What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula is a person trained and experienced in maternal and infant postpartum care who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother, and/or couple before, during the postpartum period.
Carla as a Postpartum Doula
My goal as a postpartum doula is to assist you in experiencing a smooth, healthy, and positive postpartum recovery. In order to joyfully embrace the often overlooked yet crucial postpartum period, I considered it crucial to offer kind and judgment free support. Caring for the mother tends to be the focus.
Counting with the appropriate support for your postpartum period will facilitate the physical recovery as well as the emotional and mental journey that takes place after childbirth.
M objective is to provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for breastfeeding/bottle feeding/chest-feeding success, and help your new family adjust to the new reality.
What are some of the things a Postpartum Doula does?
Postpartum Doulas will often arrange their responsibilities or duties according to the family's needs. Here are a few of the ways a postpartum doula will offer support: run errands, assist with laundry, cook and prepare nourishing meals for the mammas, provide assistance with baby bathing and baby diaper changing, facilitate breastfeeding by suggesting different positions and techniques, help with caring for older siblings, do light cleaning, assist with basic pet care, etc.
What are some of the things Postpartum Doulas don't do?
Postpartum doulas do not diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, or provide medical care. Postpartum doulas are not lactation consultants, nannies, midwives, or housekeepers (unless they also happen to be those things. If the client is looking for those other credentials in a postpartum doula, this should be specified during the interview process).
How are Postpartum Doulas paid?
Postpartum work is usually paid hourly on a weekly basis and in advance.
For how long are Postpartum Doulas hired?
Postpartum Doulas may be hired for as little as two weeks or for as long as three months. This is also determined by the needs and wants of the family and the availability of the Postpartum Doula.
Can Postpartum Doulas work overnight?
Yes. This depends on the services each Postpartum Doula offers, but most of them do. Hourly rates tend to be higher for overnight care.