Postpartum (After Baby) Doula Services

Our postpartum doulas provide education and support for after the birth. By taking care of you and providing insight into infant characteristics and care, you can take care of the important stuff like rest and recovery and getting to know your baby. Our goals are to help you recover and rest to your fullest and begin developing a strong, trusting relationship with your baby. 

Our postpartum doulas are Laura Nance, Brenna Turner, and Brenna Nance. See our Meet Us page to learn more about our doulas.

All after baby services are for a 30-mile radius of the Hickory NC area. Services are available outside that radius with an added travel fee.

We also recommend taking advantage of the classes during pregnancy to prepare for the postpartum time. These include Adventures in Feeding Your New Baby and What Happens Next? A Guide to Life with a New Baby and more! See our Classes page for more information.

adjective: the period of time after birth

There tends to be a lot of confusion as to the word "postpartum". This word simply means "the time after birth". It has come to be associated with depression because of the term "postpartum depression" which means "depression that occurs in the period of time after the birth". However, postpartum by itself means anything after the birth. A postpartum doula is a doula for the period of time after the birth. 

During your pregnancy an educator will visit you at home for 2-3 hours and help you prepare and plan for life once baby is born.
Covering topics such as: 

· Nursery set-up

· Preparing for life with a newborn

· Caring for a newborn

· Understanding your newborn – cues, crying, soothing, sleep

· Caring for yourself postpartum

· Caring for your relationship 

· Managing everyday tasks

2-3 hours 175.00

*virtual option available 

Your doula will meet you at your home as you arrive home from the birth center or hospital, or as the home birth team is leaving.
She will be there to 

· help you settle in

· prepare food 

· care for baby so you can sleep

· answer any questions or concerns that come up during that time

· assist with infant feeding

· whatever you need to be more comfortable and confident in those first few hours at home with your new baby!

6 hours 210.00

8 hours 280.00

12 hours 420.00

At 1 -3 weeks after the birth a doula will come to your home for 2-3 hours to answer any questions you have and to see how you are doing physically and emotionally as well as see how baby is doing.

2-3 hours 150.00

*virtual option available (virtual option for this service is usually shorter than the in-person option)

One shift to help you through a rough time or help with a specific situation.

4 hours 140.00

*as available

Buying a package of hours guarantees you will have the in home support you need as you transition into this new period of your life. 

Your doula will

· help you get needed rest and recuperation

· prepare food so you have the nutrition you need to heal

· help you with your physical needs for recovery

· help with household organization so that everything gets done and you don’t have to worry about it

· help you to understand your baby

· help you with infant care

· help you to understand infant characteristics, soothing, and sleep

· Your doula does all of this and more!

12 hours 420.00

Additional hours 35.00/hour with all shifts being a minimum of 3 hours.

Suggestions for using package hours:

Daytime shifts are 3-6 hours and can be at the time of day you think you need the most assistance (and based on doula availability) . Some families need that help when the partner is away at work during the day. 

Some other options you may not have thought of.

Sunrise doula services – Your doula arrives early in the morning, usually around 6 AM, and stays for 4 hours, caring for the baby so that you can get some more sleep and a shower. She can do the dishes and will also have breakfast ready for you when you get up. Add an additional 2 hours to include lunch prep.

The Witching Hour services – A lot of babies save their fussy hours for the late afternoon and into the evening, right as partner is coming home from work and everyone wants to eat supper. This is a great time for your doula to show up and help with supper preparation and taking turns soothing the baby. You can eat your meal without interruption as the doula cares for your baby. After the meal she cleans up and helps keep the house calm as baby winds down for bed.

New babies don't have a circadian rhythm and spend a lot of time awake during the night. During the first 2-5 nights it has the nickname "second night syndrome". You will sleep so much more soundly knowing there is someone there to care for your baby while you sleep! Your doula can bring your breastfed baby to you when she needs to eat and then take care of all of the rest of the nighttime care. 

3 five hour shifts 525.00

3 six hour shifts 630.00

2 eight hour shifts 560.00 (limited availability) 

additional hours 35.00/hour with all night shifts being a minimum of 5 hours. For extended number of hours there are some discounts available. 

Your doula will check in on you to help guide you through what is normal and be there to answer questions.

5 hours 175.00

Pregnancy and birth can weaken the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Supportive healing services include a Bengkung belly bind, binding services as well as education on how to self-bind. You will also be taught exercises to help restore your core and pelvic floor. The price includes one belly bind. Additional binds available for purchase (this way you always have one even when the other is being washed!) 

Base price includes belly bind, instruction on how to use and basic exercise. Personal assessment and personalized exercises available for an additional fee.

One visit 175.00

Two Visits 210.00

Three Visits 245.00

*virtual option available (Bind will be shipped to your home with shipping paid by you.)