Find a Postpartum Doula in Gaithersburg, MD

Doulas on Meela are certified, client-recommended, and vetted by licensed medical practitioners. Find one near you.

Create a free account, and we'll bring top doulas to you.

Get started

1,000+ childbirth experts

Client recommended, 97% 5-star reviews

Vetted by licensed medical practitioners

Verified client testimonials

Why Use Meela to Hire Your Postpartum Doula?

Meela is the trusted place for parents to find top-rated postpartum doulas, connecting over 1,700 parents with vetted doulas each month. Reach out to postpartum doulas directly, or answer a few questions and let us bring you the best available options near you. All for free, no strings attached.

Certified, Expert-Vetted Postpartum Doulas Near You

Our postpartum doulas are the best of the best and hold the highest standards of evidence-based, inclusive, and compassionate care. Each verified doula on Meela is vetted by a licensed medical professional and comes with multiple client recommendations, active certifications, and has extensive training and experience in perinatal care.

Found 15 Pros in Gaithersburg, MD, USA | Postpartum doula support
EXPERIENCE
0 50
Families served
0 3500
Birth fee
$0 $7500
HOURLY RATE
$0 $500
$ flexible
img

Samantha Dandridge

MD

0 reviews • 80 families supported • 4 years experience

0 reviews • 80 families supported • 4 years experience

Hi! I’m Samantha. I’ve been a Doula for 4 1/2 years. I’m a mom to 2 beautiful girls. Currently in school to become an RN and midwife! I stepped into doula work after I assisted a colleague with her birth hours. The difference between my first and second birth was HUGE! I suffered with postpartum depression, I was a single mom and dealt with birth trauma. My second, my doula made my experience top notch! That’s when I knew where I belonged. I’m able to support both ends of the birth world, I’m able to understand both spectrums of the birth world. I’m here to ensure that you’re well educated and supported through pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum. I love to have a great connection with my clients so they can feel safe, heard and protected during my time with their family. We can sing, dance and cry together while we go through the journey of your birth story!

Care philosophy

To ensure every birthing family is educated, supported, and advocated for adequately. To ensure unless medically necessary each families birth story is the outcome!

Areas served

  • DC
  • MD
  • VA
$ flexible
img img

Ashley Janey

Catonsville, MD

3 reviews • 46 families supported • 3 years experience

3 reviews • 46 families supported • 3 years experience

From the moment you are in my care, I welcome open communication, including weekly or bi-weekly health/mental/emotional support check-ins via email, text, call, or video. We will go over any medical information pertinent to your pregnancy and birth, and also talk about your physical health. I want my moms to be strong, healthy, and confident as they began transitioning into parenthood. There is an option of one 2 hour, or two 1 hour prenatal appointments. These appointments are for Q &A, birth planning/nursery walk-through, and birth rehearsal demonstrating optimum birthing positions for pain management. I ask to be notified when you believe true labor has begun. Please notify me when going to the hospital for birth. I am with my families from the moment they either call me to their side, until an hour after delivery. I stay after delivery to ensure both mother and baby are healthy. Our time together concludes with a postpartum follow-up 10 days after the birth, virtually or in-person. Even when our time has ended, I always welcome communication of any kind, be it a parental question, emotional guidance, or a picture update!

Care philosophy

My life is centered on my longing to help others. I believe being trusted with the care of a family, a mother, and baby is a gift. As a Birth Doula, I will support your inherent wisdom to give birth. I will support you in a way that allows and encourages you to achieve your goals and desires for your birth. My goal is to create a space of peace and confidence when it's time to meet your baby.

