What Is A Postpartum Doula And Should You Hire One?

While most expecting parents spend a lot of time preparing for their baby’s arrival, they pay little attention to what happens after their baby is born, or during the postpartum period. In fact, compared to all the other aspects of pregnancy, the time after birth, or the postpartum period is rarely discussed. But the postpartum period is just as important because, after all those grueling hours of labour and the pain from childbirth, the new mum requires special care and attention, both mentally and physically. 

This is where a postpartum doula can help by assisting you in your new journey and taking care of your little one, while you catch up on some much-needed rest. While the concept of hiring doulas is relatively new in India, it’s slowly but surely gaining momentum, with parents reaching out to organisations that connect them with doulas to support them during childbirth as well as the postpartum period.

Are you curious to know more about how to hire a postpartum doula, the benefits of having one, and their role in your postpartum journey? Read on to find out!

What Is a Postpartum Doula?

The postpartum period is a major time of transition for you, your body, and your family as well. The postpartum period is often called the fourth trimester, and for good reason! 

In these crucial days and weeks after delivery, a postpartum doula can offer you non-medical support, and assist you in taking care of your newborn. In fact, this support is emotional, physical, as well as informational, and while the doula does help with infant care, their primary focus will be on the mother and to enhance the recovery process.

What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

A postpartum doula helps with a variety of things, including calming your cranky baby, watching your little one as you rest, troubleshooting breastfeeding problems, and most importantly, helping parents ease into their new roles. 

Other areas of support provided by postpartum doulas include

• Making nutritious meals for the new mum
• Providing evidence-based information on all things postpartum/newborn
• Promoting self-care in the mum
• Advocating for the new mum and watching out for signs of postpartum depression
• Helping older siblings adjust
• Offering additional support based on the mum’s requirements

However, keep in mind that your postpartum doula won’t be offering medical advice or medical care. Instead, they may offer helpful information, resources, and support. For any kind of medical advice, it’s better you consult your healthcare provider.

Who Should Hire a Postpartum Doula?

You can look for a postpartum doula if you think you need a little extra help after your baby is born. Besides this, their services are considered especially beneficial for first-time parents, parents expecting multiples, or mums who had a complicated delivery. 

What are the Benefits of Having a Postpartum Doula?

Besides helping you transition into parenthood, there are some other benefits of hiring a postpartum doula, including

Breastfeeding Success

A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine stated that women who received doula intervention during their postpartum period were more likely to breastfeed their infants without trouble. Additionally, it was found that mums who received help from postpartum doulas had higher satisfaction with their breastfeeding experience and even continued to nurse for long.

Enhanced Mental Health

It’s common to experience some amount of stress after your baby’s arrival. Moreover, concerns about breastfeeding or taking care of your child can leave you all the more anxious and affect your mental health.

A postpartum doula is the key person who supports you, eases some of your stress, and also empowers you in many ways. Beyond that, a postpartum doula can help identify the early signs of postpartum depression in you and offer the right support you need during this time. 

How Much Does a Postpartum Doula Cost?

The cost of the services offered by a postpartum doula depends on where you live and what requirements you are looking for. First, reach out to an organisation that offers postpartum doula services, such as Birth India, and contact their spokesperson to get you connected with a professional who can fulfill the services you are looking for. Then, ask them about the cost of the services provided, and confirm their services once you have discussed all the aspects.

Conclusion

A postpartum doula can help make the period after childbirth much smoother, and offer you the required support to facilitate recovery. They can also support you emotionally and physically, as well as give you informational and science-backed tips on taking care of your newborn. A doula can also help your older children adjust to the change and care for them while you spend time with your newborn. Make sure to reach out to organisations beforehand, and leverage their help in finding a suitable doula who can provide you with the services you are looking for. 

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com