A Quick Guide for the Person Standing Next to You

This one isn't just for you — it's for the person who'll be standing next to you on delivery day. Your partner, your mom, your sister, your best friend — whoever that person is, they're probably feeling a mix of wanting to help and not knowing exactly how.

If you'd like, share this article with them. It's short, practical, and written specifically for the support person.

#If You're the Support Person: What to Expect

During a vaginal delivery, you'll be right beside her — holding her hand, helping her breathe, being a steady presence. Your job is not to fix anything. It's to be there.

During a C-section, the setup is a little different. You'll wait outside the operating room for about 10 to 15 minutes while anesthesia is placed and the team completes the initial setup. Then you'll sit on a stool beside her head, on the non-surgical side of a sterile drape. You won't see the procedure unless you choose to look over the drape — and it's completely okay if you'd rather not.

From that position, you can see her face, hold her hand, and talk to her through the entire surgery. Many partners take the first photos from right there. And in many hospitals, you'll be the one to announce whether it's a boy or a girl.

#What She Actually Needs From You

You don't need to memorize medical terminology. You don't need to know what the monitors mean. You don't need to advocate against the medical team. Here is what actually helps:

• Be present. Not on your phone. Not managing the family group chat. Just there, with her, paying attention to how she's doing.
• Follow her lead. If she wants to talk, talk. If she wants silence, be silent. If she wants your hand held, hold it. If she wants space, give it.
• Ask "what do you need right now?" instead of guessing. This simple question is more useful than anything you'll read in a book.
• Watch for distress. If she looks overwhelmed, scared, or in pain that seems worse than expected, speak up on her behalf. "She's saying the pain is getting worse" or "I think she's feeling anxious — can someone check in with her?" are exactly the kind of things care teams want to hear from support people.

#After Delivery: Where You Make the Biggest Difference

The hours and days after delivery are where the support person matters most — and where most preparation guides stop paying attention.

After a C-section especially, she may need help with things that seem small but feel enormous:

• Lifting the baby. For the first 24 to 36 hours after a cesarean, she may not be able to pick up the baby on her own. Be ready to help with feeding, diaper changes, and positioning.
• Medication tracking. If the hospital provides a pain medication schedule, help her stay on top of it. Pain management works better when it stays ahead of the pain rather than chasing it.
• Breastfeeding support. Help her get comfortable — adjusting pillows, bringing water, keeping snacks within reach. If she needs the nurse or a lactation consultant, be the one to press the call button.
• Permission to rest. One of the most powerful things you can say is: "I've got this. Go to sleep." She may not ask for permission to rest, but she probably needs it.

#Why a Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

I've been in the delivery room for thousands of births. The partners who know a few practical things ahead of time are visibly calmer — and that calm is contagious. When the support person looks steady, the mom feels steadier. When the support person knows what to expect, the whole room benefits.

You don't need to be a medical expert. You just need to show up, know a few basics, and be present. That's enough to make the whole experience feel different — for both of you.

This content is general educational information about obstetric anesthesia. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your own doctor. Every birth is different. Talk to your healthcare team about what's right for your specific situation.