What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?
I Get Asked This A LOT!
When people find out what we do, they wish they knew we existed. Well, we do! We are professionally trained*, and hopefully more women will benefit from our care.
What we/I do:
- We mother the mother, that is our primary job.
- We offer informational support to new moms. This includes (but not limited to) breastfeeding support, newborn care tips, learning to baby wear, etc.
- We make sure you’re nourished. We offer meal prep and will ensure you’re hydrated.
-We offer physical support like light housework such as kitchen tidy or baby laundry 🧺 We even will join you to grab some groceries!
- We offer emotional support. We offer non-judgemental support. We listen to you, we want to know your birth story. We want to know how you are dealing. We are trained to recognize postpartum mood disorders. Having a postpartum doula can help reduce the risk of PPD & PPA.
- If you are simply overwhelmed with phone calls and visitor requests, we have your back. We will kindly ask guests to call back or come another day.
- Have other children? No problem. Most postpartum doulas offer sibling support. This time allows mom and newborn quiet time to bond.
And maybe nap? 😊😴
- Go ahead and take a nap or a shower in peace! We will take care of the baby while you get some “you” time.
- We offer referrals.
All in the comfort of your own home!
What we do not do:
- We do not diagnose or treat.
- We do not babysit (except when mama needs a shower or a nap, then give us all the baby cuddles please 👶🏼).
- We do not clean houses.
Many postpartum doulas offer similar services. It is highly recommended to do a prenatal visit to discuss your needs and ensure you and your postpartum doula are on the same page.
* Be sure to check for doula certification.
Remember You Don't Have To Do It ALL
In many cultures, women are uniquely taken care of postpartum. They are told to rest for weeks at a time while everything around them gets done. Chores are done, meals are made, mom is cared for. This helps her bond with her new baby and prepares her, during this most precious time, to be fully rested and healed so that she can be the best mother she can be. Unfortunately, in our industrialized society, women are expected to have a baby and get right back into the usual routine, no time to focus on her health and well-being. This can cause a lot of stress and anxiety during a delicate time where mom and baby should be focusing on their bonding.
Just like birth, each of us experience the postpartum period differently. Some women feel fantastic after having a baby, others may not. We are here for all the mothers.
Hiring a postpartum doula increases the success of breastfeeding, decreases incidents of postpartum depression, facilitates parent-infant bonding and increases parents' confidence.