Let’s start by busting myths. One in three births in the US happens via surgery. April is cesarean and VBAC awareness month, and as doulas, I promise we’re VERY aware of cesarean surgery. I want to bust a few myths for you about doulas and cesareans.
- Doulas don’t have anything against cesarean birth. Seriously! If you need or want a cesarean birth, we’re happy to talk to you about what your options are and how you can have a great experience. Whether your cesarean birth is planned or unexpected, a birth doula worth their salt will support you no matter whatever, and help keep you calm throughout all of it.
- Doulas are trained to support cesarean birth. Busting myths about this to medical professionals is my favorite! Birth doulas actually learn in our training about supporting people in the operating room. We’re not always allowed in the OR, but when we do, we’re ready. Supporting our clients in the OR as a second support person is <chef’s kiss> when we can, but we promise to help for every other minute of your experience if we aren’t allowed inside.
- Doulas don’t think of cesarean birth as failure! I recently heard some labor and delivery nurses have this viewpoint, and honestly I get it, I may have thought that at one point, but that’s a bias that needs to be dissolved. Sometimes babies need to be born through the sunroof. There is no one right way to give birth.
These 3 myths really just highlight what people don’t know about doulas! We help clients have their best birth, no matter how it happens, and have great ways to help you afterwards too! Busting myths about doulas is one of my favorite things to do. Doulas are good at defying expectations.
Busting Myths about VBAC
If you’re thinking about having another baby after your cesarean birth, know that having a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) is possible, yes, even in Evansville. There is currently a VBAC-ban at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, but other than that location, VBAC is 100% something that is accessible to our clients. That isn’t to say that VBAC is the best choice or even possible for every individual, rather that it is something that people do here.
Doulas just want you to feel supported. That’s why we’ve been advocating with the local hospitals to create better more inclusive policies to always allow doulas to be in the operating room with their clients. Currently, the OR policies are written so that it is up the discretion of the anesthesiologist and OB as to whether doulas are allowed in as a second support person, but we know that leaves much too much room for inequity and discrimination. We’ll keep working on it!
One insider tip just for you: if you’re planning a cesarean birth at Deaconess The Women’s Hospital, you can request a drape with a window! This is in addition to the clear drapes that they already have too. Let’s see if maybe they can move toward a family centered cesarean next.
