A postpartum doula is someone who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a family in the first three months after birth. To care for a family as a doula involves nurturing, educating, assessing the needs of, and referring the family to other professionals as needed.
Doula work is fluid, there are moments for educating, commiserating, and pep talks. When a postpartum person encounters a new symptom or experience a doula can explain the purpose and what they can expect going forward. During struggles with breastfeeding or recovery a doula can help suggest positions that are most comfortable. When an older sibling needs to feel important a doula can engage with them and encourage them to feel empowered by their new role.
Doulas are humble in their knowledge and ready to refer when there is a need for a specialist. It is a doulas duty to work ourselves out of a job: to provide the tools and encouragement every new parent needs to take on the world with their family.
