Postpartum Doulas

• What does a postpartum doula do?
• Should I hire a postpartum doula?
• What should I look for when hiring a birth or postpartum doula?
• Will you match me up with a postpartum doula?

What does a postpartum doula do?

Doulas are there to help you learn to care for your body and your baby during the first few weeks postpartum. They can assist with breastfeeding, baby bathing, caring for the baby while you sleep, doing simple chores around the home such as laundry, dishes and light housekeeping. Many doulas work at night for you so that you can sleep more.

Should I hire a postpartum doula?

Many families benefit from having a postpartum doula. Depending on your family’s needs you may or may not need a postpartum doula. If you have family or friends that are willing to assist you with baby care, do your marketing, take care of simple household chores, pick up other children, or whatever things make your life easier in the first one to two weeks, you may not need a doula. If you do not have such a support system, especially during the first few weeks postpartum you may want to think about hiring a doula to help you out during this crucial time. If your husband or partner is going to be out of town, going back to work in the first week or two, these may be just a few reasons you may want to consider having a postpartum doula.

What should I look for when hiring a birth or postpartum doula?

Personality and expertise and training. Doulas who are DONA trained and certified have had to meet specific criteria that make them true team players. DONA International has a very extensive questionnaire of things you might like to ask of a doula in the interview process. Gerri Ryan is a doula trainer with DONA International and has trained hundreds of doulas in San Diego and elsewhere. She highly recommends looking for a doula from the Dona website at www.dona.org.

Will you match me up with a postpartum doula?

Even though we don’t match up our families specifically, we’re happy to provide you with a few references.