Areas served

  • Laurel, MD
  • Washington, DC
  • Silver Spring, MD
  • Annapolis, MD
  • Greenbelt, MD
  • Rockville, MD
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Bowie, MD
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Timonium, MD
  • Towson, MD
  • Upper Marlboro, MD

Reviews

  • Ashenia
    March 18, 2023 at 2:40 pm | Peer review

    Ashley is a very professional, nurturing and has a wealth of knowledge that includes but isn’t limited to labor, birth, postpartum, and nutrition. Her clients are her priority. She shows how much she cares through her attentiveness to her clients. She really listens so that she can present all options available. She truly cares about Moms having the best birthing experience possible. Anyone would be lucky to have her as apart of their birthing journey!

img img

Chanele Ramos

MD

3 reviews • 27 families supported • 5 years experience

3 reviews • 27 families supported • 5 years experience

I’m a mother of 3 teenagers. A grandmother to an almost 1 year old granddaughter and a surrogate mother to two sets of twin boys. I’ve always loved everything about pregnancy, birth, and babies. Years ago I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse. That didn’t work out. So in 2017 after having my first surrogate twins I learned about doulas and I realized that I could still do what I love, but as a doula instead. It took me time to start my agency. On September 1, 2021 I launched Love and Light Doula Agency. I offer journey to parenthood support. It’s a virtual support service that guides people to parenthood. Whether they are trying to conceive through natural conception, assisted reproductive medicine, or surrogacy. I’ve personally gotten pregnant all three ways so I can offer informational and emotional support. I also offer labor support and postpartum support, and traveling labor and postpartum support.

Care philosophy

Love and Light Doula Agency empowers women to discover their own strength and create a birthing experience that is authentic to their vision and aligned with their goals.

Areas served

  • Howard county
  • Baltimore city
  • Baltimore County
  • Harford County
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George’s county
  • Washington, DC
  • Northern Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Pennsylvania
  • New York
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • Delaware

Reviews

  • Ashley
    December 15, 2022 at 2:45 pm | Peer review

    When I met Chanele, one of the first things I learned she surrogates for women. I thought, anyone that does that has to be a great doula. To share your life force and help grow a child for someone who cannot create life is probably, if not, the most self-less things to do for another human. It is always great speaking with her and exchanging/learning professional advice and knowledge.

$ flexible
img img

Lekesha Sampson

Baltimore, MD

2 reviews • 30 families supported • 15 years experience

2 reviews • 30 families supported • 15 years experience

I decided to slightly adjust my career path from a Child Care Provider to a Doula by attending IAP Career college, achieving a certificate in Doula Business Ownership with 148 hours of study, CCBC where I'm currently pursuing my pathway in Early Childhood Development and Yoga Practitioner, and Madriella Doula Network where I've acquired my certifications in Birth/Postpartum Doula work. I am continuing to take courses such as Childbirth Education, Lactation Education, and Young Parent Specialist to further my knowledge to better assist parents in need of guidance, and I plan to become a Certified Licensed Midwife in the future. Realizing that valuable information around pregnancy, birth and parenthood is commonly left out, I vow to help ease anxieties by helping new expecting parents become knowledgeable and prepared for what's to come, increasing their ability to self-advocate, make informed decisions-giving them their sense of control back, and still having that control in finding a healthy balance between taking care of themselves as well as the baby. Moms need care too!

Care philosophy

My philosophy is making sure the postpartum experience is gentle, smooth, positive and supported no matter the parenting style the parent(s) has. Postpartum support should be non-judgemental, unbiased, and not pushing beliefs on a family. It's personalized support based on what each individual family needs/wants. I want to make sure there's a smooth transition, leaving parent(s) feeling empowered.

Areas served

  • Baltimore
  • Essex
  • Columbia
  • Towson
  • Owings Mills
  • White Marsh

Reviews

  • Daisy
    October 14, 2022 at 10:35 am | Client review

    LeKesha is awesome. Would recommend to anyone looking for the support they need. She was there for me 100%

$ flexible
img img

Alyce Crockett

Takoma Park, MD

3 reviews • 50 families supported • 4 years experience

3 reviews • 50 families supported • 4 years experience

Hello families ! My name is Alyce and I am 23 years old I have been in child care industry for 9 years now. I have my CDA license, and pediatric CPR and First Aid, I am a certified birth and postpartum doula. I am childbirth educator, and certified breastfeeding counselor. I have had 3 long term nannies families in the past, which ended because I started my doula journey. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out !

