If you are considering a cesarean birth for your upcoming baby and you live in the Helsinki metropolitan area, this post is for you! Here’s all my doula knowledge about cesarean births in HUS hospitals, and of course, why you shall consider a doula for your cesarean birth in Helsinki. Let’s go!
Cesarean Birth in Finland
Let’s start with something I love: cesarean birth “by default” is not so common here in Finland. Practices like scheduling a cesarean birth before healthcare team holidays or for non-sensical reasons are not a reality in the country.
Despite that, cesarean sections have become more common in Finland over the past four decades. In 2022, Finland had a 19.6% cesarean birth rate. This means that for every 100 births, almost 20 were cesarean births.
To put this into perspective, the World Health Organization considers that anything over 10 to 15% is not justified by medical reasons.
If you are having your first baby in Finland, I have some bad news: the percentage escalates to 24.3% in 2022. So, for those having their first baby, almost 1 in every 4 had a cesarean birth.
Source for Finnish stats
Source for WHO data – statement on cesarean birth rates
We are lucky here in Finland to have top-notch birth hospitals where cesarean births are safe and, furthermore, can be beautiful births with different birth preferences and options.
But Finland needs to get better at supporting the physiological birth process and reducing cesarean rates, especially for first-time birthing people. So, if that is your case, this itself is a great reason to have a doula with you at birth.
Can I have an Elective Cesarean Birth in Helsinki?
The Finnish healthcare system’s preference for natural birth over cesarean birth is both good and bad.
Let me explain.
It’s GREAT that we live under a system that believes physiological vaginal birth is best for the mum and the baby (for example, this is great if you are trying a VBAC, read more about that later).
BUT physiological vaginal birth should not be forced on any birthing person. There are many reasons to desire not to have a vaginal birth and ALL OF THEM ARE VALID and should be respected.
You might not want to give birth vaginally because of:
- Genitalia dysphoria or gender dysphoria
- History of abuse
- Previous traumatic vaginal birth
- Anxiety or other mental health issues
Don’t misunderstand me, YES, I believe birthing people have the right to get information and appropriate birth education.
But I need to speak up about something many birthing parents have experienced in Helsinki and Finland: the denial of an elective cesarean birth.
Sadly, many families find that healthcare professionals don’t listen to their wishes or provide confusing information when the birthing person requests an elective cesarean. If this is your case, having a doula with you is strongly recommended.
In the end, most cases are resolved with the desired cesarean, but with a doula by your side, you will be able to advocate better for your choices. And, read until the end of the post, because I, for example, provide a lot of support to families during a cesarean birth.
Navigating and getting an elective cesarean birth usually takes a process of extra medical visits here in Helsinki – so that is also good to know. Some cases don’t get the cesarean they want. In this situation, you start the labor process and, at some point, after advocating for your choices, you get the cesarean done as the end of the birth. Not the most ideal way of doing things, but I need to share the reality with you.
What about VBAC in Helsinki?
VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, is a very common option in Helsinki. As mentioned, the healthcare system has a preference for natural birth over cesarean birth – natural birth is less expensive for the system, in general, and has fewer potential complications.
The Finnish healthcare system is based on efficiency and cost reduction (maybe too much focus on the latter, especially recently with cost cuts), and that’s why healthcare teams are trained and supportive of VBAC births.
But it is true that sometimes you can find challenges when trying to go for a VBAC:
- Less trust from healthcare professionals in your body’s ability to birth
- Less time provided before the proposal of interventions based on your “previous history”
- More interventions
- Earlier dates proposed for induced birth
- Frequent mentions, even during your neuvola check-ups, of the potential risks of VBAC
If you are trying to have a VBAC in Helsinki, I strongly recommend you consider the support of a doula. VBAC clients often need to have birth education sessions with me, for example, to re-discover the physiology of birth and coping mechanisms for birth intensity they were not able to use in their previous births.
Cesarean Birth in Helsinki: what’s the process?
Let’s imagine you are here because your cesarean birth is now decided. How is the day “C” going to look?
If you are giving birth in Helsinki, you will get an appointment at Jorvi or Naistenklinikka. You can read about the differences between birthing units in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in my previous post.
