What is a Postpartum Doula

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I absolutely love talking with soon-to-be first time parents as well as those getting ready to add another child to the family! We have conversations about what my job as a postpartum doula and owner of Delighted Doula entails, which almost always includes responses such as, [quote]”I didn’t know such an amazing job existed! Why haven’t I heard about postpartum doulas before? I so needed you! I’m calling you for my next baby!”[/quote] Each of these statements encourage me to make the use of postpartum doulas a familiar, exciting, and irreplaceable service for every family to have.

Delighted Doula TileDoula is a word that many people are becoming increasingly familiar with. Doula is traditionally defined as a “woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides physical, emotional, and educational support to the mother before, during, and after birth. More often than not, if you hear the term doula, your mind may think of the more widely known birth doulas, rather than postpartum doulas. The birth community has soared over the past few years, and the idea of hiring birth and postpartum doulas is making its way to a place of familiarity with more and more families. I attribute the decision to hire a birth doula for the birth of my second son to helping me realize my passion and become a postpartum doula.

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A certified postpartum doula (CPD) is a trained professional that offers physical, emotional, and spiritual support to a family after the birth of their baby/s.

[quote]”The primary goal of a CPD is to assist the mom and empower her in her role.”[/quote]

A postpartum doula can also assist with siblings and their transition into their new roles. There are many additional services that a postpartum doula can provide a family, such as; breastfeeding support, assistance with light household chores, and instruction to mom and/or other family members in newborn care. Postpartum Doulas do not to take over complete care of the newborn, but rather educate and support the parents so they will in turn feel empowered and confident to care for their newborn themselves.

 

By far, my favorite conversations are the ones I have with parents on the last day I’m scheduled to work with them. The looks on their faces are enough, those of empowerment and assurance of their ability as parents. Along with that, I adore hearing phrases like, “We couldn’t imagine these past few weeks without you!”, “Having you become like family has truly been amazing.”, “Thank you for showing me how to bring out the mom that was in me all along!” These are the conversations that make it worthwhile.

This is what hiring a postpartum doula is all about & what being a postpartum doula is all about.

I’d love to answer questions you may have about hiring a postpartum doula!

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Amber
Hi Dayton Moms, my name is Amber! I am blessed with a wonderful husband of nine years along with two smart, rambunctious, and life-loving boys. I am originally from Alabama, but our family has very much grown to love this area and proud to call Dayton home! I am a stay at home mom as well as a certified postpartum doula and the owner of Delighted Doula. My passion, in addition to my family, is educating, assisting, and empowering mothers during the first few months after birth. When i’m not caring for mothers and their babies I’m searching for new allergy free recipes to make for my family (our son has a laundry list of allergies and intolerances,) meeting for coffee with friends, and finding new places for my boys to run off their energy! What I love best about motherhood is being a mom to two boys. Everything is an adventure to them and being taught how see life that way is so much fun!

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