What does Postpartum Doula mean?

“Doula” is an ancient Greek name that translates today to "one who mothers the mother". In Ancient Greece, it meant "wise woman of birth" and they were leaders in their culture who served families during and after childbirth.

The “postpartum period” is the first 12 weeks after birth, sometimes referred to as the fourth trimester. Every family with a new baby has a postpartum period. It is a period of intense transition.

Who is DONA International?

DONA International is a phenomenal organization dedicated to the cultivation of birth workers who will innovate, support, and advocate for women before and after childbirth to reduce maternal mortality rates.

What is your recommended visitation schedule?

I work in homes Monday-Friday, 10 AM - 3 PM. Your first full weekday home after hospital discharge or after home birth is my favorite day to start!

The first 2 weeks at home with a new baby are crucial for postpartum doula visits. This is the period of time to support the postpartum mom as she recovers from the birth. It's the time to set up routines, teach and guide, ensure baby feeding kicks off with appropriate support, etc.

My optimal success formula for new families is 20-25hrs/week for 1-6 weeks.

That looks like 10-2 PM or 10-3 PM Monday through Friday for a number of weeks that feels right for your family.

In other parts of the world, mothers are supported in the privacy of their home with doula services via their female family members for 12 weeks or more to allow mom and baby extended and exclusive time together.

Do I really need a doula?

Postpartum is a period of massive physical, emotional, mental, and family transition.

The postpartum mom just grew a baby, birthed a baby, and is feeding a baby. She cannot possibly also prepare food, take care of the functional house, manage older siblings, heal without sleep, prepare for work return, etc.

No parent can "do it all" themselves.

Our American culture focuses on getting the mom to the birth and then all attention and product gifting is about the health, strength, and engagement of the baby. Meanwhile, the first seven days after giving birth are critical for mom’s physical health and recovery. The first year after giving birth is critical for mom’s mental health. The truth is, we have a maternal health crisis in the United States. In the rest of the world, protective social structures exist to honor and support a postpartum mother in the year she gives birth (i.e. recognition of a postpartum period, longer maternity leaves, greater extended family involvement, and social celebration of the new parent’s journey, trauma, and change).

How does a doula help with my “mental load”?

The mental load moms carry is real and can be crushing. After giving birth, a doula can provide relief by taking over the mental load so that mom can bond with baby, feed the baby, and sleep and eat herself.

Without a postpartum doula’s support, a postpartum mom could be intimidated by:

• how to ask for help

• breastfeeding challenges

• physical recovery from birth

• hormone changes

• lack of sleep

• balancing of older siblings / mom guilt

• family schedule

• household logistics

• new family roles within the household

• postpartum mood disorders

• body image issues

• return to work stress / lack of paid leave or adequate parental leave

Do you support families with multiples?

As a twin and an auntie of twins, I love working with parents of multiples. What a blessing! Hint: organization and feeding strategy are key!

Do you have experience with postpartum mood disorders?

Understanding postpartum mood disorders is a critical part of a postpartum doula’s training. 85% of new parents will experience a postpartum mood disorder or disturbance. Screening for postpartum mood disorders in both parents is subtly built into the postpartum doula’s home visits. If signs indicate, I know who you will need to call for medical support and how to delicately adjust my support. Postpartum mood disorders are not forever. But they do require swift, judgement-free, compassionate action and I will be your advocate, if needed.

Personally, I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety sixteen months after my second baby was born. I know postpartum mood disorder symptoms look and feel different in every new parent, and they may not present themselves on a provided timeline.

Can you check my stitches?

No, the support I provide is non-medical. I will help you to know about medical resources, warning signs, what to expect, or when to call your medical provider.

I provide companionship, knowledge, and hands-on support. I can be busy "doing" with functional help while you cannot and can be present for you in any way you need, including talking through the stages of your physical recovery.

