Why you should hire a postpartum doula

Postpartum doulas are probably a foreign concept to a lot of people. The definition of a postpartum doula is: a professional support person trained in the needs of the family in the days, weeks and months after birth or the addition of a new baby. A postpartum doula usually meets with the expectant parents a few times during the months leading up to the birth. They get to know each other and discuss expectations.

Years ago, instead of a postpartum doula, grandparents, siblings and other relatives would perform the duties of a postpartum doula. Today, so many people don’t live near their family so postpartum doulas are becoming more common. Unfortunately, some families cannot afford a postpartum doula and they don’t live near family, so they do it all on their own. 

Lack of support can increase the likelihood of the parents (both moms and dads) developing postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders. I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase, “it takes a village,” when referring the raising children, right? Nobody is meant to do this alone. So, if you don’t have a village and you have the means, hire one! 

I have found that postpartum doulas are equally important after a surrogate birth as they are after a “normal” birth. Even though the intended parents didn’t give birth and don’t need that physical recovery time, they still can use the support and guidance a postpartum doula will provide. Speaking from my own surrogacy journey, my intended parents hired a postpartum doula to be at the birth in case they didn’t make it on time. She was a godsend. She showed up a few minutes before the baby was born and took care of everything until the parents arrived several hours later. I could not have taken care of the baby emotionally after that birth. It was intense and I needed some space to process it all. The postpartum doula being there gave me peace of mind. I didn’t worry about the baby, I knew he was in good hands, so I could focus on my emotional and physical health. She was there to welcome the intended parents and introduce them to their baby after I went home from the birth center. 

Usually, postpartum doulas are used much longer after the birth of the child. They most commonly go to the home of the new parents and help by providing information on things such as infant feeding, physical and emotional recovery, bonding, soothing and basic newborn care. They can hold the baby while the parents nap or get chores done. They can do chores while the parents hold their baby. They can answer basic baby care questions. Sometimes the postpartum period can be overwhelming but having a postpartum doula can give new parents peace of mind and some sanity.