1. What do postpartum doulas do?

What a postpartum doula does changes from day to day, as the needs of the family change. Postpartum doulas do whatever a mother needs to best enjoy and care for her new baby. A large part of their role is education. They share information about baby care with parents, as well as teach siblings and partners to “mother the mother.” They assist with breastfeeding education. Postpartum doulas also make sure the mother is fed, well hydrated and comfortable.

The role of the postpartum doula is fluid. An important part of her role is to come alongside the parents and together decide what type of support they will need. Some families need educational support: breastfeeding, infant support, and how to care for the new mother. Others rely more on the non-judgmental emotional support that the postpartum doula has to offer. Still others have more practical needs – like feeding the family and running errands. Most families find that their doula provides all of these things, according to the needs that develop, as well as the ever-important communication between the doula and her clients. That said, prospective parents and their families sometimes wonder – just what will the postpartum doula do when she comes to my home?

A postpartum doula supporting a family during daytime hours might...

-Provide hands-on education on infant and mother care

-Come alongside the parents and help them to get to know the abilities and talents of their new baby

-Create a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower and nap

-Shop for groceries and prepare meals

-Play with older children and offer suggestions for how to integrate the new baby into the family

-Spend time with the baby, allowing parents to cuddle and have quality time with older children or just be alone together

-Introduce parenting tips, helping parents to learn skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities

-Screen for hurdles such as breastfeeding challenges or postpartum mood disorders

-Make referrals to any local or informational resources that the parents might need

-Work herself out of a job by helping parents to gather the skills and resources that they will need in the upcoming weeks and months

-Help to organize the nursery and home

-Take care of the baby’s laundry

-Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear

A postpartum doula supporting a family during the “overnight” hours might...

-Work herself out of a job by teaching parenting tips and strategies that will eventually make her services unnecessary

-Assess and help with breastfeeding

-Diaper and burp baby, so that mom does not need to move around – she can just stay cozy in her bed to feed and snuggle baby

-Bring snacks and beverages to the mother while feeding her baby at night

-Prepare pump supplies or bottles for the next feeding or the next day

-Take the contentedly fed baby to another room and help the baby to go back to sleep, so parents can sleep soundly between feedings

The relationship between the doula and her clients requires the same maintenance as other important relationships in life, such as marriage or close friendships. It is important that communication remain open, as clients’ needs or priorities may change with time or experience. The doula anticipates these changes and will be prepared to remain flexible in her role.

2. How long does a postpartum doula spend with a family?

Doula support can last anywhere from one or two visits to more than three months.

3. What hours can I expect a doula to work with my family?

Some doulas work fulltime, with 9 to 5 shifts. Others work three to five hour shifts during the day, or after school shifts until Dad gets home. Some doulas work evenings from around 6 pm until bedtime, 9 or 10 pm., and some work overnight. Some doulas work every day, some work one or more shifts per week.

4. What is the difference between a postpartum doula and a baby nurse?

The role of a postpartum doula is to help a woman through her postpartum period and to nurture the family. Unlike a baby nurse, a doula’s focus is not solely on the baby, but on fostering independence for the entire family. The doula is as available to the father and older children as to the mother and the baby. Treating the family as a unit that is connected and always changing enables doulas to do their job: nurture the family.

5. What is a postpartum doula’s goal?

The goal of a doula is to nurture the parents into their new roles. As they experience success and their knowledge and self-confidence grow, their needs for professional support should diminish.

6. How does a doula nurture the parents into their roles?

Self-confidence has a tremendous impact on a person’s ability to approach any task, and parenting is no different. Doulas are taught to always consider parents’ feelings and always build confidence whenever possible. Doulas accomplish this through praise, acceptance and a non-judgmental approach. In addition, the doula will teach parents strategies and skills that will improve their ability to bond with their babies. A calm baby who is growing well will help parents to feel more confident in their skills.

7. Do doulas help mothers to deal with postpartum depression?

Unlike therapists or psychiatrists, doulas do not treat postpartum depression. However, they will help by creating a safe place for the mother emotionally. The doula will provide a cushioning effect by accepting the mother within each stage that she passes through. They relieve some of the pressure on the new mother by helping her move into her new responsibilities gradually. By mothering the mother, doulas maks sure that the mother feels nurtured and cared for, as well as making sure she is eating well and getting enough sleep. In addition, DONA International certified postpartum doulas are trained to help clients prepare themselves for parenthood, maximizing support and rest. These doulas will help their clients to screen themselves for PPMDs and will make referrals to appropriate clinicians or support groups as needed.

8. Do doulas teach a particular parenting approach?

No. Doulas are educated to support a mothers’ parenting approach. Doulas are good listeners and encourage mothers to develop their own philosophies.

9. How do postpartum doulas work with a mother’s partner?

A doula respects the partner’s role and input, and teaches concrete skills that will help the partner nurture the baby and mother. The doula will share evidence-based information with the partner that shows how his or her role in the early weeks will have a dramatic positive effect on the family.

Adapted from: Nurturing the Family: The Guide for Postpartum Doulas by Jacqueline Kelleher (Xlibris Corporation, 2002)

Partners and Postpartum Doulas

The birth of each baby has a long lasting impact on the physical and mental health of the mother, baby and family. The way in which the woman, baby, partner and family transition into a new unit have a long-term impact on their physical and emotional health.

In traditional societies, women and men grow up around birth, breastfeeding, infants and children. After giving birth, women are surrounded by caring family members who have a great deal of experience and wisdom to offer. This kind of help is rarely available to new parents in North America. The doula’s support is intended to fill the gaps left by our postpartum traditions, which usually include only medical procedures, occasional checkups and the purchase of babyrelated paraphernalia. The doula’s education, quiet support and guidance are a manifestation of the traditional postpartum support that our culture is missing.

There are many ways in which the doula’s support benefits the father. Research has proven that mothers and babies have an easier transition with support. However, fathers, experiencing great life transitions of their own, may not be able to be the primary provider of this support. Fathers are redefining their roles; they may also be adjusting to sleep deprivation, financial pressure and other stressors, as well. The doula’s support is for the father as much as the mother or children. A sympathetic ear, source of encouragement, gentle educator and friend is something from which we could all benefit throughout our lives. The postpartum doula provides all of these during this defining life experience.

The doula can also help the father to learn the art of “mothering the mother”, increasing chances for success in areas such as breastfeeding and reduction of postpartum depression. Rather than being told to “help out”, partners and other family members benefit from concrete instruction and role-modeling on how to support a woman during the weeks after delivery.

The importance of the father’s involvement and support during the weeks following birth cannot be overstated. During this time he truly becomes a parent, getting to know this tiny yet complete person who has entered his family. The doula can ease this introduction, helping the father to discover all he can about his baby, as well as developing his own concept of himself as a parent. In addition, the doula’s support can help parents to adjust their own relationship, moving forward to enhance their previous life together as a couple who are now parents.

The role of the doula is to help the family experience success. She does this with quiet, reassuring support for all family members. By dedicating herself to the family in this way, the doula validates and enhances the parents’ intuitive ability to nurture and encourages them to become confident to develop and implement their own parenting style.

A DONA International Postpartum Doula Topic Sheet