POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICE
One of the most overlooked aspects of childbirth is what happens after. Particularly the first 6 weeks when there is more to recover from than the physical aspects of labor or the emotional surges of adoption.
“The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail - when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labor pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear, and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of a soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred.”
Everyone deserves to be supported through this transition into parenthood. Whether this is your first or tenth child. Each one is unique and precious, requiring a period of adjustment to fit all the pieces of your family into its new design. These first forty days, your family is in a cocoon trying to recover, recuperate, and relearn each member before reemerging into active life outside the home.
This period of adjustment can be difficult and feel insurmountable at times. Particularly when your usual routines of eating, sleeping, showering, and I dare say thinking are continuously disrupted by your tiny human. Science has indicated time and again that lack of sleep, irregular meals, life changes, and isolation are major causes of stress, depression, anxiety, and the overall deterioration of health.
As your postpartum doula, I am there to reduce the stressors that occur in this fourth trimester. I do this by helping with light housework, fixing simple meals and snacks, giving you space to take care of your needs, and even assisting in incorporating an older child or pet into your now larger family. In addition, I provide you a wealth of knowledge and resources such as: infant care, breastfeeding, and referrals to notable professionals in our area.
Think of me as your multifunctional assistant so you feel more like yourself while caring for a newborn.
However, I do not replace the support persons in your life such as partners, mothers, sisters or friends. I am here to fill in where I am needed, which has the benefit of freeing up time and energy for those in your life who would like to enjoy time with you and your baby. I will encourage and guide you through the ups and downs while providing you peace of mind in these early weeks.
The Postpartum Services begin during pregnancy, or immediately after birth, when we meet for our initial consult. Similar to the Birth Services, this is the time where we get to know each other. I encourage all potential clients to explore potential gaps in support in order to gain a better understanding of the needs they might have during the first 6 weeks postpartum.
This is an intimate time for you and your family. You deserve to feel comfortable and nurtured while you bond with your baby.
The Postpartum Services gives you the option of purchasing 12 hours per week for the first and second weeks postpartum. From there we would typically move to an hourly rate as needed with a minimum of 3 hours per visit. Postpartum is a time of flexibility and learning to recognize your needs. Contact me for more details and to set up a consult to determine how much support you would like during your first weeks.
This service includes unlimited contact with me via cell phone, email, or text during business hours (8 AM - 8 PM).
In the event that you need emergency support please be sure to contact 911 first or other applicable hotline numbers which I have provided on the resource page.