This is a fictional story written to represent what an overnight postpartum shift looks like. Enjoy!
Steven and Susan first heard about postpartum doulas from a close friend of theirs who hired one when their baby was a month old after some seriously tumultuous nights! Wanting to get ahead of the game, when Susan became pregnant with baby Johnny, the couple was excited to meet with and hire a doula for the postpartum period. The parents met with two agency postpartum doulas, Kate and Felicity, to discuss their hopes and goals for parenting as well as anticipated needs from their doulas.
After birth, the parents were adjusting to their new normal with a baby as Susan was working through some pain from her episiotomy and Steven needed to prepare for going back to work full time. When very little sleep, an overwhelming list of chores, and the newness of having a baby hit them, the parents realized it was time to call in their doulas! They scheduled two days and one overnight for the next three weeks to get their feet wet with their doula.
Little Johnny has really been struggling with breastfeeding and getting a good latch and Susan is exhausted from very little sleep at night. Tonight, doula Kate will be coming for their first overnight.
“Hi Smith family! How is everyone? How was your day?” An immediate sense of calm falls over the house as the parents realize they don't have to go through this night alone.
Steven chimes in “Everything is going pretty well, we’re exhausted but loving this parenting thing! How have you been?”
After a little small talk, Kate gets right to work helping clear the table from dinner and assisting Susan with positioning Johnny on the couch for his feeding!
“I’ve been having some discomfort with my episiotomy and I think I may need to call the doctor and make an appointment. I feel like I can’t sit in specific ways without being really uncomfortable. Also, it’s been difficult getting little Johnny to latch.” Susan says.
“I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with those things. Let me get you in a better position and we can talk about tips and tricks to help with breastfeeding and to heal that tissue while you are at home. If you are needing to go to an appointment, I'm happy to go with you during our day shift to watch the baby so they can take care of you!”
The women continue discussing ways that Susan can better take care of herself when Steven comes in and offers up some of his concerns as well.
“So how does this whole night shift thing work exactly? Is it going to be weird having a stranger walk around our house all night?”
Kate says, “It seems like you have some reservations about my being here. Let’s talk about what I will be doing while you both get some shut eye!”
“Yes, please!” Steven replies.
“To begin with, after I take the baby for the night to a separate room, you will go to yours and the two of you will get ready for and go to bed!” The parents looked at each other and smiled. “I will calm, change, swaddle, and feed little Johnny and help him fall asleep,” Kate explains. “Since, as we discussed before, you are fine with me using a syringe, spoon, cup, dropper, or bottle with a breast shaped design, I will use one of those to feed Johnny. And instead of one or both of you waking every 2-3 hours, it will be me. I will go through the routine again and again as Johnny wakes through the night, making sure to comfort him the whole time.” Steven and Susan both started feeling more at ease.
“Since Susan is breastfeeding and I want to support her journey as well as her supply, if you,” Kate was talking to Susan now, “have any questions in the middle of the night while you are pumping, or if you need anything at all, please just text or call me I will be right there. Also, if there are a few simple and quiet tasks I can do before laying down myself, I will be glad to do those to make tomorrow a little easier.” Kate finishes with, “Is there anything else you have questions about?”
Susan responds, “That all sounds so amazing! I knew I would get more sleep with having a doula around during the night, but I didn’t know everything it entailed. This is a dream come true.” Steven agreed.
Written by: Annisa Foster; Postpartum Doula
