Doulas at c-sections

[Dappy]

Can doulas play an important role at the c-section of a women? I read this comment on the net so wondered your thoughts -

This comment is on the basis of hiring a doula in advance for your birth

What happens if you make all those arrangements and payments and despite the best-laid plans you wind up having to have a scheduled c-section (breech position, etc)? The doula doesn't have much of a role if you're never in labor, right? So what exactly are you paying for then? Or is it just a gamble?


So does the doula still play an Important role at c-section if so what, how? If your a women what would you see as a benefit to having a doula at your c-section?

Thoughts?

[ContraryMary]

Well I don't think I would automatically be choosing a c section purely on the basis of a breech. But I think doula's can play an excellent supporting role in me making such a decision by offering information that the midwives or consultants failed to provide.
If I was opting for a scheduled c section there is no way I would allow them to touch me with an epidural. I would happily choose a hammer and bottle of vodka over the epidural any day so doula would play a vital role in supporting my husband and his needs/concerns etc whilst waiting.

[Dappy]

I suppose for you Cm the doula would play a important role with supporting your husband due to his hearing, someone he trusts/is familiar with and can take the time to let him know what's going on so thats a bonus.


Well I don't think I would automatically be choosing a c section purely on the basis of a breech.

I'm starting to know you too well lol, I just knew you'd say something along those lines :) :thumbup:

I don't think the doula could play an important role for me this time round anyway as my partner is so supportive and this whole pregnancy/birth has and will be very different in terms of support this time around.

With DS I could of done with a doula and my partner at the time was so unsupportive, i think he was scared tbh so a doula could of stepped in and supported me while i shivered like a nervous wreck on the table.

[Delilah]

It's important to support the whole family, no matter if it's a c/s or not. I think the role of the doula is pivitol if they 'allowed' in the recovery area (BF support etc).

[Dappy]

A lady posted this on my Facebook -

I needed a doula much more for my sections than for my home birth! My first section would undoubtedly not have happened if I had been supported by a doula with the ability to be assertive and and understanding of my wishes and the physiology of normal birth. As it was I was labouring and not able to stand my ground and my husband's information-base was not sufficient for him to be an advocate. With my crash section (torn placental blood vessel due to percreta at 33 weeks) a doula would have been able to advocate for us when I was feeling rough and would have been able to support me whilst my husband went to NICU with our baby, or perhaps she would even have been able to support my wishes to have him KMC rather than warmed artificially and she could have helped us all stay together - we were well enough, just not a match for 'policy' ... If I'd had a midwife there for me that might have been enough, but as it was they were a) bound to follow a policy regardless of their agreement with it and b) committed to keeping notes and assisting other teams rather than supporting me as the mother. I'd hire a doula next time, especially if I was planning a section, actually, I was going to hire one, I just hadn't done with interviewing them when the crisis happened. You really can't have enough support and next time I will book my doula early so that I know I have her and so that if things go awry I have enough support...
Sorry, that turned into an essay... I think that often women expect to be OK, and then only afterwards realise that they could have done with informed and confident support, but it is too late.

I thought I'd share as I think it's relevant as she Details how a doula could of helped.

[MrsBanks]

I know a doula who specialises in CS, particularly where there is a medical condition affecting the baby. She is an angel by all accounts, and really helps parents get through what could otherwise be a very traumatic time.

[Flopsy]

As a student, we often acted as 'doula's' for women in theatre. There is that time between preparation and the actual surgery when women are alone, and very vulnerable - partners have to wait outside??? I remember my section and the feelings I had - the thought of someone there I knew......
Flopsy
xx

[ContraryMary]

can a doula act as an advocate? I thought they replaced relatives but with a bit more knowledge. My partner and my mother were outright ignored with my first birth, and would only ask me questions...wouldn't take answers from anyone else even if they were exactly what I had said anyway????

[Delilah]

Probably not CM, doulas are not medically trained. They are however there to empower you and your partner! Sadly if the situation came down to 'consent' then it would have to be you anyways.

[ContraryMary]

Probably not CM, doulas are not medically trained. They are however there to empower you and your partner! Sadly if the situation came down to 'consent' then it would have to be you anyways.

I understand for things like operations - but I still don't understand why its necessary to persistently ask the same question over and over and over and over again...

[Delilah]

I don't think it is necessary, with or without a doula!

[ContraryMary]

Glad its not just me then :)

[DoricDoula]

A doula at a cesarian birth can be increadably useful to help both mum and dad and to help mum do skin to skin as soon as baby is out, or to stay with mum while dad goes to nicu.

consent can only be obtained from the woman, but the doula can help her comunicate with the staff not do it for her, so it may be that they were interested in AROM before pit and the doula could say to mum "Do you want to ask the midwife aobut any alternatives or do you want to go with that?" to prompt more questions.
I also provide translation in British sign language should clients reqest this and in that case all i do is pass the exact message on, from yes and no, to full ranting and swearing, with all the pitch and intonation going.
in that case im just the computer if you like translating lang A to B.

For myself I am happy speaking up im a terable patient and i can advocate hard for myself what i would need a doula at this stage for is to help my partner as hes not gened up on birth hes a touch in the dark aobut the pros and cons of meds etc but, if we do have a doula it will be so that he and i can have breaks from eachother when im tense and i can basicaly drift off to labour land knowing my doula can bring me out a bit to communicate with the staff.

for me I would be taking to a birth if it were mine all the reserch papers on relevent topics 1st page summary and a list of questions below so that wehn it comes down to it i have all the resourses i need to advocate for myself, im jsut a stickler for "GET IT RIGHT BOYS" and dont palm me off with oh its safe but with anythign small risks NO i want full info, but thats just me.

Im comfy in hospitals and can usaualy build a raport with people fairly quickely in daily life so i will go to the ends of the earth to give a client what she wants and if the medics decide a differnt course of action is needed i can hold space for her to greive for what she wanted and help her have the best birth she can.

[ContraryMary]

Its nice to read about the sign language :) DH is hearing impaired and just having someone there who is aware of 'his' needs would be a huge help to both of us. Though he doesn't know BSL just yet, his hearing hasn't deteriorated that far as yet.