Skip to main content

Is a postpartum doula really necessary?

Giving birth to your precious little human is one of the most amazing and tiring experiences of your life. You get home and then what? Where’s the instruction manual that’s supposed to come with the child? Well, you can have one in the form of a postpartum doula.

No matter what kind of birth you have, a postpartum doula can be a fantastic addition to your at-home care and recovery. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first bundle of joy or fifth — a postpartum doula can blend into your routine however you need them to. We can help you figure out if a postpartum doula will work for your family.

Related Videos
A mother holding her new born baby.

The basics of a postpartum doula

Not all doulas are trained in postpartum care. A birth doula is there for the pregnancy and birth, but a postpartum doula is a bit different.

What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is there for emotional, physical, and informational support during the recovery process after having a baby. If you’re thinking assistant to the manager (that’s you), then you’re on the right track.

How much do postpartum doulas charge?

This one is a bit tricky to answer, as it varies by state and according to the amount of experience the doula has. You will have to research your state to find the exact price.

Cost ranges

  • Starting rates between $500 to $800
  • More experienced ones can cost up to $2,500 to $3,000 (and higher)
  • Doulas still getting their certificate can start at $20 per hour

Does insurance cover a postpartum doula?

  • Depends on your insurance
  • Not all costs will be covered

Coverage varies by your insurance company. Call and ask right away to see if any postpartum doula services are covered. But even if your insurance says yes, you may not be refunded the full amount. Use this detailed explanation by Holistically Loved for insurance reimbursement tips.

How long do postpartum doulas stay?

These are your fourth-trimester companions. For the first six to twelve weeks after you bring your baby home, a postpartum doula is there to help. You can even hire overnight postpartum doulas.

Why you shouldn’t hire a postpartum doula

Let’s go over some of the main reasons you might not want a postpartum doula by your side when you bring your baby home. Or why you think you don’t want one.

The cost

With or without insurance, the additional cost of having a postpartum doula may not fit your budget. But having a baby is expensive no matter what isn’t it?

You have no idea what a postpartum doula is

Have you even heard of a postpartum doula? Maybe you only knew about doulas that help with the birth.

It’s your second (or third or fourth) kid

You’re an old pro and don’t think having the extra support is worth it. That’s reasonable.

You just don’t want one

You’re the parent. If that means no doula, then that means no doula.

You feel guilty

That mom guilt can be a powerful thing. Thinking you have to do it all on your own can stop you from looking into getting a postpartum doula.

An adorable newborn baby sleeping with their arms above their head.

Why you would want to hire a postpartum doula

There are many benefits to having a postpartum doula with you in those first weeks of bringing home a baby. Let’s go over the highlights.

You want to sleep

You can take a nap anytime you need to and if the baby cries, the doula can oversee things.

There are other little humans in the house

If there are siblings involved, trying to divide your time can be impossible. You can let the postpartum doula either take on the siblings or take on the baby so no one lacks attention.

Light housework/laundry/chores

The moment you have a child in the house, all of the housework seems to be three weeks behind. Your postpartum doula can help keep the house tidy.

Other great reasons to have a postpartum doula

  • Time to run errands
  • Breastfeeding support (or feeding in general)
  • Can help with meals/meal prep

New moms with a postpartum doula also

  • Have lower anxiety
  • Have less stress
  • Have a lower rate of postpartum depression (or less intense symptoms)
  • Sleep better (and the baby does, too)
  • Are more secure and confident in their parenting decisions

How to pick a postpartum doula

Always do your research. This person will be in your house, around your family, and in your life.

  • Check references
  • Do interviews — ask what duties they’re comfortable with doing and not doing
  • Check credentials and certifications
  • Know all costs – pay by the hour or for the duration wanted and get it in print

This person will provide assistance and support. They should help – not make you feel even crazier after having a baby.

A smiling newborn baby in front of smiling parents.

Is a postpartum doula for you?

If you can afford it, a postpartum doula can be a huge help. Especially if you happen to tick a few boxes.

