Scheduled Surgical Birth – $875.00

Painting by Amanda Greavette

There are many reasons that you and your care provider may decide it medically necessary for you to have a scheduled cesarean. It is in this circumstance that having a Doula at your side becomes so very essential. Your Doula brings in another set of eyes, ears and hands, provides answers to your questions, helps you formulate a birth plan and even offer an educational class on cesarean sections to help you better prepare for your upcoming surgical birth. During the pre-operative period, your Doula will help by explaining procedures to you as they come and assist in helping you manage procedures that might be a bit painful, such as the administration of an IV and the placement of epidural anesthesia prior to your surgery. During your surgery, your surgeon and nurses will be busy and focused on all safety measures and procedures of your surgery as well as setting up and preparing to care for your baby immediately after birth. Dad or your partner will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of your baby and may also find themselves in need of some support and reassurance. It is during this time that your Doula will be taking great care in communicating with you and your partner as many details as you would like to know along the way, and possibly even helping to document the journey for you by photographing the birth of your baby, if you so desire, particularly after the baby is born. Your Doula will remind staff of any special requests that you may have in your birth plan. It is important to remember that during a cesarean your baby is born within just a few short minutes and the remainder of the hour long procedure is the closing and repair. Should your baby need to go to the nursery or NICU, your partner will be able to accompany baby and your Doula will remain right at your side for the remainder of your surgery. This way, baby is never alone, and neither are you. Your Doula will also act as a liaison between staff, your partner, and you, to keep you up to date on your baby while you are separated. Should baby be able to stay present with you and your partner, then your Doula can assist in the bonding process, as well as immediate skin-to-skin contact with you and even help in the beginning of your nursing journey all while your surgery is being completed. Once into the postpartum period, your Doula will provide post-operative support and comfort measures, give guidance with breastfeeding and answer any questions you may have.

• 1 prenatal visit prior to your cesarean
• 1 postnatal visit 5 – 10 days after your cesarean
• Breastfeeding support is given until the day your baby weans
• 24 hour on-call period for the first 2 weeks after your surgery (contact via phone, text or email)

Unscheduled Emergency or Non-Emergency Surgical Birth

Care in this circumstance includes the same level of service as explained above. The only exception is that in the event of an emergency situation, your Doula’s role may be extremely limited during the actual surgical procedure. Her full care services are once again available to you during the postpartum period.

Family Centered Cesarean

Families have began to demand change in the surgical room during a cesarean where no immediate health emergencies are present. Your Doula can help you create a birth plan that would include important details about your cesarean birth and your desires for how your new little one is introduced into your lives and make it the most sacred experience as possible.

Just a few examples:

• Given only non-drowsy, anti-nausea medications and anesthesia
• No sedatives after the birth so that you can stay awake and have a memory of your baby’s first moments
• Lowering the screen just before baby is born
• Allowing baby to be born slowly and delaying the clamping of the cord
• Allowing dad or partner to announce the gender of the baby
• Allowing dad or partner to cut the cord
• Delaying baby’s bath until the next day ( or not at all)
• Keeping the room quiet or playing music of your choice
• Immediate skin-to-skin contact
• All baby checks required be done while in mom or dads arms, rather than taken away or placed on a warming bed
• Time alone after surgery to nurse with absolute minimal interruption
• Not allowing guests into room without permission

More options are discussed during prenatal visits, so you can build a cesarean birth plan that meets all of your desires as you welcome your baby.