doula for c/s?

[susmamma]

Hi just wondering what doulas think about being there for a c-section birth? How likely is it that the doula can attend in theatre, is this variable due to hospital policy and does anyone know what the RPA Sydney's policy is on doulas being present at c/s?

[tickle]

You can have whoever you want at your c/section but the individual hospital may only allow one person. It depends on their own policy. I tried to get my doula to come in with me and my DH but they wouldn't allow it. You can argue the point that they sometimes have students there, but the OB I saw said there won't be any students up the head end where a doula would be. I wanted to have a doula there incase of complications when my DH was with my baby, I didn't want to be alone. It turns out I did have complications and I was alone, but in that instance they would have kicked her out anyway. Good luck to you, I hope you can have her there with you.:hugs:

[pickles]

i attended a birth on Saturday night ( C/section ) where there was the womans husband and mother - both at the head end of the bed. I just asked the obs and the anaesthatist if that would be okay. Th really nice thing is that we needed to take the baby to warm it up , so i took the husband with me leaving the grandma holding the mums hand. There really is no reason that two people cannot be present at a c/section - the only time you would both be asked to leave wold be if a GA was required . The best option is to make sure that you okay it before the date with both the obs and anaesthatist - that way there are no suprises.
Ultimately it is your birth whereever it may be occuring.
Goodluck
Pickles
DD 02/03
DS 03/05

[annsam]

Most hospitals only allow 1 person.

Edited to add, but your doula can help you prepare if you need it and help you afterwards while you recover.

[tickle]

I know if you do jump up and down you can swing them your way in some circumstances. To be honest, by the time it came down to trying to get my doula to come the fight spirit was already taken out of me.

[bellab]

I am a student midwife and trained doula. In a teaching hospital they do allow midwifery student into theatre, (not any other sort of student!). I choose to go up the 'head end' when my women go into theatre. This allows me to be a doula (not the role I am supposed to be in) and be with the woman when everyone else in the room treats them like a body.

If you can its brilliant to have a doula in theatre but also prob a difficult thing to have. It all depends on the hospitals policy and they are likely to dissuade you as much as possible to keep in control. A doula can still be a fantastic support antenatally and in the postnatal period.
:fingerscrossed:

Bella

[Doula Jane]

I'm a certified doula and have been allowed into the theatre during surgery. I had to remain in one position (at Mum's head) and not move around too much, but that was fine. Dad and I were both allowed in on a scheduled c-section which was great as the surgery was pretty rough on Mum. Dad was happy to go with bub to be warmed up, knowing that I was with Mum at the head end, keeping her relaxed and calm, holding her hand, stroking her hair, etc. It meant a lot to Dad to know that someone who cared was with his wife. This was in the US, and it does differ from hospital to hospital, depending on their policies. I'm sure that would be the same here. One thing I suggest to my Mums here in Oz is to talk to their OB well before their due date, and ask how they feel about having a doula as well as their partner in theatre should they need a c-section. That way, there are no surprises if it actually comes to that siyuation on the day. I also try to go with my Mums to meet the OB at one of their pre-natal visits, to introduce myself. I find it reduces any mistrust or fear of interfering that the OB may have.

Maybe you should call the hospital where you intend to deliver and ask what their policy is. If they won't allow it, and it's very important to you, you could change your OB/hospital.

Just remember that this is YOUR birth, and as long as you have a professional, respectful doula, the hospital may agree.

Good Luck!

Doula Jane

[AM]

I think births would be much better experiences for women if doulas were routinely used. Doulas are great!:thumbsup:

[fai firinne]

I feel that when you're going through a ceasarian birth, having a Doula for emotional support is just as vital as with any other type of birth. Ultimately, it's your body, your baby and your birth, and the effects of the experience, for better or worse, stay with you for life. So be strong and speak up for what's really important to you. The more women who do this, the more that service providers will get the message on what we really want & need when we are having our babies. It is very hard to be assertive and make a huge fuss in the middle of such an intense and important event. But .... you CAN make your wishes very plain when you write your Birth Plan, or Preferences. Some women write out their Preferences on a large poster-sized sheet and take it into the birth room. Then they also prepare a "If I need a C-section" poster (I'd use bright yellow cardboard so it's hard to miss!) to take right into the theatre with them. If you state clearly in your Birth Plan that you insist on your Doula accompanying you in the event of a C-section, and you go over your birth plan during the pregnancy and emphasize this, that will be easier than trying to assert your wishes during the labour. You might get fobbed off, as with many procedures than have become routine or "policy", but if enough women say, "No, I insist, it is important to me that my Doula stays with me", change will come!
You can also write in your birth plan that you would like to have your own music playing, that you do not wish theatre staff to chat about anything not related to you and your birth (as if you were unconscious), that you would like to have your own music playing, and that you wish the baby to be placed straight into your chest, and to be suctioned (if necessary) and allowed to warm while having skin-to-skin contact with you - unless the baby is dying and truly needs emergency help. You can ask that a hat be placed on the baby and that he/she be covered with a soft, warmed blanket, and that the baby be allowed to stay with you while you are stitched up. You can ask that everyone respectfully keep noise and chatter to a minimum to allow you to bond. You can ask that any routine weighing & measuring be post-phoned for an hour or two so that your bonding is not interrupted or curtailed. You can say you wish to breast-feed in theatre if you and the baby want to and that your Doula will be assisting with that. You can ask that your baby and your partner and your Doula stay with you in recovery. You can ask that they keep the placenta for you to take home with you if you wish. These are the types of things you can write in your birth plan. You can speak up for what you want, for what is important to you and your family.
From the perspective of Doulas, we are here to support you in your birthing journey, no matter what your choices and preferences may be. We are employed by YOU, so you're the boss! Doula means, 'servant' in Greek, and that's appropriate because it is important that we get on your wave-length and understand what you want for this important time of your life, and that we don't impose our own agenda on you. So, we are very happy to support you in a ceasarian birth if you choice, or to help you explore alternatives if that is your heart's desire. You are the consumer - you call the shots.
Warm regards,
Julie Bell