Postpartum Doula Services

Nourishment & Renewal

in your first 40 days + 4th trimester

So many women and families prepare endlessly for labor and birth of their baby (rightly so!), but have unrealistic expectations of their postpartum time.

“I didn’t know breastfeeding would be so hard…it’s one of the hardest things I’ve EVER done in my life!”

“I thought the support I lined up for myself would be enough, I thought we could do more on our own!”

“My digestion is so weak! Nothing I eat seems to satify my hunger! On top of it all…my diet is terrible! I’m craving SWEETS so much!”

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There is a toxic "bounce-back" myth that directs much of our culture's approach to the postpartum time period, that nobody is benefiting from!

In the United States, about 1 in 9 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. (Additionally, postpartum depression estimates vary by state, and can be as high as 1 in 5 women.) When you take into account that in this country, about 25 percent of moms are back at work within two weeks of giving birth, it’s no wonder we are seeing major mental health issues in moms.

Its time we re-embrace key aspects of ancient wisdom traditions by coming together to support women during and after birth.

My Approach

Ayurvedic & Universal Wisdom Traditions

My approach is grounded in principles found across spiritual and secular traditions, from ancient wisdom teachings to the latest research in neuroscience.

Compassionate, Non-judgemental Support

You will feel supported in your choices, and be encouraged to meet your own goals as a new mother.

Village-Building Coach + Cheerleader

It's my goal to support you to courageously and creatively continue to build your own village of support.

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"In Western countries the notion of a “resting period” after childbirth is deemed an extravagant and self-indulgent act by a mother.

I find this generalized opinion to be uninformed, outdated and baseless when there is an overabundance of statistics indicating some of the highest rates of postpartum-related illnesses belong to high-income or developed countries, such as the United States."

Valerie Lynn, author of The Mommy Plan: Restoring Your Post-pregnancy Body Naturally, Using Women’s Traditional Wisdom

Benefits of a Post-Partum Doula

Reduced rates of post-partum mood disorders
Quicker physical and emotional wellbeing and recovery
Higher chance of breastfeeding success and supply
Easier time bonding with the baby
Greater confidence, peace, and joy in the transformation to motherhood

Working Together

for a peaceful postpartum + 4th trimester

Bringing a baby into your life can be one of the happiest, and scariest moments of your life. You're meant to be supported and nourished during that transition.

VIRTUAL DOULA CARE

The biggest thing I could have changed with my own experience as a postpartum mom, was to have someone else be the brain behind the operation. Having lots of in-person support can be great, but if responsibility is scattered across a number of people things can get lost in the cracks. My role as a virtual postpartum doula is twofold:

PRE-BIRTH: Helping you vision, plan, and implement a nourishing postpartum for your whole family (Postpartum visioning workbook & planning session before baby arrives)
POST-BIRTH: Coordinate, Organize, and help you Mobilize your Village (This is the bulk of where my time spent as your postpartum “concierge”).

Organize a Meal-train or other meal delivery service (if you choose)
Help organizing a Mother Blessing Ceremony (prenatal) or a self-designed ritual for you to do with your partner
Normalize new motherhood, and refer you to the right specialist when challenges arise.
Listen non-judgmentally to your pregnancy, birth, and post-partum experiences
Transcend the expert and advice paradigm, by supporting your own intuition and beliefs around current parenting trends.
Phone and Text support for any questions or concerns at no additional charge (between 9-5pm M-F, for 1-year Postpartum)

VIRTUAL DOULA CARE WITH IN-HOME ADD-ON OPTIONS

In-home Massage Therapy
Private Yoga Class online or in-person

IN PERSON DOULA CARE

But what happens on a visit? Miriam will help out with any and all of the following—rather than a set list of duties, she’ll step in where you need her:

Helping you vision, plan, and implement a nourishing postpartum for your whole family (Postpartum visioning workbook & planning session before baby arrives)
Food preparation and nourishing meals (Ayurvedic Postpartum Food upon request)
Ayurvedic Warm-Oil Bodywork (NOT deep-tissue massage, save that for a few weeks!)
Belly Binding & Womb-Steams
Instruction on baby massage
Grocery shopping (funds to be provided by client in advance)
Organize a Meal-train or other meal delivery service (if you choose)
Feeding/Breastfeeding support
Create solutions for home organization to make your home a sanctuary for rest and relaxation
Help organizing a Mother Blessing Ceremony (prenatal) or a self-designed ritual for you to do with your partner
Building a resource list of medical professionals to call after the baby comes.
Refer you to other supportive professionals (as I do not take over the care of the baby, transport any member of the family or do any major house cleaning duties (beyond leaving your kitchen clean when I cook, and breaking down my massage table after bodywork treatments are administered).
Listen non-judgmentally to your pregnancy, birth, and post-partum experiences
Transcend the expert and advice paradigm, by supporting your own intuition and beliefs around current parenting trends.
Phone and Text support for any questions or concerns at no additional charge (between 9-6pm M-F, for 1-year Postpartum)

Contact me for details on packages

Important Notes on Ayurveda + Postpartum Traditions

42 days | 6 weeks | The Golden Month

My training as a postpartum doula has a strong foundation in a traditional Ayurvedic approach (India's Holistic System of Medicine). Beyond basic support you'd expect from a doula, the goal is the "Mother the new Mother" through daily warm-oil massage, gentle digestion-friendly foods, herbs and treatments for the first 2 weeks, 6 weeks postpartum, as a 42 day window of restoration that will create health and balance for the mother (and family) for the next 42 years of life.

The wisdom of focusing on complete rejuvenation for a new mother, is that we can tend to or even prevent issues that might come up in the baby, and whole family down the road.

That being said...life is busy, nuclear families are stretched thin, and often a "modified" approach is the most balanced (and realistic) approach to this delicate time in women's lives.

AYURVEDIC MASSAGE & FOODS

This style of massage is NOT a deep tissue massage. (though I'm happy to do some nice deep shoulder massage for those nursing arms!) Ayurvedic Massage is a part of a holistic system of traditional medicine. The theory behind a postpartum approach in Ayurveda is that after birth, the mothers body is in deep need for nourishing foods, touch, sounds, sights, and environments in order to heal. It is not the time to begin a strenuous exercise plan or getting right back to work (even regular household tasks).

UNIVERSAL QUALITIES in POSTPARTUM TRADITIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE

These ancient practices from India mimic qualities that are found in postpartum traditions from cultures all around the world.

In her book, The First 40 Days, Heng Ou points to the qualities she found cross-culturally in many postpartum traditions: Rest, Retreat, Warmth, Support, and Ritual.

My approach to care has a strong foundation in making healthy vegetarian foods designed specifically for the postpartum body, mind, and spirit.

But most importantly, I will support you to embrace your own cultural traditions and access your inner wisdom to make the self-care and parenting decisions that feel best to you.