What a postpartum doula really does
Postpartum can be a tender time for birthing people, a time in which they need to be cocooned by their support system. One option for support during the postpartum period is working with a postpartum doula.
We are so excited to launch our 12-week Postpartum Doula Training in June 2021. This course will be postpartum the BADT way, which means radical, culturally appropriate, and inclusive. Read more about our Core Values here if you’re new to BADT.
This blog will offer you a glimpse into the life and work of a postpartum doula. Note: Although the name and industry of postpartum support is relatively new, this role is not. Birthing people have been honored, cared for, and supported by their families and communities across history. We are speaking about postpartum support in a general way in this piece. However, we want to acknowledge that you, your family, or your community may have different traditions and customs that are part of your postpartum practice.
Additionally, as a doula, you may have the opportunity to offer postpartum support to birthing people who are not parenting. We honor and respect those that move through this chapter without parenting a baby, for any and all reasons, including abortion, surrogacy, and adoption.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula offers the birthing person and/or their family support in the days, weeks, and months after birth. Support may fall under the umbrellas of emotional support, physical comfort, infant care, information, referrals, and household organization. A postpartum doula assists birthing people and/or their family in navigating the transition to life after birth.
The doula’s job is to respect and support the values, beliefs, and autonomy of the birthing person/family. Rather than having an agenda, a postpartum doula shows up as a caring witness who is able to offer nonjudgmental space to process the birth and/or postpartum experiences and feelings, problem-solve the aspects of postpartum that are feeling challenging, remind the birthing person that it’s okay (crucial, actually) to tend to their needs, and guide the birthing person/family towards information, resources, and other professionals they may benefit from.
How Does the Work Actually Look?
Most postpartum work will be offered in-home. However, some postpartum support can be offered virtually. Typically, postpartum doulas will visit the family for a scheduled shift for anywhere between a few hours to several hours. Postpartum support may be offered during the daytime or overnight.
Under the umbrella of postpartum support, doulas may establish a specific niche or type of postpartum care. For example, a doula may focus primarily on cooking for families during their postpartum experience. Some doulas focus primarily on nighttime support, offering infant care while the parent(s) rest. Other doulas offer daytime support, which may include more conversations and education, as well as helping tie up loose ends around the home-- baby laundry, feeding-related dishes, and so on, and nourishing the birthing person.
What Does the Training Include?
Birthing Advocacy’s 12-week Postpartum Doula Training covers a wide range of topics surrounding postpartum, from the perspective of some of the most respected voices in the field.
Students have the opportunity to explore what it means to provide meaningful, supportive, comprehensive support to postpartum people through the lens of BADT values. In addition to learning practical knowledge and skills for providing care, students will also be given context and approaches for the integration of cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and inclusivity into their practice.
Topics we will address in this expansive 12-week course include the following:
Cultural humility
Trauma-informed care
Physical healing for all types of birth
Mental/emotional health
Identity shifts
Building support networks and planning
Infant feeding, care, and bonding
Nutrition
Postpartum doula scope of practice
While this course is centered around supporting postpartum people who are parenting, BADT acknowledges and hopes to prepare our students to support a wide range of postpartum people, including people who have experienced loss, abortion, surrogacy, and adoption.
This course will include 12 live webinars, 4 live masterclasses with guest teachers, a private Facebook community, Doula Business Strategy Sessions, and 1 year of access to all recorded classes, weekly lessons, materials, and assignments via our Thinkific student platform. You’ll also have the option to be listed on our BADT Birthworker Directory!
Ready to Become a Postpartum Doula?
We offer a 12-week Postpartum Doula Training - Find out more here! And be sure to sign up for our email list so you’ll be first to hear about new courses, open enrollment periods, and scholarship opportunities.