Postpartum Doula Services
Helping you ease into your new role as a parent, a postpartum doula can provide you with support, evidence-based knowledge, comfort, and lactation support (within my scope). Depending on how you choose to feed your baby, I will support you by either bottle feeding your baby while you sleep or bring your baby to you to breast/chest or bottlefeed. If needed, I will also bring your pump to you and I will either stay or return when you are done nursing/ feeding/ pumping. While you sleep, I will clean and sterilize your bottles and breast pump parts, provide light housework/ laundry. and I can prepare a light meal for you. I am there to support you and make a few suggestions/ recommendations, and with these, ultimately, you will make the decisions on what is best for you and your baby. I am here to assist you, make you feel comfortable, seen, and heard. My hope is to create a beautiful, successful, calming environment for you and your family, and empower you in your new role!
Day shifts can be either 4 hours or 8 hours per day and include:
Observing and Monitoring for PMADS (postpartum mood and anxiety)
Breast/Chest/Body feeding support
Newborn care suggestions and guidance
Bathing
Umbilical cord care
Circumcision care (if needed)
Assistance with baby wearing
Light laundry
Preparing light meals
Light household care incl. light laundry, dishwasher, bottle/pump care, upkeep changing station
Light shopping/ running errands
Making referrals- Ex. Lactation consultants
Evidence based information
Assistance with postpartum physical changes- ex. recovery from a c-section
Assistance with siblings and easing into the arrival of your new family member
Help with pet adjustment; acting out around baby/ from scent (if needed)
Night shifts are usually either 10pm-6am or 11pm-7 am and services include:
Baby care while parents sleep
Observe and Monitor for PMADS (postpartum mood and anxiety)
Feeding/Breast/Chest/Body feeding support
Newborn care suggestions and guidance
Detailed chart of night’s activities if requested
Light household care incl. light laundry, dishwasher, bottle/pump care
Postpartum doulas do not do any:
Major housecleaning (only light laundry, empty dishwasher ok)
Transportation of any member of the family
ADMINISTERING ANY TYPE OF MEDICATION
Cost: Please inquire by emailing me at heathervanatta@gmail.com
*I am a part of an incredible Post Partum Doula team under Felicia Roche, a Doula of 25 years, my DONA Trainer, Mentor, and beautiful friend who taught me everything I know. By being a part of the team, I can pair up with another postpartum doula to make sure all your nights are covered, if I am unavailable, or for backup in case of emergencies.
Here is a quote from a mom (one month postpartum) that I hope will inspire you to rest, give yourself grace ,and remember you just made a human!
"I'm so proud of this body... look how incredible it is! In one month, I went from carrying a 10-pound baby in my belly to holding that baby in my arms as my organs reset, as my incision heals, as my diastisis begins rehab, as my breasts nourish, as my mind endures, as my rest decreases, as my heart grows with unconditional love for this baby boy. I trust the process my body is going through. I trust the time and patience it takes to recover and progress. I know how fast this goes. I know this time with a newborn is fragile, and my body can't be my focus, my obsession, my fear. I am not willing to let that mindset distract me from the little soul I get to care for and adjust to. My body will come back. My athleticisim and routines will come back. My clothes will fit again. But this unique time in my life as a mother will never come back... and this time I'm doing everything I can to be in it, to enjoy it, treasure it. Because suddenly, that precious baby turns into a wild little boy."
-Brianna Battles, MS, CSCS
As your postpartum doula, I am here to make sure you have that rest and time to enjoy what you have just created.