Ahhhh…. The childbirth is done – you’ve birthed your beautiful baby! Congratulations! Whether it was surgical or vaginal, you are finally done with pregnancy! These are your golden days with the baby. Time to get those “bright and airy” Fresh 48 photos done, and bond with the baby. All is supposed to be calm and glorious – at least that’s what it seems like in mainstream media!
You’re sent home with a few basic instructions, and are left to your own devices. You might find yourself thinking “Now what?”, or “I’m not ready!”
You can’t figure out if he’s getting enough milk. You don’t know if he’s gassy. Is that belly button healing well? What’s with the head shape?
The baby is fussy. You try to swaddle him, rock him, and you need help figuring out that thing-a-ma-bob-baby-carrier that you spent a small fortune on, but are too sleep deprived to understand the manual!
You’re feeling exhausted physically from the birth experience. Your bottom (or stitches) might be feeling sore. Your muscles are exhausted from the birthing positions. Your nipples might be feeling raw from getting used to breastfeeding. You can’t remember the last time you showered, and “sleep”? What is that?
You might also be feeling extremely vulnerable emotionally. It seems that ever since the baby was born, it’s all about her. Really though, it’s not just a new baby that was born; a new mother was also born at the exact same time – and she also needs the help and support as she gets a hang of things.
Or maybe you’re not a first-time mom. Maybe you already have an older child or older children. You still find yourself caught off-guard with the new family dynamics and you’re struggling to recover, care for a newborn and a/an older child(ren) and give them time so that they don’t feel left out because of the birth of their new sibling.
Your partner needs to go back to work and you feel like you just can’t do it all alone. You’re feeling overwhelmed and as if you can no longer go on!
“It takes a village to raise a child”, yet the sad reality is that as a modern society, women are often isolated, judged and left to figure things out with Google.
I know how overwhelming it can get. As a mother of three with no family in the country, I can totally relate. It’s part of the reason I wanted to get into this career – I want to help other mothers so that they don’t need to do it all alone.
As your postpartum doula, I can help you emotionally, physically and by providing you with the information that you need NOW without having to second guess yourself all the time. I can help you by providing:
- non-judgmental emotional support and guidance
- A compassionate, non-biased listening ear to you as you process your birth
- Breastfeeding support (ensuring your latch is right, you’re well-nourished, and understanding newborn feeding)
- Newborn care suggestions
- Babywearing support and baby products advice
- Assistance with bathing your baby
- Phone/text message support for any questions or concerns at no additional charge
- Food preparation & light meals
- Grocery shopping or errands
- Light housekeeping (laundry, dishes, etc)
- Helping with siblings adjustment
- Referrals to medical care providers for other medical concerns
- Overnight care to help you get some rest
If you are an expecting mother, or know an expecting mother, the best gift that you can give, is the gift of support. Not another baby bouncy-thingy or flashy toy that will get thrown in the garage and forgotten about.
Postpartum packages can be booked on an hourly or package basis at any point during the postpartum period. Typically, mothers book for a specified number of hours during the day or night.