# Support During Your Labor and Birth ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/cf6bc1c5-a944-4e64-ad2c-753a50c3b662/BMC_01-29_3-4-Misc-Labor?io=transform:fill,width:1000px&format=webp) Having support can be very helpful during labor and birth. Your support person may be your partner, a friend, a family member, or the father of the baby. In addition to your support person, you can also have a [doula](/node/177496 "Bump & Beyond: Birth Sisters™: Support through Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond | Boston Medical Center") present at your delivery. The choice is yours—but make sure to plan ahead of time for the support you need. **Ask yourself:** - What does support look like for me, and what might I need? - Who can provide me with support before, during, and after birth? - Are there important people in my life? What will their roles be? - What makes me feel good? - What helps me relax and de-stress? - What is something I can do for myself every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes? - What help will I need to make sure this regular self-care can happen after the birth? ## What Does Support Look Like During Labor and Birth? Think about making a **birth plan** with your support people. A birth plan talks about your choices during labor and birth and helps you decide what you want. Your birth plan could range from general, like whether or not you want to take pain medication or try breastfeeding, to very specific, like a playlist of songs to listen to during labor. If your support people know what you want, they can help communicate with your healthcare team and advocate for you, and then you can feel more prepared and relaxed during your labor, birth, and recovery. ##### Support Person: What Can You Do? - **Know the plan.** Make sure you understand the kind of birth your pregnant person wants and what alternatives they might choose if something unexpected happens. - **Listen.** Plans can change. Ask what feels better. - **Encourage.** Say kind words, like “You’re doing great.” - **Be the DJ.** Help your laboring person with their playlist and physically support them if they need help moving to music. - **Comfort.** Offer water, snacks, massage, and deep breaths. - **Massage.** Help your laboring person figure out what kind of physical touch feels relaxing or gives them relief. - **Hip squeeze.** Support their lower back. - **Support their movement.** Help them move and change positions. - **Take care of yourself.** Eat, breathe, and take breaks yourself to stay strong and calm for them. - **Be patient.** Labor takes time. [Learn More About What Happens During Labor](/node/177418 "Bump & Beyond: Laboring and Pushing Positions | Boston Medical Center") ### What if I Want More Support? You’re not alone. Talk to your healthcare team—they can help connect you with caring people and helpful programs at BMC and in the community, including: - [CenteringPregnancy](/node/177321 "Bump & Beyond: CenteringPregnancy: Supportive Prenatal Care | Boston Medical Center"), a BMC prenatal care program that offers both individual time with your healthcare provider and group activities with other pregnant people sharing the same experiences - In addition to getting your routine check-ups and care, you can make friends and build a community. - Doulas, people trained to give both physical help and emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, and with infant care - BMC’s doula program is called [Birth Sisters](/node/177496 "Bump & Beyond: Birth Sisters™: Support through Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond | Boston Medical Center"). - [MassHealth](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-doula-services-program-information-for-masshealth-members "MassHealth Doula Services Program: Information for MassHealth Members | Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov)") can also connect you with a doula—doula support is covered by MassHealth insurance. - You can also hire a doula separately. - [Curbside Care](/node/151961 "Curbside Care for Moms and Babies Is One of BMC Pediatrics’ Newest Innovations in Care Delivery | Boston Medical Center"), a BMC program that offers postpartum care and support for you and your baby at your doorstep - Parenting groups, like [First Connections](https://jri.org/?program=first-connections "First Connections: Free Support Services to Families with Young Children across Twelve Massachusetts Communities | JRI: Justice Resource Institute (jri.org)") - Postpartum meals and food - [BMC Preventive Food Pantry](/node/125876 "Preventive Food Pantry | Boston Medical Center") - [Community Servings](https://www.servings.org/meal-delivery/application-process/ "Apply to Receive Meals | Community Servings (servings.org)") - Help with rent, childcare, and bills through United Way’s [Mass211](https://mass211.org/ "Mass 2-1-1: A Program of Your Local United Way (mass211.org)") program, which is available 24/7 in Massachusetts by calling 211 ### Stressed or Depressed and Need Help? Make sure your healthcare provider knows, so they can support you and connect you to resources. [Find More Mental Health Support Resources](/node/177398 "Bump & Beyond: Get Help Now for Your Mental Health | Boston Medical Center") support-during-labor-and-birth