Care philosophy

My Philosophy for both birth and postpartum is that it’s designed to be a very safe, natural, and peaceful process that you and your body are made to experience. Since I offer postpartum care, I will support you mentally, emotionally, and physically not only during postpartum, but pregnancy, and labor as well.

Areas served

  • Takcoma

Reviews

  • Amanda
    May 20, 2023 at 2:55 am | Client review

    Amari is our angel still is, I had Irish twins first 12-04-2021 and second 09-03-22. Amari was our doula both times and undoubtedly was the best part about my labor experience since I had a blood transfusion with both experiences and they’re both traumatic. If it wasn’t for amari I wouldn’t have survived. I am so grateful for Amari her services beyond labor when I needed the transfusion she stayed well over 6 extra hours making sure my partner and I were comfortable, ate and latched our babies both times. In any event of an unexpected outcome I would call and have Amari every time.

$ flexible
img img

Elisha Wilson

Glenn Dale, MD

3 reviews • 100 families supported • 10 years experience

3 reviews • 100 families supported • 10 years experience

Here at Divine Doula I provide the expectant parent(s) the support needed from the moment of conception until after birth. I am a Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor w/Advanced Lactation, Perinatal Nutrition Educator and Childbirth Educator.

Care philosophy

Assisting families in having the best birthing experience possible based on what you desire. Also helping families during the postpartum period, with breastfeeding and nutrition. A divine birth with a divine doula.

Areas served

  • Prince George's County, MD and Virtual
  • DMV area
  • Montgomery county, Md
  • Anne arundel county, Md
  • Howard county, md

Reviews

  • Kyara
    March 18, 2021 at 9:34 am | Client review

    Elisha is very patient and hands on with you. She makes sure you are comfortable and has your best interest in mind.

img img

Nina Butler

MD

0 reviews • 4 families supported • 4 years experience

0 reviews • 4 families supported • 4 years experience

My doula client care philosophy centers around the profound notion of supporting parents as they reclaim their sense of freedom, both physically and spiritually. Throughout the postpartum period, my mission is to guide and nurture parents on their path towards restoration, ease of mind, body, and soul, and a profound sense of comfortability. By fostering an environment of trust and empathy, I aim to empower parents to reclaim their autonomy and embrace the transformative journey of parenthood with a deep sense of spiritual connection and inner peace.

Care philosophy

My doula care philosophy is rooted in the core principles of freedom, ease, and comfortability for parents as they navigate the transformative journey of becoming a parent. I believe that every individual deserves the freedom to make informed choices regarding their parenting experience, and I'm here to provide unwavering support in those decisions.

Areas served

  • Columbia
  • Baltimore
  • Ellicott city
$ flexible
img img

Elisha Wilson

Bowie, MD

1 reviews • 100 families supported • 9 years experience

1 reviews • 100 families supported • 9 years experience

I am committed to providing exceptional birth doula support that empowers and uplifts expectant parents as they embark on their unique birthing journeys. My practice is built on a foundation of compassion, expertise, and a deep understanding of the profound transformation that childbirth brings. At Divine Doula, I believe that every birthing experience is sacred, and my mission is to ensure that each family feels nurtured, informed, and empowered throughout the process.

Care philosophy

At the heart of my care philosophy is a deep commitment to empowering birthing individuals and their partners to have a positive, informed, and transformative birthing experience. I believe that every person deserves to feel respected, supported, and heard during this pivotal moment in their lives.

Areas served

  • PG County
  • Northern Va
  • DC
  • DMV
  • Baltimore
  • Anne Arundel County
  • Howard County
  • Montgomery County
  • Charles County

Reviews

  • Erika
    September 10, 2023 at 3:26 am | Client review

    Awesome! Caring! Knowledgeable! She knows her stuff and that’s very important to us! She is down to earth and makes you feel confident and comfortable. I would definitely recommend her!

img img

Alisa Swann

MD

1 reviews • 37 families supported • 11 years experience

1 reviews • 37 families supported • 11 years experience

I started out as a home visitor for first time parents and soon discovered the world of doulas. I have been a postpartum doula for 11 years but I have been working with mothers during pregnancy and after birth for 17 years.

