Postpartum doulas

Post-partum, postnatal, after birth--tired, sore, maybe a bit overwhelmed--this is the time period that some doulas specialize in providing care. The new baby needs seemingly constant attention, and perhaps the new mother's partner or other children are also demanding some of mom's time. It can all be a bit much!

What do postpartum doulas do?

Postpartum doulas are trained to provide families with evidence-based information and support on feeding the newborn, physical and emotional recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, and much needed coping skills for new parent/s. The doula may also help with light housework, fix a few meals, and help any older child adjust to this new family makeup.

Doulas are trained to respond to the needs of the new mother and her family. These needs can range widely, but often she:

* Helps during the entire labor and afterwards as long as is needed by parent/s

* Instructs regarding breastfeeding preparation and beginning

* Some doulas create a written record of the birth (called a birth story)

Research supports doulas

Some research has shown that six weeks after birth, mothers who used doulas:

* Showed more confidence with baby

* Were much more likely to use breastfeeding

* Were more satisfied with their partner

* Were less depressed and anxious

As more research is developed on the important work of doulas, we will be amalgamating it into occasional reports, as well as providing brief summaries here on our fledgling web site.