“The doula’s support is intended to fill the gaps left by our customary postpartum practices. The doula’s education, quiet support and guidance are a manifestation of the traditional postpartum support that our society is missing.”
Every new parent deserves postpartum support.
So, you’re expecting a baby - Congratulations! What happens once your baby is born?
This is where I come in.
Providing compassionate postpartum care and support
Special attention will be given to how mom is adjusting but also to baby and partner, and anyone else in the home. All parents, whether first-time or veteran, can use support. You do not need to feel alone on this journey and it doesn’t have to feel like a struggle.
I look forward to working with any and all families that are welcoming home a new baby. Whatever the method for bringing a baby into your home and whatever the family structure, I intend to honor your journey.
What is a postpartum doula?
“Coming into the home during the fourth trimester following birth, the doula’s role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tasks.” -DONA International
A postpartum doula is the answer to the gaping hole in our maternal health care structure. Aside from their partner’s help, women are expected to transition from prenatal care to postpartum life alone, in most cases. In many other countries and cultures, a support system is a given, and filled by women within the society; this is not so frequently the case in the United States. Every new mother deserves this support.
What does a postpartum doula do?
This will vary greatly from family to family. My focus will be to support you (and therefore your baby, partner and any children) in your physical recovery and emotional adjustment to having a new baby. If you are a first-time parent your needs will be different than those of a seasoned parent. Part of my work is to assess how everything is going in your home but also to empower you in your decision-making and your self-advocacy.
How often does a postpartum doula visit?
Ideally, we will meet once before you give birth (or bring home your newborn). At this prenatal visit, we will establish a plan for the frequency and duration of my visits in your “fourth trimester”. How often I come depends completely on your needs; both anticipated and actual! Our goal will be to figure out what works best for you. As I serve in a non-medical capacity, there are likely to be situations in which I refer you to a specialized practitioner to address any relevant needs.
“Even if you prided yourself on your independence before, now is the time to call for backup. You may have envisioned these first weeks of parenthood as an intimate time for bonding as a new family; if you need some extra helping hands in the beginning, you’ll still get plenty of quiet time later.”
— “What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood” - p.190. Alexandra Sacks, MD & Catherine Birndorf, MD