Care philosophy

I focus on helping new families prepare for life after birth and then provides hands on support after baby is born. I believe that planning for postpartum is crucial.

Areas served

  • Bowie
  • Bowie
  • Annapolis
  • Bethesda
  • Potomac
  • Upper Marlboro
  • Prince George's County
  • Montgomery County
  • Anne Arundle County
  • Washington DC

Reviews

  • Andrea
    April 20, 2023 at 1:31 am | Client review

    Alisa was so wonderful to my family and I during that early newborn phase with my son. As first time parents, my husband and I felt more comfortable and confident caring for our son having Alisa around for guidance. She was patient, nurturing and a joy to be around. Very quickly she became like a member of our family. I would absolutely hire her again when I decide to expand my family.

img

Jane Tierney-Beed

Greenbelt, MD

0 reviews • 7 families supported • 1 years experience

0 reviews • 7 families supported • 1 years experience

Hello! My name is Jane, and I am a birth and postpartum doula. I began my journey into birth work because I saw the need for respectful, encompassing, personalized parental support through pregnancy and postpartum. Becoming a parent or adding new life to your family is one of the most significant life transitions there is, but it isn't always easy or straightforward. I strive to facilitate a world in which you and your family feel uplifted by a village of support, not just for your new baby but for yourself too! My goal as your doula is for you to feel empowered in who you are, have the resources you need to make informed decisions for yourself, and to feel that your needs have been met with dignity and care. I want you to know that you can be your whole self with me; I welcome all the emotions that come with this transformational time. I've got your back! On a personal note, I have type one diabetes. I know that pregnancy with type one brings unique challenges and that navigating birth and postpartum with a chronic illness can bring worry and uncertainty. Whether you live with a chronic illness or not, I want you to know that you have a choice in how you give birth. Having a chronic illness or disability does not mean you must give up your agency or that your desires aren't necessary! I will work with you to ensure you have the information and confidence to advocate for yourself so that you are honored as the leader of your birth and the expert on your body! I offer prenatal, birth, and postpartum support to families of all configurations.

Care philosophy

I believe in the balance between evidence-based information and respect for your own intuition. I help ensure you have the resources and confidence to make informed, empowered decisions for yourself. You deserve to be honored as the leader of your birth experience - no matter what other conditions you may have. You know your body best! I am here to uplift you in feeling loved and cared for completely.

Areas served

  • Anne Arundel County
  • Prince George's County
  • Howard County
  • Montgomery County
  • Baltimore County
  • Washington D.C.
$ flexible
img

Keshara Cochrane

Baltimore, MD

0 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

0 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

My name is Keshara and I am a birth worker from Baltimore, MD. Returning Home was established in 2022 in response to my spiritual calling to serve my community as a birth worker and support people on their journey of bringing life into this physical world. I have been a licensed Registered Nurse since 2020 with experience working in Labor & Delivery. Witnessing the medicalization of birth fueled my passion to support families as a doula. I no longer felt aligned with working as a nurse in the hospital setting so I made the decision to transition out of that work. I currently provide services as a Full Spectrum Doula to families in the Baltimore/DC area and beyond.

Care philosophy

Returning Home is a sacred community not only for parents and other birth workers, but for anyone who desires to learn more about how to support people through pregnancy, birth, loss, and parenting. I am here to assist others with reconnecting and relearning the sacredness and natural process of birth.

Areas served

  • Baltimore city and surrounding counties
$ flexible
img img

Eliza Williams

MD

9 reviews • 20 families supported • 1 years experience

9 reviews • 20 families supported • 1 years experience

I started the delicate doula, which carries the mission to serve the ever-growing community of birthing persons by providing physical, mental and emotional support - as well as education and advocacy in order for new parents to feel confident, prepared and excited to embark on the journey of parenthood!

