Doula Support for Planned C-Sections

If you know ahead of time that you’re having a planned cesarean birth, it can feel like having a doula isn’t an option. But that’s not true!

Doulas have a lot to offer for families welcoming little ones in an operating room. So if you know this is how you’ll be meeting your baby (or babies as the case may be), don’t give up the idea of having a doula by your side!

Some doulas even offer a special service package just for these folks! (Skip down to our planned c-section doula packages here.)

Note: Unfortunately not all hospitals allow doulas to attend cesarean births. But even if your doula isn’t able to be with you in the OR, we can often accompany you during pre-op and post-op to help you feel surrounded by support and care in a more personal way than hospitals are usually able to provide. We look forward to the day when doula support during cesarean births is standard at all hospitals - it can make such a huge difference to have someone on your team who is knowledgeable about what’s going on AND whose only job is to look after your personal experience!

Here are some of the ways we support parents birthing by cesarean:

1. Exploring options ahead of time and creating a birth plan
   Yes, a birth plan! Even with cesarean births, there are still some important options you should be aware of. We talk through those together in advance, and even provide a free membership to [M]otherboard Birth so you can make your choices and discuss them with your providers. We love to help lower anxiety levels for parents (and their partners or other loved ones) by helping them understand what to expect. And if you are interested in any aspects of “family-centered cesareans,” we can help you understand what your hospital offers and how we can advocate for anything that varies from their norm.

2. Addressing concerns or fears
   It’s normal to feel apprehensive about a c-section. After all, it is major abdominal surgery performed while you are awake… it makes sense to have some big feelings about that! Working together during pregnancy, we will walk through any concerns you have and make a game plan. Sometimes this involves learning more about a certain aspect of c-sections to put your mind at ease. (This is the reason why we offer a class specifically about preparing for a cesarean birth!) Sometimes it’s a feeling you just can’t shake - and while we can’t take that away, we can be with you and help you feel heard (which is not usually a given in the hospital environment).

3. Supporting you through other aspects of your pregnancy journey
   Doulas aren’t just there for the birth! We work to support our clients throughout pregnancy. Many of our clients have questions that are difficult to get answers to - from hip pain to sleep problems to coping with the emotions pregnancy can bring, we’re here to help. No matter how your actual birth happens, you can benefit from the support of a doula throughout your pregnancy.

4. Pre-op companionship
   On the big day, we can accompany you during the pre-surgical happenings. There are a good amount of medical tasks that need to be done in the hour or two before a scheduled c-section, but often there is a lot of down time. As you can imagine, down time can easily turn into anxiety time! Having a doula with you during that “in between” period can make a huge difference in how you experience (and remember!) the day of your baby’s birth. From helping you communicate your preferences to hospital staff, to making sure all your questions are answered, to being a calm presence to keep you company, we love helping clients prepare to cross this threshold in as grounded of a way as possible.

5. Support during your birth
   One of our main roles during a cesarean birth is to humanize the experience as much as possible. In a cold, impersonal operating room, we can bring extra warmth and connection as you welcome your baby. This is often what clients describe as most memorable about their cesarean birth experiences! Depending on what comes up during the process, we may also be offering reassurance to you and/or your partner or other support person, explaining what’s going on (translating medical jargon), communicating your questions or concerns with medical staff, supporting you with practices and ideas to cope with any anxiety or discomfort, facilitating skin-to-skin in the OR, taking pictures, and more. Our priority is to help you have as positive of an experience as possible as you meet your little one!

6. Post-op care
   In the recovery unit we can help facilitate your comfort, and your bonding experience with your new baby. Another big priority during this time is feeding your little one - if you’re planning to nurse, there can be some unique challenges that come with cesarean births. We can help you anticipate and address these challenges, which is often especially helpful since hospitals don’t offer much individualized lactation care. (In Pittsburgh, none of our local hospitals are Designated Baby-Friendly hospitals, making detailed, personalized lactation support even more valuable.)

7. Ongoing postpartum support & guidance
   Recovering from any kind of birth while caring for a baby can be intense! We’re just a text away if you have questions about your physical recovery, or any of the normal changes and concerns people experience when they have a newborn at home. Many of our clients also like to meet with us postpartum to process their birth experience. We also offer additional services including lactation consults, sleep consulting for infants and toddlers, and general postpartum support and coaching.

If you’re looking for a doula for your planned c-section,
we’d love to support you!

Comprehensive Planned Cesarean Birth Doula Package: $1700

Guidance & preparation:

• Cesarean Birth Preparation Class (private class via Zoom)

• Creating your birth plan: support and guidance, plus access to [M]otherboard Birth ($50 value)

• Infant sleep Q&A session with Marlee

Ongoing support during pregnancy:

• Monthly virtual check-ins throughout your pregnancy

• In-person prenatal visit around 35 weeks

• Text/phone communication for your questions or concerns

Trusted support for your birth:

• 24/7 communication with your doulas in case you go into labor unexpectedly prior to your planned c-section date

• Day-of support at the hospital: Marlee and/or Megan will arrive at the hospital prior to your c-section, stay with you in the operating room (depending on hospital policies), and remain with you for the first 1-3 hours postpartum

Postpartum care:

• Lactation/feeding support visit with Marlee

• Text/phone communication for your questions or concerns

• Virtual check-in and birth debrief appointment at 4-6 weeks postpartum

BONUS:

• The Practical Parent’s Plan for Nursing a Newborn: our signature online lactation course you can take at your own pace

Essential Planned Cesarean Birth Doula Package: $900

Guidance & preparation:

• Creating your birth plan: support and guidance, plus access to Motherboard Birth ($50 value)

Ongoing support during pregnancy:

• In-person prenatal visit around 35 weeks

• Text/phone communication for your questions or concerns

Trusted support for your birth:

• 24/7 communication with your doulas in case you go into labor unexpectedly prior to your planned c-section date

• Day-of support at the hospital: Marlee and/or Megan will arrive at the hospital prior to your c-section, stay with you in the operating room (depending on hospital policies), and remain with you for the first 1-3 hours postpartum

Postpartum care:

• Lactation/feeding support visit with Marlee

• Text/phone communication for your questions or concerns

BONUS:

• The Practical Parent’s Plan for Nursing a Newborn: our signature online lactation course you can take at your own pace

If you have any questions about the ways doulas can support you if you’re having a scheduled c-section, feel free to reach out so we can chat!

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