FAQ on a Postpartum Doula

A postpartum doula is a trained professional in supporting birthing parent and baby during the transition of postpartum. We offer. physical and emotional support to parents and their babies during the immediate postpartum period. We are trained in caring for a new parent, a new baby, helping with breastfeeding, postpartum nutrition, soothing techniques, sleeping recommendations, bonding techniques and much more. 

Providing medical care, advice and treatment is not within the scope of a doula. I provide physical, informational and emotional support, rather than medical support. This includes assisting with postpartum comfort measures following your OB’s guidelines, providing information and newborn care guidance following your pediatrician’s guidelines/American Academy of Pediatrics, and recognizing abnormal postpartum and newborn conditions and referring you to a medical provider in those situations. 

A postpartum doula helps support a family during the transition from pregnancy to postpartum. The most common time to hire a postpartum doula is typically within the first three months following birth. I meet with families during pregnancy to talk through what to expect during the transition and answer any questions around what is needed to care for baby. Often new parents do not realize they need extra help and support until after their baby arrives and they find themselves struggling in those first few days and weeks. A postpartum doula can help you adjust during this transition.

A postpartum doula is just an expansion of your team. We take away stress, offer support, answer questions, and allow you to sleep. Studies show that having a postpartum doula on your team can decrease postpartum depression and increase success of breastfeeding. 

I received my Masters of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Minnesota. I then completed the Childbirth International Postpartum Doula Certification, which was accredited American Nurses Credentialing Center. This program included coursework and 20 hours of client experience. I am also American Red Cross child and baby CPR certified. 

Costs vary between $35 - $70 per hour but often postpartum doulas offer packages for support - see booking for my pricing. 

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I truly believe everyone should have access to this service. I will work with my clients to ensure they are able to get this service as cost should not be a barrier. 

Any family who needs a little extra support during this transition can use a postpartum doula. Some families I care for include: 

• breastfeeding parents

• difficult deliveries

• families fostering or adopting a newborn

• families with other siblings

• first-time parents

• multiples

• parents without family support

• parents with postpartum depression/anxiety

• parent recovering from c-sections

• premature babies

• single parents

• special needs babies

The beauty of a postpartum doula is support is custom to what you and your family need. I start each visit with a virtual consult where we talk through the offerings I provide and what you need. What do you feel most overwhelmed about and want to address while I am here? It may be sleep, a shower, breastfeeding support, cleaning up the house, folding laundry, making a meal or needing a listening ear. You may feel overwhelmed and stressed in a variety of areas after having a baby, and I am here to provide relief and support in those areas, with loving care and evidence-based information.

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My most common offering is overnight postpartum doula support where you sleep through the night and I offer total care for baby. 

I offer in-person postpartum doula services in the Twin Cities area.