Postpartum Support
“The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail – when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labour pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred. –Joy Kusek”
So often, we as parents do everything we can think of to prepare for baby’s arrival; we register for all the things and create a space for baby, we read all the books, we come up with possible names for baby, and we decide on our wishes for labor and birth. We don’t always realize, though, that sometimes nothing can prepare us for our first days, weeks, or even months spent with a newborn. As your postpartum & infant care doula, I am there for you and with you through everything life as a new mom can bring with it, all without biased opinions or unsolicited advice that is oftentimes given by well-meaning friends and family. Postpartum support is vital while learning how to navigate your new baby, your changing body, and the unpredictability of life as a larger family. As your postpartum & infant care doula, I will help support and guide you through this new territory with experience and gentleness for you and your baby in your first year.
Postpartum & infant care support looks different for everyone, so it can include any or all services such as professional care for your baby and birth recovery support for you, assistance with sibling/family bonding, light housework including laundry and meal planning, assistance with errands, overnight support, breast, bottle, and/or formula feeding support, and maintaining a safe space for baby. A professional postpartum & infant care doula is an extra set of hands without an extra set of opinions. Care and services may be utilized at any point within your postpartum period, which is considered your first twelve months with baby, as there are several seasons within those months that would welcome the support of a doula.
I have experience with infants including my own dating back to 2009 and began my certification process with my first postpartum & infant care training in February 2017. I am currently certified as a P&IC Doula through ProDoula, the Certification Agency for the Modern Doula, and in CPR/First Aid through the American Heart Association.
