What do you think about a Caesarean Birth Support Person/Attendant

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Melanie, thanks so much for your reply
That is sooo wonderful that you've been able to be there for some of these caesar mums. In about what %age of the caesars have the hospital not allowed you in theatre or recovery? I guess even though you weren't able to support some of these mums for the birth, you were there to support them in the postnatal period, and no doubt you have been someone with whom they can share their feelings and debreif the birth experience, which is sooo important. I know that when I started to feel sad about my lost birth experience I felt like I had no-one to talk to and those I did confide in didn't really understand why I was so upset about it. So having someone like yourself to be able to talk to would have been a godsend.
Thanks again for your reply.

[doulamelanie]

Spice, I would say all of the c/sections that I supported have been positively affected, whether it be for the emotional support for both mum and dad that has been supplied, or the information I have been able to provide regarding procedures/protocols/what to expect etc. Sometimes because of the support I provide, the parents feel more confident to pursue changes in hospital protocol. For example, most of the mums that I have worked with have not been separated from their baby in post-op (whether I have been there or not). As a doula, I am not an advocate; I believe it is up to the parents to change policies and protocol, (Dads in the birthing room were unheard of until the mums en masse insisted on it; it didn't happen because of scientific research - see Michel Odent's recent articles) but I provide the information and options for them to decide if it's something they want to insist on. Medical practitioners are more likely to work with the couples wishes than listen to an outsider.
And most of the couples I have worked with also reported feeling much better emotionally about the whole experience.

[pip2jays]

Late to this but thought I would add. I have had 3 c-sections. For the first with twins I had my mother and my husband in the room. for the second I had my sister and Hubby and for my last I had only hubby ( who was going to watch the other kids..LOL) but I only wanted him just the two of us. I also had my anesthetist who was the best thing since sliced bread. she had had a section herself so she acted like my doula it was perfect. she held my hand stayed by my head telling me what was happening. she watched all my vitals and was quick quick quick with making sure there were no dips , rises or surprises so i was on an even keel, and told me what and when she was giving me anything.. .. she was brilliant. .. I had him at 8 am on the dot and I was out of bed with no pain relief at 9 pm that night.. I had the same OB for all of them and my GP was the assisting. it was truly as "natural" as section could be.. He was brilliant making sure what I wanted to happen happened. He is a skilled surgeon too so was careful to make sure that there was no unnecessary wear and tear so was gently getting my babies out.. so hand in had with all the people there it was such a positive experiences. i knew I would always need section before I got pregnant so I did all i could to make it perfect for me...

[Nadine216]

I need one!!!

DH said that after being "fortunate" enough to be allowed to sit in with my first c/s (emergency, under general) ... he won't be attending another Told me how all my guts were pushed to the side and how ruff they worked with me and how seeing a man cut your wife open with a scapel, brings out the cave-man in you (and makes you want to chuck ... twice!!!)

So I'm coin tossing who I'm asking to sit with me when I deliver this one.

I do think that it's a great idea and should be offered where it's possible

[~Kate~]

Hi Just wanted to add my experience on here. I had to undergo an emergency c/s and was lucky enough to know the midwifes in the hospital as my sister is one. My DH and sister were allowed to come into the theatre as well as the standard midwife who attends.
So I had DH holding my hand, my midwife keeping an eye on bubs, my drug man (can't spell today, the guy who gave me my spinal ) who was keeping me informed about the procedure and watching over my stats etc and my sister who was like my advocate (trying to tell me I needed a general which I didn't want but was too emotional to speak up). I also had another nurse taking photos of the surgery and bubs. After the c/s, DH went with the midwife back upstairs and my sister accompanied me to recovery with bubs for first feed.
All in all, I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. Still not happy with having to have a c/s but it was a good experience nonetheless.

I think that having someone supporting mothers in these circumstances would be really beneficial as it eases the stress already there. It would, of course, have to be done so as to not interfere with the c/s itself, recovery or staff.

[squidipa]

i agree with pink palace's reasons...
i have had 3 c sections 2 in one hospital and the other in qld.
In W.A your partner stays with you the whole time for everything. Not the case in qld altho i INSISTED he did he didnt miss a thing he stayed with me and bubs went off with nurse for short time.

[sacha88]

I am a student midwife and was lucky enough to be present in a c-section just last week with one of my follow through women. it was a wonderful experience to be there with the mum and dad and give them my full support, whilst watching the birth of their beautiful baby. Once more, it was great to offer the extra support when in recovery, when the dad and baby were already upstairs in their room - just to be there for the mother who was feeling a bit anxious and wanting to see her bub's. I think another support person in theatre should be allowed more often!!!