Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, postpartum doula services are not covered by insurance companies at this time.
I am fully vaccinated against COVID and only work in households with fully vaccinated adults.
A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester. A postpartum doula eases the transition a family experiences during this time.
Research shows that new parents have a lower risk of postpartum depression when they are cared for by postpartum doulas, other supportive professionals or family members.
Parents who don’t have family in the area, parents of multiples or preemies, parents whose partner must return to work soon after birth, first-time parents, and parents with toddlers often want this kind of support.
As a certified postpartum doula, I am a professional, trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn care, breastfeeding and parent-infant bonding. I provide emotional and practical support, resources and referral information, when needed. I must maintain my good standing to remain certified by taking 18 CEUs every three years.
A midwife is a professional who attends to a birthing person during labor and birth. She helps birth the baby.
A baby or night nurse attends to the baby at night or when the parent wants to sleep. S/he will bring baby to the parents in order to nurse or will bottle feed. S/he is there solely for the baby.
A mother’s helper is a non-professional who does household tasks or helps care for the baby while the parent is home.
The needs of each family, postpartum, are different. This can range from just two visits to multiple visits over several weeks or months.
As a postpartum doula, I work with families who have newborns - up to 12 weeks old. This is somewhat flexible, however, especially if there are multiples or preemies involved or postpartum depression.
I will gather some basic information about you and your family and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. After we chat, we can decide whether to meet for a free prenatal visit or intake (if you are already postpartum).
As your postpartum doula, I will check in with you to see how you're feeling; to know if there's anything you'd like to talk about. (New parents often have many questions or concerns about their baby). I'll ask if there's any specific support you want that day (ex. breastfeeding help, baby's bath, lunch or dinner prep, a shower and nap, etc...). In addition, I will work on other tasks (ex. baby's laundry and room organization, kitchen clean up, bottle washing and sterilization, etc...)
My postpartum doula fee is $55/hr with a three hour minimum per visit. This allows me to observe at least one feeding which is so important in the early days/weeks.