A Doula At A C-Section? It's a Smart Decision, Here's Why.

Your vision of birth probably did not include having surgery. You were thinking natural, unmedicated, maybe even home birth and now your having a C-Section. You may feel uneasy about this but for whatever reason it's the only choice to keep things safe (I won't go into reasons). Your partner is even more terrified and may not be able to handle seeing you going through this. You may have had a great doula picked out and now your thinking, "Well, we should probably tell the doula we no longer need her <<sad face>>". NO WAY! She can be the key to you and your partner having the greatest outcome possible. So get a freshstart with your C-section and choose a great doula.

Firstly, once you know your having a C-section, find your local ICAN chapter and start attending monthly meetings. At these meetings you will learn from other moms how to cope with this news. They share stories, outcomes and you may be able to connect with a mom that you can call or message regularly just to talk or vent.

When you meet with your doula you form a bond that you can feel comfortable with. You can contact her with questions that can arise during the pregnancy. She will attend doctor's appointments to form a great working bond with them too. You will go over an extensive plan that will include some different situations that may arise during and right after your surgery so that you will be prepared and not shocked IF/WHEN baby would get transferred to another hospital for medical reasons. A doula will help you deal with your flowing emotions about the surgery in general and will be able to offer reassurance and answers to your partner on what to expect. Your partner may decide that they absolutely do not think they can handle being in the operating room and maybe it would be more comforting that your doula be in there with you to take off any pressure.

A doula can tell you of your options that you have during the C-section. She can inform you of your rights as to these different options. Such things could be the type of sutures you receive, maybe you would prefer that the staff keep their conversations to a minimum (unless it is about the procedure), maybe it would calm you down to hear a lot of others talking so you don't focus on the procedure. A doula can provide evidence based answers to questions you will have on your surgery. You don't have to go in and succumb to what they say is a normal everyday task and lay there and be uncomfortable.

Once baby is out your doula can stay with you (If allowed by the physician) while your partner takes pictures of baby and stays with baby to monitor the procedures you have agreed to. Your partner may choose to stay with baby if baby needs to go to the NICU at a different facility. Your doula can stay with you while you remain on the operating table. 

Once you are back into recovery after your gentle C-section and baby is fine your doula will definitely be able to come in and assist you with skin-to-skin and initiating breastfeeding. While in recovery you may still be laying flat and find it near impossible to hold baby and breastfeed on your own so having a professional will be the key to success.

Bottom line on having a doula in your corner for any birth and especially one that can be potentially disconcerting is that she works directly for you not for the facility. You will be given such great care during your prenatal visits that you can feel a lot more reassured that this WILL be ok! Your partner will have someone other than you to complain (yes, they might) and chat with. You will receive one-on-one care at all times with your doula (unlike busy hospital staff). You TOO, will have someone you can complain to (venting is allowed). A doula provides emotional support as well as physical support. 

Lisa D. Kehoe IBCLC, CLD, CPD serving all clients in the Rockford, Illinois and all surrounding areas. She started Oh Baby Mine in January of 2011 and has served and treated hundreds of parents in the area. She does home, hospital, birthing center births. As a postpartum doula she loves to serve and educate all parents to care for their new addition. With extensive advanced education in the field of breastfeeding she brings the best support to your birthing experience.

She has two children of her own that were born completely natural and unmedicated. Breastfeeding was completely successful also. Those are the main reasons she chose to serve families acheive as natural a birth experience possible. Lisa is a professional member of ICAN.

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