What is the Difference Between Birth and Postpartum Doulas?
As a Birth and Postpartum Doula, I often get asked this question. In this blog I am going to list exactly what Birth and Postpartum Doulas do and how we support for expecting families.
Birth Doula Support
Birth Doulas support families through pregnancy, birth and in the immediate postpartum period. We are a non medical professionals who offer emotional, informational, and physical support to expecting parents so that you and your partner (if applicable) have positive and empowering birth experiences. After your birth, when you are home and rested, your doula will visit you at your home once or twice to round out your Birth Doula experience by processing and honoring your birth experience with you as someone who was present for it.
Emotional Support: We are an additional member to your birth team offering a reassuring presence, providing emotional encouragement and guidance to both the birthing person and their partner. We aim to alleviate fears and anxieties surrounding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum creating a calm and comforting atmosphere. This has been proven to help labor progress which leads to shorter, smoother labors. It has also been proven to increase people’s perception of a positive birth experience no matter how their birth unfolded. In a culture with rising birth trauma rates, this is so important to us!
Labor Comfort Techniques: We are trained in various comfort measures such as breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and positioning to help manage pain and enhance the birthing person's comfort during labor. These techniques can also help labor to progress.
Advocacy and Communication: We do our best to advocate for your wishes and preferences, facilitating effective communication between you, your partner, and your medical professionals.
Informational Support: We stay informed and updated on evidence-based information about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. For example all the different medical procedures, interventions, and birthing options so that you are able to make informed decision for your care.
Postpartum Doula Support
We support families in navigating the fourth trimester (the first three months of postpartum). Before your baby is born, we meet with you and your family to understand exactly what your wants and needs are and to help create a plan to reassure a smooth transition into parenthood. Once the baby arrives, postpartum doulas step in to provide specialized care and support.
We are also very connected to the community and able to provide excellent referrals for other professionals, like lactation consultants, if and when we think you’d benefit from additional outside support
Emotional support: We prioritize the emotional wellbeing of you and your family. We offer a listening ear, validating feelings, and providing a safe space to express concerns. Our training also provides us with tools so that we are able to screen for postpartum mental health concerns.
Newborn care & Guidance: We provide guidance on newborn care, feeding support and strategies, address common challenges faced by new parents, and support and care for your baby so that all the needs are met.
Household Support: We assist with light housekeeping, meal preparation, and other household tasks to ease the transition into parenthood and most importantly to make sure you have time to rest and recover.
Support Family Integration: When there is an older sibling in the family, we often support them by sharing supportive tips and adjustment tools to make it easier on them because this transition is a big deal to them! We also take care of baby so that you are able to spend quality time with each other and your other children.
In the journey of parenthood, both Birth Doulas and Postpartum Doulas play indispensable roles. Birth Doulas offer unwavering support during pregnancy, labor, and the birth process, ensuring a positive and empowered birth experience.
On the other hand, Postpartum Doulas provide nurturing care during the early weeks and months of parenthood, helping families adapt and transition smoothly into the fourth trimester. Whether that’s a helping hand in the kitchen or helping baby sleep so that the whole family can rest, doulas contribute significantly to the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of new parents, fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood.
