Q: What is a postpartum doula?
A: A postpartum doula is someone who tends to the informational, emotional, and physical needs of the newly postpartum parent and family. The few weeks after childbirth are incredible, magical, and intense! Having the wise support of an experienced caregiver who can give advice on breastfeeding, baby care, and ease the discomforts of postpartum recovery is invaluable. A postpartum doula does everything possible to ensure that you have the space to bond with your baby. She can assist with light housework, childcare, meal preparation, give breastfeeding advice, and will help to make sure you are well rested and nourished.

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Q: I know that many postpartum doulas often advocate for attachment parenting and breastfeeding. What if I want to feed my baby with a bottle sometimes, and I want to have my baby sleep in a crib in his own room?
A: Postpartum doulas respect your parenting choices. There is no one way to raise a baby. Whatever makes you feel happy and sane is usually what’s right for you and your family. My hope is for you to better enjoy your postpartum time, making sure that you get the rest and nourishment you need to have the stamina to do the intensive parenting required of a newborn baby (or two).

Please Note: As a trained & certified Infant Sleep Educator with extensive education on infant brain development, I will not participate in any sort of harmful sleep training, "cry-it-out", extinction methods, Baby Wise, or Ferber methods. I follow a holistic approach to baby care, using natural methods that are mindful of their neurological development.

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Q: I have a lot of questions about my birth, and want to be able to talk about my experience. Can my postpartum doula help me with this?
A: Postpartum doulas will absolutely listen to your birth story, answer your questions the best they can, and help you to process your experience. Putting your birth in perspective is an important aspect of postpartum healing, and allows you to create more emotional space to bring to the mothering experience.

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Q: Can a postpartum doula help me with depression?
A: Postpartum doulas are not therapists, and cannot diagnose or treat depression, but they are trained to recognize the potential signs. She can provide resources for you to receive treatment, and nurture you at home while you are healing, helping you to gain confidence in mothering your baby.

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Q: Can a postpartum doula help me with breastfeeding problems?
A: Postpartum doulas are trained to support normal breastfeeding. Your doula can give you tips on overcoming basic problems. If these issues persist, she can provide resources for lactation consultants and local support groups. Using nurturing, loving encouragement is the postpartum doula’s way of helping you gain the confidence to breastfeed your baby.

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Q: Can a postpartum doula examine me or my baby if I have a health concern?
A: While postpartum doulas are aware of many of the challenges that arise in postpartum parents and babies, any health concern needs to be addressed by your primary caregiver or a public health nurse.

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Q: I will be having my mother stay with me for a month after birth. My partner also does not have to return to work for awhile. Would a postpartum doula still be helpful?
A: Yes!! A postpartum doula specializes in promoting parent/infant bonding, and bonding with other family members. She can help everyone to have more time to enjoy the new baby. The postpartum doula educates family members on how to care for the new mother and baby in ways that will help this precious unit have the best BabyMoon possible. She will help the family to understand the mother’s needs, and guide them to support her in establishing her confidence in her new role as the Mother the way she feels is best for her and her baby.

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Q: I am having twins!! Can you help me??
A: Postpartum doulas are often quite experienced with twins. A parent’s need for rest, nourishment, and support are even greater with twins. The postpartum doula becomes the new parents' extra arms until they has the strength and confidence to care for the babies on their own.

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Q: What is the difference between a baby nurse and a postpartum doula?
A: A baby nurse focuses solely on the new baby. A postpartum doula helps the family to be more independent about caring for the newborn. She is available for the postpartum parent as well as the rest of the family, to help them nurture the parent, nourish themselves, and enjoy having a new member of the family.

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Q: How much time does a postpartum doula spend with us?
A: This is dependent upon your situation and needs. A new parent may want this nourishing care throughout their entire month long postpartum recovery. An experienced parent may just want a few days of help catching up on much-needed rest. If you need overnight care, your doula can provide that as well; she will care for your baby as you sleep, comforting them and changing diapers, bringing them to you only to nurse (or bottle-feeding them if that is your wish.) 

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Q: Are Doulas covered by my insurance?
A: Even though doulas are known to greatly improve birth outcomes and family bonding, we are typically NOT covered by Medicare or insurance.  However, you may be able to submit a copy of your paid invoice to get reimbursed for a portion of your doula fees, or have the cost applied to your deductible.  

See more at:  Insurance Reimbursement

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Q: I’m not sure that I can afford the services of a postpartum doula. What other options do I have?
A: A great way to help pay for your doula services is to request doula services as part of your baby shower wish list!! Gift Certificates make a great baby shower gift.  Many parents end up receiving a lot of gifts that they don’t really need or want – how wonderful would it be to receive the gift of postpartum support!!  You can also print these handy Invitation Inserts to place in an envelope with your baby shower invitations, so that your guests know that you are "registered" for doula support.