FAQ
- What does a postpartum doula do?
- How do I chose a postpartum doula?
- Are postpartum doula certifications important?
- When should I start seeking a postpartum doula?
- When do postpartum services begin?
- How long do I need a postpartum doula for?
- How long are you at my home when you come?
- How many babies can you doula for?
- Why would I need an overnight?
- What does an overnight look like?
- Do you take third party reimbursement/insurance claims?
What does a postpartum doula do?
A postpartum doulas role is to educate and support the mother and support network so that they feel empowered to care for the new baby. Postpartum Doulas do NOT offer any medical advice or perform medical or clinical procedures. They offer referrals to appropriate practitioners, local resources, studies, and published books so that the best informed decision can be made for the baby. Postpartum doulas should be patient, non-judgmental, and knowledgeable about newborn needs.
As a whole, postpartum doulas specialize in different roles. Some take on more of a nanny position in the household while others focus on specialized ways to help the mother. Figuring out what your needs are and the finding a doula that matches those need will result the highest level of success during your recovery.
Postpartum doulas can help avoid colicky babies, postpartum depression, bonding difficulties, and illness in baby and mother. The faster the mother can find balance in her new role, the higher chances she can reduce: digestive upset, prolonged baby weight, delayed return to work, decreased sex drive, chronic fatigue, inability to make choices, depressed immune system, and lactation problems.
A postpartum doulas role is to educate and support the mother and support network so that they feel empowered to care for the new baby. Postpartum Doulas do NOT offer any medical advice or perform medical or clinical procedures. They offer referrals to appropriate practitioners, local resources, studies, and published books so that the best informed decision can be made for the baby. Postpartum doulas should be patient, non-judgmental, and knowledgeable about newborn needs.
As a whole, postpartum doulas specialize in different roles. Some take on more of a nanny position in the household while others focus on specialized ways to help the mother. Figuring out what your needs are and the finding a doula that matches those need will result the highest level of success during your recovery.
Postpartum doulas can help avoid colicky babies, postpartum depression, bonding difficulties, and illness in baby and mother. The faster the mother can find balance in her new role, the higher chances she can reduce: digestive upset, prolonged baby weight, delayed return to work, decreased sex drive, chronic fatigue, inability to make choices, depressed immune system, and lactation problems.
How do I choose a postpartum doula?
Choosing a doula is a very personal and intuitive decision. When interviewing your doula, look for someone who really listens to you and your needs, who shows a desire to create a harmonious relationship with your entire support network, and with whom you and your partner feel connected to. Connecting with your doula is most important, but some good questions to ask can include:
Choosing a doula is a very personal and intuitive decision. When interviewing your doula, look for someone who really listens to you and your needs, who shows a desire to create a harmonious relationship with your entire support network, and with whom you and your partner feel connected to. Connecting with your doula is most important, but some good questions to ask can include:
- What training and/or certifications do you have? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.)
- Have you had a criminal background check, a recent TB test and current CPR certification?
- Tell me/us about your experience as a postpartum doula.
- What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
- May I/we meet to discuss my/our postpartum needs and the role you will play in supporting me/us in the postpartum period?
- What different types of services do you offer?
- May I/we call you with postpartum questions or concerns before the birth?
- When do your services begin after birth?
- What is your experience in breastfeeding support?
- Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May I/we meet them?
- What are your fees and refund policies?
Are postpartum doula certifications important?
Yes. A certified postpartum doula is held to the standard of practice and code of ethics when they are certified through a international certifying body such as CAPPA or DONA. Some doulas practice without certification
Yes. A certified postpartum doula is held to the standard of practice and code of ethics when they are certified through a international certifying body such as CAPPA or DONA. Some doulas practice without certification
When should I start seeking a postpartum doula?
It is best to interview and schedule a postpartum doula during your first or second trimester of pregnancy. This way you can figure out what you postpartum needs may be well in advance and figure out strategies for keeping the mama happy and healthy before the baby comes.
