Postnatal Doula Service - Whole Living with Elizabeth Santos

What is a Postnatal Doula?

Hi, I’m Elizabeth, a Postnatal Doula based in the Adelaide hills and foothills (Hawthorndene) in Adelaide Australia.

So just what is a postnatal doula?

Quite simply the word ‘doula’ means to serve, or a servant.

A postnatal doula is different to a birth doula. A birth doula is someone who helps during birth. A postnatal doula in contrast is someone who helps after birth with meals, warm hugs, non-judgemental support, belly binding, gentle oil massage, village-building, child care for older children, and creation of nourishing meals to help you heal from the inside after the enormous job of giving birth to your beautiful child.

Typically in other cultures, family or a postnatal doula will work very closely with you (once a week or more) in the first 6 weeks of the postnatal period when you are the most vulnerable and your body and mind feel soft and in need of extra care! As a mother myself, I know that you will still need help after this time, and my services extend to the end of the ‘fourth trimester’ which is 12 weeks postpartum.

How can a Postnatal Doula Help?

A postnatal doula is someone who you can rely on. Someone you know won’t overstay their welcome or leave you a mess. Someone who won’t offer unwelcome advice or judgement. Someone who will bring you gently back to yourself when you feel uncertain, or unsure on your journey into motherhood. A confidante. A warm hug. A smile from a woman who just knows. Intuitive support when you need it most. The services I can provide are listed below. The Home Support pack can be tailored to your special needs. Don’t want the massage? I’ll bring extra meals. Don’t need help with older siblings? I’ll tidy or help with basic cleaning or food prep instead. See below for more details and please contact me for a tailored postnatal solution that feels good to you.

What Are You Most Afraid of?

While this may be a bold, somewhat intense question the truth is that when it comes to having a baby, and recovering well – looking your fears in the face is incredibly powerful. Perhaps you had birth trauma last time around and experienced postnatal depression (and don’t wish for that to happen again.) Maybe you were geographically isolated with baby number one and desperately longed for the support of loving family and friends in the days weeks and months after birth. Perhaps this is your first baby and you are worried about too much interference or control from a well meaning mother or mother-in-law. Whatever the case, sitting down with a postnatal doula and talking through these things intimately during pregnancy before baby comes can go a long way towards setting the stage for peace, harmony, and just the right kind of support for you and your new little family in the postnatal period.

Postnatal Home Support Package

$1700 (+GST)

Includes:

Total 7 Visits

Visits are 1.5 hours each

Includes 1x visit during pregnancy for planning

6x visits during the postnatal period (valid up to 3 months post baby)

Visits may include:

Prenatal Support to help you build your village, educate your caregivers and family on your needs and requests, encouragement to ask for help, planning of a Blessing Way (different to conventional baby showers)
Cooking In-Home in your own kitchen, Nourishing Meals for Newborn Mothers delivered maximum 2 meals per week. Select from a set menu of recipes – soups, snacks and one pot meals.
Postnatal Massage In-Home for head, neck, shoulders, back, hands and/or feet for relaxation and healing, lowering of cortisol and elevation of oxytocin the ‘bonding’ hormone
Naturopathic Consultation to assess nutrient requirements, postpartum supplementation routine for prevention of postnatal depletion (supplements at additional cost)
Belly binding to enhance recovery of tummy muscles and connective tissue with or without traditional herbs at your discretion
Childcare of older siblings while you shower, nap or take care of important life admin
Referral to health professionals as indicated – lactation consultation, paediatrician, GP, women’s health physiotherapist, psychologist
Gift Pack including head massager, herbal teas, Postpartum cookbook and other goodies to be sent to you upon full payment of fee.

Additional visits if requested to be charged at $180 per hour.

Please note I do not offer a birth doula service but can refer you on, or help you to develop relationships within your own circle (partner, sister, friend, mother) so that you have a doula whom you already know and feel super comfortable with present at your birth.

Relevant Qualifications

Postnatal Doula – Newborn Mothers Collective 2018

Physiotherapist – University of South Australia 2006

Naturopath, Nutritionist & Western Herbalist – Endeavour College of Natural Health 2014

Pregnancy Massage Therapist – Pregnancy Massage Australia 2016

Senior First Aid – Current

Police Check – Current