Postpartum doulas ?

[susan1]

--thread moved from Introductions to Pospartum Doulas by Doula Lori

I am thinking of being a postpartum doula. I am thinking maybe people be more open in having a postpartum doula then a birth doula. ..and maybe this will open more doors for me as a birth doula.

So here are my questions:

What services do you offer?

What services don't you offer?

How the pay?

How do you do both family and post work?

Also what training have you taken?


Thanks for answering my questions.

[AussieDoula]

I think you meant to post this in the Postpartum Doulas forum .
I agree that working as a Postpartum Doula may help get you known in your birthing community and open more doors for you to take on birth clients. It's a good place to start, and postpartum care & support is so important for new mamas!

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 What services do you offer?

• Mother Care - suggesting comfort/recovery measures, emotional support, accompany mama & baby to visits with healthcare provider, makes sure she stays hydrated, eats healthy snacks, and gets a chance to shower/sleep when she needs it.
• Infant Care - help mama bathe baby, umbilical cord/lotus birth care, infant massage, circumcision care (if applicable), help with dressing and diapering/elimination communication, demonstrate different swaddling techniques, and sling carrying.
• Breastfeeding Support - help with positioning and latching, breastfeeding tips, and breastmilk storage info.
• Household Help - light tasks (vacuuming, landry, dishes, tidying, etc), prepare healthy meals for the family, help set up the nursery (if needed), answer the phone and door, feed any pets, pick up groceries and run quick errands, care for siblings, provide local resources and referrals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 What services don't you offer?

• I don't usually do any heavy housecleaning (scrubbing, mopping, toilets/bathrooms, ovens, etc), yardwork, or babysit for extended periods of time.
• At this point, I don't offer overnight care.
• I obviously don't perform any medical procedures or give medical advice.
• I also try not to be hands-on with the care I provide for the baby, instead allowing mama to become accustomed and able to do it herself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 How the pay?

I charge $20 an hour, with a minimum of 3 hours a day/two days a week. I will work for less if mama is having difficulty affording the services, and often I work free of charge (since I am fortunate enough to afford to do that).

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 How do you do both family and post work?

My husband works a rotating schedule (sometimes at night, sometimes during the day), so I dictate my availability around the times he will be home to take care of our toddler. I haven't personally encountered any difficulties or complaints about this yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 Also what training have you taken?

Since moving to this area, I have not taken any formal training (such as a workshop - although I am making plans to hold my own in the near future if I can find enough demand for it).
I do however attend every relevant class held in my area. I go to (and often "teach" portions of) infant care classes and diapering classes, among others.
I meet with all the pediatricians in my area so that I can get a feel for what my clients are hearing from their care providers.
I read everything I can get my hands on.
I research new data regularly so that I am current with the information out there.
I am also on great terms professionally with my local Lactation Consultants and Childbirth Educators, being fortunate enough to sit in on classes and consultations when I can.

Postpartum work can be very fulfilling! Good luck with your decision!

[AussieDoula]

Something I forgot to add is that I also show most mamas how to massage their uterus. Not only can it help the uterus contract to its original size (involution), but massaging the uterus before breastfeeding can help reduce the pain of any uterus contractions mama might have while nursing.

How is your decision coming along to start postpartum work?

[susan1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula Something I forgot to add is that I also show most mamas how to massage their uterus. Not only can it help the uterus contract to its original size (involution), but massaging the uterus before breastfeeding can help reduce the pain of any uterus contractions mama might have while nursing. How is your decision coming along to start postpartum work?

Thanks for the tips..been so busy ....well I decided am going head and try it. Am reading all the books I can and asking a lot of questions.

Thanks for asking about me..Susan

[PostDoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 --thread moved from Introductions to Pospartum Doulas by Doula Lori What services do you offer?

AussieDoula did a great job of describing the scope of practice. Physical, emotional, informational & practical support for families during Postpartum. Mom/Baby Care, sibling care, info. & resources, household help, etc.

What services don't you offer?
I don't do overnights or early morning hours. As already posted, no heavy cleaning, medical advise or clinical tasks.

How the pay?
I charge $25 an hour with a sliding scale. (I've also done it for free) I have a 3-4 hr. min.

How do you do both family and post work?
My husband works nights, so he stays with our 4 yr. old when I work. And, I try to have at least 2 weeks between clients.

Also what training have you taken?
I did an in-person training and a distance training through CAPPA (www.cappa.net). In completing my Certification, I had to read many books, get certified in CPR, and take a test. Even though I was already working as a Postpartum Doula, I definitely felt more prepared and knowledgeable having completed these.
Later, I also completed training as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor--it's been extremely helpful!

One other thought RE postpartum work: In most areas, it is less well-known then Labor Doulas...However, you have a wider window of need and more potential clients. For example, most people potentially need help over many weeks as opposed to 24-48 hrs. of laboring. Also, moms who are scheduled c-sect. won't be shopping for labor doulas.
Best of luck to you!

[tlcdoula]

What services do you offer? Postpartum doula work is not my main area, but I offer birth/labor doula, postpartum doula and childbirth education services. Other than that what do you mean by services? Do you mean, what exactly do I do? If that is what you mean I am there to mother the mother and so what I do varies with what the mothers needs are. I have just sat with mothers who were struggling with postpartum depression, have done dishes and laundry, cooked, taught them how to care for themselves or their baby - you name it and I will consider it.

What services don't you offer? I do not care for the baby so that mom can run off and enjoy her life. If mom needs a shower then that is different, but I am not a nanny.

