When Should I Book A Postnatal Doula?

When Should I Book A Postnatal Doula?

This is a question that often comes up and like so much in the doula world there isn’t a one size fits all answer, it really is up to you. That said there are some things you might like to consider whichever path you choose.

Booking Early.

Maybe this this isn’t your first pregnancy, perhaps like lots of people you only realized that this kind of postnatal support was a thing once your child was a little bit older? Maybe you’re feeling like you might want to do things differently this time?

If you’re a first-time parent to be maybe you already know you don’t have family around you to offer the kind of support you know you’ll need, maybe you already recognize that it’s normal to need a trusted team around you at this time. Whatever your reasons might be there definitely isn’t a point when it’s too early to start making contact with a few doulas. It might not be about getting your booking in place straight away, more putting out feelers for what a postnatal doula could offer you or getting a sense of who might be working in your area. 

Since the pandemic hit last year, you aren’t even necessarily limited by who lives locally to you, many postnatal doulas are working virtually over zoom. Perhaps you’ve been having a scroll on social media and felt a real connection to someone you’ve seen, it’s always worth asking whether this is something they could offer.

There are other advantages to arranging your doula early, many doulas are balancing work with their own families and as a result can be booked up months in advance and this can be disappointing if you have felt a strong connection with someone. The earlier you have booked in support the longer you will have to build a trusting relationship with your doula, giving us time to get to know you and your family and this can really help in those early days with a baby when you may be feeling more vulnerable. Postnatal planning sessions will often form part of a support package with doulas, many offer a wide range of options and additional services from antenatal breastfeeding sessions, information on slings and babywearing to support around birth trauma such as the Three Step Rewind technique and more, an early start to your relationship will allow you plenty of time to explore these options.

Booking Towards The End Of Your Pregnancy.

In the past, antenatal education often seemed to focus on preparing for your birth with less attention given to the days and weeks as a new parent, fortunately, things are changing with many more educators including sessions on the fourth trimester (the first three months following your baby’s arrival). If you’ve only just began to think about what this might be like and to think through the options you have for support around this time that’s fine too. This is often when families get in touch and is a great time to meet a few different doulas to get a sense of who will be a good fit for you and your circumstances. 

Once Your Baby Is Here.

As doulas we really do understand the enormity of the shifts that happen once a new baby has arrived, that during the first days and weeks when a baby joins a new family many, many people find themselves in an entirely different place that they had perhaps imagined. We really do welcome enquiries from families that reach out at this time and we recognize how hard that can feel, if we don’t have availability to help ourselves most doulas will be part of a wider network of doulas working locally so are in a unique position to signpost you to other people who could offer the support you need.

My Baby Is More Than A Month Old.

New parents often find that support gets stacked into those first few weeks at home, partners might be off work or family have taken time away from other things to be closer at hand. A few weeks in it can feel like that the team has drifted off just as the tiredness and overwhelm has started to kick in. This can also be a great time to get in touch with a doula, if the first doula you get in touch with is already booked up there are luckily fantastic new doulas starting work all the time and mentored doulas often have more flexibility and availability to offer. Almost all doulas will offer an initial chat for free to talk over what support would be most helpful to your family and will work with you to get that in place.

Postnatal doula support is all about having the right support for you on the day wherever you are and however you’re feeling. Get in touch, I’m yet to meet a doula who doesn’t feel enthusiastic about spreading the word about the work that we do, we are always ready to strike up a conversation whatever stage of your journey you are at.

Kx