Postpartum Doula: Role, Cost, Benefits, and How to Find One

Welcoming a newborn into the home is like a dream come true for most families. Those little smiles and the tiny feet with cute eyes filled with love and innocence steal everyone’s heart at the home.

However, not everything might be rosy in the initial days after delivery. New moms need emotional support in tons. Postpartum Doulas are dedicated to offering the much-needed emotional support that new moms need and this is why the demand for postpartum Doulas Los Angeles is rising every year.

In this post, we explain the role of postpartum Doula and how she differs from birthing Doula. You will also gain insights into how to find the best one from the results of postpartum Doulas Los Angeles.

Understanding postpartum Doulas

Most of us are aware of birthing Doulas and their role in helping the mother while delivery. Along the same lines, postpartum Doulas help the mother post-delivery in baby care, self-care, and light household tasks too.

Many times, postpartum Doulas are certified and trained. Though they do not offer medical help to the mother or baby, their role in catering to the emotional needs of the mother is notable.

Role of a postpartum Doula

Postpartum Doulas helps new mothers in many ways:

• They help the mother by offering expert advice about pain relief, postpartum stress management, and baby care.

• They offer additional support by explaining to others how a new mom feels and acts as a connection between the new mom and the family members.

• They understand the sibling mentality and help siblings adjust and love the new little one in the home.

• Some postpartum Doulas also assist mothers in the placenta capsule collection.

• Offering experienced care with breastfeeding, mother’s nutrition, and handling baby’s sleep and other tasks.

Various studies find that mothers who hired postpartum Doulas expressed greater relief from baby-care-related stress and depression. They have also indicated greater cohesion between the family members and the new mom, thanks to the understanding and advocacy of Doula.

While in many cases, you might need a postpartum Doula till you recover from your surgery or delivery-induced pain, many mothers desired to continue their association with Doulas, thanks to the emotional support they offered.

Where to find a postpartum Doula?

Though there is no single source to find a postpartum Doula, here are some common ways you can find a trusted one:

• Through friends and family and their connections.

• Websites that are dedicated to Doulas such as Dona International.

• Suggestions from doctors and nurses.

• Simple search results of postpartum Doulas Los Angeles.

What to consider while choosing a postpartum Doula?

Your journey with a postpartum Doula must be as comfortable as possible. This is why asking relevant questions to understand more about Doula is essential. You may consider the following questions to ask when choosing your postpartum Doula:

• What is her preferred mode of charging? Per hour or flat rate?

• How many cases has she offered services till now as a Postpartum Doula?

• What is her experience in caring for mothers of multiples and special children?

• How would she take care of her commute and logistics?

• What extra help would she offer apart from caring for the mother and the baby?

Cost of hiring a Postpartum Doula

The cost of hiring a postpartum Doula can vary with many parameters: your preferred location, number of hours, number of babies (cases like twins, triplets, and multiples), and the type of delivery (normal, C-section), and the chores you expect the Doula to handle.

According to the International Doula Institute, the cost of hiring a Doula can vary from $35 to $65 per hour in cities and around $25 – $35 in smaller towns.

Prepare to pay more if you expect your Doula to sleep over with you for night care or do additional household tasks.

Conclusion

Mothers need personal care and attention after delivery. Otherwise, amidst the pain and stress and the overwhelming attention that the family shares with the baby, the mother can feel alone and depressed. Here’s where postpartum Doula offers a helping hand to the mother, baby, and the family on the whole.