What is a postpartum doula? And the organization I chose to certify through.

What is a postpartum doula, and what exactly do they do?

You may have heard about postpartum doulas and wondered: what is a postpartum doula, and what do they do? Essentially, a postpartum doula is a support person during the postpartum period (the immediate time after a baby has been born). Postpartum doulas offer support to families in three main areas: practical, informational, and emotional support during one of the most important and sacred time in their lives.

Postpartum support through PIE

The acronym PIE describes the three main areas postpartum doulas support families. “P” stands for practical. Examples of practical support include: planning and preparing meals, helping clients care for themselves, light household assistance such as tidying up, washing baby bottles and pump parts, folding baby’s laundry, etc. “I” stands for information. Doulas teach and share information to answer the many questions and concerns new parents have. One of the benefits of sharing information with new parents is that information and education can help increase parental confidence. “E” stands for the emotional support doulas provide. Examples of emotional support include: to actively listen and reflect what was shared, to affirm and normalize feelings, and remind new mothers and families they are not alone.

Typical offerings of postpartum doulas include: focused non-judgmental support, newborn care to facilitate rest and recovery time for parents, guidance and assistance with breast and/or bottle feeding, simple meals and snacks prepared in the family’s home, help with light household duties, informational support to answer the many questions or concerns new parents have, and access to referrals to various practitioners as needed. Postpartum doulas support families during the fourth trimester, which is the first 12 weeks that follow the birth of a baby. If there are extenuating circumstances, some postpartum doulas will continue supporting families for an extended period of time. 

Postpartum doulas provide guidance, compassionate support and companionship to new mothers and families. They are nurturing and caring, listen to concerns, share in milestones, validate, hold space, reassure, and bring lots of love to new families. Additionally, they will care for and snuggle your new precious baby. The role of a postpartum doula in a new family’s life is invaluable. The support they provide allows families to be more present with their new baby, and feel well cared for during one of the biggest transitions in their lives.

Why I chose to train and certify through CAPPA

There are many organizations that offer professional training and certification to doulas and educators. When researching certification organizations to train and certify through, I spent a good amount of time looking at various certification organizations. When I found CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) online and read about their mission, vision and approach, I was impressed and knew I found the organization that best aligned with me. 

The first three words of CAPPA’s mission statement are: “Education. Support. Success.” CAPPA’s mission statement also includes that CAPPA offers dynamic training and continuing education opportunities for doulas and educators around the world. I consider myself a life-long learner with a growth mindset. I love learning, always have and always will. I’m pleased with all of the continuing education opportunities CAPPA offers to their member doulas and educators. I have taken a variety of continuing education courses, and just took a continuing education course by Dr. Nina-Marie Rueda entitled, “Top 5 Systems to Consider for Perinatal Health.” 

Next area of interest for me was CAPPA’s Vision. CAPPA’s Vision states:

Imagine a world…
Where we are encouraged to trust our bodies. Where myths about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and feeding babies are dispelled.

Imagine a world…
Where everyone is given the tools they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant-feeding experience.

Imagine a world…
Where education does not use guilt or fear as a motivator but instead shares evidence-based information to encourage intuitive and informed decision-making.

Imagine a world…
Where each perinatal journey is supported with care and compassion.

Imagine a world…
Where everyone is equipped to embrace parenthood with confidence. 

Imagine a world…
Where there is mutual respect amongst doulas, educators, and healthcare professionals working together to care for families.

Imagine an organization…
That strives every day to make this world a reality. CAPPA…Reality begins with imagination.

And finally, CAPPA’s Approach, which states:

CAPPA professionals approach their work with expectant families during the perinatal year with a desire to educate, support, and to see all families succeed. The CAPPA Approach is built on the CAPPA Vision, which supports the four cornerstones. 

These cornerstones are:

• Using evidence-based information in practice 
• Embracing positive mental attitudes  
• Approaching all situations with a loving, non-judgmental mindset 
• Building bridges between support and healthcare professionals

The four cornerstones mutually support one another, and are strengthened by the commitment of CAPPA members and professionals. The CAPPA Approach is a strong foundation upon which to build education and support services to growing families.                

CAPPA’s Approach continues on their website, and if you would like to read the rest of their approach, you can find that here.

CAPPA’s first cornerstone of using evidence-based information as a practicing postpartum doula is important to me, as well as the second and third cornerstones of embracing a positive mental attitude, and approaching all situations with a loving, non-judgmental mindset. I offer and share information and resources with the families I serve, but ultimately, I respect the decisions they make. CAPPA’s fourth cornerstone of building bridges amongst support and healthcare professionals really speaks to me. Since starting my practice, I have met and networked with some incredible perinatal health professionals. More info on that to come on a future blog post.

The power of connection, resources & referrals for the postpartum family

Being a postpartum doula that’s connected to the local perinatal community is very important to me, because it positively impacts the families I serve. I believe in the power of connection with others. I feel strongly that there’s great value in socially and professionally networking with other local perinatal professionals. I want to know the providers I’m referring families to. I believe that providing community resources and referrals to refer families to are critical component of postpartum care.

I’m located in San Jose, CA in the south San Francisco Bay Area. I serve postpartum families in their homes in San Jose and the surrounding area.  Since officially starting my postpartum doula practice, I have connected with two other perinatal providers. Together, the three of us have founded a local perinatal wellness collective.  We are a group of perinatal providers in Santa Clara County.  Our collective consists of midwives, doulas, chiropractors, pelvic floor therapists, prenatal and postpartum exercise trainers, and a postpartum chef. We meet monthly to network, grow and learn from each other. 

What Real Clients Say About Postpartum Doula Care

“Kristin was a godsend for my family. She took great care of me and my baby when we were at our most vulnerable. She treated my baby so warmly and lovingly. I could rest and care for myself knowing he was in good hands. For me, Kristin provided emotional support, problem-solving, empathy, and an extra pair of hands to get things done around the house. Kristin will help you and your baby in ways you didn’t even know you needed.”
– New mom, Palo Alto

“I feel more prepared and capable as a new parent after having spent time with Kristin. Everything can be so scary, challenging, and confusing, but she made me feel like it was all part of the growing and learning process. I would recommend her to anyone wanting support postpartum. I was able to enjoy my newborn daughter more, with less stress and anxiety.”
– Elise H.

“One of the biggest gifts Kristin gives this world is her presence and passion for helping others. Kristin provides compassionate care to families in an often vulnerable and delicate time in their lives. She is a caring, calm, and reassuring presence, and guides new families with focused care and attention. I couldn’t recommend her enough, especially since I experienced firsthand the difference her support made for our family.”
– M.M. Bay Area, CA

“Kristin was very knowledgeable with every question we asked. She taught us how to burp and bottle feed, showed us how to change diapers, reminded us how to properly swaddle, and assisted with breastfeeding information and positioning. She provided exceptional and genuine care for our baby with nurturing care. She made sure I was hydrated and nourished. She was knowledgeable and guided us with lots of tips.”
– A.P., Mom to Dec. 2020 baby

If you’re interested in learning more about me and my postpartum doula care, I offer FREE 30-minute discovery calls to connect and answer any questions you have about my services.

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