Postpartum Support Matters

How a Postpartum Doula Can Help!

Why does postpartum support matter? Because you and your family matter! Studies have shown that in cultures where the postpartum period is approached as a time for nourishment of the new parent and baby, and there is time and space created to rest and bond, postpartum adjustment outcomes are superior(DONA.org).

What are the facts?

Nearly all new parents, 80%, experience a range of emotions after giving birth, most commonly called “the baby blues.”
Approximately 20% of new parents experience more intense symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Birthing person’s need for mood medications decrease by 26%, complications resulting in doctor visits decrease 14%, and antibiotic prescriptions decrease 11% when a partner is home during the first 30 days postpartum.
The partner “need not be the father,” an adult caregiver (ie. Postpartum Doula) would have the same impact. “there are some days that it’s just important to have two people”
Breast/chest feeding is 37 times more likely to continue when encouraged by their partner.

Help and support is essential! And, help can be hard to ask for. You are not weak for recognizing that you need support. This is hard. Its easy to get caught up in comparisons to other families or you’re your own expectations. Everyone’s journey through it is going to look/feel different. You deserve to be supported through yours.

How can a Postpartum Doula help?

By mothering the mother, new parent(s) are given the opportunity to rest and restore after birth. Providing nourishment and the space to enjoy this sacred time will help give you the strength needed to heal.

The needs of the postpartum period are many. Postpartum Doulas can provide emotional and practical support, and evidenced based resources, information, and community referrals to new and expanding families.

Between the heightened emotions, sleep deprivation, changing hormones, and a healing body, etc. you may think this feeling is just part of the “normal” adjustment. It can also be hard to recognize whether you are experiencing “baby blues” or if you are experiencing something that may require talking to your care provider. Medication and/or therapy may be the right plan for you. Therapists who specialize in perinatal mood disorders can help develop a treatment plan. There is hope. There is help.

We are not meant to do this alone. The saying “It takes a village” doesn’t just apply to raising a baby, it applies to raising a “Mother” too. If you need more help, you are not broken, you are not wrong. You are the perfect person to parent your child.

I have listed national and local resources below to connect with qualified care providers and support organizations. If you would like to talk more about planning for your postpartum support in Santa Barbara or Ventura County, please fill out my contact form.

Stephanie Drake, Ph.D

Immediate Need