How Do Doulas Help Parents Delivering By Cesarean?

Labor doulas are typically hired by people planning to have a vaginal birth. A doula's knowledge of normal physiological birth, the constant support through labor, and the skilled hands-on care are all reasons doulas are growing in popularity.

But what if you suddenly need a surgical birth or are planning a cesarean delivery from the onset? Are labor doulas helpful then?

Yes.

When it becomes necessary to decide to have a non-emergency cesarean, after long hours of hard labor, the flood of emotions is intense and overwhelming for many. The medical team will be focused on getting you prepared physically for unexpected surgery.

Your doula will be focused on your mental and emotional preparedness.

Having all your questions answered, understanding the risks, helping you wade through the options all happen before the choice is made. And once made, your doula can help you to prepare for what will happen next.

• Your doula will outline what you can expect to see, smell, and experience in the operating room.

• Your doula will outline what the next few hours will look like, and when you see her next (if doulas are not allowed in the operating room), and keeping you and your partner tuned into each other while getting ready to meet your baby.

• Your doula can help your partner know how they can support you through surgery if she is not able to attend.

Help During Recovery

After surgery, you are going to need immediate help from both the medical team and support team for the first hours after you deliver. Having a cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery, and nurses will monitor your vital signs and postpartum bleeding.

Usually, in those first hours, parents are eager to have skin-to-skin or start breastfeeding. Families now have time together that may have felt stolen because of the limitations a surgery places on movement and autonomy. All of these activities require more care and attention because of the strain they apply to the new surgical wound on the lower abdomen, and a doula is a skilled set of extra hands and knowledge to help families reconnect.

A doula can help with positioning, answer questions about breastfeeding, and be available to keep baby in a safe position. At the same time, the birthing parent continues to come fully aware after the anesthesia wears off.

Planned Cesarean Delivery

For those people who know they are going to deliver by cesarean, having doula support through pregnancy can offer some unique advantages. Having a doula can lead to better home planning for your post-operative abilities, combined with the needs of your new baby. A doula's experience can help you understand what will and won't be possible after surgery and help you identify any ways you may need to adapt.

It's a complicated world post-surgery of understanding your body's new abilities, caring for your baby, and the intense emotions that come with being a new parent. Having a doula helps make all of the big questions seem smaller, and the unknowns easier to adjust.

Doulas are not only for an unmedicated vaginal birth. Doulas are for any person who wants one-on-one personal support through an experience that can be intense and overwhelming.

Supporting C-Sections: Doulas for Cesarean Birth

Cesarean Birth is something that every pregnant person must evaluate. While it’s not ideal for most birth plans, there is a myth that doulas can’t support a C-Section. False! Doulas can be an incredible source of help for any birth outcome, including a C-Section. Combining a wealth of knowledge and experience, doulas bring emotional, physical, and educational support to each and every client.

1 Emotional Support

Any surgery can be fraught with worry, stress, and a general sense of uncertainty. This is super normal but especially when faced with a surgery to bring your baby into the world. Not only does this affect your life, it affects the life of your unborn baby! It’s no wonder there’s a huge need for emotional support when your birth plan includes a Cesarean. Often fear comes from the unknown. Your doula knows all about common procedures, options, and exactly what will happen once you embark upon your birth. They’ll walk you and your partner through each and every step beforehand and be there to affirm and support during and after as well.

2 Physical Support

Some hospitals allow doulas into the Operating Room. While in the OR, often your doula will stay with you if your partner needs to leave to go to the NICU with baby. Should you feel cold or unstable, your doula can be there to help keep you warm or even just place a hand on your shoulder. Once your procedure is complete and you’re in recovery, often women find themselves shivering and unable to control it or even nauseated. Your doula is skilled and experienced in helping you through these physical symptoms as well as helping you to nurse your baby as soon as possible if you decide to breastfeed. The stress can also get to your partner, your doula can be there and allow your partner to sit and take a breath after the birth of your new little one!

3 Choices in Childbirth

You may not have seen your birth going this way but that doesn’t mean that through the twists and turns you don’t have options. A doula can help walk you through what choices you can make as well as you journey through. From how and when baby is fed to what music is played during your cesarean, you do have choices! There are things that may be available to you that enhance your birthing experience such as clear drapes, skin-to-skin just after birth, and attempting to breastfeed in the OR.  Your doula will be familiar with your birthplace’s options and can help you pick the best things for you and your family.

Maybe you knew you’d need a C-Section when you got pregnant. Maybe it’s a surprise change you weren’t expecting. Planned or unplanned, your Cesarean birth can be a beautifully supported experience with the skills your doula brings. In addition, they can help you know exactly where in Charlotte is ideal for what you’re hoping to experience during the birth of your baby. Your doula will navigate seamlessly, helping to make for a more smooth and comfortable experience for your family.