5 ways your doula can help you through a cesarean
Cesarean Births: They’re complicated, can be scary, and come to fruition in different ways.
Sometimes birth does not go as planned; actually, most of the time birth does not go as planned. Sometimes cesarean births are needed to ensure the baby and birthing person are safe after everything is said and done, and let me stress this: There is absolutely NO SHAME in that. Birth is birth. It is ALL beautiful.
Perhaps you’ve planned to have a Cesarean Birth because of your health history. Maybe you’ve had a cesarean in the past, and after discussing it with your provider, you’ve decided together that a VBAC is not a good option for you.
Whatever the case, if you are choosing to have a cesarean or the cesarean is an unexpected turn your birth must take, doulas are still essential aspects of your birth team.
The following tips are geared toward planned Cesarean Births. If an emergency cesarean is necessary, the doula can still do these and other services to make sure you feel safe and secure in your emergency situation. Make sure to ask your doula if she feels prepared for a planned or unplanned Cesarean Birth, and ask how she would specifically support you throughout that entire experience.
With that, here are 5 things a doula can do to help you prepare for your Cesarean Birth:
1) In preparation, doulas can explain what the pre and post-op will be like, so you are fully, mentally prepared for what is to come. There is a lot that goes into Cesarean Births, and if you hire a doula, she can guide you every step and answer your questions along the way.
2) Your doula can help you make a birth plan! As I said above, cesarean births are births too, so planning what to do is very helpful for your peace of mind. It will also help you take back some of the control you will lose through this type of birth experience. Want music played in the Operating Room while you’re on the table? Want your baby immediately placed on your chest for skin to skin after the doctors pull them out of your womb? These are both things that can be added to your Cesarean Birth plan, and there is a lot more your doula can discuss with you. Of course, many of these things will be contingent on hospital policy and the preferences of the doctor completing your surgery, but it never hurts to ask!
3) If your doula is permitted in the operating room with you, she can offer you a play by play of what is going on during the surgery. If you want, your doula might also be able to take photos!
4) If your doula is permitted into the operating room, she can stay by your side if your baby needs to go to the nursery. Then the partner can follow the baby confidently into the nursery knowing you are emotionally safe with your doula.
5) After the baby is born and you are in recovery, your doula can help you with your first breastfeeding experience. It’s better to begin breastfeeding before the anesthesia wears off since it will be easier to get started when you’re not in pain.
I hope this information was helpful to you. Remember to comment below if you have any questions, thoughts or concerns!