what is a postpartum doula anyway?
Most people think of a birth support person when they hear the word doula. Birth support is incredibly valuable, but there is an aspect of the transition to motherhood that is often overlooked - one that will impact your experience of motherhood just as much as your birth.
A postpartum doula is someone who supports you in the preparation for, and throughout the weeks (and months) following the birth of your baby. This support is something I believe every mother should have access to.
The experience of working with a postpartum doula looks different for everyone, as it should; no one person’s transition to motherhood is the same as another’s. My job is simply to make sure you feel nourished, supported and cared for as you adjust to life as a mother - whether you’re undertaking that journey for the first or fifth time.
“My job is simply to make sure you feel nourished, supported and cared for as you adjust to life as a mother”
I’ve helped families pack boxes to move house while a mama tended to her 3 week old baby, provided books to read, recommended products and services, listened to birth stories, stocked freezers with premade dinners, given advice around getting a comfortable latch, folded piles of laundry, listened to pent up feelings about the how we’re treated as new mothers, and made more cups of tea/broth/cacao/some kind of warming beverage than I can count.
Generally, an experience working with me as your postpartum doula will look something like this:
☼ After your initial inquiry, we’ll have a chat over coffee or via zoom to get to know each other and see if we’re the right fit.
☼ Once you’ve booked one of my packages, you’ll be able to text or email me for any support you need in between our appointments.
☼ We’ll have at least one prenatal appointment (depending on which package you choose) where we:
chat about how you’re feeling about your pregnancy experience so far
determine your values and expectations around your postpartum experience
make a plan for how we can create the kind of postpartum experience you’re looking for by preparing ahead of time and calling upon your village (including myself, other professionals, family + friends)
lend you books from my pregnancy, birth + parenting library
connect you with community and online resources
prep and freeze meals
set up your home environment
show me around your home so I am able to easily support you with practical things once baby comes
☼ Once baby arrives, we’ll have at least one postpartum appointment (depending on the package you choose) where we might do any of the following:
Make sure you’re fed, hydrated, showered and comfortable
Offer the opportunity to voice any feelings you have about your birth, motherhood, your baby - anything
Chat about and offer solutions for any struggles with baby care, breastfeeding, sleep, nappies or babywearing
Go over any resources that might be useful to you (books, other professionals, helplines, mothers groups, podcasts, websites etc.)
Get dinner prepared or a stash of snacks made up
Offer you help with light housework such as tidying, dishes and laundry
Give you a chance to sleep while I care for baby
☼ We can also add extra prenatal or postpartum appointments as you need, including topic specific appointments such as preparing a Montessori + RIE inspired home environment, a low-tox home overhaul or essential oils for labour and birth.
Whatever your pregnancy and postpartum journey looks like, I’d love to support you through it. You can view a list of packages I offer by clicking below.