Doulas can be of two types – the mid-wife who assists in the birth of your baby and the doula who performs all the non-midwifery related work. Most of this work occurs post-partum and begins from the day of the baby’s birth. The doula’s work begins with providing care to the new mother back at home. This will include cooking nutritious food for the feeding mother, help with breast-feeding, looking after the newborn so that the mother gets some rest, especially in the case of cesareans. The doula’s duties sometimes extends to running small errands for the family as well as housekeeping, however the emphasis is always on the care of the mother and child.

Doula care can last from six weeks to almost a year depending on the mother and child. A doula stays on in the case of the mother developing post-partum depression, or the birth of children with special needs or also in the case of multiple births. A doula also helps a new mother and her family get used to having a baby in the house and looking after it.

You can ask for your mid-wife or your doctor on means to finding a good doula. There are several registered organizations where you can find some good caretakers. Doulas are available on a variety of time schedules. You can have those who come in 9 to 5 or those who visit during a fixed time of the day. You will get doulas who work evening shifts and are willing to stay overnight.

Post-partum doulas are not really medically trained. What they do have is a lot of experience in handling newborns and easing the transition into parenthood for the new parents. Doulas are especially useful for those couples who live far away from home and have no access to post-partum help. A doula will help you keep your home in order, put a hot meal on the table and give you, the new parents’ time to bond with the new child. She will also help you with all the queries and worries that you may have initially.

Once you have narrowed down a set of doulas to interview, you could ask them about the training and experience they have had. Do ask for references and check on the quality of work. Find out what her fee will cover and any jobs that she feels is out of her purview. Check with her on her availability on the chances that you deliver early. Also assess her in terms of her persona, energy as well as demeanor.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IeKSmVM7jo