How the pay? I used to work on a sliding scale and might go back to it $15-20 per hour.

How do you do both family and post work? I have no issues with family and postpartum work because any postpartum work I agree to do must fit around my families schedules. Meaning if someone wants even care then that will only work if I am not busy with my own family. So far I have only had one family that was a bit of a conflict, but I didn't really want to work with them as I didn't feel comfortable so it all worked out. They found a different doula because I couldn't accommodate their hours and I didn't have to spend my time having political values with a man who struggled with the concept that I didn't fall into line with one particular political party. I should also say that I do not currently have any babies at home so that helps.

Also what training have you taken? I am certified through CAPPA so it was their training that I took via the distance program.

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula Something I forgot to add is that I also show most mamas how to massage their uterus. Not only can it help the uterus contract to its original size (involution), but massaging the uterus before breastfeeding can help reduce the pain of any uterus contractions mama might have while nursing. How is your decision coming along to start postpartum work?

Under normal circumstances when nothing is going on uterine massage really isn't necessary. I know it has been talked about in some of the larger doula groups and that some of the ladies have found studies that say that this is simply not necessary. I equate it to be along the same lines of women being told years ago to prepare their breasts for breastfeeding. In the animal world mamas animals do not massage their uterus and it involutes just fine.

[AussieDoula]

Infant CPR & First Aid.
CAPPA Postpartum Training/Certification.
Breastfeeding Counsellor/Lactation Educator (I am making plans to complete CAPPA's Lactation Education Certification course, in the meantime I am sitting in on a few private consultations).

[susan1]

Well I will be taking a CPR and Frist Aid class soon. ..and have taken many breastfeedng class, read tons of books, breastfeed my own kids and took a breastfeeding program....however am going to have to wait on the postpartum training..no money...does anyone have any ideas that can help me until I go for the training?

[AussieDoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula Under normal circumstances when nothing is going on uterine massage really isn't necessary. I know it has been talked about in some of the larger doula groups and that some of the ladies have found studies that say that this is simply not necessary. I equate it to be along the same lines of women being told years ago to prepare their breasts for breastfeeding. In the animal world mamas animals do not massage their uterus and it involutes just fine.

Just quickly, do you have links to the larger Doula groups that have been discussing this (you can PM me if you'd prefer) and the studies? Since joining AllDoulas, I have basically stopped frequenting any other boards, lol! Thanks .
While it's not necessary in most cases, if mama is having sharp pains due to the contractions when she is breastfeeding, I will show her how to massage her uterus before she nurses so that it won't be as painful.
Also, in the animal world mama animals eat their placenta, which aids involution (among several other reasons), hehe.

[1stimestar]

If a woman is nursing then she really doesn't need the uterine massage, especially after the first day. If she is having after pains she can also take some Tylenol.

This is THE doula list:
doula@yahoogroups.com

This is MY doula list. It's very low volume though has a lot of members simply because I have so little time to promote discussion anymore.
doulanet@yahoogroups.com

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar If a woman is nursing then she really doesn't need the uterine massage, especially after the first day. If she is having after pains she can also take some Tylenol. This is THE doula list: doula@yahoogroups.com This is MY doula list. It's very low volume though has a lot of members simply because I have so little time to promote discussion anymore. doulanet@yahoogroups.com

LOL - I am a member of your group. I didn't know that you started that one!

[PostDoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan1 does anyone have any ideas that can help me until I go for the training?

Are there any Postpartum Doulas in your area you could meet with? (Or at least speak with on the phone?) Second to training, I think that would be the most valuable/helpful experience.

Beyond that, I think the one book that helped my perspective on Doula care the most was Sheila Kitzinger's book: "Surviving and Enjoying the first year after childbirth." It was so comprehensive!

Finally, have you looked into the CAPPA scholarship program? Applying is so simple, and the scholarships are awarded quarterly. If you get one, you can get the Distance Training videos & almost everything else you need, for FREE!

Best of luck to you!

[Amydoula]

What services do you offer?
I offer emotional/physical comfort measures to the whole family, instruction in all the baby basics, breastfeeding help, dishes, laundry, organization, etc. Help in setting up nursing/diapering stations, nursery set up, cooking, and more that I can't think of right now
What services don't you offer?
I always say there are 4 things I will never do: act as a Nanny/babysitter, give medical advice, drive them anywhere and clean the house
How the pay?
$15-20 per hour
How do you do both family and post work?
meaning how do I handle my own family and my work? if so my son goes to preschool and a babysitter and I only work part-time so that I can spend time with him. If he is sick either my DH or I stay home with him on a rotating schedule. Depending on my client I will either get a back up doula to cover me or I will reschedule the time for when he is well.
Also what training have you taken?
Certified by DONA as a PCD and by The Healthy Children's Project as a CLC. I also do continual reading and do a lot of CEU's

[motherstouchdoula]

I do not have a postpartum cert and I really don't think I will ever get one.
I posted on a new orleans doula board "what is needed to do ppd work" the very next day my phone rang and it was one of the only ppd is the area..she gave me a client and that was that I have been doing it for a few months now...

Here is the problem I seem to have is: I get emails from ppl wanting me to work the Whole month and then some, I also get asked if I could just take care of the other childern in the home and clean house.
I have had to be VERY clear that I am not a Nanny nor a housekeeper. I have turned away more clients than I have taken because of this.
IMO, I can't take a ppd client for the whole month of Nov and some of Dec because I would rather take 2 births during that time..KWIM???