Tips From a Doula On How To Have A Positive Cesarean Birth
Your birth vision and hopes do not go out the window in the case of a planned or emergency cesarean. While we cannot ensure a positive or safe delivery, here are some ways to enter into the experience in a more supported, gentle way.
Tips from a doula and birth photographer on how to have an empowering and positive cesarean birth:
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✨ hire a doula - we are trained in the art of holding space for our clients and we can carry that art into any environment. Whether it’s in the pre birth meetings where we make a plan and set birth intentions, in the pre op room or in the OR, we will make sure to carry a consistent sense of peace with us for you throughout.
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✨ set birth intentions - scrap the idea that you need a plan. Birth doesn’t give a hoot about plans. Birth is nature and nature does what it pleases. But we can set our intentions moving into the birthing realm, we can speak what we’d like to experience into existence, and make a plan for if anything deviates from your intentions.
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✨ focus on the environment - like I said we can’t control birth. Nor should we try to. But we can control the birthing environment and who we bring in, what we allow and so on. Be mindful and careful about who’s present. Ask your OBGYN how supportive they are of gentle cesareans, and if they have experience with them. Bring your favorite sounds, smells, and feels. Soft robes, soft pillows, an eye mask (bright lights in the OR are harsh) and some roller balls with familiar and calming smells to keep your environment comfortable and calm.
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✨ gather information - you have rights and the more knowledge you have about them the better you can advocate for yourself on the day of. A cesarean is not a “bad” experience if you go into it knowing what you want and what you are entitled to and how to ask for those things. Clear drapes, delayed cord clamping, doula presence in the OR, no extra residents or students during delivery, skin to skin, all of these things are available to you and if you don’t know what and how to ask for them - refer back to step one and hire a doula to walk you through that.
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Reach out to have your birth supported or documented at revolutionaryintentions.com