Postpartum Care

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if after your baby was born,
         someone came to your home...

And that person understood your needs,
was there to nurture you,
answer your questions,
prepare nutritious meals for you and your family,
and keep your home running smoothly, your way,
while you rested and recovered from birth,
learned to breastfeed,
and got to know your baby...

Quote inspired by Suzanne Arms,
Birthing the Future

This is the vision that The Mothering Way has for you!

Postpartum Challenges

If you ask parents, “What was life like in your home when you had a newborn?” At best, most families would speak of the newborn period as a blur of sleepless nights and challenging days.

In many cultures, mothers and babies have had a lying-in period. Women from the community came to the home to provide education, physical support, and emotional support essential for a smooth transition for the entire family. During the lying-in period, mom had the opportunity to rest, recuperate, learn how to breastfeed, and get to know her baby. She also had someone there to answer her questions and guide her through motherhood.

The lying-in period allowed the baby time to settle in and acclimate to his or her new environment. Babies come into this world ready to bond; their central nervous systems are open and ready for new experiences. With too much activity, babies become over-stimulated and do not have the ability to calm themselves. The social demands of entertaining well-meaning visitors deprive both mother and baby of much needed rest. Babies sense their mothers' fatigue and anxiety. They become increasingly irritable and difficult to console. However, babies of mothers who observe a lying-in period have a lower incidence of colic. The mother's familiar presence, adequate rest, and limited stimuli allow the baby time to integrate into his or her new environment. (1)

Frequently, in modern society, moms are not given adequate time to rest and recuperate from pregnancy and childbirth. They experience greater challenges when thrust back into their routines too soon. When partners return to work, many new mothers are suddenly left alone to juggle the demands their children and their need to recover. The stresses of returning to normal household duties plus the added responsibilities of a new baby can be overwhelming and isolating. In addition, many women must return to work much sooner than they like thus compounding the burden new mothers face.

In order to experience a smooth recovery from birth and feel successful in their new and expanding roles, women require time and assistance. When mothers are properly cared for, many postpartum problems can be avoided. Common postpartum problems include:

  • Feelings of isolation
  • Difficulty breastfeeding
  • Irregular sleep patterns
  • Increased anxiety
Sometimes, these problems lead to postpartum depression.

Family dynamics change with the arrival of each new baby. It is important that the entire family is well cared for and that their needs are met. When a family chooses to invest in professional postpartum care, the postpartum period becomes less challenging and more relaxed. Doulas are given a unique opportunity to be a part of this process.

Our doula was a godsend! The first few weeks postpartum, I just wanted to concentrate on spending quality time with both of my children and get as much rest as possible. Our doula immediately understood our needs and did everything she could to support our little cocoon. She soothed the children, kept the house in running order, and made sure no one went hungry. Most importantly, at a time when I was consumed with the wellbeing of my children, it was a wonderful comfort to have someone else concentrating on me!
— Renae, mom of two

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Postpartum Care

The Mothering Way Postpartum Doulas keep your household running smoothly while everyone adjusts and welcomes the newest member of the family.

Families get help with the essentials:

  • Light housekeeping
  • Meal preparation and shopping
  • Washing, folding, and putting away laundry
  • Care and attention for siblings

Both parents get support, answers to their questions, and time with their family. We provide evidence based answers to difficult questions and help solve problems related to the arrival of the baby (or babies). Our Doulas are also familiar with the needs of families with multiples and premature infants.

Taking care of newborn twins was almost overwhelming for us, especially since my wife was still recovering from surgery. The doulas from The Mothering Way enabled us to get some desperately needed rest, answered our many questions, and generally saved our sanity. We are so grateful to Ryka and her team for helping us through a rewarding but very challenging transition.
— Roger, first time father of twins

When one of The Mothering Ways Doulas is in your home, mom gets:

  • Time to rest and recuperate
  • Continuous breastfeeding support and information
  • Time to get to know her baby

We provide individualized care when special needs or concerns arise, such as:

  • Care for mom on bed rest before her baby (or babies) arrives
  • Overnight care when needed
  • Accompany mom and baby to the doctor, if desired
  • Support for unusual family situations

The care our doula provided went so far above and beyond what I could have ever dreamed of. I believe that she was my sanity-saving angel sent to help me through a crazy period in our family's life. She was a move coordinator, nursing consultant and caring companion to both Josie and me. My gratitude for the days our doula devoted to us is truly immeasurable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
— Lori, a first time mom

The Mothering Way Doulas are also experienced Breastfeeding Educators who can help mom have a positive breastfeeding experience. If the need arises, we have an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant on staff. We are certified in infant/child CPR and First Aid.

We encourage all of our moms to enjoy this special time. We can answer your questions and give you the help you need when you need it.

Citation

(1) Lynch B. “Postpartum Culture: The Loss of the Lying-in Time,” Speech Given at DONA 10th International Conference, New Orleans, July 22-25, 2004.