As a postpartum doula my role is one of nurturing and support in the days and weeks following birth. In many cultures around the world, there is a practice of “mothering the mother” during this fragile and beautiful time. I will enter your home with respect and serve you based on what you share and my intuition as we get to know each other during this precious period.
I was fortunate enough to have the help of a postpartum doula with an Ayurvedic background after the birth of my second son and she confirmed my belief that having a doula during the postpartum can have an incredible, positive impact. She inspired me to pursue training as a postpartum doula so that I could offer the same level of knowledgeable, empathetic, and intuitive care that I received from her.
My formal training for postpartum work is through the Birth Arts International Postpartum Doula course, and as a breastfeeding peer counselor with Nikki Lee. I am also a reiki practitioner with a focus on mamas and babies, a student of herbalism and healing with whole foods.
Benefits of receiving care from a postpartum doula:
- Increased chance of breastfeeding successfully.
- Increased earlier bonding with mother and the whole family unit.
- Less chance of infant dehydration and hospitalization with health difficulties due to educated care
- A reduced amount of maternal postpartum depression and shorter duration and easier for mother to cope with it if it occurs
- Less maternal exhaustion, frustration, trepidation and anxiety during early weeks.
- Reduction in unnecessary calls to pediatricians
- The Partner can get back to work sooner with less anxiety
- More of an understanding of newborn emotional and physical needs and behavior
- More care choices, tools for dealing with relations and others.
How it works:
- Schedule an initial meeting (at no charge)
- I make one in-home visit in the third trimester during which you familiarize me with the layout of your home, the kitchen, laundry area, etc.
- We arrange a tentative schedule that I will keep reserved around the time of your due date
- You or your partner contact me when you are settled at home and arrange the start date and confirm the schedule
Basic Care Includes:
- Basic care and education for mother and baby
- Breastfeeding support
- Nutritional guidance
- Delicious meals and snacks prepared specifically for postpartum* (cost of food not included)
- Emotional support
- Light housecleaning and laundry
- Babywearing instruction
- Cloth diapering assistance
- Light errands (any costs not included, i.e. dry cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.)
Additional Services Available:
- Specially Blended Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath
- Aromatherapy
- Simple Herbal Remedies/Tea blends for nutritional support
- Reiki for mama and baby
*My culinary background is a mix of Ayurvedic and “Nourishing Traditions” styles with a focus on whole foods prepared in a way that is warming and easy for the mother to digest. I am also comfortable cooking for those with dietary restrictions such as vegetarians, vegans, those on GAPS/SCD, and for those with food sensitivities.
What I don’t do:
- I do not provide babysitting services
- I do not provide transportation
- I do not provide medical services (Pediatric or Maternal)
My rate for postpartum care is $30/hr.
