Postpartum Doula Care

Postpartum is a period of adjustment unlike any other in your life. With so much time spent on preparing for birth, parents often find that they are relatively unprepared for the adjustments in lifestyle and routine that are necessary during postpartum.

Postpartum Doulas are also beneficial when introducing your infant to older siblings, or managing twins or triplets.

Benefits of Postpartum Doulas:

Parents who have caring support and feelings of security during this time are more successful in adapting to parenthood. Studies have shown that cultures in which a woman whose needs are supported during this period of time and are expected only to nurture herself and her baby during that time have superior outcomes in postpartum adjustment.

Research tells us that women who experience postpartum support from Doulas have:

  • Greater breastfeeding success
  • Greater self-confidence
  • Less Postpartum Depression
  • Greater feelings of support for and from the partner, which can have a significant impact on their partner's own experience
  • Lower incidence of abuse than those who do not have a Doula
  • Timely referrals to competent, appropriate professionals and support groups
  • More education on what to expect from a newborn
  • Increased baby-soothing skills
  • Greater sense of communication and bonding with their infant
  • Better coping skills

The first weeks home with a newborn are very exciting times as you learn more about yourselves and your baby. These may also be challenging times when adjustments will have to be made in your life. In the past, families had extensive support systems of women who helped to care for the new mother and her baby. Today, this is not always the case, so a Postpartum Doula steps in to nurture the mother, father, and baby.

Your Postpartum Doula is a non-judgmental woman with a quiet presence in the home who focuses on building an environment where you, your partner, and new baby can grow and bond as a new family with confidence and ease. Cherish’s approach is not to assume primary responsibility for the newborn, but rather to assist the mother and her partner in their new roles as parents so they can more easily bond with, and take care of the baby. This support is invaluable not only for new families but also after a cesarean birth, with premature babies, for mothers with other children at home, and for mothers of multiples.

Support for Mother may include:

  • Breastfeeding support and instruction
  • Assistance with bathing, changing, swaddling, and holding the baby
  • Supervision of the newborn while mom gets rest or attends to other children
  • Organization of the home to be the most baby-functional
  • Care for older children
  • Listening and help with processing your birth story
  • Helping the family adjust to their new roles
  • Light household tasks
  • Preparation of meals as well as nutritional guidance
  • Completion of errands such as grocery shopping
  • Connecting you to community resources

Support for the Partner may include:

  • Practical advice for what he/she can do
  • Guidance on how to support a woman during the weeks after birth.
  • Instruction in infant massage techniques
  • Exploration of baby calming techniques unique to his/her own skills
  • Aiding with the transition back to work while remaining connected to mom and baby

Reference: DONA International Postpartum Position Paper

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