As we all know, births don't always go as planned. Sometimes cesareans are planned way in advance due to a baby's positioning or a mother's medical history but more often than not these days, a c-section can come on as a bit of a surprise. Women today can be planning a vaginal birth but some may find themselves ending in a cesarean. In fact the average rate of cesarean birth here in Fort Wayne has been reported to be around 33%. That percentage is WAY higher, (more than double), the recommended rate for optimum outcomes for mother/baby health. Now this article is not to argue whether or not Fort Wayne's astronomical rate of cesarean births are warranted, we have posted evidence-based research articles to this question in the past. The Doula Network would like to turn focus to 'doula-ing' the cesarean families who are left dealing with mom's recovery physically, not to mention the family's emotional recovery, from an experience they may have taken action to prevent. Are birth and postpartum doulas necessary in cesarean birth?
Birth doulas are experienced in cesarean delivery support. Choosing to have a doula at a unplanned or planned cesarean can prove invaluable to the process. Postpartum doulas are very experienced in the physical care of a mom post-cesarean and can help with any breastfeeding, bonding or family needs that may arise.
We've been lucky enough to have a local mom share her cesarean story and how her doula helped to make a difference. The Doula Network of Fort Wayne would like to thank Allison and her husband for sharing their story and we honor her courage in coming through an unexpected journey.
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I will GLADLY sing the praises of a good doula during and after a c-section birth! As you know, Doug and I had big plans for the birth of our 3rd baby. These plans included a drug-free labor and delivery, a labor where I was free to walk, rock, get into the water or on the birthing ball as needed, Daddy "catching" the baby and handing him/her to me and telling me what it was, Daddy cutting the cord (as he had w/ our other 2 babies), nursing immediately, and delaying much of the testing, measuring and cleaning up for at least the first hour.
Boy, did our plans change! At my 40 wk appt I was told the baby had turned breech. Which explains the sudden extreme discomfort from the previous day on. Since my midwife had performed many versions, had had 2 done on herself, and I had a previous successful version, we decided to try that before anything else. My OB/GYN wanted to get me on an epidural before the version because it "probably wouldn't work" and then I'd be all set for a c-section. I REALLY wasn't comfortable with this as I was hoping for the version to be a success and to have them then break my water and labor naturally from there. The OB/GYN consented after a lot of convincing from my midwife.
The next day we met at the hospital with our doula Shelly and prepared for the version. Doug had been up all night with a stomach flu and was not at all a "fit" labor coach. Shelly did everything she could to help him out as well as me. She got him snacks and kept an eye on him as we went through the preparation steps for whatever would follow. At this point the OB came in to talk to us and again try to talk me into doing an epidural. With the help and support from the midwife and Shelly we again talked her into trying the version first. The OB ordered no meds to be administered during the version because if it did go to a c-section she didn't want the baby groggy.
There in a cold surgical suite on an inverted table I tried my best to relax as the midwife and OB began pushing and prodding, trying to get the baby turned. It HURT. No one was really talking to me and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do.... Then Shelly spoke slow and calm to me as I assume she would to a laboring mother experiencing contractions. She directed me to breathe to relax as much as possible through the pain. She continued to coach me through the deep breathing with empowering words for the several minutes they attempted to move the baby. Then my OB said " Are you ready to give up and do the C-section?" The way that was worded hit me like a ton of bricks. I could feel that the baby was firmly planted and not going to be movable.... but a kinder, more sympathetic way of wording it would have been appreciated. I teared up and said " I don't want to say it..."
At this point my husband also was pretty upset that we were not going to get the experience we'd looked forward to. Shelly was very sympathetic and reassuring to us both. Mostly without words. Which we appreciated. She and Doug left the room while they prepped me for surgery. When they came back we made sure Shelly had her camera. Although we cried through the c-section a little it was very exciting too.
From the moment they got the baby's little bottom out Shelly started snapping pictures and showing them to me so I felt more a part of what was going on instead of so disconnected. It was great to have Doug and Shelly there so one person could be with me and one with the baby at all times until I joined him in the recovery room. She also unlatched my arm to touch the baby better after my pitiful attempts to stroke his little head while restrained for the surgery.
Shelly was intregal in getting me nursing the baby within 40 minutes of birth (not bad for a c-section!) She continued "nursing" Doug back to health a little bit by getting him what he needed and also helping out so he could get to the post partem room to rest for a bit. I was wheeled to my room with my sweet baby latched on and nursing like a pro!
Once we were settled in our room for a little bit Shelly asked if it would be ok timing for her to slip out for a bite to eat and to develop the pictures. When she returned she had an album of all the pictures she'd taken. I cried as I flipped through them... I would continue flipping through them MANY times over the next few weeks until I had memorized them so it actually felt like my memories instead of the actual memories I had of trying so hard to see everything and be a part of it while my baby was so far away at the little bassinet as they measured and treated him (the whole time he's just wailing for Mama)
I can't describe how much it meant having Shelly there. I am trying to in this email, and I tried to when I wrote her a thank you note after coming home from the hospital. But she was much more than a doula to me that day. She was a mother figure that I so needed. She filled that role when I needed it most. She was concerned for me and excited for me and I felt as if I'd always known her. She was truly the only advocate I really felt I had that day with me. My midwife was not able to be there during the c-section, and Doug was still kind of coming around and trying to get to feeling better himself. It was a very emotional day- but thanks to Shelly and her support the deliriously joyful emotions outweighed the negative. I had a happy, healthy (Big) boy and was well cared for with my medical needs. Shelly helped give me memories by taking pictures of what I otherwise would not have seen. I can't tell you the value of that. It's priceless. I wonder if a doula isn't maybe even more needed w/ a c-section than a normal labor/birth- for the emotional side of it anyway. Even though it's such a shorter period of time. I guess everyone's experience is different. Shelly helped make the overtones of the day very happy. I just don't know how many different ways I can say it. Hope this helps!
~Allison
Corban Douglas Born 9-24-08 8 lbs 14 oz 19 1/2"