Care philosophy

To make a sincere connection with my client to understand where they are in their specific journey, where they feel confident and where they need assistance - and how I am able to best support them in order for their best desired outcome. I will become my clients’ personal resource and advocate for their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Areas served

  • DMV
  • Maryland, Northern, VA & Washington D.C.

Reviews

  • Tangy
    September 29, 2023 at 5:57 pm | Client review

    Eliza supported my husband and I through the birth of our first child! It was a delight to work with her from prenatal meetings to postpartum. She struck a key balance for us because she provided professional guidance while also making sure to ask us follow up questions and clarify all our intentions for the birth. We also really appreciated her consistency! She responded to all questions and requests in a timely manner.
    Eliza guided us through a tricky labor in which my waters broke but my contractions didn’t start. She kept me moving through a long battle with pitocin contractions and did an excellent job equipping my husband to be very present and confident throughout the labor. It means so much to me that in times of doubt, she reminded me of my intentions. I’ve enjoyed reflecting on my birth experience with her over the past week, celebrating the beauty of it and laughing at the unexpected moments! I pray that one day everyone would get the kind of care we received with Eliza.

$ flexible
img img

Allison Stewart

MD

2 reviews • 30 families supported • 3 years experience

2 reviews • 30 families supported • 3 years experience

I love supporting families and have done so for over 20 years. As a preschool teacher, I had the pleasure and privilege of working with families and being a part of their village. After becoming a parent myself, I wanted to support them in a new way. I decided to become a doula, which enables me to support families during one of the most exciting and life changing moments of their lives. I believe in customized care, answering questions and concerns with honest, evidence based information. My goal is to assist my clients so they can make the best decisions for their growing family and have a positive birth experience. As a new baby comes into the world, the entire family goes through a change and postpartum support can be helpful during such an exciting time. I offer both in person (in MD & DC) and virtual services, as well as monthly events and workshops designed to help support parents through pregnancy, labor, and their postpartum journeys. I even have a community for parents and their families designed to help them thrive! Find out more at letsdoulathisllc.com.

Care philosophy

I see pregnancy, birth, and the growth of a family as one of the most exciting and sacred times in our lives. As a Doula, I am privileged to assist and empower families during these life-changing experiences while helping to make them as positive and healthy as possible. I am proud and honored to offer support families virtually and in person in the Maryland and DC metro areas.

Areas served

  • Maryland
  • DC
  • Virtual support

Reviews

  • Sahira
    October 10, 2022 at 11:01 am | Client review

    Allison was helpful and a calming presence. She seeks to understand your needs and worries. A great advocate. She is a good communicator and very responsive through text.

$ flexible
img img

Heather Whitten

Ellicott City, MD

4 reviews • 20 families supported • 3 years experience

4 reviews • 20 families supported • 3 years experience

I come into full spectrum doula work after a decade of growing my own family through infertility, fostering, adoption, and IVF and documenting our life and births along the way. Showing the power, truth, and beauty of these moments through photography is truly the cornerstone of my work. Being able to facilitate a space that feels safe enough to explore all of your options and decide what's best for you and your family is something I'm very proud to be able to provide to clients from a variety of backgrounds without judgement. Education, connections to other professionals in the industry, and comforting touch are all things my care include.

Care philosophy

As a photographer and Full Spectrum Doula I document and support pregnant people no matter the outcome of their pregnancy, be it a chosen outcome or not. I work hard to build strong, meaningful connections with my clients so that they trust me in their most vulnerable moments.

Areas served

  • greater DMV area

Reviews

  • Zoe
    February 12, 2021 at 4:30 pm | Client review

    Heather was great to work with. As a first time Mom anxious about breastfeeding, she suggested a couple of wonderful resources for me that made a huge difference. She was such a champ during my 26-hour labor, providing hours and hours of counter-pressure relief during low-back contractions. She also had all the “things” to try to help, like a TENS machine, which did help for me. I felt really comfortable given Heather’s experience and knowledge and would recommend her, hands down. We’ve gone on to use her for babysitting as our daughter is growing up and she absolutely adores Heather!

