Seven Reasons You Should Have a Postpartum Doula.

What is the benefit in having a postpartum doula?

There are quite a few benefits of having a postpartum doula. They can show you how to change a diaper, breastfeeding techniques, proper sleeping arrangements, help organize the nursery to make it easier on you, make you meals to keep up your nutrition, and be a support person. 

A postpartum doula is going to care for you, your baby, and your family. Their job is to make sure you are comfortable in your transition from your current household to your soon-to-be plus one or more household. Here are the top seven reasons you should get a postpartum doula.

A postpartum doula can benefit your mental state.

We are talking about your happiness. It is shown that those which have just given birth who have a doula have less postpartum depression. They can tell the signs if you are starting to get depressed and can provide you with resources and guidance. If you do not have a support system, a doula would be a good choice for you. A support system is great to have at all times but especially during postpartum.

A postpartum doula can guide you in selecting only what you need for the baby.

If you have never had a baby, you may get caught up in thinking you need all the new gadgets. A doula can share what products you will actually need and what will be of no use by using categories like needs, lifestyle, safety, space saving, and room planning. Babies need comfort, lots of love, and warmth.

A postpartum doula can provide you with answers to questions you may be concerned about.

You will have many questions once you have a baby that you did not know to ask while you were pregnant. Your doula will be there to answer these questions with evidence based responses and a caring heart. 

A postpartum doula is there for all members of the family.

They can help dad learn new infant care skills, share coping strategies and provide the family with more knowledge on what the baby may need which can lead to less crying. They can also show other siblings how to interact with the new baby and how to help mom out.

You may have better success with breastfeeding.

Studies have shown that breastfeeding rates are higher when a woman has a doula. There is a higher satisfaction rate and women even nurse longer. A doula can help with breastfeeding positions and proper latching. When there is someone that cares about you and your success, it can lead to higher levels of oxytocin. The oxytocin leads to more milk!

A postpartum doula will arrive with open arms.

They will bring you all the emotional support you need during your fourth trimester. Don’t be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. A doula is there to support you in any decision you have. Us doulas are trained and ready to bring you the help you need. We all have a story in why we chose to be a postpartum doula and a lot of the time it’s because we have seen the struggle or even been the one who struggled and needed the support.

A postpartum doula will give you and your partner the rest you need.

When you have just given birth, you have to heal. The best way to heal is to solely focus on you and your baby. You are not healed completely until six weeks. If you have a cesarean, you need to be even more relaxed in your healing process as you want the incision to heal properly.

Any tasks or errands that you normally have can be given to a doula to create a calm new start for you and your family. A baby starts to be more aware within two weeks to one month after birth. Your partner may have to go back to work by then and the doula can step in. This time frame is when mother’s believe they can handle the new baby by themselves but when their partner leaves, they feel overwhelmed. 

Your doula can step into the role you need them to so you can get the rest you need. They can cook meals for your family, do light housework, and entertain your other kiddos if need be. Just go over what you need from your doula before signing a contract.

A postpartum doula is going to mother you while you learn to mother.