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What does a postpartum doula do
The time of pregnancy and birth require not only physical but also emotional high performance by the mother. And it doesn't matter whether it's your first or fourth child. Because every pregnancy and birth is individual.
The postpartum period, also known as the "baby honeymoon", is not only a time for physical recovery, but also the time for you as
a mother to find your new role; a time of arrival and getting to know each other in the now new family constellation. The postpartum period should be perceived as an equally important part of becoming a mother as pregnancy and birth itself.
As a postpartum doula, I come to you and your family at home and care for and support you in everyday life where you need it.
This way you can concentrate on your baby and your new role as a mother during this important phase of regenration and regression. These basic physical and emotional processes in the postpartum period prepare women for the transition to healthy and fulfilling motherhood, and the children and the entire family benefit from this as well.
Do you have a need?
My job as a postpartum doula
PRACITICAL SUPPORT
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Understanding your baby—learning mindful ways to care for your baby
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Caring for siblings
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Accompanying you to doctors or public offices
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Preparing nutritious meals (including grocery shopping)
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Relieving the burden of household organization
MENTAL SUPPORT
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Mindful conversations, e.g., about your birth experience or baby blues
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Relaxation exercises / stress management / slowing down
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A trusted person to talk to about concerns and uncertainties in daily life with a baby (breastfeeding, sleeping, infant care, etc.)
ADVISORY SUPPORT
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Guidance on postpartum exercises during the early postpartum period
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Sustainable diapering
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Time management
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Baby massage (guided by the mother)
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Aromatherapy for baby and mother during the postpartum period
Costs and Coverage for a Postpartum Doula
The costs for my services as a a postpartum doula may be partially or fully covered by public health insurance under certain conditions. To receive coverage, you must apply for Haushaltshilfe through your health insurance provider. The application is based on §24 h SGB V (Haushaltshilfe during pregnancy and childbirth, without co-payment) or §38 SGB V (Haushaltshilfe after birth in case of illness, with co-payment).
You are eligible for a postpartum doula (Haushaltshilfe) if the following conditions are met at the time of application:
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A doctor’s certificate of medical necessity is provided
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There is at least one child under 12 years old living in the household
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You are covered by public health insurance
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No other person in the household is available to manage the household (i.e., your partner has not applied for parental leave or vacation during this time)
Your health insurance determs individually and depending on the indiciation the scope and duration of my work as a postpartum doula with you. I will take care of the billing with the health insurance companies. You only need to sign a document confirming the time I spend with you.
If you are privately insured, then talk to your health insurance company to find out to what extent they will subsidize or cover the costs for a postpartum doula. Of course, it is also possible to pay for my services privately and thus, for example, give the parents-to-be a certain number of hours of maternity care as a gift for the birth.
Postpartum Doula Packages
For private payers, in addition to the option of booking a certain number of hours, I also offer my services as a postpartum doula in the following two packages:
Small Postpartum Care Package
includes 20 hours of postpartum care, which can be used flexibly within 28 days after delivery
Price: 899 Euro
Large Postpartum Care Package
includes 30 hours of postpartum care, which can be used flexibly within 40 days after delivery.
Price: 1249 Euro
What else is important to know?
My work as a postpartum doula does not replace the work and tasks of a midwife in the postpartum period - the medical care and assessment of mother and child. Rather, my work starts where the midwife's activities end for time and organizational reasons and is therefore an ideal complement for you for the sensitive postpartum period.
In our neighboring country the Netherlands, for example, the postpartum doula ("kraamverzorgster") is a recognized professional funded by the state to support families for a few days after birth and to care for mother and child.