"Life is full of choices...your childbirth experience shouldn't be an exception"
-Informed maternal and infant care.
-Increased breastfeeding success.
-Decreased incidence of postpartum depression.
-Partner can return back to work with less anxiety.
-Early positive experience for the whole family.
-Accelerated recovery period.
-Compassionate emotional support.
-Reduced parental fatigue and anxiety.
-Assistance with meal preparation and light housekeeping.
-Assistance with sibling care.
-Opportunity for caring family, friends and co workers to provide doula services as a gift.
A postpartum doula...
-Is well trained, caring, supportive and nurturing.
-Is able to offer guidance in the art of breastfeeding.
-Has knowledge of postpartum maternal physical and emotional well being, and all aspects of newborn care.
-Is able to help integrate your newborn into the family.
-Is able to make appropriate referrals when necessary.
My initial consult is free. We will go over services offered in more detail, I will answer any questions. This visit will also give us a good idea if we are a "good match" and if our philosophies are similar.
During daytime hours...
-I provide hands on education on infant and mother care.
-I come alongside the parents and help them to get to know the abilities and talents of their new baby.
-I create a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower and nap.
-I shop for groceries and can prepare meals.
-I play with older children and offer suggestions for how to integrate the new baby into the family.
-I spend time with baby(s), allowing parents to cuddle and have quality
time with older children, or just to be alone together.
-I introduce parenting tips, help parents to learn skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities.
-I screen for hurdles such as breastfeeding challenges or postpartum mood disorders.
-I make referrals to any local or informational resources that the parents might need.
-I work myself out of a job by helping parents to gather the skills and
resources that they will need in the upcoming weeks and months.
-I help to organize the nursery and home.
-I take care of the baby(s) laundry
-I offer a listening, non judgmental ear.
During "overnight" hours...
-I work myself out of a job by teaching parenting tips and strategies that will eventually make my services unnecessary.
-I assess and help with breastfeeding.
-I diaper and burp baby, so that mom does not need to move around - she can just stay cozy in her bed to feed and snuggle baby.
-I bring snacks and beverages to the mother while feeding her baby at night.
-I prepare pump supplies or bottles for the next feeding or the next day.
-I take the contentedly fed baby to another room and help the baby to
go back to sleep,so parents can sleep soundly between feedings.
http://www.dona.org/mothers/what_doula_will_do.php***********
One of the main roles of a postpartum doula is a knowledgeable "companion" to the new mother.
Fees:
Postpartum doula fees are $30/hr with a minimum contract of 15 hours.
It is always my intention that every woman who wants a doula, has the opportunity to have one. Please feel free to discuss alternative arrangements if my fees are beyond your means. If I am unable to reduce my fees, I will do my best to help you find a doula who can.
For further information, please contact
Amy MacQuarrie
amymacquarrie@shaw.ca
780 340 8656