5 Real Benefits of Having Postpartum Doula Care
What do you get when you couple a new baby, new parent, everyday chores and responsibilities all into one place?
A GODDAMN HEADACHE AND MENTAL APOCALYPSE WAITING TO HAPPEN.
This is true for many new parents in the postpartum after bringing baby home. Our healthcare system focuses heavily on prenatal care by offering various options for the expecting parent through things like childbirth education, and even big baby shower expo events. Historically, the maternal care model has largely focused more on ensuring access to quality maternity care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Thanks to the good ol’ US of A - lack of maternal and paternal leaves for parents can make the postpartum period even more stressful than most expect. Come on America, paid leave is an incentive for most jobs - why should new parents be punished or even forced to make their new lives work with sacrificing the importance of postnatal care - mentally, physically, and emotionally?
In 1996, the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics shared a groundbreaking review citing that 60% of global maternal deaths occur during the postnatal period. Keep in mind though, that maternal death rates for both birthing parent and child can be from birth up to one year postnatal. This isn’t to scare you, but it’s important to learn the facts so parents are better equipped for dealing with their own medical care during pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of the birther and their newborn baby.
Enter postpartum doula care - the secret weapon every new parent needs in their fourth trimester (yes, this is a thing). I genuinely wish I would have known more about postpartum doulas after the birth of my son in 2014. Although I had my mom and siblings to “help” - there seems to be this underlying pride of not wanting to be a total inconvenience to the lives of our loved ones. You don’t have to go at it feeling alone… - a postpartum doula can be used by a family to whatever extent of care needed. Although, doulas are not to be used as replacements for postnatal, medical care or support, it is indeed a huge step forward for an improved postpartum wellness experience for birther and baby. The World Health Organization even recommends having a birth companion.
5 Real Benefits of Having Postpartum Doula Care
To Address Any and All Concerns of Parents
This can be anything from learning to juggle multiples to combating anxiety and depression, to ensuring post-cesarean birthers can manage life without feeling guilty for needing to heal. Sometimes, you just want to vent and get all the things on your chest, off - a doula can help you make sense of it all.
To Help Fill Any Support Gaps
Everyone may not be fortunate to have the super supportive tribes we often admire on Instagram. Anyone can need postpartum help because they’re either a single parent, don’t have any nearby, they don’t want to feel needy towards others, or even because they’re afraid of being judged for not “having it all together”.
To Be An Emotional Referee
Postpartum doulas understand the importance of mental health and emotional support. We know that it’s important to be able to feel and work through any emotions you may have - that them being validated rather than suppressed makes a world of difference. This is especially true for couples who may find themselves resenting one another over care of the baby - when it’s no one’s own fault.
To Ensure Partners Feel Involved
Mothers or the birthing parent tend to have most of the responsibility of caring for baby. Dad or the birthing partner should also be a vital part during the postnatal period. Having a doula present can help the partner learn the skills and methods necessary to take care of their little one when needed most. They can learn the ropes from an unbiased party without worrying about other family and their lived experiences. It’s been shown that partners who spend more time with their infant alone in the early postpartum spend significantly more time caring for their baby in the first year.
To Lessen The Flustered New Parent Domino Effect
We know the first week after birth can be one of hardest times for parents. Especially during days 3-5 when most physical-feeding parents are experiencing a real-life episode of hormones gone wild. From dealing with your body needing to recover to learning baby cues, it’s easier for parents to feel defeated and overwhelmed. Having postpartum doula care can help guide you (and partner) to navigate the adjustment period in healthier, less traumatizing way.