You just gave birth to your beautiful new baby and you are on your way home. You feel tired, achy, in need of a shower and a little unsure.
You finally get into your home and your newborn starts WAILING. You don't know what's wrong and are starting to panic. You don't know if you should feed them, change their diaper, or snuggle, or maybe something is REALLY wrong.
You don't feel it, but your body is HUNGRY and so fatigued. Because of the hormone shift happening post birth, you are feeling tears starting to form in the corners of your eyes.
You look at your partner, who looks equally as bewildered.
Enter: Your Postpartum Doula
They come in, knowing exactly what needs to be done. They set you up in your feeding spot, help you latch and then while you feed baby, they are in the kitchen making something for you to eat.
In the middle of feeding baby, they come back, set down a full water bottle right beside you and do a quick check in. You chat for awhile and she helps you burp baby and get them latched again.
She leaves, just to return shortly with a one handed snack, which you immediately gobble down.
Baby is asleep in your arms and you feel like you are going to fall asleep as well. Your postpartum doula takes baby from you (with your permission, of course), shows you how to swaddle and puts baby in their bassinet.
You are now free to eat a meal, take a shower and hop into bed for a quick nap, knowing that your doula is taking the best care of your newborn.
Your partner has already showered, ate and is now sleeping. You take a quick bite, and decide to forego the shower and head straight for a nap. A little while later, your doula comes in and gently wakes you, as the baby is starting to get hungry again. She guides you back to your feeding corner, with low light, a water bottle and all your necessities near by. She again helps you latch and asks you how you are feeling.
You tell her how the birth went, and maybe there are tears, maybe there are laughs, probably a bit of both. She sits and listens to it all, with no judgement. You feel lighter; more free having spoke about the experience without fear.
She asks you what you would like to do next. You say that you would like to change baby's diaper and maybe give them a bath. Your doula talks about the pros and cons of baby's first bath and watches as you change baby's diaper, giving helpful advice along the way.
You decide to wait to give baby a bath after hearing the evidence based research and instead, opt to watch your favourite show, while holding baby skin to skin.
Your doula is in the other room washing up the dishes and folding laundry.
You feel more secure, more confident and more at ease with being a parent, knowing you have the support you need.
When your doula leaves, you feel a little worried, but know they are available by text or call and have already planned their next visit.
This is what a postpartum doula does.
Sending love to you all,
Susan
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