A postpartum doula would be beneficial if:

  • You don’t have friends and family nearby
  • Your partner can’t take time off work
  • You have other kids to take care of
  • You’re scared and unsure about caring for your first (or any) baby
  • You’re prone to stress, anxiety, or depression
  • You just want a support person on your side no matter what

So, is a postpartum doula worth it? If you have the financial means, find an experienced one, and want additional support, then yes — it can be absolutely worth it. Adjusting to the new, tiny, screaming, beautiful creature you just brought home can be a bit much. If you have the right postpartum doula with you, you can feel like your head is on a little straighter and enjoy those cries instead of wanting to join in with them.

Editors' Recommendations

What is normal teen sexual behavior? We’ve got answers to help you understand your teenager
Read this to find out if your teen's sexual behavior is "normal"
Two teenagers on a date outside

What can parents actually expect when their kids turn into teens and start exploring their sexuality? It can be an uncomfortable subject, but being educated about typical sexual development and what your teen may be hearing from their peers is important to make sure you can talk openly with your child about protection, consent, risk reduction, and other issues.
Teens will be talking about sex and exploring this new part of their lives eventually and it's perfectly natural. Having your head in the sand won't make it go away, so the information below will prepare you with information to tackle this new stage of parenting.

Puberty
The onset of puberty is what can start the beginning of this stage of life for teens, but it doesn't mean they're ready for sex; just that they may start experiencing sexual thoughts like crushes or urges like feeling aroused. On average, puberty begins between ages 8 and 14.

Read more
Going through the IVF process? Here’s what to expect
Ready for the IVF process? The steps and expectations from start to finish
A woman undergoing an ultrasound

Because of modern science, the birds and the bees aren’t precisely what they used to be. The rise of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has given parents ways of conceiving besides intercourse.

More than 8 million babies have been born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) since its inception in 1978 and 2018. In 2019, more than 83,000 babies were born via ART, according to CDC data. It’s unclear how many of those were from the IVF process, but the CDC notes it’s the most common form of ART.

Read more
5 things you should never say to a pregnant woman
She's already cranky, puffed, and exhausted. Please don't make it worse with these common questions for pregnant women
Pregnant married woman standing in a floral gown

These lists are sometimes hard to compile because of the beautiful complexity and differences between women. What may be offensive to one may be exactly what another needs to hear. Women, particularly pregnant women, are multidimensional, deeply thinking, individualistic human beings, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" list that applies to everyone.
However, there does seem to be an invisible boundary of privacy that drops when a woman is expecting a child. In a time when she is very likely uncertain, nervous, and potentially bombarded with any number of questions, swimming in a pool of nerves, people think this is the time to invade her space.
Most of these are well-intentioned questions, habitual, even. Rightfully so, people are excited and happy at the sight of a pregnant woman, and sometimes in that joy, manners can slip. It's important to keep in mind that many women -- particularly the more introverted ones -- are uncomfortable with all the new attention they're probably receiving. For the women who don't relish having these conversations with their family members, friends, hairstylists, and strangers in the produce section, these questions can be very awkward. Keep reading to find out the things you should never say to a pregnant woman.

'Are you going to breastfeed?'
This one is usually said with an air of haughtiness that also says, "It is the best choice, you know. Any mother who doesn’t breastfeed is just the absolute worst and shouldn’t be allowed to have children if only because of her shocking selfishness."
Ladies (and gentlemen), think about this one for a moment. While, as mentioned above, your intentions are undoubtedly lovely and kind, you may very well be deeply offending the already uncomfortable pregnant woman you’re talking to. Take into consideration that there are many reasons her answer to this question may be (gasp) "No."
Perhaps she has a medical issue that prevents her from breastfeeding. Perhaps she has a deeply rooted psychological reason she’s chosen not to. Perhaps she just feels icky about the whole thing, and despite her best efforts, just can’t move past it. Whatever the reason, she already knows breastfeeding is the healthiest and “best” option without you telling her so.
She doesn’t need to know that it’s what you did and that your babies were just healthy little horses. She doesn’t need to hear that feeding her precious, unborn baby formula is the equivalent of feeding it Tang instead of freshly squeezed orange juice. She’s thought about her choice more than you have; whatever that choice is, it's really none of your business.

Read more