Postpartum Doula Support is by far one of our most popular services offered at Emerald Doulas. Over the years, we’ve found that families often have similar questions about this support, how to book and secure our services, and what might be the best use of doula hours for their family.

Please use this FAQ Guide as a resource, but know that if you have any further questions, or want more information, we’re only an email away and would love to help! Reach out anytime.

When should I book support?

Because our team’s availability is often fully booked more than 10 days in advance, we strongly recommend that you reach out as soon as possible to discuss your potential needs and goals for postpartum. Often, families are securing our services in early-to-mid pregnancy.

My baby is already born! Am I too late?

Not at all. Due dates aren’t wedding dates, so as babies arrive (or not arrive) when expected, sometimes our schedules will open up! For families who are open to working with any of our postpartum doulas, we very often have last minute availability for daytime support and can bridge with that support until overnight care becomes available, or until consistent support can be worked into our schedules.

How will we know how much support we might need?

We work with each of our families to maximize their postpartum doula hours to help meet their family’s specific needs, and together, we’ll create a plan of care that feels supportive of every member of your family. This plan might consist of daytime support, overnight support, or a mixture of both! We can also help strategize with you on how frequently to schedule your doula visits balancing them with your friends and family’s help, so that there are no large gaps in your care. Email us and we’ll set up a time to learn more about your goals for postpartum, and to begin exploring what postpartum doula care might look like for your family. If one of our Gemstone Packages doesn’t quite fit your needs, we’re always happy to create a custom package.

Yes! Absolutely. After we discuss your needs together, we will make recommendations for the doula or doulas who would be the best fit for you. You will then have an opportunity to schedule a consultation with them to get to know them a bit, discuss your needs and concerns, and preferred schedule of care for you following birth.

Postpartum doulas, just like our birth doulas, could never, ever replace the care and love you’ll receive from your family! Instead, postpartum doulas support everyone in the days and weeks following a new baby’s arrival and allow your visitors to focus on bonding with your little one (and leave the rest to us!).

We work seamlessly with your support team to take care of whatever needs to be done. If that’s laundry, we’ll fold it. If it’s meal prep, we’ll chop it. If it’s getting up at 2 a.m. to help with feedings, postpartum doulas are wide awake and ready. More importantly, doulas also provide current, evidence-based recommendations and information about things like safe sleep practices, babywearing advice, car seat safety, and breastmilk storage and formula preparation guidelines. We’re also here as a safe, judgement-free place and supportive shoulder to lean on when you need to ask questions, share your concerns or worries, and begin to process your birth story.

Yes! Postpartum doula support is available as-needed, too! If you’re considering one visit, or maybe a handful of visits, from one of our postpartum doulas, we can help coordinate that as well! Simply contact us and we can get you the support you need! Note: We require a minimum of 4 hours for daytime support, and 8 hours for overnight support, but shifts can be extended beyond that depending on your needs and the doula’s availability.