A postpartum doula works with a new parent and new family. Birthing people are now leaving hospital much sooner than a generation ago. While its lovely to be home.....a doula provides practical support that can help new parents thrive!
My role as a doula is to provide non-judgemental support and companionship. If a parent is feeling overwhelmed with unsolicited or outdated advice, I can be on-hand to educate and provide evidence-based information on request. Practical support with day-to-day household duties to knowing what is normal for mom and baby or situations when referrals are appropriate is all part of the postpartum doula scope of practice.
Mothers need validation and nurturing in the weeks following the birth, while still in the 'fourth trimester'. Having a skilled person to mother-the-mother is a feature in many traditional cultures in the weeks after birth. New mothers' benefit from a period of rest and recuperation and bonding with the new baby. My training, my quiet support and guidance are designed to fill a gap in maternity services and modern society where much of the focus is on pregnancy and may be lacking in support for the social and emotional changes that occur for the mother in the period known as 'matresence'.
Typically the support offered by a postpartum doula takes place during the newborn/ infant period of 0-3 months. Irish Life Health is one insurer in the Irish market who will contribute towards post-natal doula support during the baby's first year.