To keep it simple and focused on today’s topic, it’s probably good to know why they will send you to one place or the other. Planned cesarean births due to medical reasons that may result in postpartum complications get preference for Naistenklinikka. The reason is simple: they have a more complete NICU unit there.
The cesarean birth appointment
In any case, in both birth units you will get a cesarean birth appointment. The first important thing you need to know: the appointment time is ORIENTATIVE. I’ve been with clients many times waiting for hours before the process even starts.
So, be prepared to wait. I recommend taking some entertainment options that can help you stay focused on your birth intentions, reduce your stress levels, and connect with your birth partner. Music and noise-canceling headphones, hypnobirth meditations, a notebook with your affirmations, your favorite comedy series on your tablet… Anything can work.
Plus, don’t forget your snacks. Yes, you can eat even if you are having a cesarean birth. The medical team will let you know when you must stop eating – usually when they know your time in the theater is approaching.
Moving on to a private (or not) waiting room
Once the wait is over, you will be moved to a more cozy and private waiting room (if the hospital is not very busy, it can happen that you are moved to a shared waiting room with hospital beds and other people waiting for other operations). This is the time to connect with your birth partner, take your last pregnancy photos, and keep trying to relax and create your birth bubble.
The medical team will let you know, at a certain point, that you are next on the operation schedule – yay! This is the moment when we usually discuss our birth preferences and intentions again with the midwives and medical staff.
Usually, the birthing person is moved to a different room first to be prepared, and immediately (like 5-10 minutes later) the other parent or your birth partner is prepared too, and you are soon together.
Going into the cesarean operation room
And then, you are moved to the operation room. The team will introduce to you – and if someone doesn’t, it’s your right to ask who they are and why they are there. Remember, even if this is an OR, it’s YOUR BIRTH ROOM.
While the operation happens, I get your stuff from one room to the next one you will get or to the recovery area.
Once surgery is done, you will stay for a while in the recovery area – in most cases, when everything goes well, with your little one already with you. This is the time when you will be offered some drinks and food again (also your partner). We take some pictures of the family together, and of course, if that is your desire, this is a great moment to start breastfeeding.
And after that? You are moved to your postpartum room! I stay with you a couple of hours and then I leave you to meet and cuddle the new addition to the family.
5 Reasons for Having a Doula if You Are Having a Cesarean Birth in Helsinki
You probably realized some good personal reasons to have a doula with you for your birth. Specially if it’s going to be a cesarean. Long waiting times, lack of privacy in some rooms, waiting for major surgery… it’s all easier for you and your birth partner if a doula is with you.
What I do when I come to you as your doula in your cesarean birth:
- While we wait, we practice together on breathing and focus options. I can massage you and help you with guided meditations.
- I prepare any room we get, throughout the entire process, so you can feel it more yours and more private. Curtains, lower lights when possible, LED candles, aromatherapy, your affirmations. I have a lot of tricks to make you feel more comfortable even in the worst-case scenario.
- I help you advocate for your birth vision and intentions. We prepare a cesarean birth plan and I help you communicate it to the healthcare team at any stage. Requesting things like low lights in the operating theater, immediate skin-to-skin contact, slow birth, music to receive the baby, partner in the operating room, delayed cord clamping… are possible in a cesarean birth in Helsinki. But, you need to request them, insist, and advocate for your preferences.
- In the immediate postpartum, I help you and your partner move your things from one room to another. This may feel like a minor thing to care about, but believe me, it’s great for your birth partner. They canfocus just on being with you and supporting you and the baby after you went through major surgery.
- And, of course, as I am a certified lactation consultant. We can immediately start first actions if you plan to breastfeed after your cesarean birth.
It is very common to feel stressed or lost about a cesarean birth when we get the news that… well, it’s going to happen. If that is your case, it’s not too late to contact a doula!
With my basic birth package, we can cover the creation of your cesarean birth preferences and intentions and immediate postpartum care support. I will be with you during birth from start to end. I will provide you with a postpartum visit with foods that will help you recover from your cesarean birth.
Get in touch now for details. I am very used to providing last-minute doula support for cesarean births in Helsinki or Espoo. It’s not weird. It’s the best option for you and your family. You deserve to give birth with peace and calm because a cesarean birth is beautiful too!