How a Postpartum Doula Becomes a Part of Your Village
A postpartum doula provides emotional and physical support to a postpartum parent and their immediate family. They also provide evidence-based information so the postpartum parent and their partner can make informed decisions regarding their baby and growing family (Dekker, 2024). A postpartum doula offers reassurance and perspective to families during a transformative time in their lives. A postpartum doula is not a medical professional and works for the client as a solo practitioner.
Postpartum support can begin during pregnancy as you can meet with your full spectrum or postpartum doula to plan and prepare for the postpartum period ahead of time. Postpartum doulas also provide referrals and resources for mental and physical health throughout the perinatal journey (March of Dimes, 2024). There is so much to learn ahead of a baby’s arrival and a postpartum doula can guide parents as they learn about feeding, newborn care, and prepping older siblings or pets when applicable.
New parents are often (and rightfully) overwhelmed by caring for a newborn and need additional support with everyday household tasks. A postpartum doula can prepare simple meals and snacks, assist with light household tasks (such as laundry and tidying), and be a listening ear as parents process the transformative journey of childbirth and early parenthood. Postpartum doulas can also ensure that new parents can rest or sleep which is necessary for one’s mental health (Bruner, 2026).
Postpartum doulas are essential to filling the gap between available resources, medical care, and community support. While not medical providers, postpartum doulas are often the first to notice when postpartum parents and/or partners are struggling in their mental health. In the United States, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men suffer from perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs) (Bruner, 2026). These numbers only reflect those that report and seek help. Additionally, mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States and many occur between 7 days to 1 year postpartum (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022). More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable and research demonstrates that quality medical/health care, community-based support, and family/friends nearby all play a role in helping birthing and postpartum parents receive the care they need (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022).
Many birthing parents do not see their provider until 6 weeks postpartum which, for many, is too late (Graves, 2023). Within this reality, postpartum doulas should be accessible for any family that wants their support. In many states like Michigan, postpartum doula care is covered by Medicaid and some insurances. Birth centers like Birth Detroit also provide compassionate, equitable care for mothers in efforts to build villages so all families may thrive.
If you’re interested in learning more about Seedling’s birth and family services for the postpartum period, please reach out on our website!
References
Bruner, D. (2026, March). How postpartum doulas support mental health. Postpartum Support International. https://postpartum.net/how-postpartum-doulas-support-mental-health/
Dekker, R. (2024, April 17). Evidence on: Doulas. Evidence Based Birth. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
Graves, J. (2023). Early postpartum support in the home: A vital link to healthy and safe postpartum recovery in the United States. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 1(32), 194-201. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10637315/
March of Dimes. (2024, March 28). The role of postpartum doulas in mental health support. March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/role-postpartum-doulas-mental-health-support
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, September 19). Four in 5 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable. CDC Archive. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0919-pregnancy-related-deaths.html