$ flexible
img img

Antwanette London

MD

3 reviews • 40 families supported • 10 years experience

3 reviews • 40 families supported • 10 years experience

As a doula, I offer non medical support to mom and partner during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth and post partum. My goal is to provide comfort measures during labor and birth, allowing the experience to be non-traumatic and more comfortable for families. Helping you to understand the medical terms and procedures by expressing your right to know questions to your provider.

Care philosophy

A Christian doula offering non-judgmental services through emotional and physical support. My passion is to educate mom and families on how to advocate for themselves by providing evidence based resources. As a doula, my goal is to help keep mom and baby in a safe space by empowering the family with the necessary skills.

Areas served

  • PG county, Montgomery Co, Howard Co
  • Anne Arundel Co
  • Washington, DC
  • Virtual Platforms

Reviews

  • Latasha
    January 8, 2021 at 6:31 am | Client review

    Antwanette is absolutely amazing! We were so blessed and fortunate to have her a part of our birth experience. I felt like a “new mom” as our pregnancy was totally unexpected and our oldest daughter was 13. Her patience, professionalism, support, guidance, and knowledgeable advice made us feel content and at peace throughout the pregnancy. She was always flexible/available to answer questions and promptly meet our needs without hesitation! The calming spirit she exudes made our experience both genuine and trustworthy. When we found out we were expecting, I was filled with stress, anxiety, and the fear of starting all over 13 years later. In addition to this, I was labeled by my doctor as “high risk” due to my age. Interacting and conversing with her daily quickly decreased my stress and anxiety level. My doctor talked very fast and wanted to conduct several blood test that I was unsure and quite confused about. She sat me down and informed me about all the new blood tests while also explaining all the specifics of each test as well as my rights and options as a mother. There was nothing that I felt uncomfortable asking her. She goes above and beyond to put your mind at ease so you can focus on carrying and birthing a healthy baby. We could not imagine our birth experience without her support. I would highly recommend her to all expecting mothers. She will definitely enhance both your prenatal/postnatal birth experience.

Postpartum Doula Services: FAQs

For most parents, the transition into early parenthood is hard. Postpartum doulas in Gaithersburg, MD offer all sorts of practical, physical, informational and emotional support to new parents. Postpartum doulas in Gaithersburg, MD offer a wide range of after-birth support services, including:

  1. Caring for and assisting in the recovery of the birthing parent
  2. Providing breastfeeding and lactation support
  3. Offering advice for baby soothing, diapering and bathing
  4. Parent-baby bonding
  5. Caring for older siblings
  6. Light housework
  7. Night nannying or sleep relief services

Some parents require additional physical and emotional support due to their specific situation, lack of family support, or their particular lifestyle. A postpartum doula positively affects the entire family, as many postpartum doulas are involved in sibling care, housework chores, and educating clients on childcare information/techniques.

To find a postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD, most parents recommend creating a job post on Meela and having uniquely qualified postpartum doulas near you (in your budget) reach out to you through the Meela app.

You can interview and chat with as many postpartum doulas as you wish and hire a postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD with confidence. It is completely free to create a job post on Meela and find a postpartum doula. There are no commitments to hire any of the qualified and expert vetted postpartum doulas Meela brings you.

Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

  1. Post a job for free: Answer some questions and receive responses from top-rated postpartum doulas near you. It takes less than 30 seconds to post your job.
  2. Get your list of postpartum doulas: In a few hours, you will have a collection of postpartum doulas near you who are qualified to meet your needs. You can compare pricing, experience, and read reviews. You can chat with each postpartum doula to learn more about them.
  3. Hire a postpartum doula with confidence: Schedule virtual or in-person interviews with your top postpartum doula choices. Hire your top postpartum doula and start getting the care you deserve.

