Bring a Loved One to Your Prenatal Appointments

During the average pregnancy, you'll visit your OB or midwife at least around 15 times. That means at least 15 opportunities to ask questions, learn about your health in the pregnancy, and connect with your care provider(s). Many people go to appointments alone. After all, it's easier to make an appointment around one person's schedule instead of two, and there doesn't seem to be an urgent need to have anyone else present. Taking a friend, partner, spouse or loved one to a prenatal appointment, however, has benefits. If you've never considered bringing someone along, here are some reasons to reconsider.

Moral support - Often, the mere presence of another person who supports you can help you feel an increased sense of ease. Bringing a companion is especially helpful if you have a difficult appointment coming up or plan to discuss a topic that causes anxiety. 

Second set of ears - Prenatal appointments go by quickly. It's not uncommon for people to leave an appointment feeling like they didn't fully understand or process the information given by their provider. With another person present to help soak up and recall information, you can review and compare what both of you heard and understood. Your support person may remember details that you don't to help fill in any missing pieces.

A different perspective - The person you bring along will come to your appointment with her own perspective and viewpoint. She may ask things you don't (or encourage you to ask things), which could bring helpful information you didn't know you wanted.

Sharing in the journey - Pregnancy can be a lonely experience. After all, you're the only one physically enduring the pregnancy! When you open up and share the experience with others -- as much as is possible -- it can feel less isolating. Doing so can also help partners feel more engaged, which is beneficial for both. 

Education for your support person - If the person you bring is also going to be with you during labor and birth, it helps to involve them throughout your care. Prenatal appointments often provide information that is useful to know before you go into labor and give birth. If your support person/loved one is with you for at least a few of your appointments, they will likely feel more involved, prepared, and confident prior to the big event.

By nature, humans are social creatures who have evolved in partnership with and supported by other humans. Despite our modern culture and distance from the days when birth was attended and supported by a circle of female elders and family members, it's in our nature to crave and benefit from similar kinds of support. Bringing a friend or loved one to your prenatal appointments is one way of meeting these basic but important instincts.