Day in the life
We often get asked, what does a doula do? The answer to this is that a doula provides support that allows families to make and feel confident in their own decisions and abilities during the time a new baby is expected, arrives and settles into the family. How does a doula do that? In so many ways one article could never cover them all. But here’s a fun example of some ways one postnatal doula might have supported a family over one day.
Have something on your mind that would be amazing for your family after your baby is born? Message a postnatal doula and ask if it’s something they can provide. It’s a great way of finding the right doula for you.
A day in the life of a postnatal doula
7 am Wake up and check my phone, message from my clients says “please can you pick up milk and washing-up liquid on your way in today”.
7.15 am Get up, get coffee and breakfast and make packed lunches while listening to my 5-year-old list 20 facts about earthworms and supporting my 7-year-old to find her socks and reading book.
8.30 am Drop the kids at school and pop into the shop for milk and washing-up liquid.
9am Arrive at my client’s house, let myself in and head to the kitchen. The new family are in bed taking a nap and have left me a list of what needs doing.
Put a load of washing in the machine. Unload and reload the dishwasher. Take the washing off the airer and fold it.
Restock the nappy changing table.
Make porridge with honey and sliced banana and coffee and take it in to the family who are now up.
10.30 am Change baby’s nappy and get him dressed while parents wash and dress themselves.
Chat through the list of questions about what’s normal for a newborn that my clients have made overnight.
Check the picture of last night’s nappy and confirm that it’s completely normal and looking good.
Hand baby back to mum for a feed. She says she’s getting a stiff achy neck from the position she’s using. I suggest she might be more comfortable leaning a little further back so baby’s full weight rests on her tummy rather than having to be holding baby’s weight with her arm.
We adjust the pillows around her too and she’s feeling a lot more relaxed.
11.30am Add the breakfast dishes to the dishwasher and set off the new cycle.
Get tonight’s dinner out of the freezer and leave it to defrost in the fridge.
Have a chat with the dog walker as she drops off the dog, wipe the dog’s paws, he’s had a lovely time in the woods but we don’t want to have to clean the floor again.
Make a cup of tea for the clients and refill the side table with fresh water and snacks to keep everyone’s energy up.
Tell the parents they are doing a fantastic job and I will see them in a couple of days.
1pm Head home for lunch and have some moments to myself before I have to go and pick up my kids from school.
Answer a couple of email enquiries with my availability and some details about what’s included in having postnatal doula care.
This article was first published in the Festival Guide for the IPBB 2023 Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting Festival. The images are stock photos. The doula and clients in this article are fictional and any similarity with any specific doula or clients is purely incidental.
Hampshire Doulas 