One of the most important roles a birthing partner can play is in the debriefing afterwards: your partner might not be able to take in the information during the birth, but you will be able to tell her what’s happened, and why. Expect your partner to need to talk and talk and talk about the experience afterwards. Don’t worry that your partner will never get over the pain of labour; the memory does fade.

Remember that after the birth, you will need to debrief as well: a dad also needs someone to talk to and share the experience that has just changed his life for ever.