What is a postpartum doula?

Mother and family focused care

After having two babies of my own I realized that birth, more specifically the time after the baby is born, fills me with so. much. passion. 

The fourth trimester is often overlooked, but it is a sacred time for you, your baby and your family. It is truly something to be cherished.   It’s my mission to educate, support and guide parents. I want to set them up for success and help invite joy into their lives after baby arrives. 

The name Better Because came to me as I was sitting and thinking about the role of the doula and how everyone could benefit from having one.

A doula is a person who sits with, listens to, and nurtures not just the birthing person, but the new mama, partners and family members alike. They’re an invaluable extra set of ears, hands, and eyes, no matter what part of the pregnancy and birth journey you’re on.

After polling fellow mothers to describe their postpartum experience in three words, it saddened me to hear how few of the adjectives were positive. Instead, words like “lonely, exhausting, intense, and depleting” were on the top of the list.

It dawned on me that providing postpartum doula support would make life for new parents, family members, and even babies better because they had support and guidance. Better because they were listened to and encouraged.

The mamas I polled responded that things such as:

• access to help

• setting clear boundaries and expectations with family members

• recognizing postpartum depression and anxiety sooner

• and doula support would have provided them with a more positive fourth trimester

My goal as a postpartum doula is to have the top three adjectives you use to describe your postpartum experience be “peaceful, joyful, and happy.”

What if we spent as much time and energy planning for the fourth trimester as we put into taking care of our bodies during pregnancy and preparing for birth?

I’m here to help you do that.

When you work with me, I’ll help you and your partner prepare for what life will look like once baby comes home.

We can strategize things such as how to incorporate (or, let’s be honest, avoid) family members and visitors, how to set up your nursery and home, and discuss what to expect for your recovery and life with a newborn!

Recognizing when more support is needed

I talk a lot about joy. And while having a joyful recovery period is possible, I don’t want to make light of all the other emotions that may very well come postpartum.

Your birth may not have gone as planned.
Your sleep is likely the most disrupted it has ever been.
You may have a hard to soothe baby or a baby that wants to be at the breast 24/7.

Emotions are high. You might be feeling like you and your partner are not in a great place.
You might be feeling like you’ve lost a part of yourself.
You might be wondering why you don’t feel happy when you look at your baby.

And you might feel guilty for feeling that.

These thoughts, feelings, and experiences are all valid. They’re real. It’s okay to feel them.

I am here to remind you that you’re not alone and that this too shall pass. It’s hard to know what to do to get out of the dark.

As a postpartum doula I can help refer you to someone best suited to support any postpartum depression or anxiety you may be feeling.

Having a baby is hard work. Rewarding, selfless, and relentless work. But these emotions will pass– don’t lose hope. I see you. I’m here to help you.