Why Is It Helpful To Hire A Postpartum Doula?

I am glad you asked. Becoming a parent is a remarkable accomplishment, though the days following childbirth can be deeply intense. The scope of experience and support I offer promotes a smoother, more natural adjustment to your newest family member. You may be welcoming your firstborn or your last; you may only want light assistance or something more involved. You may even have close family members who mean well but aren’t always helpful. I listen, understand and do. From the first day you bring your baby home, I attend to your particular needs and work dedicatedly to see you and your little one thrive.

Research has shown that postpartum doulas can also…

• Bolster breastfeeding rates. Did you know that about 92% of parents surveyed experience problems breastfeeding their babies a mere three days after giving birth? And that early nursing problems are associated with stopping breastfeeding? It’s true. Also true: Doulas provide important infant feeding information—and emotional and physical support—in those super-vulnerable days after birth. In fact, doulas can improve the likelihood a parent will breastfeed, according to a 2021 report in The Journal of Perinatal Education. Plus, it’s thought that parents who enlist the help of a postpartum doulas have a higher satisfaction with breastfeeding and may nurse longer than those without the extra support.

• Increase self-confidence. When you have access to a postpartum doula, you get hands-on one-on-one training for all things Baby. So, it’s no wonder that the combo of emotional, physical, and educational support provided by a postpartum doula has been found to increase maternal self-confidence across the board. And that’s incredibly important because further research shows that folks with higher levels of parental confidence are more likely to parent in ways that support their children’s skills, talents, and interests down the road.

• Help curb postpartum distress and depression. Research has suggested that a new parent’s lack of—or dissatisfaction with—social support can amp up their risk for postpartum distress, baby blues, and postpartum depression. A postpartum doula, however, may be just the support new parents need. A recent Australian study noted that a new parent's ideal form of social support is often simply having the opportunity to talk to someone who would empathize with them. Moreover, research featured in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health found that new parents who received postpartum doula support (versus telephone support) were significantly more satisfied with the support they received—and they showed greater improvements in depression scores.

• Help spot signs of trouble. Many postpartum doulas are trained to identify early signs of depression and can offer resources so you can get the help you need, quickly. While postpartum doulas aren’t medical professionals, they may be able to help spot other signs that could indicate that you—or your baby—may benefit from seeing a healthcare pro, like a pelvic floor specialist, a lactation consultant, or your OB/GYN.