Postpartum Doula Support: Compassionate care for the delicate dance of new family dynamics

"Nurturing New Life, Guiding New Parents"

The arrival of a newborn is a time of joy, discovery, and significant change. At DoudouKare, we understand that the postpartum period is as critical as the birth itself. Our Postpartum Doula Services are dedicated to nurturing your family as you adjust, heal, and celebrate the growth of your newest member.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a compassionate ally specializing in family care after the birth of your baby. We offer non-medical support, focusing on parents and baby's needs, helping to create a smooth and joyful transition to new family dynamics.

The DoudouKare Difference

Our postpartum doulas are more than caregivers; they are nurturers, educators, and advocates for your family’s well-being. We pride ourselves on delivering care that is respectful, informed, and attuned to your personal cultural and familial needs.

At DoudouKare, we recognize the unique journey each family embarks upon after welcoming a new member. We appreciate that your distinct parenting beliefs and values guide your need for support. Our team is proficient in a range of parenting styles, from Attachment Parenting to Scheduled Parenting and blends of both. We prioritize understanding your preferences through thoughtful questions and attentive listening, approaching each family without preconceived notions but armed with knowledge and experience in a diverse array of parenting practices.

While we can list the numerous ways you'll benefit from a postpartum visit with our doulas, what truly defines our service is the indescribable relationship that blossoms between you and your doula. This relationship is built on trust and understanding, growing naturally into a deep, supportive connection. Your doula becomes more than just a caregiver; they become your anchor, offering stability and comfort amidst the new challenges of parenthood.

Your doula is attuned to your needs, providing a calming presence and a wealth of information to navigate the early days of parenting. They are not just a source of professional support but also a mirror reflecting your incredible strength and capability as a parent. With DoudouKare, you gain more than just assistance; you find a partner in your parenting journey, someone who celebrates and nurtures the extraordinary parent you are destined to be.

As you step into this new phase of life, let DoudouKare be the support that upholds you, the guidance that leads you, and the gentle presence that celebrates every step with you.

Reach out to us to discover how our Postpartum Doula Services can support your family’s growing needs. Together, we’ll ensure that your postpartum journey is as fulfilling and serene as the moment you first hold your child

Our Approach

- Daytime Doula Support:

Navigating the postpartum period can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding and managing the physical changes following both vaginal and cesarean births. With our daytime doula support, you won't have to wait until your six-week OB appointment to get answers to your questions or voice your concerns. Our doulas provide timely check-ins, offering a compassionate ear and knowledgeable advice during this crucial early week. Adjustment to parenthood extends beyond just the physical; it encompasses your emotional well-being and mental health too. Our doulas engage in meaningful discussions about your transition into this new role, providing support and guidance to help you navigate your emotional landscape after birth.
Caring for an infant involves a range of tasks from bathing and hygiene to ensuring their comfort and well-being. Our doulas are skilled in infant care techniques, offering guidance on soothing measures, baby wearing, and sleep support. Feeding, a critical aspect of newborn care, comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you have questions about milk supply, need assistance with breastfeeding/chestfeeding, require help with latch adjustment, or want guidance on formula mixing and paced bottle feeding, our doulas are there to support you with practical advice and hands-on help.
Staying informed is key to confident parenting. We share the most up-to-date information and resources on pregnancy, infant care, postpartum support, and parenting, ensuring you're well-equipped to make the best decisions for your family. Our support is holistic, encompassing discussions on parenting philosophies and fully backing your decision-making process.
As life gradually returns to its new normal, including planning your return to work, our doulas assist with the transition, providing strategies to prepare both emotionally and practically. For families with older children, we offer advice and support to help siblings adjust to their new brother or sister, ensuring a smooth transition for everyone.
To further ease your daily routine, our doulas assist with light cleaning and meal preparation, such as washing bottles and preparing snacks. This allows you more time to rest, recharge, and bond with your baby.
Our daytime visits are designed to be a minimum of four hours, ensuring we're present to support you through feeding sessions and available to answer any questions, helping you to navigate this beautiful yet complex journey of parenthood.

- Overnight Doula Support:

Achieving restful sleep can be a significant challenge for new parents, as infants are known for their loud, active sleeping habits, including grunting and squeaking, and their need to feed every 2-3 hours.
Our overnight support is designed to optimize your rest and assist in mentally winding down for the night. Your doula will collaborate with you on your preferred feeding method—whether it's nursing, pumping, or formula feeding—following your directives and offering suggestions aligned with your feeding aspirations if needed.
Our doulas are prepared to care for your baby/babies throughout the night, addressing needs such as hunger, gas, a dirty diaper, or reflux. They will change diapers, feed, burp, soothe, and settle your baby back to sleep, all while adhering to safe sleep guidelines by ensuring babies sleep in their crib or bassinet, on their backs.
We maintain open communication, providing updates on feeding, diaper changes, awake periods, and sleep durations. While you have the option to touch base with your doula at the beginning or end of their shift, you're also welcome to continue resting!
Ensuring your baby's safety, satisfaction, and serenity is our top priority. Additionally, if time permits, your doula may assist with baby laundry and cleaning bottles/pump parts.
Our overnight support typically spans 8-12 hours, starting between 7:30-9 pm, to ensure you and your baby have a peaceful night.

