What does a postpartum doula do?
Are you expecting a baby soon and thinking about working with a postpartum or postnatal doula, but not sure of their role or what they do?
Families in Memphis, TN can benefit from postpartum doula support to ease the transition after birth.
A postpartum doula provides emotional, physical, and practical support to families during the early weeks and months after birth. If you’re wondering what a postpartum doula does and whether this kind of support is right for your family, this guide breaks it down.
What is a postpartum doula?
The word “postpartum” means after childbirth, so the true postpartum period is not just the six weeks after birth until the first check-up with the gynecologist. The postpartum period goes on forever. The mother’s body, mind, and life are truly altered from pregnancy and childbirth. That being said, a postpartum doula usually assists the family during the first three months after childbirth.
A postpartum doula is a trained support professional who helps families adjust after birth by offering emotional support, newborn care guidance, and practical household help. Families can benefit from a postpartum doula whether they’re having their first or subsequent baby.
The Postpartum Doula Has Three Main Goals
Supporting the physical and emotional recovery of the birthing person
Supporting the infant
Working on anything else that makes the first and second goals a challenge, such as light housework, running errands, meal preparation, referrals to other professionals, etc.
What does a postpartum doula help with?
Supporting the Birthing Person
Birth is hard work. It doesn’t matter what kind of birth it was—vaginal, medicated or unmedicated, or surgical. The mother also just carried the baby in her body and sustained its life for many months. Birth is a physical endeavor, but also an emotional and mental one. The body goes through so many physical changes throughout pregnancy and birth that doing “normal” tasks like walking, going up or down stairs, sitting, and standing can be very strenuous at the beginning. The birthing person could have also experienced physical trauma like tearing, abdominal surgery, and extended pressure on the perineum and vaginal tissues. Mama will likely be tired and sore.
Many factors play into the emotional state of the freshly postpartum mother. Were expectations for the birth met? What are the feelings surrounding the birth and bringing home a child? Fear, anxiety, sadness, excitement, happiness—the whole spectrum of emotions can be felt during this time. The postpartum doula will be sensitive to these feelings and will support the mother in processing them. The doula will also be versed in the red flags for mood and anxiety disorders during this time and could refer the mother to a specialist.
Supporting the Infant
A fresh, healthy baby will mostly be doing just a few things during this time: eating, eliminating (pooping and peeing), sleeping, and crying. This is normal newborn behavior. The postpartum doula supports parents in caring for their baby by changing diapers, offering bottles (if this is the parents’ choice), and supporting breastfeeding by attending to mom’s comfort—bringing snacks and water, fetching pillows and props, and helping create a calm environment. The doula also assists with soothing the baby and helping parents learn what works best for their unique child.
Supporting The Whole Family
Partners and siblings, I haven’t forgotten you. You are vital members of the family. You are also adjusting to life with a new baby and may be navigating exhaustion after supporting mom through birth. The postpartum doula attunes to your needs as well. Partners and siblings have their own emotional responses to birth and the addition of a new family member, and having a neutral, supportive presence can help those feelings feel seen and supported.
Let’s be honest—there are tasks in the home that can feel overwhelming during this time. While a postpartum doula is not a babysitter or a housekeeper, they can step in with practical support that creates space for rest and connection. If mom is unable to relax because the kitchen is cluttered, the doula may tidy the space or read a book to an older sibling so that the family can focus on what matters most.
Every Doula Will Be Different
Keep in mind that every doula will have her own qualifications and specialties. Some may love cooking for the family, while others may focus on getting the baby into a good sleep rhythm. If you’re considering hiring a postpartum doula, it’s important to get to know them, as you will be bringing them into your home during a very tender and intimate time. Your doula should be someone you feel comfortable with. The early postpartum period is a season of change and adjustment, but having the support you need can make this time go smoother. A doula also generally has contacts within the birth community and can obtain referrals to other professionals, such as mental health professionals, lactation consultants, midwives, OBGYNs and pelvic floor physical therapists.
If you’re considering postpartum doula support and want to learn more, see the services I offer and reach out to schedule a consultation.
A list of my qualifications can be found here.