What is my role as a postpartum doula?
- I provide emotional, physical, and informational support to you any time during your postpartum period.
- I perform a variety of services in the home to help your family adjust to the new baby.
- I help you learn to care for your new infant, whether this is your first child or one of many.
Initial Services
- Prenatal visit: I will conduct one prenatal visit to meet and discuss your specific needs and wants for your postpartum period.
- Late pregnancy: I ask my postpartum clients to keep me updated during late pregnancy. I am available by phone or email, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This contact during pregnancy will help me serve you best during your postpartum period and will allow us to make any necessary changes to your requests.
- After birth: I like to conduct one visit with you during your hospital stay, or in the case of a birth center or home birth, a visit within 24-48 hours after birth. During this time, I can help with initial breastfeeding and allow you and your partner to get some rest. Additionally, I can answer any questions you might have.
Postpartum ServicesI usually provide services for a maximum of eight (8) hours a day during the contracted period. The services, hours, and length of contract depend entirely on the family’s needs and desires and can be altered in writing at any time.
- Breastfeeding Support: Note – I am not a trained lactation specialist, nor do I have extensive knowledge of breastfeeding. Personally, I pumped exclusively for one month and was forced to discontinue for medical issues. I truly value breastfeeding and intend to try again with future children. I can provide you with basic support and information and can assist you with positioning, but any significant questions will be referred to a certified lactation consultant. I state this because I feel every woman should have appropriate breastfeeding support.
- Bottle-feeding support: Mixing formula, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, reading your baby’s cues, understanding normal waste output.
- New mother care: Dealing with physical aspects of birth recovery (i.e. tears/birth injuries, cesarean recovery, adequate eating and drinking, opportunities to rest, etc.)
- Household maintenance: vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, dishes, meal preparation, laundry, shopping, errands, etc.
- Child care: both of the new infant and of any older siblings
