Would we have hired a postpartum doula?

--by Rachael Sudhalter

"Don't worry, about a thing. Cause every little thing, gonna be alright."

This phrase was sung over and over at our house ever since our son was born. I don't know if it was to calm him--or us--down at 2 am after being awake for who knows how long. This song became our mantra, our life boat and eventually, we believed it. 

At the time, we knew of birth doulas, but thought that we had that covered. After all, we went to the birthing class the hospital provided. We also took a "caring for your baby" class through the hospital, too. My mother-in-law is a nurse, my father-in-law was a great food preparer, and my best friend was near by. We had a support system in place.  

That was seven years ago. The other day, I asked my husband if knowing what he knows now, would he have hired a birth and a postpartum doula.

Immediately, he said "YES!" There are things your family can provide that a doula can't, and there are things that a doula can provide that your family can't.

​When you are running on no sleep, having a person around to sing Bob Marley to you at 2 am as she tucks you in bed with a cup of tea is worth every penny.