Postpartum doulas are trained to provide emotional, physical and informational support to new parents in the postpartum period. They are knowledgeable in lactation, infant care, postpartum recovery, infant sleep habits, and family adjustment.

I will help with organization that pertains to baby necessities and postpartum recovery, but I do not cross over into housekeeper responsibilities like vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and washing dishes. Occasionally I will load the dishwasher and switch over the laundry during quiet times, but my passion and education are more focused on directly caring for parents and babies.

I understand how difficult it can be to find and hire professionals for various services- like housecleaning, especially in the postpartum period. I offer the option for parents who are utilizing my services for at least 2 weeks, to add on 1-2 hours of cleaning at the end of my shift for $50 an hour, once per week. This can include taking care of laundry, doing the dishes, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, changing bed sheets, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and simple organization. Please note this offer is based on availability and some weeks I may not have extra hours to offer towards cleaning.

Absolutely! Postpartum doulas need to complete lactation training, but I went one step further and attended a 45 hour training to become a certified Lactation Educator. I can help you learn baby hunger cues, proper latching, different breastfeeding positions, and discuss what to look for to make sure baby is getting enough milk. If there is something beyond my scope of practice, I can refer you to a local IBCLC.

Postpartum mood disorders and postpartum mental health in general, is something that I care deeply about. As someone who has experienced a mix of postpartum mood disorders myself, I make it a habit to discuss mental/emotional health with each one of my clients EVERY shift. I can provide a mental health self-assessment and discuss possible needs for further professional services as well.

I charge $45 per hour for postpartum doula services. There is an additional $10 per hour charge for multiples and an additional travel fee for destinations further than 12 miles from downtown Vancouver WA. My 5-hour childbirth class is $235 per couple with a sliding scale option for families on limited income. My sliding scale fee for classes starts at $160. I also offer an express childbirth class for folks who have birthed before and just want a refresher. The express class is 2.5 hours for $150.

It is not within the scope of practice for a postpartum doula to stay at home with your baby without a parent home. If you would like, I can accompany you and your baby to the doctor appointment and care for them during your appointment.

I work with families when baby is 0-12 weeks old. I do make an exception for babies who have a long NICU stay.

Absolutely! I love to provide information and hands-on demonstrations about proper baby feeding, changing, bathing, dressing, safe sleeping practices and soothing.

A newborn specialist mainly focuses on the care of the newborn. A postpartum doula is trained and educated to provide care for the whole family in the 4th trimester.

Depending on your symptoms, I may still come and provide support while masking up. In my services contract I discuss the importance of letting me know ASAP if someone in the household is experiencing sickness. If I am sick, or one of my children, I will provide the same courtesy and let your family know ASAP.

I am available to start postpartum services right after birth. If you hire me before birth, we will have an intake session to discuss what your postpartum needs may look like. During this time, we will decide when you would like my support to start. Meeting you at the hospital after birth for a brief check-in (usually 1 hour), if my schedule allows, is always something I offer to clients who book me before birth for at least 12 hours of support. Some clients prefer I start as soon as they are home, some prefer me to wait until the 2nd week. There are a lot of things happening to your body during the first week after birth and I find this to be a great opportunity to utilize more support.

Yes! I am a twin parent myself and am happy to provide tips and tricks I learned through personal experience!

I can help you with basic breastfeeding instruction, education, and guidance. I am not qualified to help you establish a feeding plan if your baby “needs” that. If you have a plan in place with an IBCLC then I can follow your plan when feeding baby and help you navigate that.