DONA Certified Postpartum Doula support

The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek, meaning "a woman who serves.”

The Postpartum Doula's Role in Maternity Care

Life with a new baby or babies doesn’t have to be overwhelming. DONA International’s postpartum doulas help families nestle in and find their groove. Studies show that this kind of support can help in the following ways:

  • help reduce postpartum mood disorders

  • improve breastfeeding success

Who is DONA?

Doulas Of North America (DONA) was formally founded in 1992 by pioneers who wanted to rediscover the essential ingredient of support in labor and postpartum. The organization was the first of its kind to both train and certify the non-medical birth support of doulas and marked the start of professional doulas on a nationwide basis. It was DONA that lobbied to have the word doula added to the dictionary back in 2003!

What is involved when you hire a postpartum doula?

After you have completed three trimesters of growing your babe in the womb the fourth trimester of weaning from that life takes a lot of support. Every family in this transitional time has unique needs and gets to say who has a front row pass. Even if you have a great village a postpartum doula can be a vital piece in meeting your breastfeeding goals, having a validating sounding board, a walking rolodex for referrals, a gentle guide to those precious early days of infant care, and meeting all the new demands in life. Our goal is to come alongside your family and give support until you have strong footings to stand on your own.

Why is doula work important?

One of DONA’s founder’s, Penny Simkin, asks, ““How will she remember this?” This question drives doulas to validate and support mothers every step of the way. We not only support mothers but father, siblings, and even pets through the transitional period of the fourth trimester.

What all services do we offer?

We do a prenatal consultation to ensure the family and doula are a good fit. This meeting should include the doula meeting all the family members, seeing your home, and learning of your desired outcomes. We strive to deliver unbiased evidenced based supportive information and referrals as needed. The two most imperative pieces to having an infant in your care is feeding them and safe sleep. We offer companionship through breastfeeding and know when it is time to go up the latter for more specialized help. Our visits are 3-4 hours a couple times a week for the first few weeks then wean to the family’s needs. We are paid hourly and our services do not extend past the third month of life. Bailey Training and Support separately does CPR training, click here for more info.

  • "As a first time mom, I had all of the emotions that one would expect for such a grand, new experience. I was excited, anxious, but also nervous. Having Missy in our corner early in the process eased a lot of that anxiety. She gave us the reassurance/confidence to tackle each new phase, and it was invaluable to have the support of my emotional/mental wellbeing. I can honestly say we have had great success with breastfeeding, and much of that success we attribute to having had Missy guiding us. Having Missy throughout the process was one of the best decisions we made! She is not only a great person, but now a friend."

    Jessica H

Other Services we offer with doula care

  • COMING SOON-Grandparents: Getting Started Class

    Grandparents: Getting Started is designed to prepare mature members of your community to become caregivers. Taught by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors, participants will learn how to provide the best and safest care for their grandchildren.

    We will discuss child development, child care duties, behavior management, injury prevention, first aid, choking, and CPR.

    Request A Class

  • The Family & Friends CPR

    The Family & Friends CPR Course teaches lifesaving skills to the community without issuing a card.

    Adult hands-only CPR, adult CPR with breaths, child CPR with breaths, adult and child AED use, infant CPR, and mild and severe airway block for adults, children, and infants.

    Request A Class