According to the CDC’s most recent data, in 2018 the cesarean birth rate in North Carolina is 29.4%. While this number is still slightly less than the national average of 31.9%, it is a number that we need to take note of as doulas.
Certified OR Doulas at UNC Hospital
Due to roughly 1 in 3 births in North Carolina being a cesarean birth, our birth doulas have recently completed the OR Doula Training offered at the hospital. This training went over the protocols of the surgery, both pre- and post-op, the rules of the OR, proper placement of Doula and partner, and much more. It was a wonderful training to add to our toolkit of birth options for our clients.
Our Birth Doulas are able to support you whether you are having a planned or unplanned cesarean birth at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.
Benefits of Having a Doula in the OR During a Cesarean Birth at UNC Chapel Hill
Prenatal Support: During our prenatal appointments, we have a conversation about what a cesarean birth could look like. Our goal is to provide you with the education and knowledge of your options so that if a caesarean is necessary, you feel a bit more prepared.
Consistent Support for Birthing Person: Normal protocol is for partners to wait outside of the OR while the birthing person is prepped for surgery. As OR Certified Doulas, we are able to be in the OR with the birthing person the entire time to provide consistent support. This can be an incredibly stressful for both the birthing person as they alone, as well as the partner because not only are they nervous for their spouse, they are just waiting until a nurse comes to bring them in the OR. Birthing individuals feel a bit more relaxed not being alone, and partners feel a bit better that they know their partner is supported.
Able to Explain the Process: Prior to going into the OR, if time, our doulas will explain every step of the process once we enter the OR. We will be able to explain where different members fo the medical team will be, where partner and doula can and cannot sit or stand, where baby will be, and how the general flow of things will go.
Support for Partner: We have been in the OR and have experienced the sound and smells associated with it. We can prepare partners for what is to come, so that we do not end up with two patients in the OR.
Increased likelihood of Skin to Skin contact in the OR: A recent study by a member of the UNC medical team found that having a doula in the OR with a client, helps facilitate skin to skin contact the birthing person and the newborn. This increase helps with bonding, temperature and hormone regulation, and much more.
Extra Set of Hands: The birthing person will be completely numb, and may be slightly lethargic from the birth. As doulas, we are there to support the baby on the birthing persons chest, or be with the birthing person if the baby needs to be taken out of the room.
Our Focus is the Birthing Person: Whatever the reason for being in the OR, our focus is on the birthing person. This mean your partner can focus on the baby if she or he needs to leave the room, and you are not left alone at any point.
We look forward to supporting our birth doula clients in Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh who are giving birth at UNC Women’s Hospital with any type of birth they have!
Contact us today to set up a consultation with on of our birth doula teams!
Works Cited:
“Stats of the States - Cesarean Delivery Rates.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Dec. 2019, www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/cesarean_births/cesareans.htm.
