Pregnancy and birth are considered among the most important occurrences in every woman’s life, with motherhood being the cherry on the cake. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your child born and growing up healthy.
Throughout the pregnancy period, you daydream of the kind of life you will have with your baby, as you want the very best for your little one when they finally make their debut into this world.
However, planning for this big day and the first days with a Newborn may sometimes feel overwhelming, with one more thing to do and one more task to complete on the waiting list!
With excitement mixed with some anxiety and even some worry occupying your last days of pregnancy, have you considered hiring a Postpartum Doula?
All the planning, the writing of a newborn essentials list, and the figuring out of how best to create a workable routine for you and your newborn can be made into that seamless experience that you are hoping it should be, by the support of a Postpartum Doula.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A Postpartum Doula is a professional, specifically trained to provide the physical, emotional, and informational support that you need as a new mom during the postpartum period.
The postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, is the six weeks immediately after your baby is born. A Birth Doula will be your support system during labor and delivery, while a Postpartum Doula will lend a hand and share their knowledge once your baby is home.
A Postpartum Doula focuses on providing support to a new mom through the after birth period.
What does a Postpartum Doula do?
The duties and responsibilities of a Postpartum Doula will change daily, depending on the needs of the family and the baby.
Their main role however is to provide the physical, emotional, and informational support that a new mom needs immediately after their baby is born.
People consider hiring a Postpartum Doula for many different reasons, such as helping in establishing a feeding and sleeping routine for the baby, but overall, it is just to ensure that they get the kind of newborn experience that they had hoped and planned for.
Therefore, a Postpartum Doula is someone who provides support for a new mom immediately after delivery, guiding them through the decision-making process, so that they have a positive newborn experience and an easy transition into the world of motherhood.
Benefits of using a Postpartum Doula
2010 research found that a Postpartum practice is grouped into four major categories : providing support to new moms, understanding the new mother’s perspective, empowering women, as well as empowering the family.
Most of the people providing Postpartum Services to new moms said they did it majorly as a ‘calling’, but also to prevent the negative experiences that are faced by new moms and families during the early days of newborn care.
Typical support provided by a Postpartum Doula includes:
Breastfeeding support
Postpartum Doulas are intensively trained on any issues related to breastfeeding, and they will share their knowledge, provide support and give assistance to the new mom.
They will offer tips and advice on how to properly help the baby latch and assist the new mom in establishing a steady milk supply, which can be done through consistent pumping sessions.
Help with naps and creating healthy habits for sleep.
Getting enough sleep is something many new parents only wish for. A Postpartum Doula may be the answer to all the sleep related challenges being faced by both parents and baby.
Every infant is unique, and so will the kind of coaching required to settle them into a sleeping and napping routine that works for the whole family.
The Doula will provide support and education to empower you as the new mom to gently teach your newborn sleeping skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Customized sleep plans that are in line with your parenting style can be made, so that the whole family is accommodated.
Reduced stress and anxiety for the new mom
Having someone who is readily available and dedicated to providing their support in all ways is just what a new mom needs, when it comes to navigating the postpartum period.
Dealing with a newborn is always an all-hands-on-deck affair, and a Postpartum Doula will help the mother and family to have a better experience with a newborn in the house.
Simple chores like baby’s laundry and diaper changes will be handled by the Postpartum Doula, making it easy for the family to adjust to the new member of the family more easily.
No birth related traumas for both mother and baby
Parents who do not experience postpartum anxiety and depression are said to be well grounded, safe, and more present for their newborn, making the whole experience better with improved outcomes for the whole family.
A Postpartum Doula will help you to achieve this, by taking off your plate the worries and uncertainties that may come with having a newborn.
Conclusion
After many grueling labor hours, it is no doubt that you will be exhausted both mentally and physically, but this is the beginning of a new chapter of motherhood!
There is no pressing the ‘pause’ button on this one, and no matter how worn out you may feel, there is a newborn that needs your round the clock attention.
To ensure that you keep away from slipping into postpartum anxiety or depression, it is important that you get the help that you need. And that is by using the services of a Postpartum Doula!
The transition into parenthood can be challenging to many new parents, and postpartum doulas will provide active listening, emotional support, and encouragement to the new parents, giving advice where possible.
References
Voytal K, McComish J, Visger J, Rowland C, and Kelleher J. (2010), Postpartum Doulas: Motivations and Perceptions of Practice. Retrieved from The National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048903/
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