Why Should I Hire a Postpartum Doula?

The benefits of a postpartum doula are innumerable. Imagine you have never mowed your lawn before….ever. You go to one of those big box stores and buy this super fancy, complicated mower with all of these moving parts and things you have to assemble…then if you manage to get this thing home in one piece, you have to take care of it so it doesn’t fall apart, break down or just get so clogged with grass clippings it never works again. Now, this is a metaphor. Before you get all worked up, I am not saying that your newborn baby is like a lawnmower. But, what I am saying is that in the pretend lawnmower scenario, it would have been a heck of a lot easier, less stressful and probably less expensive (in the long run) to have just called a lawn service. The benefits to having someone come and show you all that you need to know to get started as a new parent with your tiny little newborn and to help you care for that newborn so that you can rest and recover-are innumerable. Some of the benefits to hiring a postpartum doula are:

1. Assistance with newborn care and soothing, meal prep, baby laundry and light housekeeping.
2. Quicker postpartum recovery
3. Decreased incidence of postpartum mood disorders and an overall feeling of ‘overwhelm’. Postpartum doulas know what normal postpartum healing looks like for mom and baby. Having a professional on hand for you makes this process 100x easier.
4. Better rest-and more of it! A much needed piece of the recovery puzzle.
5. Support with breastfeeding and latch, and baby feeding (in general) to promote a positive, bonding experience,
6. Emotional support. Help with processing your birth experience, if needed. Postpartum doulas can be a listening ear or offer helpful advice. We can be with you as you cry, laugh or lament about motherhood.
7. Postpartum doulas are there to mother the mother. If we’re doing our job well, we will work to make sure you’re confident in your new mothering skills, you’re rested, nourished and ready to bond with your new baby. By the time we leave, you will feel cared for and confident in your abilities.
8. We help partners have a stronger bond with baby. Partners can take time to rest while a postpartum doula is around. This gives them a chance to bond with baby and enjoy their new role fully.
9. A well trained postpartum doula can also help you and your new baby (or babies) with sleep shaping. Some (like Ann Arbor Postpartum Doulas) are even trained with organizations like ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ to help you learn all there is to know about soothing your baby and working them toward an eventual routine.
10. Eat better! Assistance with meal prep, making snacks, and helping you understand what to eat. Ann Arbor Postpartum has an in-house nutritionist to make sure you eat what your body needs to recover. It’s like mom would do-only better!

There are so many benefits to hiring a postpartum doula! It would be a fabulous thing if our government could offer free postpartum doulas to everyone after delivery. What a difference it would make in birth outcomes! Until we get to that place, you owe it to yourself to hire one on your own. In fact, hire Ann Arbor Postpartum Doulas. We are trained and certified professionals. It’s our job to support. nurture and educate.