Postpartum Care
A postpartum visit
It is clear that the importance of support, advice and assistance in the weeks and months following birth cannot be overemphasized. The ways in which the woman, baby, partner and siblings make the transition to a new family unit have a long-term impact on their physical and emotional health. The postpartum doula fills a large gap in maternity care and is able to facilitate a smooth and rewarding transition. Postpartum doula acts like the mother of not only the new mother but also the whole family. She provides non-medical support and companionship, assists with newborn care and sibling adjustment, meal preparation and household organization. The doula offers evidence-based information on newborn feeding, such as breastfeeding positions and the ways to increase milk supply, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth (either by giving the mother a massage or helping with the house chores) and other issues related to the postpartum period. Owing to this support, the new mothers usually trust themselves more, stay calm and peaceful, and heal faster.
What does a postpartum doula do?
A postpartum doula trusts a woman’s body and her ability to take care of her own body. In order to support the new mother, she informs the mother about what to expect from a newborn, on baby-soothing skills, offers comforting positions for feeding the baby, prepares nourishing food, gives a massage, makes use of meditation and breathing techniques. Also, she encourages mom and dad.
The doula can help friends and family members to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new parents. By modelling a deep respect for the wisdom and decision-making abilities of the new parents, she makes clear that supporting them in their own choices will have the best possible results. By dedicating herself to the family in this way, the doula validates and enhances the parents' intuitive ability to nurture and encourages them to develop and implement their own parenting style. In other words, the postpartum doula fills a large gap in maternity care and is able to facilitate the smooth and rewarding transition of the family.
Visit to the hospital for Day 5 check-up
What are the duties of a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula’s main role is to protect the holy and private environment the new mother needs, help her achieve the healthiest and most satisfying experience possible, and help the mother shift to Plan B as smoothly as possible in case of unexpected circumstances.
A postpartum doula also:
informs the new mother about her options while creating her postpartum plan
gives intermittent support starting from the 1st day and continuing till the 40th day (including light house chores and cooking),
helps her understand how a newborn looks like, and what her characteristics and needs are, and thus help the mother make informed decisions during her postpartum period,
comforts the mother both physically and psychologically at different times. For instance, she can give the mother a massage, help her find the most comfortable and efficient position for feeding, reminding her of the breathing practices,
enables her to enhance communication both within the family and with other support professionals,
provides reassurance and encouragement,
enables the mother to trust herself more,
makes the parents realise that everything is going right,
supports the father and helps him become a part of this period as much as he wants,
helps the new mother understand the medical procedures,
prepares a ceremony for the new parents on demand.
What does a postpartum doula not do?
A doula never decides on behalf of mom and dad.
She never applies medical procedures. She never interferes in the business of medical staff.
She never speaks on behalf of mom but makes her voice heard as much as she can.
Which services do I offer as a postpartum doula?
My postpartum doula package includes 7 visits (each lasting 2-3 hours). Before birth, I meet with the couple once to learn about their needs and priorities, their worries or fears if there are any to be able to help them more efficiently. I suggest some practices to empower them as new parents and to ease the transition and bonding with the baby. We also talk about their changing roles in the family and how they can adjust to their new role. My postpartum support starts right after birth. I visit the couple at the hospital and usually stay 1 or 2 hours after birth to check whether they need help with breastfeeding or with anything related to the mother and the baby. In the following first week after birth, I visit the new parents at least 3 times to see how they are and will be answering their questions regarding breastfeeding and the baby. I arrange the frequency and duration of the visits according to the needs of the new parents.
My postpartum doula service also includes infant gas massage, some practices for perineum, C-section scar healing, and psychological support during postpartum period. I try to support new parents as much as I can. Therefore, I sometimes prepare meals or do shopping for them.
