Menu
My job as a postpartum doula is, first and foremost, to take care of the new mom, doing the things that she needs help with to feel her best, whether or not that’s helping her understand how best to care for her baby, helping take care of the baby so she can shower or nap, or helping her find resources to deal with postpartum depression or anxiety.
Of course! The term “postpartum” is widely misunderstood to be associated with postpartum depression (or other postpartum mood disorders), but what the word “postpartum” means is an indefinite period of time after someone has a baby. A postpartum doula can be especially helpful to those who have a perinatal mood disorder, but even a mother who has none of the symptoms of postpartum depression can greatly benefit from extra help after having a baby.
Of course not! If you have a new baby you can absolutely have help from a postpartum doula, no matter where you had your baby. One of my favorite things to do with new moms is to discuss their birth experience and help them process any difficulties or negative feelings that may have caused them any grief either during the birth, or afterwards. Many difficult experiences have the potential to come about in every birthing location, and I am here to serve each and every one of those mothers.
Possible Things I Can Do For You:
Things That I CAN NOT do for you as a postpartum doula:
Anytime during late pregnancy, from birth, or any time until your baby is 9 months old! The term postpartum generally refers to anytime after a baby is born, and so my training is focused on those who have a brand new baby, but many of the services I provide apply very well to those struggling through pregnancy as well. So you can ask for help if you need it during pregnancy, and if not, I can begin helping as soon after the baby is born as you would like me to (as long as we have previously arranged it), from the time you are still at the hospital/birth center, up until your baby is 9 months old.
It is definitely an uncomfortable idea to have a stranger to come into your home, especially at such a vulnerable time in your lives. This is one of the reasons I like to do free consultations, so that we can get to know each other. Even after the initial consult, once you have signed the contract, I try to do at least one, if not two, meetings inside your home before baby is born to help myself and your older children (if you have any) get acquainted, and to help us to become more familiar with each other, so that when I do come into your house when your baby is born, it won’t be anything new and I won’t be a stranger to you and your family.
If you find yourself looking for postpartum doula service after your baby has already been born, we can set up your first free consultation in the form of a 2 hour in-home postpartum help session, where I come into your home and do what I would normally do in a shift, and if you are further interested in pursuing help you can sign my contract at your convenience and we can continue with paid postpartum help!
Before working together I always recommend setting up a free consultation. This meeting will take place before the baby is born, preferably in early 3rd trimester of pregnancy. During this consultation we will be able to meet at a neutral location and we will spend the first part talking about whatever questions you have, as well as discuss what it is that you would like your postpartum experience to look like, and we will also be able to get a feel for each other to see if we would be a good fit to work together. If all goes well and we are both further interested in proceeding, we can take this time to go over the contract and answer any questions you may have about it. You DO NOT have to sign the contract during this meeting, but the contract does have to be signed and returned to me before any further services will be provided.
*In these uncertain times, I am willing to set up a meeting over Zoom if you would rather stay out of public places and practice social distancing to do the exact same as an in-person meeting, and I can email the paperwork to you to look at beforehand.
*If your find yourself looking for postpartum doula service after your baby has already been born, this first free consultation can come in the form of a 2 hour in-home postpartum help session, where I come into your home and do what I would normally do in a session, and if you are further interested in pursuing help you can sign the contract and we can continue with paid postpartum help!
Absolutely! Every parent of a newborn needs help and support. Regardless of how your baby came to be in your care, you qualify for the help of a postpartum doula. There are many difficulties that can face the family of a baby that didn’t originally come from you, and I can help you learn to cope with those special circumstances.
Absolutely! Every parent of a newborn needs help and support. Regardless of how your baby came to be in your care, you qualify for the help of a postpartum doula. There are many difficulties that can face the family of a baby that has come about through surrogacy, and I can help you learn to cope with those special circumstances.
I have been asked to do a number of interesting things during shifts, but the craziest is helping build a car out of a cardboard box as part of a school project for an older sibling. Is this something that I feel applies to what I do? Absolutely! It’s not that building cardboard cars is generally in my job description, but I have a strong desire to help new moms with whatever will help them most at the time. If that means that I help her with a school project for an older child so that she is less stressed about that, then so be it!
I am certified through an agency called CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association). First I took a two day training where we covered all the basics of caring for a newborn and a new mother and family. Then the certification process which includes recommendations from other local birth professionals I have worked with; reading 9 different books on information regarding new baby care, breastfeeding, new mom care, infant sleep, twins, preemies, etc., etc.; spending over 80 hours of working directly with new moms and families; acquiring and maintaining certification in infant CPR; as well as being tested on the information I have learned. Not only did I accomplish all this, but I am dedicated to continually maintaining the knowledge I do have, as well as learning more and expanding my knowledge base so I can stay educated and current in all recommended aspects of caring for new moms and babies.
