such circumstances, and she will be stronger if you project calm and confidence. Antenatal classes will help to make you the birth partner you want to be, and the best birth partner you can be.

Teach you how to behave during labour and birth

Hopefully, you won’t feel like a spare part during labour and birth no matter what you learn beforehand but antenatal classes can teach you how to be an effective partner. From organising the hospital bags and entertainment to distract from early labour pains, to knowing the birth plan inside out so you can advocate for your partner, to supporting her hypnobirthing techniques, you’re an incredibly important player in this game and can do so much to ensure the birthing mum has her dream labour and birth experience.

You can chat through what your partner is comfortable with if Plan A doesn’t work out in advance of the big day and figure out what she wants the birth environment to look like, from lighting to family photos.

Also, it might seem obvious, but somebody needs to set a positive, calm vibe in the room for mum and you are the person she will know best and will likely have carved out the time to be consistently present throughout the labour and birth experience. Depending on the pregnancy and birth location, you may be able to put a sign on the door explaining you’re doing Hypnobirthing or would prefer not to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. Even making the odd joke can eminently improve things when labour is stalling or there’s been a change in plans.

Teach you to help her breastfeed

Breastfeeding support is not something that many birth partners think they need to learn– what can you possibly do without the necessary equipment, right? Wrong! Breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be learned and all students need support and encouragement to shine, especially when they’re exhausted first-time mums who feel they are failing. Unii’s in-house lactation consultant, Ms Wendy Lever, often reminds us that lack of support is the most common reason mum’s who’d always intended to breastfeed give up – and who can cheerlead better than the birth partner? All this is not to imply you shouldn’t work just as hard to support a mother who wants to bottle feed. There’s a baby-led way to do this and the birth partner can help. It’s her call but you are the MVP on her parenting team. Here are some tips for supporting your partner’s breastfeeding journey.

Watch Unii’s Antenatal Course and Baby Feeding Journey at unii.com to understand how breastfeeding works and how to express and store colostrum in pregnancy (it’s liquid gold for your baby!).
Few women are physically unable to breastfeed. If mum is struggling or wants to stop, reassure her that many women have trouble learning at first but she is making the best choice for her baby’s health (and her own!) by sticking with it.
Avoid receiving too many visitors while mum is getting the hang of breastfeeding
Keep other children occupied while she is feeding the baby
Help out by feeding the baby expressed breast milk
Feeding her is feeding your baby, so make sure she has a variety of fresh, healthy snack options. She doesn’t need to eat for two when she is breastfeeding but research suggests that she does need about 25g more protein than the typical female RDA. A grilled chicken breast or three-egg omelette are two examples, though you can also look at vegetarian options like stewed lentils and Greek yoghurt.
Encourage her to avoid smoking and limit alcohol and caffeine
She should be taking Vitamin D every day if she is exclusively breastfeeding. It’s also a good idea to take a DHA supplement if she doesn’t regularly eat oily fish. Any deficiencies she has should be addressed with her doctor in order to support both her pregnancy recovery and her long term health, as her milk will take what is necessary to support the baby.

Teach you the basics of baby care

If you are reading this, you probably care about being a hands-on dad/co-parent. Everything from swaddling to changing and bathing a baby and even just how to hold a newborn can be brand new to a birth partner and this is fine– a great antenatal class like Unii’s will make these second nature to you in no time.

Help you remember when to tell her to think of herself (because she’ll be focussed on the baby)!

“Four breaths in, eight breaths out,” and other mantras you may repeat to your partner during labour and birth are all taught at antenatal classes, as well as related lessons such as hypnobirthing. There will also be countless moments both during and after pregnancy where you will have the opportunity to support your partner’s healthy sleep patterns, eating habits, regular exercise and stress management. All of these things can go out of her head when she is focussed on growing a baby or caring for a newborn. If you are lucky enough to have parents, in-laws, or other close family members around, they can support your efforts but you are the most important maternal caregiver.

Teach you what to expect from yourself

It’s normal to experience an emotional rollercoaster of your own when supporting a pregnant woman and new mother. Traditionally, people have made fun of fathers who fainted at pregnancy scans or in the delivery room but you will likely find doctors and midwives far more receptive to your needs these days. Whether you need mental health support or practical information, your midwife, doctor or antenatal instructor should normalise how you are feeling and be prepared to help.

For more advice on taking care of yourself in pregnancy, labour, and birth, check out Unii’s Antenatal Classes, with prenatal video episodes taught by senior NHS midwives, an award-winning obstetrician and gynaecologist, and six other leading healthcare experts. Only at unii.com.

What can antenatal classes do for the Birth Partner?