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A doula is a trained professional who provides support and guidance to people during significant health-related experiences. The word “doula” comes from the Greek word doulē, which means “female helper.” At New England Doula Support, our doulas are all heart. We receive training and certification from internationally recognized organizations such as CAPPA or DONA to ensure we are incorporating up to date, evidence-based information into our day to day practice with families. At NEDS, helping is at the core of who we are both individually and as an organization.
We currently provide two types of doula support – labor and postpartum.
A doula is a trained professional who provides support and guidance to people during significant health-related experiences. The word “doula” comes from the Greek word doulē, which means “female helper.” At New England Doula Support, our doulas are all heart. We receive training and certification from internationally recognized organizations such as CAPPA or DONA to ensure we are incorporating up to date, evidence-based information into our day to day practice with families. At NEDS, helping is at the core of who we are both individually and as an organization.
We currently provide two types of doula support – labor and postpartum.
A Labor Doula attends the birthing family before, during and just after birth. The certified Labor Doula is trained to provide emotional support from home to birth site. The doula helps to ease the transition into the birthing environment, is there through changing staff shifts, serves as a labor support partner to give the birthing parent and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor process.
A Postpartum Doula is a knowledgeable professional who assists families during the critical period immediately after the birth of their baby. They offer physical, emotional and informational support to the family as well as practical help. The doula’s expertise in mother and baby care enables her to assist with postpartum comfort measures, breastfeeding support, non-judgmental guidance in infant care techniques and information on normal postpartum progress.
The Postpartum Doula role is different with each family. It can be customized for each family but typically includes breastfeeding support, light household organization, family nurturing and instruction to new parents on care of a newborn. The goal of the Postpartum Doula is to make the transition to parenthood easier, educate and support the family so they will feel confident in caring for their newborn themselves when the doula is no longer partnering with their family.
When families contact us, sometimes they are asking for a night nurse, night nanny, or an overnight nurse. They hear terms from their friends or family and aren’t really certain what they mean exactly. They have a general understanding that they are looking for an overnight support person who helps with newborn care while the parents get some rest.
What’s the best time for a doula visit?
Congratulations on the long-awaited arrival of your beautiful new family member! We are so excited to share this special moment with you and your family and to help guide you through this amazing transition.
