The postpartum period has potential to be a wonderful and intimate nesting space to get to know and nurture your new baby and embrace the changing identity of your family. The feel good hormones from birth and breastfeeding such as oxytocin can continue to promote calm parent-baby bonding. There is a lot happening during this time though, as it is a season of simultaneous healing despite fragmented sleep and adapting to the new demands of milk production, nursing, caring for a newborn, and reflecting on the birth experience. Often a beautiful yet challenging time, the postpartum period was traditionally one where community members would rally around the family and shower them with support which would in turn lead to the new birthing parent re-emerging back into society stronger than ever. In our modern time however we find that many new parents are under-supported during this period as they take on this process that used to be a community event.
Investing in support from a doula especially in the first 6 weeks of your postpartum period provides that pillar of knowledgeable, respectful, holistic, and loving community-based care that every new family deserves. Postpartum doula care promotes a balanced mental space, your ability to rest and stay nourished, success with breastfeeding, lowered risk of developing postpartum depression/anxiety, a sooner cessation of bleeding from the placental site, proper healing of perineal repairs or cesarean incision, normal return of internal organs and abdominal/pelvic floor muscles to their rightful place and tone in your body, and more. Proper rest, nutrition, and support can also ward off other unneeded challenges like mastitis, mental health challenges, or pelvic dysfunction months down the road.
As a postpartum doula I consistently encourage self care and rest and I enjoy affirming your parenting intuitions. I like to check in regularly with my clients around how they are feeling mentally and emotionally, what their food intake has been like, updates with their bleeding, how their body feels, and whatever else might be important to them. I do this so that together we can promote a positive postpartum experience and prevent problems from arising (or respond to any problems soon after they arise so that they are short lived). We may go over your normal routine and find ways to optimize your wellbeing. In these ways there are moments of me serving as a kind of postpartum consultant during our visits. Lactation is also a common topic during visits. I am happy to observe latches and make suggestions with nursing, pumping, nipple care, and more. I am also a Certified Lactation Counselor in pursuit of the IBCLC certification with extensive experience and I bring this with me in addition to adjusting pillows and bringing water and food while you are nursing. During visits I am happy to answer questions about your baby’s patterns and cues as well. Often times when I change diapers I am on the lookout for diaper rashes, a normal healing of the umbilical cord stump, and more. Same goes with other baby care, as when I am holding a sleeping baby I am also observing their patterns, issues with gas, and more. I serve as a resource and I make gentle suggestions regarding the wellness of you and your baby when I think it is appropriate or when I am asked. Most often things are just fine and I reassure you on this as well!
When I am in your home I support you in eating regular healthy meals and staying hydrated, getting sleep and a shower when possible, and taking care of other household functions so that you can rest instead (cleaning, laundry, support with other siblings or pets, and more!). I bring my most non-judgmental and calmest self to your home and am happy to be present to the needs of each unique family. I am really honored to be a part of the support team and your “village,” as I believe that new parents and babies deserve the highest level of care and respect.
Commonly I will be with families for 4-6 hour blocks at a time for 1-5 days a week, however I am happy to talk about another type of schedule if desired. Please contact me with any questions!
TESTIMONIALs
“Molly came to my house the day after I arrived home from the hospital. I was tired, in pain, uncertain about breastfeeding, and hungry on top of all of that! As soon as Molly walked in, she knew exactly what to do and say to make me feel better and feel more confident about taking care of my baby. She is an amazing cook, and very knowledgeable about what foods help support post partum recovery, and she would always make something for us that we could have over several days. Because getting to the store wasn’t realistic for me, she would also do the shopping on her way to our house. She helped me understand how I was feeling and encouraged me to seek out the help I needed from a pelvic floor physical therapist. Our 3-year old daughter adored her right away, and she somehow played with her and did everything else at the same time. Molly has a kind and gentle personality, and her presence is very soothing. The fact that she is also a midwife and birth doula means that she understands the medical side of childbirth and recovery and was a wonderful resource for that, too. I simply cannot say enough good things about her! We really miss seeing her on a regular basis.”
“I am so thankful for Molly! She took such great care of our whole family at a time that we really needed support and didn’t have family in the area. She was always eager to help in whatever way that was needed. She has such a calming presence that made my daughter and I at ease. As a new mom, I was thankful for her teaching us tips for caring for our daughter but also for her attention to making sure I was recovering well. I highly recommend working with Molly!”
“Molly was a breath of fresh air — she helped sustain us with her excellent postpartum doula services after our son was born in the early spring of 2017. She helped comfort him while I needed an hour or two to myself and made lots of nourishing veggie meals that lasted for a few days. But above all, her grounded confidence, earthy honesty, and quiet strength was a blessing to have in our home as we adjusted to life with a wee babe. I can’t recommend her enough.”
“After the birth, Molly continued to help us out by providing night-support. This was a priceless investment and helped us get off on the right start as parents. Molly was able to continue to help us as questions came up about milk supply (I was engorged and needed relief!), and how to comfort our newborn during those restless first nights. Things like how to swaddle the baby; knowing what temperature to keep the room so she’d be comfortable; and other tips were a huge help to us. I highly recommend Molly for doula support and to be part of your experience becoming parents!”
“Molly was our postpartum doula for the first 8 weeks. She was such a warm, kind, and knowledgeable presence in the early days when I was home alone frequently with a tiny newborn and feeling completely overwhelmed. She is a good listener and a fantastic resource when it comes to all things baby-and-mama-related. As I grew more comfortable with newborn care, Molly also helped me organize my space and supplies to make baby care as efficient as possible. We have two crazy dogs, and Molly always made sure they got plenty of love and attention too. She’s amazing!”