While we doulas know that every woman and every birth is unique, a cesarean birth can create special support needs for families, particularly in the postpartum period.
Debbie Young, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA) Past President of DONA International shares some of the ways a postpartum doula supports families who have given birth via cesarean in a new post “Postpartum Doulas: support after cesarean” on the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)’s blog. From her article:
“When a mother and baby come home after a cesarean birth there are a few extra things to think about, that road includes a few twists of its own. A postpartum doula can be very helpful in smoothing out this joyful, stressful, exciting, tiring and healing time for the new family.”
As one example, Debbie shares:
“Some mothers (and family) need help processing the birth, especially if it didn’t turn out as they expected. The doula has a great listening ear and if things are escalating beyond normal processing, the doula can refer the mother to the appropriate specialist to continue to deal with the events of the birth. And at the same time, the doula is a stable presence in the home to help the mother know she is not alone.”
Our thanks to ICAN for sharing the ways in which postpartum doulas provide support after a cesarean with their members and readers.
— Adrianne Gordon, CD(DONA), MBA
Reblogged this on Danyel Bailey and commented:
A great post about postpartum care after a C section.