Kairos believes in continuity of care, and fully supporting the new mother, during her pregnancy in preparation for birth, during her labor and delivery, as well as after her birth, when she returns home from the hospital with her new baby. We believe that supporting a mother as she transitions into her new role as first time mother, or as she adjusts to the addition of a new sibling is very important. There is no job more important than that of a mother, or father, raising, caring for, teaching, guiding, loving, comforting and molding our precious little ones as they grow into adulthood. We believe that a supported beginning is a healthy beginning.
We all love our children and want the very best for them, but arriving home from the hospital, we all realize that someone forgot to include the instruction manual on our new little bundle of joy. All new parents fear they will not know what to do, how to care for and comfort the baby, that they will do something wrong, and it is a great comfort to have the assistance of a professional postpartum doula who will guide, educate, model, discuss things, and help to build your confidence in your parenting abilities. Our professional postpartum doula staff is available to serve you the day you return home from the hospital or birthing center, for as long as you need help. If you have given birth at a birth center, the discharge policy usually sends newly delivered mothers home within 12 hours of giving birth . While you may be happy to recover in the comfort and familiarity of your own home, you may also realize that you are feeling very tired after the hard work of giving birth, and welcome the care and support of a doula to assist your postpartum recovery. Our postpartum doulas will instruct you in the baby care basics of diapering, dressing, bathing, cord care, circumcision care, soothing, comforting, sleep issues, parent-infant bonding support, safety issues, suggestions for nursery set up and household organization to include the new family member, and setting up multiple changing stations in a multi-level home. She can assist with breastfeeding on a lay lactation consultant basis, so you have the support needed as you and your baby learn how to breastfeed together. If you choose to bottle feed, she can help with formula and bottle preparation ,feeding and cleaning. All our postpartum doulas have been successful breastfeeding mothers themselves, and have helped numerous new mothers learn to breastfeed, or overcome initial breastfeeding difficulties they may encounter, and to succeed at breastfeeding their baby.
We like to make an extra big deal over the big brother or big sister in the family, and what an important role that is for your child or children. What a lucky baby to have such a special big brother or sister, and how many special things they must have to teach their new baby, we tell them. Having someone else in your home who is mindful of the enormity of transitioning into sharing mom and dad, and becoming an older sibling, can be of great help and comfort to the child as well as to the new parents who are dealing with new baby guilt pangs. It really helps to have someone to remind you that you are not doing something terrible to your first born, and taking time away from them, but rather you are giving them the magnificent and life long gift of a sibling, a forever companion, confidante, best friend and source of interminable joy and love! Postpartum doulas are great story readers, game players, good at walks and play time in the park or back yard, finger painting, coloring, cuddling, and activities to make a big brother or sister feel special and important, as they learn to accept the new baby . As a new mom, it is important that your postpartum care needs are met, so that you can be a good mother to your new baby. Our doulas will listen to and validate your birth experience, and can assist with referrals to parenting and professional resources in the area as needed. They will make sure you are following any discharge instructions, such as sitz baths or other post vaginal birth instructions, postpartum cesarean care, medications, or breastcare, your doctor may have given you when you left the hospital.
Healthy, nutritious meals, snacks, and drinks will be prepared for you and your family, to help with your recovery and to contribute to giving you much needed strength and the ability to help your body produce milk to feed your new baby. We know that neighbors or family and friends may have graciously sent over frozen meals , but keep those in your freezer for now, and use them after your doula is not longer there to prepare hot, fresh , home cooked meals.
Our doulas are happy to run errands for you such as picking up prescriptions or medications at the drug store, and can accompany you on obstetric or pediatric visits. This will make your first outings with your new baby, learning to navigate care seats and strollers, filling diaper bags, carrying breast pumps, bringing along siblings , so much easier and less stressful for you.
Fathers benefit too from the services of a postpartum doula as they feel secure in the knowledge that their wife and new child are safe, supported and well cared for if they have to return to work shortly after the birth. They can also spend time bonding with their family while they are at home, and not have to worry about meal preparation or mountains of newborn and family laundry to do, our doulas do that too. Dads can rest from the birth too, and ease gently into their new role as father.
Fathers especially appreciate knowing there is a professional ther to keep a watchful eye out for any signs of postpartum depression in the mother that she may need
help with , or signs of complications of postpartum healing, as well as watching for any abnormal health or development issues the doula may see in the newborn, which should be reported to your obstetrician or pediatrician. While doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, they are trained to recognize anything that is abnormal and requires a call to the doctor and maybe a visit. It is comforting to know that the doula can accompany you in the event of an emergency visit to the doctor also. Our doulas are great at honoring,encouraging and nurturing your parenting abilities, and helping you both develop your won parenting style. We know that you love your baby and you have everything it takes to be a great parent, all you need is a bit of support and love in the beginning, and we have lots of that to give. We always joke that this is the only job we know of where we are happy when we hear you tell us you don’t need us anymore, because it means you believe in your own ability to parent and care for our child. We have done our job then, and can give hugs all around and maybe shed a few happy tears to leave the family we have grown to care for, and move on to serve the next new mom who needs a bit of loving care and support. Kairos doulas feel very honored to be able to help begin the life of a mother with patient, caring, compassionate, support and the life of a precious new baby with love.
Please call us to discuss your personal needs and desires for support and we will be honored and happy to serve you toward the joyous birth you dream of.