To find a postpartum doula, you can also browse the available postpartum doulas near you in Gaithersburg, MD and read reviews, compare pricing, experience and fit. Send the postpartum doulas you are interested in a message, introducing yourself and setting up an interview. We recommend reaching out to and interviewing at least three postpartum doulas before hiring a postpartum doula near you. After interviewing, hire the most qualified postpartum doula near you and start getting the care you deserve.

While the cost of a postpartum doula can vary based on experience and the services offered, you can expect the average cost of a postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD to be $37 per hour, which is the average cost of a postpartum doula in the state of Maryland. The cost of a postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD can range from $30 to $44 per hour. These costs are based on a representative group of 107 postpartum doulas surveyed by Meela across the state of Maryland. The average cost of a postpartum doula in Maryland is about the same as the U.S. national average cost of a doula, which is $37 per hour.

When hiring a postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD, you and your postpartum doula will discuss and agree upon a fee structure, and your doula will send you itemized invoices through Meela, which you can pay securely through the app.

A postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD is meant to help the entire family and their role is not just limited to the birthing parent and newborn. A doula provides physical and emotional support to parents and siblings, but they also offer information and advice regarding how to feed, bathe, swaddle, and soothe the baby.

They also often help with postpartum depression issues, and are considered child care “consultants” rather than medical professionals. Many postpartum doulas in Gaithersburg, MD offer a range of services that can help with parents trying to adjust to a newborn child. These services often include:

  • Sibling care
  • Assist with household chores
  • Parent-baby bonding
  • Physical and emotional recovery
  • Support to parents and extended family

A postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD can have a lasting positive impact on a family and help them feel more confident about their parenting role and the way that they feed and nurture their baby. They might offer advice regarding feeding, bathing, and parent-baby bonding.

It is important to note that a postpartum doula might offer advice but is not expected to provide medical care of any kind or serve as a replacement to an accredited physician. Postpartum doulas are also not qualified to prescribe medication.

Many new parents want to know about certified postpartum doulas and how exactly they are certified. Since the demand for postpartum doulas has greatly expanded in the last several years, the number of reputable postpartum doula training and certification programs has grown in Gaithersburg, MD. Training criteria can differ from program to program, but most follow a similar curriculum which includes core academic curriculum and practical hours and real-life care experience.

One of the most common national postpartum doula training certifications comes from DONA International. A postpartum doula usually receives about 27 hours of practical training before they are a certified postpartum doula.

There are also CAPPA-certified postpartum doulas in Gaithersburg, MD, as well. These doulas were certified by the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, an international organization that certifies doulas and other childbirth educators/professionals.

As a reminder, because postpartum doulas are not trained to be a medical professional and diagnose and treat medical conditions, a certification is not required for them to practice.

As their names suggest, a birth doula’s main priority is to provide support services before, during and in the moments immediately after childbirth. A postpartum doula’s obligations usually begin after the birth, for several weeks or months. In many cases, your birth doula will also be a trained and certified postpartum doula, which can provide a continuity of care that many parents find extremely valuable.

Many parents want to know whether a postpartum doula or a baby nurse would meet their needs and expectations. A baby nurse might be focused on making sure that a baby sleeps or feeds properly, but that might be the extent of their role. A postpartum doula generally offers more holistic services for their clients.

A postpartum doula in Gaithersburg, MD is expected to be more involved with the family as a whole. They might remain involved in sibling care or also provide emotional support to the partner as both parents adjust to becoming new parents. This may even include support for older siblings, light housework, and even meal prep. A postpartum doula provides more physical, emotional, and informational support than a baby nurse.

You can hire two types of doulas in Gaithersburg, MD: a birth doula and a postpartum doula. The birth doula is during your pregnancy and through the birth of your child. They provide you with emotional, physical and educational support during your pregnancy, your labor and delivery and for the first few hours after your child is born.

A postpartum doula will support you for the first few weeks after the baby is born. They provide in-home assistance, including teaching you how to take care of your newborn, acting as lactation consultant, and can provide some night nanny services.

Get Started
keyboard_arrow_up