Fourth Trimester: the first three months of a baby’s life.  Newborns have unique characteristics. As parents are trained to the cues, learn how to read baby’s signals, and increase their confidence as parents, they can focus more on the bonding that is special and sacred during this time.

Birth Doula: A person professionally trained to provide support to the woman and her partner during labor and birth. (DONA)

Postpartum Doula: a supportive advisor and helper, a person professionally trained to provide postpartum support to the mother and her family.  The postpartum doula’s primary focus is educating and supporting parents and providing infant feeding support, emotional support, resources and any necessary referral information. (DONA)

But everyone offers parenting advice, why do I need a postpartum doula?  

This is precisely WHY you need a postpartum doula.  Everyone has an opinion. But YOU know your baby best.  Unbiased, research-based best practice allow you to sift through the unsolicited advice and feel confident in the decisions you make for your family.  

How will I know you are the doula for me?

Let’s talk.  Or meet. As the postpartum period is a special, brief time in your life, it is important to find a doula who can offer you the support that fits your needs. After initial contact is made, we will meet in person for an interview.  If our partnership is a fit, we will move forward with an intake meeting. During the intake meeting, we will establish the scope of services and schedule the initial timeline. We will also make a plan for the postpartum period.

What is the training to become a doula? Why should a postpartum doula be certified?

DONA provides an evidence-based certification program.  It includes a doula training workshop, breastfeeding training, background reading, investigation and documentation of local resources and referrals for clients, and essays that demonstrate an understanding of the integral concepts in postpartum doula support.  Positive evaluations from supported mothers and their partners are also required in order to gain certification. You expect your medical provider and your child’s teacher to be certified. Your postpartum doula should be, too.