The literal translation of the word doula is “servant.”  As your doula, I would provide emotional and physical postpartum support to enhance your bonding experience as you arrive home with your baby.

As a Postpartum Doula, I am a knowledgeable professional  who will assist your  family during the critical period immediately after the birth of your  baby(s). I “mother the mother” and offer physical, emotional, informational support, as well practical help to your family. As a postpartum doula I can support your family during the day or evening. I am there to nurture your family, and provide comfort and much needed rest.

The scope and practice of a postpartum doula changes from doula to doula. When choosing a doula you should make sure they will meet your needs and expectations. I can offer the following:

Lactation support
Infant feeding
Help you initiate a routine with your baby(s)
Emotional support
Newborn care instruction
Meal preparation
Formula preparation
Cord & circumcision Care
Shopping & errand running
Laundry ( baby & family )

The transition of welcoming a new baby(s) into your family can be both physically and mentally draining, especially due to sleep deprivation and uncertainty about the care of your newborn. Therefore, there are many advantages to hiring a postpartum doula including:

• Increased breastfeeding success
• Decreased chance of postpartum depression
• Decreased infant and maternal health complications due to informed care
• Decreased maternal exhaustion, frustration, and apprehension
• Increased and earlier bonding with newborn
• Happier baby due to a greater understanding of your infant’s emotional and physical needs and behavior.

If you are breastfeeding your little one, I will bring your baby to you. After the feeding, I will change, swaddle and soothe your baby back to sleep.

If you are bottle feeding I will care for your baby throughout the night.

Yes, I do! I  can make something as basic as toast at midnight to oatmeal or an egg scramble for breakfast. You and I  can plan ahead and I can have ingredients for the crock pot prepared and ready to go. I can chop up fruits and veggies to serve alongside cheese and crackers as healthy snack options for you.

My role is to provide emotional and physical support as you and your family and new baby settle into a routine. This is your baby and your home environment and I want to make it a safe place, a haven for you. I can provide you with information and ideas that my other clients have found useful. You can expect nonjudgmental support and compassion from me.

All families can benefit from using overnight services  to get those few extra hours of sleep. First time moms and experienced moms, with other children, often find it difficult to function without a good night’s sleep. Almost all parents, even those who have family help, usually need some type of overnight assistance from outside sources.

Every situation is different. I know I can be of invaluable help during that “fourth trimester.”

Generally, most families need some overnight support for the first 8-10 weeks. I have had a few families through the 12 week mark.  There is no hard and fast rule and, believe it or not, your life will have a routine to it very quickly!

My goal is to provide the right level of support and encouragement without getting in the way of your personal bonding experience with your baby and family.

The cost for doula services is dependent on many factors and is individually set by each doula. Price should not be your deciding factor when selecting a doula. Compassionate and competent support through the “fourth trimester”  is truly priceless. Most of us live in the real world and we know cost is a factor during most of our decision making processes. If you really have a financial need, let the doula you are interested in know.  Some insurance flex plans may reimburse for doula services.

I  provide services to  Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai, Oak View, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.