Definition of Postpartum Doula care:

Doula is a Greek word meaning "woman’s servant". the following definition is from Sally Placksin’s book Mothering the New Mother.

"The (postpartum) doula's basic role is to provide nonintrusive, nonjudgmental support according to the family's needs and wishes. She is there to facilitate your time to settle in, relax, and heal, while assuring that the familiar daily underpinnings of your life and household remain anchored as much as possible. She is there to free you up to do nothing but be with your baby and other family members, or to take the baby so that you can sleep, if that's what's needed. She is the peace-of-mind factor.

The postpartum doula may provide help with any or all of the following services:

Shopping, cooking, emotional and moral support, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding support, massage (for baby and/or Mom), laundry, answering the phone and taking messages, fielding visitors, taking or giving help with baby basics, errands, pet and plant care, help with older siblings, light housekeeping, help with baby so Mom and Dad can have time together to settle into their new roles, and referrals to other sources the mom may need to contact or know about."

Benefits of Postpartum Doula Care:

Decreased incidence of Postpartum Mood Disorders
More time for bonding with baby and rekindling partner relationships
Increased breastfeeding success
Increased confidence in parenting skills
Encourages appropriate well-baby and mother care