Confession: I’m a Birth Doula and I Had an Elective Cesarean

I have to start this blog post with a heartfelt apology for the doula I used to be. When I started out as a brand-new doula in my senior year of college, I had a whole lot of passion and a whole lot of bias. I was immersed in the natural birth community and I was an activist for everything “natural” birth and breastfeeding. I understood that those things weren’t options for everyone, but in an effort to raise awareness for them and support those who were choosing them, I alienated and likely hurt other parents and for that, I’m so sorry.

There was a time when I thought the perfect birth looked a certain way and I didn’t understand why people would willingly choose anything else. Then, I found a doula training organization that challenged me, made me acknowledge my bias and made me a better doula. It might not be a popular opinion, but I no longer believe I can be an activist and a truly nonjudgmental doula. I had to unlearn a lot of things and really change my perspective. I can genuinely say that the perfect birth to me is perfect because the parents think it is. I feel like the best doula when my clients feel heard, supported and encouraged through their birth experience, no matter how their baby comes into the world. I leave every birth knowing that my clients only got nonjudgmental support for all of their choices from me and I truly believe they made the best decisions for their family.

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What Happens at the 6 Week Postpartum Checkup?

When you have a baby, some doctors and midwives will see you a few days or a week after the birth. Some will want to see you at two weeks postpartum, especially if you had a cesarean birth, but the majority of women will see their doctor or midwife at six weeks postpartum for a checkup. You might be wondering what happens at the six-week checkup or when you can have sex again after having a baby. If that’s the last thing on your mind, that’s ok too...

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Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work

If you have chosen to breastfeed and you will be returning to work, finding your routine for pumping at work can be a little daunting. The Affordable Care Act now requires medical insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump in full for new mothers. The “Break Time for Nursing Mothers” law also requires employers to provide you with breaks throughout the day and a completely private place that is not a bathroom to pump. Open communication and an understanding of your pumping needs and routine can go a long way with your employer.

It helps to think things through and plan in advance what your day at work will look like as a breastfeeding mother. We have compiled some ideas to make pumping and storing breastmilk at work and at home a little bit easier. 

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