Transitioning into parenthood can be difficult, especially for new parents. Sometimes, mothers end up depressed after giving birth because they feel unconfident in their parenting roles. Fortunately, hiring a postpartum doula helps not only the mother but the entire family as well. Understand that only the right provider would offer outstanding services, meaning that you should not choose just any and hope for the best. If you are looking for one online, you should be even more careful, especially if a face to face consultation would not be possible before hiring them. How do you choose the right service?
Consider the type of services the provider offers. Some of these include breastfeeding support, help with physical and emotional recovery, help with handling the newborn, light meal preparation, light household chores, sibling care, running errands, etc. Ensuring that a potential service provider offers all the services you need would help avoid the inconveniences of working with two or more doulas. If you have unique needs, it is important to communicate them to your potential provider as soon as possible.
Ask about training and expertise prior to choosing any service provider. Do not assume that all that you need is an individual that is ‘good with infants’. You should look for a provider with training in birth, postpartum, and newborn care from a reputable institution. Other areas such a service provider should have training in include childbirth educator, sleep consultant training, lactation educator, etc. Since training would not mean much without expertise, it is essential to focus on doulas that have extensive expertise in the industry. Choose a provider that has been in the industry for long and one that has been working actively at the top.
Are they available? Plenty of new mothers out there need the services of a doula. This means that your potential one is likely to be busy already. Such providers offer help for several days or even weeks after your newborn comes. If you need a high level of support, you should choose among providers that can offer it. If you would need them during birth, for instance, they should be available for you. Nighttime parenting can be hectic, meaning that you need a provider that would be available to offer unlimited support at night. Make sure that they have a backup. A backup comes in handy if the provider gets an emergency or they need rest, especially if you would be engaging their services fulltime.
Inquire regarding their fees before making a decision. It is essential to focus on doulas that come clean regarding their billing mechanisms and their fees as well. Most of them work on an hourly basis with others charging a fixed rate. In case you need extensive support, a doula that would bill you per hour might be too pricey for you. In case you are on a budget, choose a provider that is willing to work with it. Make sure that the contract they furnish you with highlights all verbal agreements regarding service fees.
