Postpartum Doula Help - an ideal fit for your family?

What about after the delivery? What is a postpartum doula?

You’re working on your birth preparation and anticipating labor and delivery but as your pregnancy pushes you to your limits you begin to wonder about the challenges that begin once you bring baby home. Many families utilize a postpartum doula, particularly when they are lacking in knowledgeable, comfortable extended family members to help but even when they do have this resource. 

A postpartum doula provides evidenced based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother–baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care.
A postpartum doula is there to help a new family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. Research shows that moms, dads and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team is in place.
What Type Of Services Does A Postpartum Doula Provide?
The postpartum doula offers many services to her clients, but her main goals are to help “mother the mother” and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn. This would include doing things to help mom and dad feel more confident in their roles, sharing education on family adjustment, and tending to the unique needs of a new mother.
A postpartum doula works with each family individually to find out their particular needs.
Some of the duties that a postpartum doula will perform include:
    •    Breastfeeding support
    •    Help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
    •    Light housekeeping so that mom does not feel so overwhelmed
    •    Assistance with newborn care such as diapering, bathing, feeding and comforting
    •    Light meal preparation
    •    Baby soothing techniques
    •    Sibling care
    Referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support and parenting support groups

Most postpartum doulas provide service for a family anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks after bringing home a new baby. Families may have the doula work 1-3 days a week or as many as 5 days a week.
Postpartum doulas often offer night time service to help the family transition more smoothly into the challenges of night time parenting. Each doula offers different services, so it’s important that each family decide what their needs are and find a doula who can meet those needs.
       
Services Available
Hourly rates available based on your anticipated needs with some room to adjust after your baby comes. Typically we meet prenatally and create a care plan. After a free interview, we would then meet in your home to have you introduce me to your aesthetic and wishes. I can also make suggestions that support your preparations for the important days to come. I charge a basic $75 consultation fee and then we create a package for your follow up care. Generally, the hourly rate for home visits is $30 that may include sharing concerns, holding baby while you self-care and light housework or organizing appointments with your holistic care team. Scheduling a postpartum massage in your home is a delightful and nourishing addition to your birth recovery and parenthood transition needs. 

You may also choose from a menu of courses that optimally begin with your prenatal education as a birthing couple, family or individual. Postpartum topics include optimal feeding positions, infant massage techniques, your own nutritional health consultation, coaching for baby wearing and social/spiritual healing. Let me know how I can help!


Happy Birthing,
Kristin

---