Your Essential Support System:
What is a Postnatal Doula?
Before delving into why new parents need postnatal doulas, let’s clarify what a postnatal doula is. A postnatal doula is a trained professional who offers physical, emotional, and informational support to parents during the postpartum period. Unlike a midwife, postnatal doulas do not provide medical care. Instead, we focus on providing holistic support that addresses the unique needs of your family.
Why New Parents benefit from a Postnatal Doula
Becoming a parent is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it can also be incredibly challenging. The postnatal period, often referred to as the "fourth trimester," is a time of learning, bonding, adjustment, healing, and adaptation for both the mother and the newborn. In this transformative phase, new parents face physical, emotional, and logistical challenges that can be overwhelming. That's where postnatal doulas come in as an invaluable source of support.
Why Do New Parents Need Postnatal Doulas?
Emotional Support: The emotional rollercoaster that can accompany the postnatal period is real. Hormonal fluctuations, sleep deprivation, and the challenges of caring for a newborn can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even depressed. Postnatal doulas offer a compassionate and non-judgmental presence, providing a safe space for parents to express their feelings and concerns.
Breastfeeding and Infant Care Assistance: For many new mothers and parents, breastfeeding/chestfeeding can be a complex and sometimes frustrating journey. A postnatal doula can offer guidance and support, helping new parents overcome common feeding challenges. They can also provide guidance and tips on normal newborn behaviour, infant care, including nappy changes, bathing, and soothing techniques.
Postnatal Recovery: Birth is a physically demanding process, and the postpartum period involves healing and recuperation. Postnatal doulas can assist with self-care routines, help with making sure you are eating well (perhaps cooking you nutritious meals in your home), providing space for you to catch up on sleep or a delicious long shower/bath by holding your baby, giving you peace of mind, so you can relax. Providing a caring listening ear as you navigate those early weeks. Their presence can significantly reduce the physical burden on new parents.
Household Management: Managing household tasks can be overwhelming when you are prioritising your new little one. Postnatal doulas can help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their baby and recovering.
Education and Resources: Postnatal doulas are a treasure trove of information. We can provide evidence-based information on newborn care, feeding, and sleep routines. They also connect new parents to local resources, support groups, and professionals when needed.
Partner Support: New fathers and partners are also adjusting to their new roles and responsibilities. Postnatal doulas can help partners feel more confident in caring for the baby and supporting the mother. This support strengthens the family unit during this crucial transition.
Reduced Risk of Postpartum Depression: Studies have shown that parents who receive consistent support during the postpartum period are less likely to experience postpartum depression. Postnatal doulas play a significant role in providing this support, helping to safeguard the mental health of new parents.
Customized Support: Postnatal doula services are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each family. Whether a family desires overnight support, daytime assistance, or simply a few hours of respite, postnatal doulas can adapt their services to meet these needs.
Long-Term Benefits: The support provided by postnatal doulas not only helps parents navigate the immediate challenges of the postpartum period but also lays the foundation for a healthier and more confident parenting journey.
The postpartum period can be an intense and transformative time for new parents, and the support of a postnatal doula can make a world of difference. These trained professionals offer a wide range of physical, emotional, and informational support, helping families transition into parenthood with more confidence, less stress, and a deeper sense of well-being. In this beautiful but challenging phase of life, a postnatal doula can be the essential support system that every new parent needs.
Let us support you, provide space for you to find your feet and confidently step into parenthood.
Why choose to have a doula
Doulas have been incredibly popular in recent years, with the rise of information and empowerment surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. With the increase in online community and social media, more and more women and birthing people are sharing their thoughts, experiences, and advice, giving rise to hypnobirthing, positive birth experiences and a more calm and comfortable birth experience. This blog explores the benefit of having a doula during and after birth.
Doulas have been incredibly popular in recent years, with the rise of information and empowerment surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. With the increase in online community and social media, more and more women and birthing people are sharing their thoughts, experiences, and advice, giving rise to hypnobirthing, positive birth experiences and a more calm and comfortable birth experience. This blog explores the benefit of having a doula during and after birth.
Experienced Companion
Birthing people have always traditionally been supported by a birth companion, often their partner or a female friend. These partners provide information, advocacy for their needs, birth plan and pain relief, practical support in birthing positions and emotional support. Doulas are trained professionals, who take accountability for these tasks, understand their client and their client’s wants and needs, and guide both the parents and surrounding medical team through the process for safe and comfortable birth. They will be able to understand more than a non-experienced birth companion and likely communicate more effectively with staff.
Improved Outcomes
Many studies have found that the presence of a doula improves outcomes for parents and babies, improving health outcomes, making vaginal delivery more likely, reducing the need for caesarean delivery, reducing need for pain medication, reducing time spent in labour and increasing satisfaction in birth experience. Doula case studies also tend to show increased health and wellbeing in birthing people and baby after birth, with mental health, wellbeing and general care being shown to be improved. This may be due to increased education, information and support for parent and baby as a doula is dedicated to checking on both for wellbeing.
We are passionate about being birth keepers, advocates, and intuitive, confident support for women and birthing people. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your support needs