What is a postpartum doula?
Throughout your pregnancy, you daydream about life with your baby, you research items for your registry, and you plan for the big event itself — childbirth. After many grueling hours of labor, you may or may not be surprised at just how exhausted you are, both mentally and physically.
Whether this is your first or sixth baby, the postpartum period is a major time of transition for you, your body, and — well — your whole family. This period of time is often called the fourth trimester and for good reason!
Whereas a birth doula provides support during the actual labor and birth, a postpartum doula provides non-medical support in these important days and weeks following delivery.
This support is emotional and physical, as well as informational. And while the doula does help with infant care, her primary focus is on the mother and her family. The International Childbirth Education Association describes the role as “mothering the mother.” *
Whether this is your first or sixth baby, the postpartum period is a major time of transition for you, your body, and — well — your whole family. This period of time is often called the fourth trimester and for good reason!
Whereas a birth doula provides support during the actual labor and birth, a postpartum doula provides non-medical support in these important days and weeks following delivery.
This support is emotional and physical, as well as informational. And while the doula does help with infant care, her primary focus is on the mother and her family. The International Childbirth Education Association describes the role as “mothering the mother.” *
How is a postpartum doula different from a night nanny?
Baby night nannies provide in-home care for newborns during the postpartum period. They may be either licensed nurses or laypersons. Some even work with babies who have special needs. Whatever the case, a baby nanny’s primary goal is to take care of the baby’s needs.
Postpartum doulas, on the other hand, are mostly focused on the mother, partner, and overall family. While doulas do provide care for babies, their primary goal is to support the emotions of the mother and provide different expertise and infant education to parents.
Both roles are important — it’s just a matter of the type of support you need.
Postpartum doulas, on the other hand, are mostly focused on the mother, partner, and overall family. While doulas do provide care for babies, their primary goal is to support the emotions of the mother and provide different expertise and infant education to parents.
Both roles are important — it’s just a matter of the type of support you need.
What does a postpartum doula do?
The question might better be posed: What doesn’t a postpartum doula do?
And what one doula does for one mom may differ from what they do for another. At the most basic level, postpartum doulas can provide support and information about infant feeding practices — like breastfeeding — as well as tips and tricks for calming your newborn and dealing with all those new parenting responsibilities.
Natalie Warner Gibbs, mom of three, shares: “I had a doula make me capsules of my placenta, which she had picked up at the hospital and hand-delivered back to my house during recovery. The doula also arrived at my house with a print of my placenta and a cord keepsake.” (A placenta print is an imprint of your placenta on a piece of paper.)
Placenta encapsulation is just one of many services a postpartum doula might provide. “I couldn’t get my pills fast enough,” says Warner Gibbs. “I knew they would help regulate my hormones and jitters.” (The science is inconclusive, but anecdotally, many people find such pills helpful.)
A postpartum doula can also help with your physical or emotional recovery during the fourth trimester. If you needed extra help in these areas, your doula is also a great resource for finding the right places to get what you need.
Other areas of support include:
Postpartum doulas don’t do things like offer medical advice, provide medical care, or speak for the mother or family on any medical matters. Instead, the doula provides the information, resources, and support. If they can’t help you, they can help you find someone who can.*
And what one doula does for one mom may differ from what they do for another. At the most basic level, postpartum doulas can provide support and information about infant feeding practices — like breastfeeding — as well as tips and tricks for calming your newborn and dealing with all those new parenting responsibilities.
Natalie Warner Gibbs, mom of three, shares: “I had a doula make me capsules of my placenta, which she had picked up at the hospital and hand-delivered back to my house during recovery. The doula also arrived at my house with a print of my placenta and a cord keepsake.” (A placenta print is an imprint of your placenta on a piece of paper.)
Placenta encapsulation is just one of many services a postpartum doula might provide. “I couldn’t get my pills fast enough,” says Warner Gibbs. “I knew they would help regulate my hormones and jitters.” (The science is inconclusive, but anecdotally, many people find such pills helpful.)
A postpartum doula can also help with your physical or emotional recovery during the fourth trimester. If you needed extra help in these areas, your doula is also a great resource for finding the right places to get what you need.
Other areas of support include:
- doing light housework (tidying, vacuuming, etc.)
- making meals
- providing evidence-based information on all things newborn/postpartum
- promoting self-care
- advocating for the mother
- helping siblings adjust
- referring to additional support in all topics baby/mom
Postpartum doulas don’t do things like offer medical advice, provide medical care, or speak for the mother or family on any medical matters. Instead, the doula provides the information, resources, and support. If they can’t help you, they can help you find someone who can.*
What are the benefits of having a postpartum doula?
“I didn’t expect to use our doula postpartum, but I was open to it,” explains Amy Risher, mom of a 5-week-old, who gave birth recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. “What I also didn’t expect was really needing a community during isolation.”
“Our doula became that connection herself,” Risher says. “She answered questions I would have asked my mom friends and cheered and encouraged me the way my mom does. And she did her best to connect her clients and foster a community of new mothers.”
Along with fostering connection in a season of life that can feel quite isolating, there are some other benefits to having a postpartum doula.*
“Our doula became that connection herself,” Risher says. “She answered questions I would have asked my mom friends and cheered and encouraged me the way my mom does. And she did her best to connect her clients and foster a community of new mothers.”
Along with fostering connection in a season of life that can feel quite isolating, there are some other benefits to having a postpartum doula.*
Do postpartum doulas handle mental health issues?
YES!
Postpartum depression impacts 1 out of 8Trusted Source new moms. Risk factors include things like having:
A postpartum doula is a key person to have in your support network — easing some stress and empowering you in other ways.
Beyond that, a postpartum doula can also identify early signs of depression and give you resources so you get the help you need as soon as possible.*
Postpartum depression impacts 1 out of 8Trusted Source new moms. Risk factors include things like having:
- a history of depression or postpartum depression
- excess stress in your life
- not enough of a support network
- difficulty with breastfeeding
- multiples or a baby with special needs
A postpartum doula is a key person to have in your support network — easing some stress and empowering you in other ways.
Beyond that, a postpartum doula can also identify early signs of depression and give you resources so you get the help you need as soon as possible.*
Will you pressure me to breastfeed?
NEVER! I am there to support what is best for you and the baby, and I believe you are the best person to know that. If you choose to breastfeed, I can certainly help as a certified breastfeeding educator. If bottle-feeding is what works best for you, I will support you 100%. My ultimate goal for your baby is they are being fed and growing, fed is best!
What is your rate per hour and do you have minimum hours?
I charge $40 an hour for either day or overnight services. During the day I do a 4-hour minimum and overnight is an 8-hour minimum.
What current credentials/license/certifications do you currently have active?
- Licensed nurse in Texas
- Certified Postpartum Doula
- Level 2 Newborn Care Specialist
- Certified Lactation Educator
- Certified Safe Sleep Practices with AAP
- Carseat Installation and Safety Certificate
- Continuing ed on Pediatric food allergies
- Food Handler Certificate
Do you work with high-profile/celebrity clients?
My speciality is working with high profile families who need an added measure of security, discretion and confidentiality.
* information taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/postpartum-doula#takeaway