

Services

Emotional support and encouragement

Guidance with newborn care

Self-care opportunities
My services are tailored to your individual needs. I charge an hourly rate of $40 per hour. I do not require a minimum number of hours for you to utilize my services beyond my retainer fee of $150.
A typical schedule that often works well for many postpartum families as they adjust to their new roles is for me to provide support multiple times a week. Some clients benefit from just a few shifts to help them build their skills, while others desire support over a longer time period. We will work together to determine your anticipated needs and adjust the schedule as needed.
After an initial complimentary consultation to discuss your anticipated needs and schedule, as well as to ensure our compatibility, I will schedule a prenatal visit to your home. At that meeting, we will create a plan to foster a positive experience during the postpartum transition. An individualized support plan may include any or all of the following services:
- Emotional support and encouragement
- Guidance with newborn care (bathing, feeding, baby wearing, and comforting the baby)
- Self care opportunities (time to rest, recover, and reconnect)
- Breastfeeding education and counseling
- Positive interactions with siblings
- Household maintenance (laundry, vacuuming, tidying the house, dishes, and pet care)
- Preparation of light meals and snacks
- Referrals to other professionals as needed

Breastfeeding education and counseling

Household maintenance and preparation of light meals

Referrals to other professionals as needed
The Value of a Postpartum Doula
A postpartum doula's most important role is one of
non-judgmental support.

Teaching Skills and Providing Resources
The excitement of an impending birth and all of the preparations leading up to it often focus more on the labor and delivery of the baby than the needs of the family once the baby arrives. While likely prepared for sleepless nights and a chaotic household, parents often underestimate the emotions and feelings of inadequacy that life with a newborn may present. The real value of a postpartum doula lies in her or his ability to provide emotional support and encouragement in addition to teaching practical skills and providing resources during this special time.

Encouraging a Positive Start
Making sure the mother feels rested, nourished, and confident in her new role is crucial to the support a postpartum doula provides. Doulas do an excellent job modeling a variety of self-care strategies as well as suggesting ways caregivers can provide support for the new family. Postpartum doulas also work to help create smooth transitions for the entire family. If the mother is experiencing issues in any of these essential areas, it is the doula’s job to assist those involved with her care and support to create a positive environment and provide referrals when needed.

Non-judgmental Support
Although they may have support from friends or relatives, parents sometimes feel obligated to maintain the perception that they are doing great, despite feeling overwhelmed physically and emotionally. In addition, extended family relations are not always ideal and may be further strained by the arrival of a new baby. This may compound even normal feelings of sadness, confusion, and disappointment. Supporting parents with sincere words of encouragement, active listening, practical strategies, and sometimes a simple hug, all help to create a positive environment where families can grow.
"Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it can be a sign of real strength." -Mister Rogers
Frequently Asked Questions