Though due-date vary in accuracy, scheduling doula services well in advance will increase your chances of getting the doula you resonate best with. Depending on availability, postpartum doulas may be hired on demand.
It is best to interview and schedule a postpartum doula during your first or second trimester of pregnancy. This way you can figure out what you postpartum needs may be well in advance and figure out strategies for keeping the mama happy and healthy before the baby comes.
Though due-date vary in accuracy, scheduling doula services well in advance will increase your chances of getting the doula you resonate best with. Depending on availability, postpartum doulas may be hired on demand.
When do postpartum services begin?
Services are best begin in the weeks leading up to birth. This way, your postpartum doula can start brainstorming ways to make your transition into motherhood smoother and help prepare you for certain situations that may occur once the baby arrives.
Typically, one or two appointments before birth and then the first weeks after birth up to the first three months is where the postpartum doula is most effective.
Services are best begin in the weeks leading up to birth. This way, your postpartum doula can start brainstorming ways to make your transition into motherhood smoother and help prepare you for certain situations that may occur once the baby arrives.
Typically, one or two appointments before birth and then the first weeks after birth up to the first three months is where the postpartum doula is most effective.
How long do I need a postpartum doula for?
This all depends on your families needs. The earlier you prepare for your postpartum needs, the higher chances you will need less support once the baby has arrived. Typically, a postpartum doula will work anywhere from the first two weeks up to the first 3 months after birth.
Multiples, premies, birth complications, and lack of a support community may indicate a need for extended postpartum support.
This all depends on your families needs. The earlier you prepare for your postpartum needs, the higher chances you will need less support once the baby has arrived. Typically, a postpartum doula will work anywhere from the first two weeks up to the first 3 months after birth.
Multiples, premies, birth complications, and lack of a support community may indicate a need for extended postpartum support.
How long are you at my home when you come?
Depending on the extent of my services needed, typical visits will be 4 hours in length.
Overnight care will range from 6 - 10 hours depending if the mom is breast feeding throughout the night.
Depending on the extent of my services needed, typical visits will be 4 hours in length.
Overnight care will range from 6 - 10 hours depending if the mom is breast feeding throughout the night.
How many babies can you doula for?
Doula's support the mother, so they can doula single, twins, or any number of babies. All doulas end up "specializing" in multiples, because these are the mothers that tend to need to most support.
Doula's support the mother, so they can doula single, twins, or any number of babies. All doulas end up "specializing" in multiples, because these are the mothers that tend to need to most support.
Why would I need an overnight?
Approximately 10 - 15% of women experience postpartum depression. Getting a good night's sleep can significantly reduce the tipping point of feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, and completely out of control. Being able to catch up even a few nights of sleep a week can set up the mother for success in the first few weeks of motherhood and help prevent postpartum depression and mood disorders.
Approximately 10 - 15% of women experience postpartum depression. Getting a good night's sleep can significantly reduce the tipping point of feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, and completely out of control. Being able to catch up even a few nights of sleep a week can set up the mother for success in the first few weeks of motherhood and help prevent postpartum depression and mood disorders.
What does an overnight look like?
Overnight care includes basic care of your infant while you and your support team get rest. This could look like:
Overnight care includes basic care of your infant while you and your support team get rest. This could look like:
- Bottle-feeding
- Nursing support
- Swaddling, calming, and comforting
- Burping
- Changing diapers
- Cleaning a circumcision and/or umbilical cord
- Bathing
- Sleep training
- Help with schedule and organization
- Tips and tricks of the trade
Do you take third party reimbursement/insurance claims?
Unfortunately, at this time, postpartum doulas are not able to file insurance or third party claims. However, with the growing and ever-changing interest in and information regarding reimbursement of doula fees through state Medicaid and expanding public/private partnerships in the United States, there are many exciting opportunities in progress at the state and federal levels.
Unfortunately, at this time, postpartum doulas are not able to file insurance or third party claims. However, with the growing and ever-changing interest in and information regarding reimbursement of doula fees through state Medicaid and expanding public/private partnerships in the United States, there are many exciting opportunities in progress at the state and federal levels.