Packages

Designed to guide and empower you through the crucial immediate postpartum period, also known as the 4th trimester, this package aims to foster independence and confidence in your new role as parents
80-100 hours of daytime support to be used over 12 weeks.
$40/hour
Minimum 4 hours a day & 2 days a week

Do you perform physical examinations?

No. Doulas are trained in many areas, but we are not doctors or midwives. We are trained in pain management to help you manage your pain during labor and birth. We are also trained in different position techniques to help you labor quicker and easier. Doulas are NOT medically trained. We provide no examinations of any kind. We do not perform any medical procedures.
Will hiring you affect my partner's role during birth?

As your doula, part of my job is to help you and your partner connect with each other during your labor. I encourage your partner to fully engage during the labor process and help facilitate that process. We are a team. I understand how important the role of the partner is and their presence is critical to you feeling safe, secure, and loved.
What are your interactions with medical staffs like?

A professional doula like myself, will always respect all medical staff that I encounter. I try to be somewhat of a bridge between you and the medical staff. It’s a delicate balance. My job is to give you any information that you might need to make a tough decision. I will help you talk through those tough decisions. If you have any questions that I can’t answer, I will make sure that either your OB/Midwife or a nurse can.
Do I have to give birth at home?

No, I support all mothers in all settings. I will join you at the hospital, birth center and or at home.
What method of encapsulation do you offer?

I offer the traditional Chinese medicine using ginger and lemon in the water that the placenta is steamed in. It is believed that the ginger restores the yang while the lemon has antiseptic properties and is thought to replenish yin energy efficiencies. I first steam the placenta prior to dehydrating in order to kill germs or bacteria.
What do I do with placenta after birth?

Your placenta has to be placed in a cooler on ice or in a refrigerator within 4 hours after birth. If the process is unable to be started within 3 days of birth, the placenta should be placed in the freezer and defrosted 24 hours in the refrigerator. The placenta can be frozen up to 3 months.
When and How should I contact you?

I ask that you or your partner contact us ideally once you are at the hospital to give us a heads-up. In the case of an emergency or unplanned birth, please contact me by phone between the hours of 9am and 9pm within 12 hours of birth. My goal is to encapsulate your placenta quickly so you receive the benefits as soon as possible.
How many capsules will I receive?

The amount of capsules varies from placenta to placenta. It will depend on the size of your placenta, as well as the method chosen. The Traditional Chinese Method tends to yield less capsules due to the steaming process.
Are there any laws against me taking my placenta?

In Massachusetts, the placenta is not considered “medical waste” if you decide to keep it. Many hospitals in Massachusetts already have a policy in place for placental release, which often includes a release form as well as offering a leakproof container for transportation. I recommend that you discuss your decision to encapsulate your placenta with your health provider and add it to your birth plan so everyone is aware of your wishes and plan. Have more questions for me? Book your free consult and let’s chat!
What is your purpose?

As a Doula, not only am I there for my clients physically, emotionally, and educationally; I am there for so much more. Oftentimes, pregnancy and birth are described as glamorous and beautiful but in reality, that is not always the case. Sometimes there are surprises, unplanned complications that arise, or uncertainties that you can’t resolve. Because that’s what pregnancy and birth are all about! It’s messy and unpredictable - but it’s also so extremely powerful. I am here throughout it all. The exciting, emotional, scary, messy, unpredictable, you name it - I am by your side. I am here as your biggest cheerleader and advocate, and also as a shoulder to cry on when things get tough and uncertain. I am here to remind you that you are strong and brave, when you feel anything but that. I cannot promise you that things are going to be easy, perfect or go the way you’d planned. But I can promise you that I will take every measure in my power to find you peace in the moment, future, and in your past experiences, whatever they may entail!
Do you perform physical examinations?

No. Doulas are trained in many areas, but we are not doctors or midwives. We are trained in pain management to help you manage your pain during labor and birth. We are also trained in different position techniques to help you labor quicker and easier. Doulas are NOT medically trained. We provide no examinations of any kind. We do not perform any medical procedures.
Will hiring you affect my partner's role during birth?

As your doula, part of my job is to help you and your partner connect with each other during your labor. I encourage your partner to fully engage during the labor process and help facilitate that process. We are a team. I understand how important the role of the partner is and their presence is critical to you feeling safe, secure, and loved.
What are your interactions with medical staffs like?

A professional doula like myself, will always respect all medical staff that I encounter. I try to be somewhat of a bridge between you and the medical staff. It’s a delicate balance. My job is to give you any information that you might need to make a tough decision. I will help you talk through those tough decisions. If you have any questions that I can’t answer, I will make sure that either your OB/Midwife or a nurse can.
Do I have to give birth at home?

No, I support all mothers in all settings. I will join you at the hospital, birth center and or at home.

Schedule a consultation and begin the conversation about your postpartum support.