When Should You Hire a Postpartum Doula?
Planning for a baby can feel never-ending, often beginning even before conception. You spend so much time preparing physically, emotionally, and logistically for a new family member. At every step, there’s a CVS receipt-length list of to-dos (and to-don’ts) to tackle in a relatively short amount of time. With so much focus on preparing for the baby, preparation for your recovery can easily fall behind or even be forgotten altogether.
During my certification training with BADT (Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings), we each read Build Your Nest: A Postpartum Planning Workbook by Kestrel Gates. It’s an incredible guide that helps pregnant people plan for various aspects of postpartum life. The workbook uses a choose-your-own-adventure style approach, encouraging you to envision postpartum the way you want it, while also creating space to prepare for the unknowns.
As a postpartum doula, I’m often contacted by families who have already welcomed their baby, sometimes weeks into postpartum, looking for support. While I’ve occasionally been available, more often I’m already fully booked. It’s truly difficult to tell someone I can’t be there when they need help. So if you’re wondering when a good time is to start planning for postpartum support, here are a few tips:
Begin your search early, ideally around the second trimester. The second trimester is often a sweet spot. By then, you’re (hopefully) feeling a bit more settled into your pregnancy, and there’s still time ahead for planning. Postpartum doulas, especially those offering overnight support, tend to book out months in advance. Starting your search early gives you time to interview doulas, gather referrals, and find the right fit. On the doula’s side, many of us limit the number of clients we take on each month to ensure we can offer the quality of care and flexibility every family deserves. Beginning the search early can help ensure you feel good about your support provider.
“What if I’m already postpartum?” First of all, you’re not alone, and you haven’t done anything wrong. Life is unpredictable, and postpartum planning often happens in real time. Finding quality support is still possible. Reach out to friends, family, local providers, and any doulas you come across who might be a good fit. Casting a wide net to source the support you need is exactly what community care is about.
Remember, you are not just looking for available help, but for someone who is there to support your needs. Postpartum doula care goes beyond infant care; they are there for the whole family unit. Doulas offer any combination of infant care and guidance, practical household help, and emotional support. The goal is to create a postpartum experience that feels grounded, supported, and centered on your well-being. When you begin your search early, you give yourself the best opportunity to find someone who aligns with the support needs of you and your family.
In conclusion, if you're currently pregnant, consider this your nudge to start exploring postpartum support. And if you're already postpartum and reading this, know that it’s never too late to reach out. You deserve support, whenever and however it finds you.
