With all of the excitement and activity relating to your labor and the work of your health care team, it's easy for your coach to forget just what they're supposed to be doing. If you click on the "cheat sheet", you'll see a list of helpful hints for every birthing coach.

• Be calm and have confidence in yourself. Your presence and companionship are a very important contribution to a successful birth.
• If labor begins during the night, encourage her to try and sleep so she’ll have enough energy for active labor.
• If labor begins during the day, help entertain her to pass the time and encourage rest.
• Remind "mom" that slow chest breathing should only be started when it's needed. A few words of encouragement go a long way.
• Know the route to the hospital. Have her bag packed and ready. DRIVE CAREFULLY! Remind her to relax and breath.
• If you need to leave for any length of time, do it during this early phase of labor. Once active labor starts she'll need you.

• Coach and encourage mom frequently. Avoid asking questions during contractions because each contraction will demand her deep concentration.
• A quiet environment will aid her ability to relax. Avoid bright lights and excessive chatter. It may help to keep visitors to a minimum.
• Positioning is important to her comfort and ability to relax. Urge her to change positions frequently. Help her by adjusting pillows or assisting with movement.
• If leg cramps occur, try having her change position or straighten the affected leg while pointing her toes upwards toward the body. If leg cramps are still a problem, try having her walk around or stand at the bedside.
• Mom may appreciate a cool compress to the face or a firm pressure massage to her lower back. (Remember to ask her first!)
• "You're doing great", "Good job", "Keep it up". These phrases cannot be heard often enough. Let your love and admiration for her shine through! Keeping her posted on progress with comments like "Your contraction is at its peak and is on its way down" may also help.
• Help her with controlled breathing. Remind her to keep her concentration. You should always use the lowest level breathing technique that will do the job.
• Check her relaxation between contractions. Make sure she's really relaxing and conserving her energy.
• You're on "potty patrol." Encourage mom to go to the bathroom every 1-2 hours. A full bladder can keep baby's head up off the cervix, which can prolong labor.

• Moms often need firm direction as to what to do during a contraction at this stage. Give commands firmly but lovingly.
• Remind her that this stage is short - relief will come soon when she'll be able to push. The birth of the baby is near. Help her to focus on one contraction at a time.
• If she dozes between contractions, watch the monitor and wake her up as the contraction begins. This allows her to establish her breathing before the peak of the contraction, instead of waking up in the middle of it. Many laboring mothers also appreciate being told when the peak of the contraction is occurring or is over, so that they know when the hardest part of each contraction is over.
• If she panics or loses control momentarily, get close to her face, look in her eyes, and speak gently but firmly. Get her to use her breathing techniques again.
• It's important to realize that any expressions of irritability are normal during the transition stage, and are not directed at you personally. Laboring mothers are not always agreeable.

• Help her to get into position. Support her head. Urge her to keep her bottom relaxed. Try for TWO cleansing breaths at the beginning and end of each contraction.
• Keep her informed of her progress ("I can see the baby's hair!,” etc.)
• Encourage her to keep pushing as hard as she can.
• It may be necessary to repeat the provider's instructions to her.
• If there are no problems with mom or baby you may be able to cut the cord - just let your health care provider know if you'd like to.

• This is usually much easier than the baby's delivery and takes only a small push. Praise her for a job well done and remind her that it's almost over.