I have a local resource referral list, as well, which includes social services, therapists, lactation consultants, nutritionists, housecleaners, pelvic floor & physical therapists, meal delivery services, local parent groups, mom & baby fitness groups, etc., to connect you with the best fit short- or long-term support to keep you and your family thriving.

How will you support my feeding decisions?

A fed and growing baby is best. All babies lose a small percentage of weight after leaving the hospital but, after that expected milestone, the goal is to steadily increase weight through breast, bottle, or formula feeding. My training and experience ensure I can help you understand how much and when small babies need to eat, when to expect your milk to come in, how to support your milk production, what a deep and effective latch looks and feels like, how to position yourself and baby comfortably for breastfeeding, how to bottle feed a newborn with a slow pace that mimics the speed of mom’s flow, and when (if at all) to introduce pumping. As I am not a medical provider, your pediatrician will be weighing your baby at her various check-ups and a lactation consultant (either provided by your pediatrician or referred by me) will be involved if early intervention is needed to deliver a pain-free and productive breastfeeding experience.

My daily efforts to support your breastfeeding efforts, should you be interested, could include:

• Keeping you hydrated

• Helping you get into a warm shower before feeding

• Sharing my favorite lactation cookie recipe, which are full of milk-stimulating ingredients

• Explaining the on-demand feeding approach for the early postpartum days.

• I will bring the baby to you if you’ve had a C-section.

If you are not breastfeeding, I will keep your bottles sterile and your water boiled to reduce the risk of infant illness due to bacteria.

How will you help my partner and I bond with baby?

My presence and role in helping with the functional house and meal support ensure that your number one priority is time with baby. I can advise on skin-to-skin practices and ensure you and your partner each have at least one solid skin-to-skin bonding session during my daily visits. I will help you each get comfortable as you settle in to snuggle baby, with your water and a healthy snack within reach. I can help you understand your baby’s cues as she communicates with you even as a newborn. I can teach you infant massage once your baby is ten days old. I can bring my physio ball so that you can be comfortable bouncing with your baby to soothe her, especially in the late afternoon to late evening hours. I can advise you on baby-wearing and support you and your partner in settling your baby comfortably and safely in a baby wrap or carrier.

Do you have experience with newborns who have special health needs?

All newborns need significant care and attention when they are born. About 10% of newborns, however, need extra special care due to being born premature or because of fetal-to-newborn transition issues, birth defects, or infections. Once home, these babies will require extra physical contact and breast milk is especially important. They will have dedicated healthcare providers responsible for their special needs. Understandably, the new parents of these babies will need even more support so a postpartum doula can be especially valuable. Personally, one of my babies was born with a significant health need, required surgery at three months old, and endured six weeks of slow recovery at home. I can bring a judgment-free and compassionate set of extra hands to your household in these situations. While still a joyful time, they can be extra stressful or heart-wrenching.

Are you up-to-date with relevant vaccinations?

I am up-to-date with my COVID and flu vaccines and am also vaccinated for whooping cough, as someone who interacts in the environment of newborn babies.

How do I prepare for a postpartum doula to enter my home?

If we decide to work together after our consult meeting, you will sign a Coastal Doula contract and be granted access to my “Members Only” Resource Library on coastal-doula.com. The resource library includes a host of preparatory materials, including a short “Buy Me” list of postpartum products to have at your home before I arrive. We will use those products to support your physical recovery from giving birth. Also before baby arrives, I will meet with both parents in your house to discuss how to prepare your home and mind space for bringing baby (and me) home. During that meeting, I would like to hear how you would like to feed baby, where baby will sleep, and who else is in your inner circle of support for your first year with baby. I will also be available to answer your questions about prepping for parenthood, including questions about the myriad of baby products on the market.

Can someone give the gift of postpartum doula services?

Donations can be made to a postpartum doula fund set up on your baby registry.

Giving the gift of postpartum doula visits is a wonderful way for friends and family to support new parents!

Friends and family can also purchase individual add-on Coastal Doula products for new parents, such as a batch of lactation cookies or ice pads, for milk stimulation and vaginal delivery recovery, respectively.