Benefits of Having a Postpartum Doula
The value of having the support of a postpartum doula cannot be measured. Not only is it an incredible service to the person who gave birth, but also to the supporting partner involved, the new baby (or babies), and any other children in the family. It is an opportunity for the family to feel supported in a way that is different from that of their families or friends; it’s a way for them to receive the education and tools necessary to thrive as their own unit after the fourth trimester. After receiving the support of a postpartum doula, the family will feel confident in their abilities to care for their baby as well as themselves and feel like they have adjusted to a new normal. Evidence shows having a postpartum doula is very beneficial to the health and well-being of the mother and the baby, as well as the family unit. It allows time for the family to focus on connecting and bonding, knowing that there’s an additional set of hands present to deal with the day-to-day needs that tend to get in the way of that bonding time. Having a postpartum doula in the home can help with noticing signs of postpartum depression before the six-week postpartum checkup and can ensure that the mother is getting the rest, nutrition, and focus she needs during this recovery time. A lot of mothers don’t receive any care between birth and their six-week appointment, so having a doula in the home is extremely helpful. A doula can also help the mother prepare a list of questions for her postpartum checkup if there are medical issues or additional help needed to diagnose postpartum depression.
A postpartum doula comes alongside the new family with tenderness, empathy, and openness to whatever the family’s greatest needs are. Sometimes that looks like overnight support to give the new parent(s) a chance to sleep. It can look like holding the baby while a parent showers, assists with other children in the household, does some housework, or takes a nap. It can be the doula performing light housework such as folding laundry, washing bottles, or tidying the house. Doulas can also help with meal or snack preparation, prepare coffee before leaving in the morning after an overnight shift, and make sure the body-feeding parent is staying hydrated during feeding sessions. They make sure to always nurture, educate, and assess the new parent(s) without judgment. A postpartum doula is not a medical provider and cannot make any medical recommendations that are out of their scope. Instead, they assess and refer their clients and suggest seeking additional help when necessary. They make suggestions and referrals based on the personal preferences of the family, always remembering to take into consideration any cultural or religious practices. A postpartum doula is also not a nanny or childcare provider. They are never left alone with the baby unless the parent(s) are still present in the home.
Some other ways a postpartum doula can provide support is by assisting with body-feeding or bottle-feeding techniques and positions, helping the body-feeding parent with any nipple discomfort or latching issues, and helping the parents know if a referral to a lactation consultant is needed. They can educate and help parents make the decision between cloth or disposable diapers, screen for postpartum mood disorders, and help put together activities for older siblings, like a “busy basket” for when their baby sibling is in a feeding session. They can help the parents learn the best way to wear their baby in a wrap or carrier, teach the parents the benefits of skin-on-skin contact and kangaroo care, and teach them about SIDS prevention.
Working with several clients over the past year has taught me so much about what it means to be a postpartum doula. Though the training I’ve received through DONA has been incredible, I am someone who learns best by doing, and each family has been able to teach me so much. I feel more confident after each client and look forward to learning new ways to provide support all the time. I am so glad that I chose this path and feel so fulfilled by being able to help support families during such a vulnerable time in their lives.
