Whether you are a first-time parent, or your family is growing, the journey can be so joyous, yet so overwhelming. There was a time when it was the norm for the entire community to gather and rally around a new parent during such a transformational time in one’s life. From cooking meals to doing household chores, everyone had their special offering, and it was the standard for the entire family to be supported.
Over the years, times have changed and gone are the days when we have the village that our ancestors had. That’s where a postpartum doula comes in. A postpartum doula provides that sense of community by bringing compassion, knowledge, and unwavering support during the postpartum period.
Emotional Support
The postpartum period can be quite the emotional roller coaster. The ups may look like experiencing your child look you in the eyes and smile for the first time and some of the downs may be the sleepless nights and grief of a past version of yourself. A postpartum doula is there to hold space for you by being a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on while you navigate this new chapter of life. Most importantly, postpartum doulas are trained to recognize the signs of postpartum anxiety and depression and can provide resources to assist, giving you one less task to worry about.
Postpartum Doula Services
Everyday responsibilities seem to naturally pile up when you are adjusting to welcoming a new addition to your family. A postpartum doula is there to help with those practical tasks like meal prep, light household chores, and caring for your newborn while you get caught up on rest. We’re here to make your life easier so you can focus on bonding with your baby.
There is so much new information to learn when becoming a parent that you can become overloaded with information and become uncertain. As your postpartum doula, we can offer educational guidance to help you feel empowered to choose what works best for you and your family.
Personalized Support Tailored to Your Needs
One of the most valued benefits of working with a postpartum doula is being able to customize support to fit your needs in the best way possible. Just as every person is different and has different life experiences, no two postpartum experiences are the same. Our goal is to help you own your experience and feel empowered to navigate your new role with the necessary tools to be successful.
How to Find the Right Postpartum Doula for Your Family
Here are a few tips to consider when searching for the right doula to fit your needs:
- Get Started Early: It’s important to give yourself ample time to find the best doula for your postpartum experience. I recommend starting early in your pregnancy to ensure you find the person that feels right for you. This will give you the chance to relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy knowing you have invested in your postpartum plan.
- Get Recommendations: You can check in with family, friends, even healthcare providers to get recommendations about postpartum doulas. Also, you can search online directories, such as the one provided by DONA, to find certified doulas in your community.
- Consider Your Budget: Some doulas charge hourly for their service while others may have an all-inclusive, flat fee. With either option, rates may vary. Take some time to think about what you plan to spend and be prepared to discuss this with potential doulas. The main thing to consider is if the doula is providing the services that align with what you and your family needs.
- Interview Potential Doulas: It’s a great idea to interview a few doulas to see if they would be a good match. Something to consider discussing would be their specific approach to postpartum care. Before your interview, it would be helpful to sit down and plan what questions you want to ask so that you can choose the right doula for you.
The fourth trimester is one of the most challenging, but exciting times you may experience. I believe having a postpartum doula will provide you and your family with the hands-on, emotional, and educational support that will be needed to successfully navigate the transition with ease and confidence. If you are feeling uncertain or overwhelmed as you walk into parenthood, consider hiring a postpartum doula to help you on such a beautiful journey!
