Guide to Postpartum Doulas for Expecting Parents

Welcoming a new baby into the family is an exciting but challenging time for new parents. If you are reading this, you may be considering if hiring a postpartum doula is suitable for you, looking for a doula to engage, or wondering what the difference is between a doula and other childbirth specialists.

Postpartum Doulas

- are mainly focused on helping the mother through the vulnerable time after a baby is born. A certified postpartum doula is not a medical professional; instead, they provide support to new parents physically and emotionally, making sure their needs are met.

A doula can provide practical care by:

• Helping with light errands;
• Preparing nutritious meals;
• Providing lactation support and addressing breastfeeding concerns;
• Helping around the house;
• Assisting with transportation to appointments; and
• Light massage, aromatherapy, or meditation to help you relax.

Doulas can also connect new parents with the resources they need to feel confident by providing fact-based information and expert references when required. Postpartum doulas are generally there to make life easier during a time when you may need extra help.

Apart from postpartum doulas, some specialized doulas focus on other areas of childbirth.

Antepartum doulas

- "Ante" means earlier or before. The focus of an antepartum doula is on the prenatal period, or time before, childbirth. They can be especially helpful if you are a first-time mother feeling anxious or are placed on bed rest in the time leading up to birth. They can connect you with medical professionals and information, provide you with emotional support, and take care of errands such as light housekeeping, meal preparation in the busy time leading up to welcoming your new child. Because the service they provide is similar to that of a postpartum doula, some postpartum doulas also offer prenatal packages.

What Is a Full Spectrum Doula / Holistic Doula?

When you read or hear about a "full-spectrum doula" or "holistic doula," you may think this means that they can do everything that other doulas do, that they are specialized in all areas. In a way, this is true, but it means a bit more than that. The word "holistic" means to care for the whole person, taking your social, mental, and physical needs into account.

Full-spectrum and holistic doulas offer comprehensive support, emphasizing honoring different philosophies, cultures, and communities. They are also trained to be accepting and to provide support for non-traditional families of all kinds.

What Is the Difference Between a Daytime Postpartum Doula vs. Night Doula?

Doulas that offer overnight support are virtually the same as doulas that work during the day. However, they provide the same services in a quieter way that reflects the time of day—for example, assisting with night feedings for mothers who would like breastfeeding or doing some quiet chores around the house.

Night doulas are often confused with other helpers such as night nurses and newborn care specialists. Asking a potential doula about their availability if you are looking for overnight help is a good idea. Not all paid doula services offer night services.

What Is the Difference Between a Doula vs. Midwife?

A midwife is a medical specialist trained to help women during labor and delivery. At the same time, a doula is a non-medical person trained to assist a new mother throughout the birth process. Often both a midwife and a doula may be present during labor as their duties complement each other. For example, when a midwife and doula work together, the midwife can focus on the mother's medical needs. In contrast, the doula ensures the mother is comfortable and helps her communicate her needs and wishes to the medical team.

What Is the Difference Between a Doula vs. Nanny?

A nanny is a childcare specialist, while a doula's primary focus is to support the mother and her partner. A doula may help out a bit with childcare, but it is not their primary role. Nannies are a little different from babysitters or child care providers as they are usually more involved in the household.

What Is the Difference Between a Doula vs. Baby Nurse?

People often confuse doulas with baby-nurses. Baby nurses are usually medical professionals, and the modern term for them is newborn care specialists. While baby nurses are there only to provide in-home care for newborns, the care postpartum doulas offer is centered on the mother, partner, and siblings. A doula may also be trained to help with breastfeeding, nutritional needs, and light housekeeping. A doula's role is to make life easier for new parents and to provide practical support so that parents can concentrate on building their bonds with their new child.

What Is the Difference Between a Daytime Postpartum Doula vs. Night Doula?

Doulas that offer overnight support are virtually the same as doulas that work during the day. However, they provide the same services in a quieter way that reflects the time of day—for example, assisting with night feedings for mothers who would like breastfeeding or doing some quiet chores around the house.

Night doulas are often confused with other helpers such as night nurses and newborn care specialists. Asking a potential doula about their availability if you are looking for overnight help is a good idea. Not all paid doula services offer night services.

Why Hire a Postpartum Doula

Why should you hire a doula? Being a new parent is exciting, but it can also be challenging and full of unknowns. Postpartum doula services are the answer for those that wish they had more help transitioning to parenthood.

What a postpartum doula can do for you is to provide the emotional, informational, and practical support you and your partner need as new parents in a way that makes sense for your family. This can include light housekeeping, lactation support, childcare for older siblings, preparing light meals or snacks, and some infant care.

Postpartum Doula Pros and Cons

As with anything, there are pros and cons to hiring a postpartum doula. For some, medical issues may be their primary concern, or they would prefer more childcare-centered care. In these cases, a postpartum doula might not be the right fit.

However, if you need support and a helping hand to keep it together, there are several ways a postpartum doula can help.

Do I Need A Postpartum Doula

If you feel overwhelmed, worried about an upcoming return to work, or want some help settling into the responsibility of parenthood, a doula could be a good fit for you.

A doula provides that extra help that a new family needs to set off in the right direction. Empowering women during the vulnerable time after birth can have far-reaching effects.

By easing transitions and making change more manageable, a doula can help you, as a new parent, gain the energy and power to strengthen and build family bonds. Our role is to alleviate stress, promote recovery and allow you to focus on your new baby. We can help your family get a solid start, so you have a firm foundation to build from.

We acknowledge that everyone's circumstances are unique, and Umi Care has several customizable packages, including prenatal, postpartum, and mommy support, to fit your needs. In getting to know each other, we can discuss your requirements and help you choose the package that is right for you and your family.

All of our care packages encourage rest, build confidence and lighten the responsibilities of a new mother.

Advocating for mothers in San Jose and the San Franciso Bay Area, Umi Care can provide the support and resources you need to flourish.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about what Umi Care can do for you.