A Postpartum Doula May Be For You: the Value of Postpartum Support
The birth is a journey requiring all of your strength, mentally, physically and emotionally, so to have a trained, experienced doula to meet you at the hospital or at home with your new addition makes the transition smoother and less stressful for you and your family.
You may want to meet with a postpartum doula and discuss your plans for bringing baby home and settling into your new chapter in life in advance.
This takes the unknown out when you’ve an opportunity to acquaint yourself and form a relationship with someone educated on what to expect in the transition of life with a newborn.
They are knowledgeable with evidence based in baby care,including soothing and sleeping, breastfeeding support, meal preparation, general house duties (including letting the dog out), and taking care of siblings. And YOU!
It is so important that you can rest in bed, catching up on much missed sleep from before the baby was even born and now between feedings. You can enjoy spending quiet nesting-in time (with your husband/partner), and get some much deserved self care.
A postpartum doula is trained to assist with breastfeeding, should that be your choice, which at times can seem daunting and provide you with resources for mommy support groups, such as La Leche League or similar, mom/babe exercise classes, local libraries and recreational centers in your area. It is a comfort and a joy to share your experiences with other mothers.
The more rest you get, accompanied with good wholesome nutrition, and fresh air, all helps speed along your recovery. The doula will be your best coach! Of course use this as an opportunity to have time with baby and possibly your husband or partner. Take advantage of it while you can! She also has access to resources such as chiropractors, massage therapy, public health nurses, pelvic floor specialists or whatever your needs may be.
Postpartum doulas do not do any medical interventions themselves for you, baby or family but are happy to support your needs with referrals to her contacts or reminders for you to contact yours.
Years past it was far more common for mothers to have family and neighbourly support but nowadays it can be unavailable, unreliable or unpredictable.
During your prenatal visits with your doula it would also be a great time to plan for friends and family to form a food/meal chain. She can help you organize a daily or alternate day meal drop. If you have additional needs like organizing playdates for your children during the first month, that would be a blessing for everyone.
Also, remember people love to help ! It would be wise to limit your company visit time and even postpone visitors for a week or two to encourage establishment of breastfeeding, taking time for recovery bonding and adjusting to life with baby!
Your husband or partner will want to enjoy quality time with you and the little one so have him make arrangements with friends to take turns doing the lawn for a couple weeks - before the baby is born!
In the course of this lovely new chapter in your life, make note of your moods. While we can do the best we can with rest, nutrition, socializing and hopefully some fresh air.
Postpartum blues or depression is real. A doula may be able to assist you to recognize when hep may be needed. Hopefully a family would not experience this. Should you start entertaining thoughts uncommon to you, such as hurting yourself or the baby, you will need professional, medical help. These feelings can manifest anytime within a year of birth. It is statistically proven that having postpartum care decreases the chance or degree of postpartum depression.Your doula can provide you with references for postpartum help or contact your caregiver or family doctor. It is a fairly common issue, nothing to be ashamed of, but left unattended can put a dark shadow on the bright new future with your family.
Your doula is trained, educated and prepared to support you with non judgemental care. It is a profession committed to caring deeply, and supporting you in utmost confidence. I would be happy to help you or refer you to postpartum colleagues in your area.
Love,
Marie