Supporting Cesarean Births with Robin Elise Weiss

Let’s talk with the woman who made me a doula, my doula trainer Dr. Robin Elise Weiss! In this episode, we discuss unique considerations for Cesarean Birth support. We discuss ways to support clients in the Operating Room or by holding space in recovery. I especially wanted to talk to Robin about c-section support because of her breath of birth experience and doula skills. No matter what kind of birth journey your clients have, they deserve top-notch doula care!

Follow Robin and her work: https://learntobeadoula.com/

Robin’s courses for doulas: https://doulabusiness.com/

Follow Robin on Instagram: @robineliseweiss 

Dr. Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH, AdvCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE. Advanced Certified Doula and Birth Doula Trainer, Robin’s career spans decades of positive contributions and accomplishments in the world of perinatal professionals. You could perform a simple Google search of ‘Dr. Robin Elise Wiess’ (for real!) and read many of the articles she’s contributed to.

Practical tips and ideas mentioned to support clients during c-sections:

• Packing up client belongings from their labor and delivery room.
• Sitting quietly with partner/other support people and offering a calming presence and support. 
• Taking photographs of the process from multiple angles.
• Staying with the birthing parent if the baby is separated and the partner goes to be with the baby.
• Helping with milk expression or breastfeeding in recovery.
• Ask clients, “How do you want to feel after your birth, and how can I help you feel that?” Use that answer to guide your Cesarean support.

Effects of Paternal Skin-to-Skin Contact in Newborns and Fathers After Cesarean Delivery: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30676465/ 

Skin-to-Skin Care with the Father after Cesarean Birth and Its Effect on Newborn Crying and Prefeeding Behavior: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2007.00162.x