What is a postpartum doula?
The word, doula, is a Greek word that means, "woman's servant" or "handmaiden." In traditional societies, women and men grow up around birth, breastfeeding, infants and children. After giving birth, women are surrounded by caring family members who have a great deal of experience and wisdom to offer. This kind of help is rarely available to new parents in many societies today. The doula's support is intended to fill the gaps left by our postpartum traditions, which usually include only medical procedures, occasional checkups and the purchase of baby-related paraphernalia.
In today's birthing environment, the doula is a woman who possesses a large amount of knowledge about newborn care and postpartum adjustment for the mother and family. She provides emotional, physical and informational support during the postpartum period. The doula's education, quiet support, and guidance are a manifestation of traditional postpartum support that many cultures are missing today.
A postpartum doula supports women through their postpartum period and nurtures the whole family. She enables new mothers and fathers to feel confident in their ability to care for their infant. She can relieve some of the pressure on the new mother by helping her move into her new responsibilities gradually. She makes sure the new mother feels nurtured and cared for, and is eating and getting enough sleep. The postpartum doula assists with breastfeeding, mother and newborn care, twin care and adjustment, nursery organization and set up for new baby, light household duties, sibling care, preparing light meals, arranging food trains among family and friends, grocery shopping, laundry, or running other necessary errands. The responsibilities of a postpartum doula change from day to day, as the needs of the family change.
Without taking the place of a medical professional a postpartum doula assists with questions and provides resources for frequently asked questions of a new mom. She helps parents to recognize their own abilities and nurtures and facilitates the bonding that occurs between the new parent and infant. A postpartum doula is trained to provide appropriate and non-judgmental support, information, and practical assistance to new mothers and their families. She does not offer medical assessment or give medical advice. However, if she is concerned about you or your baby, or you are concerned about yourself or the baby, she will recommend the appropriate resources.
