Although I love working as a birth doula and childbirth educator and have received great feedback from clients, I am most experienced in postpartum support. I have provided it since 2009, when I started volunteering in La Leche League. Since then, I have supported hundreds of women (as a volunteer and as a doula) in the early postpartum period to help them adjust to life with the newborn baby, establish lactation and get breastfeeding off to a good start, process any birth experiences they need to process and brainstorm ideas for quicker birth recovery and easier motherhood. Currently, all my postpartum support services are through Vita Nova Medical Center.
Postpartum support
Here are some examples of how I can help you during this period:
- We can be in touch from day 1, when you are still in the hospital, so I can virtually provide breastfeeding support from the very beginning of your breastfeeding journey. This usually happens via messaging. Of course, you may contact me at any point after the birth. I have supported mothers not only in the early days, but also much later, including during weaning.
- When we meet in person or online, we will work on positioning and latch on and any breastfeeding issues: e.g. baby weight gain, poop and pee, pumping, dealing with engorgement, establishing a good milk supply, water, teas, supplements… Basically anything you have questions and concerns about.
- We can go over your birth experience. If you need, we will discuss all your emotions about it. Sharing about your experience and how you feel about it (and why!) is truly important.
- We can discuss what postpartum physical recovery usually looks like and how you are recovering so far
- I can provide non-medical information about taking care of a healthy newborn (bathing, clothing, walks, burping, babywearing… what is normal and what you should pay attention to.
- We may try to optimize your daily rhythm with your baby.
- I usually ask what mom eats and drinks during the day (and night) and offer easy meal ideas.
- I can make suggestions and referrals to various specialists if necessary.
- I can hold the baby while you shower or eat a meal with both hands if you like
- … and much more, depending on each mother’s individual needs and situation.
Postpartum support options
You can choose between a home visit (120 BGN / 90 min), a meeting at Vita Nova medical center (90 BGN / 90 min) or an online consultation (90 BGN / 90 min). With each of these options you also get 7 days of chat follow up. After our initial meeting, you can schedule a shorter follow up consult for 60 BGN / 60 min. That includes 5 days of follow up through chat. Please contact me with any questions and for making an appointment.
One postpartum visit is included in all my doula support packages. If you are already my doula client, I will contact you once or twice twice after the birth to make sure you are adjusting well and to answer any questions you may have. We will arrange to meet for an hour (in person or online) and talk about any needs you may have.
Please have in mind that…
I certainly do not want to add unnecessary stress to you life. So please do not vacuum, do the dishes or tidy up before I arrive. Make sure you use all opportunities you have to rest and sleep. I really do not care about when you last washed your hair… What is important to me is that you are adapting to (new) motherhood and are bonding with your baby.
I love it when I show up and find mother and baby cuddling on the couch, sofa, or bed, in their most comfortable clothes, with mom’s favorite drink or snack nearby 🙂
Postpartum support is important!
In Bulgaria, you after an uncomplicated birth, you only see your doctor once, a few weeks after being released from the hospital. But in reality you are quite likely to need much more support.
During this time, you are establishing feeding and bonding with the new baby. You may also expect to be running on a roller coaster of emotions. Body changes may confuse you; sleep deprivation is also no joke. You have to take care of your own nutrition needs, your psychological well-being, and organize all the usual daily tasks that need taking care of.
Knowing that you are not alone and having the support of a postpartum doula can provide a lot of relief and reduce the stress of this period.