Benefits of Postpartum Doula Care
On Mother's Mental Health During this Special Time...
Having the support of a Certified Postpartum Doula is shown to decrease postpartum mood disorders, increase breastfeeding success, increase healthy bonding and attachment, lower SIDS rates and reduce incidences of child abuse.
Postpartum Depression Are you at risk? Common symptoms of PPD include:
• Depressed mood or mood swings with exaggerated highs and lows.
• Uncontrolled crying and irritability.
• Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities.
• Lack of interest in sex.
• Difficulty with memory, concentrating, and making decisions.
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
• Fatigue, sluggishness, and feeling exhausted.
• Changes in appetite or sleep. Insomnia.
• Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide.
• Intrusive unwanted thoughts.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, especially failure at motherhood.
• Lack of interest in the baby.
• Excessive anxiety over child's health(Taken from “Mood Disorders" website)
Many postpartum doulas have had experience with Postpartum Depression from their own personal transition into motherhood, as well as working with clients with Mood Disorders. Maternity Wise training offers further professional development for dealing with these issues.
Postpartum support is essential for parents who don’t have any family or other support nearby. Mothers in North America are often not given the time to rest and recuperate after the birth. This lack of support can interfere with bonding and breastfeeding; and is particularly difficult for mothers with post partum depression. This can create stress for the entire family. A postpartum doula’s role is to eliminate unnecessary stress and help create an environment of confidence, happiness and bonding between father, partner, siblings, mother and newborn(s).
Mother's Checklist:
- Help me avoid Postpartum Depression
- Help me recover from Postpartum Mood Disorder(s)
- Help me get my baby to sleep better at night
- Teach me how to soothe my crying baby
- Show me how to have a healthy home for my baby
- Help me to keep the house in order so I feel less stressed
- Teach me to breastfeed or operate a breast pump
- Allow me time to nap by handling the daily household care
- Help me learn about my amazing newborn and how best to meet my new babies needs
- Feed me and keep me well-hydrated so I can care for my baby
- Encourage me, that we're going to be just fine
