Why Hire a Postpartum Doula?

Let’s face it: having a new baby, albeit rewarding, can be scary! Hiring one of the top postpartum doulas Portland has available can ease some of those first-time parenting jitters.

You might be thinking: Why pay for a postpartum doula if you’ve already given birth? Isn’t that the hard part? Aren’t doula services meant for the process of giving birth?

The answer is that a doula is useful even after a baby is born. This is especially true for first-time parents. Read on to learn why the presence of a postpartum doula is so crucial to a new parent’s success.

1. The Doula Ensures A Smooth Transition

A postpartum doula’s job isn’t all that different from a birth doula. They are both there to make the new parents and baby as comfortable and healthy as possible. The doulas Portland families count on are there to support them through the expansion of their household.

In the cases of many first-time parents, there is little to no familiarity with caring for a newborn. In addition to being exhausted and riddled with anxiety, many moms and dads have no clue how to care for a newborn fresh out of the womb.

When you work with a doula that is specifically meant to help with the postpartum transition, you get help with learning how to feed, change, and care for your baby’s every need. Your doula can be the first to notice when you need to contact your doctor or pediatrician (though they are not medical providers). She can also step in for lactation support and know when you should see a lactation consultant. In some cases, doula services may even include light housekeeping as you focus on your bundle of joy.

2. Doulas Take Strain off of Your Partner

Having a new baby is not just difficult for every new parent; it’s also a trying time for each new dad and the birthing person’s partner. Bonding with the non birthing parent is a much easier process if they don’t have to worry about mundane tasks around the house. Postpartum doula services in Portland are like your very own fairy Godmother — They’re just a phone call away.

If a new dad/new parent could use some help learning how to change baby’s diaper, your doula transforms into a kind, knowledgeable, and patient teacher. If the newly-minted mom needs to catch up on sleep, but partner can’t take any more time off of work, a doula can step in and be a safe caregiver for baby while Mom naps.

Doula’s fill in wherever they are needed. this often helps both parents keep their families on-track.

3. Doulas Lower The Risk Of The Onset Of Postpartum Depression.

After the baby’s first cry, the postpartum doulas Portland has to offer won’t just shake your hand and walk off to work with the next patient. Their job doesn’t end until mom and baby are happy and healthy in every way. A doula’s job is to make sure that parents and baby are physically, mentally and emotionally sound. Only then can doula services end.

Approximately 15% of births lead to postpartum depression. A lack of sleep along with a feeling of loneliness can both contribute to postpartum depression, a condition that is receiving more notice in recent years. Doulas in Portland and beyond are trained to not only assist with practical needs as mentioned above but to also be a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. They are trained to provide the support that’s free of judgment and full of resourceful, actionable advice.Mothers who choose to work with doulas are less likely to suffer from mood disorders. They also experience more success with breastfeeding, and they’re happier with their birth experience overall.

Ready to Hire a Postpartum Doula?

Are you ready to take a chance on one of the amazing doulas Portland has to offer? Postpartum doulas are key to the success of your parenting team. By helping you and your budding family catch up on your sleep and guiding you on your way toward becoming pros in parenthood, they’ll make this daunting life milestone just a bit less scary.