THE BABBLE TAKE
A postpartum doula comes to your home to provide non-clinical support after childbirth. While a baby nurse is there primarily to take care of the baby, a postpartum doula's mission is to help the whole family. This includes taking care of the new mother, as well as taking pressure off the father and other siblings. Doulas can coach mothers on breastfeeding and other areas of caring for a newborn, or they can cook and look after siblings. They try to make sure the family doesn't need to worry about practicalities right after birth and has more time to bond and rest. Doula hours vary. Some work 9 to 5, others provide evening or overnight services, and still others work short shifts, perhaps a couple of hours at a time. Most doulas stress their ability and willingness to improvise and listen to the new mother, but not all doulas provide the same range of services. Experts say it's best to lay down ground rules beforehand. Babycenter® provides a list of questions to ask at interviews to ensure you and your doula work well together personality-wise. Several of the following links provide contact information for doulas and doula services.
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Dona International
"What a postpartum doula does changes from day to day, as the needs of the family change. Postpartum doulas do whatever a mother needs to best enjoy and care for her new baby. A large part of their role is education. They share information about baby care with parents, as well as teach siblings and partners to 'mother the mother.'"
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Childbirth.org
"The word, 'doula,' comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to 'a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.'"
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BabyCenter ®
"Postpartum doulas don't have medical degrees but rather are trained or experienced in providing care during the first days or weeks after childbirth. They'll do all sorts of things to help ease your transition to new parenthood — from caring for you and your baby and offering breastfeeding advice to cooking, babysitting, running errands, and even doing light housework."
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Birth Solutions
"Postpartum Doulas are knowledgeable professionals who assist families during the critical period immediately after the birth of their baby(s). They 'mother the mother' and offer physical, emotional, informational support, as well practical help to the family."
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Dr. Sears
"Get a doula. At no time in history have new mothers been expected to do so much for so many with so little help. Cultures around the world have always recognized the importance of mothers and babies nesting in. In many places a mother is presented with a doula (from the Greek word for 'one who ministers'), a servant who specializes in mothering the mother (not the baby), relieving her of household chores and interferences that drain her energy away from her baby. Tired mothers, perk up. The doulas are now in North America . Postpartum-care services are springing up all over the land. Try to find one in your community. These gems are well worth the price. If you are unable to hire a doula, husbands, relatives, and friends can become 'servant for a day.' If a friend asks, 'What do you need?' reply, 'Vacuuming and laundering' or, 'Bring over dinner.'"
