A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who supports a family through pregnancy, birth or the weeks after the baby arrives. A postpartum doula’s job is to help you rest, recover and feel confident caring for your newborn at home. Doulas don’t give medical care. They give practical help, emotional support and clear information, so you never feel like you’re doing it alone.
What does a postpartum doula do?
At Hudson Valley Family Doulas, postpartum support is built around your family’s preferences. A typical visit can include:
- Feeding support that fits your goals: breastfeeding, bottle feeding or a combination
- Newborn care: diapering, bathing, soothing and learning your baby’s cues
- Support for your physical recovery and your emotional adjustment
- Help setting up daily routines that work for your household
- Meal and snack preparation, and light household tasks like baby laundry
- Time for you to shower, nap or simply sit down
What does an overnight doula do?
An overnight postpartum doula cares for your baby through the night so you can sleep. Based on your plan, your doula either bottle feeds the baby or brings the baby to you for nursing, then handles burping, changing and settling so you can go back to sleep quickly. Families often book overnight support in the first weeks, when broken sleep is hardest on recovery. Read more about overnight and live-in support.
What does a birth doula do?
A birth doula supports you during labor with comfort measures, positioning, breathing, reassurance and information, and helps your partner support you too. A birth doula stays with you continuously, which is the part the research backs: a Cochrane review of 26 trials (Bohren et al., 2017) found continuous labor support was linked to more spontaneous vaginal births, fewer cesareans and fewer negative birth experiences.
What doesn’t a doula do?
Doulas don’t perform exams, give medication, diagnose or make medical decisions. Those belong to your midwife, OB or pediatrician. A good doula helps you understand your options and ask the right questions, then supports the choices you make. For more on how the two roles fit together, see Doula vs. Midwife: What is the Difference?
Who are Hudson Valley Family Doulas’ doulas?
Our team includes certified postpartum doulas, birth doulas, Certified Lactation Counselors, Newborn Care Specialists and a certified sleep consultant. After an intake call, founder Julia Gartner matches each family with the doula or doulas who fit their needs. You can meet the team before you decide.
When should you book a postpartum doula?
Most families book during pregnancy, often in the second or third trimester, so support is in place before the baby arrives. You can also reach out after the birth; call 845-288-1985 or send us a message and we’ll talk through what would help most.