While the roles of birth and postpartum doulas can overlap, there may be a particular type of support that is more helpful to you and your family.
There can be confusion about the differences between postpartum doulas and birth doulas. Although there may be some overlap, especially in the area of breastfeeding, the roles are different. Birth doulas primarily assist mothers during late pregnancy and through birth with a follow-up postpartum visit. Postpartum doulas will often meet parents during pregnancy, however all of their support comes in right around the time that mother and baby arrive home and for a few weeks later.
Here are some basic differences between the two types of doulas:
- Typical services provided by a postpartum doula:
- Assistance with baby care
- Assistance in breastfeeding
- Help in basic housekeeping - laundry, dishes, meal preparation
- Helping with needs of older children
- Supporting mother through adjustment to early parenting
- (Support will be up to 4-6 weeks postpartum as needed by mother)
Typical services provided by a birth doula:
- Assistance in writing birth plans prior to labor
- Supporting mother with physical comfort measures in labor
- Providing emotional support during labor and birth
- Mediating between parents and medical staff during birth
- Assistance with immediate breastfeeding and in postpartum visit
- (Support typically ends with the postpartum visit 1-2 weeks after birth)
What type of doula did you use? Discuss it on the forum.
The copyright of the article Birth Doulas or Postpartum Doulas? in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Birth Doulas or Postpartum Doulas? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
