Laura Wanamaker
Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Care Doula
Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Care Doula
I am a Postpartum Doula and Newborn care specialist.
I come to this profession by way of deep heartfelt caring and understanding. As of mother now of three college age children, I think back to my quick succession of pregnancies. With each baby my confidence grew, but so did my exhaustion. The first baby garnishes incredible attention, visitors and much appreciated meals. By the third baby less and less help was offered and the “you got this now” could not be more true. Not with a preschooler, toddler and fussy newborn.
I think back of the value of a doula. For my first baby, I wish I had a postpartum doula to come to my home and teach me, validate me and just help to get some well needed sleep. I know also this would have played a role in more successful nursing. I understand what it is have a job waiting for you and 12 weeks goes by incredibly blurry and too brief.
I come to this profession by way of deep heartfelt caring and understanding. As of mother now of three college age children, I think back to my quick succession of pregnancies. With each baby my confidence grew, but so did my exhaustion. The first baby garnishes incredible attention, visitors and much appreciated meals. By the third baby less and less help was offered and the “you got this now” could not be more true. Not with a preschooler, toddler and fussy newborn.
I think back of the value of a doula. For my first baby, I wish I had a postpartum doula to come to my home and teach me, validate me and just help to get some well needed sleep. I know also this would have played a role in more successful nursing. I understand what it is have a job waiting for you and 12 weeks goes by incredibly blurry and too brief.
I used a labor doula with my last two deliveries because I really needed hands on experienced assistance. I was way ahead of the curve being that was twenty years ago. My own obstetrician ignorantly asked me “what is a doula ?” and this was his career field. Since that time I have always been intrigued on being a doula myself. After corporate downsizing, sort of forced early retirement, I became a nanny. I have worked long term for two incredible families. I will always say I have seven children to this day. With the right timing in my life and a twenty year desire for this career, I made it happen.
I think about all the money that was spent when I could have set aside that money for help those first few weeks. I thought what a fabulous idea this would be for a shower gift or even better a gift for a subsequent birth when everything needed for a newborn is already at home.
What I bring to you is a philosophy of “What does the mother want?”. Every mother and family can require different needs. It is completely irrelative to me how you choose to feed your baby. I have been on both sides of that issue. Even if you know you don’t feel nursing is for you or try it and realize you prefer formula and bottles, then do it. I am not hard core. I value how you want to care for your baby in any capacity. Doula’s never diagnose as we are not medical professionals and should never represent that we are. As an example, recognizing the difference between a clogged milk duct as opposed to potential mastitis is imperative. That’s where a doula can really help. Helping with techniques to alleviate that problem and getting the baby back to the breast is what is really needed.
I think about all the money that was spent when I could have set aside that money for help those first few weeks. I thought what a fabulous idea this would be for a shower gift or even better a gift for a subsequent birth when everything needed for a newborn is already at home.
What I bring to you is a philosophy of “What does the mother want?”. Every mother and family can require different needs. It is completely irrelative to me how you choose to feed your baby. I have been on both sides of that issue. Even if you know you don’t feel nursing is for you or try it and realize you prefer formula and bottles, then do it. I am not hard core. I value how you want to care for your baby in any capacity. Doula’s never diagnose as we are not medical professionals and should never represent that we are. As an example, recognizing the difference between a clogged milk duct as opposed to potential mastitis is imperative. That’s where a doula can really help. Helping with techniques to alleviate that problem and getting the baby back to the breast is what is really needed.
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I have strong resources for phenomenal lactation consultants. Let’s say your baby is born with tongue tie and does not feel comfortable to you to have a procedure where the frenulum under the tongue is cut. A lactation consultant will work tirelessly to help you learn to feed your baby. Close family and friends truly mean well because they love and know you. They may be upset to see you so upset and encourage you to discontinue and bottle feed. I will work with the assistance of a lactation consultant to make that succeed for you. It’s your baby, your decision. Same with circumcision, do what is of importance to you.
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Your baby’s birth may have been quite traumatic and perhaps an emergency C-section had to be performed. Perhaps you felt robbed of the initial baby crawl to the breast, that very first skin to skin contact. Loved ones don’t always understand that . They love you and are now at ease that you and your baby are healthy. In your head, so are you. In your heart is a different story. How can you discuss, cry or mourn the loss of that moment in front of those loved ones who were in turmoil over this birth. This is a very real thing. The hormone fluctuation that occur within the first few days of delivery are the greatest that you will ever have in your lifetime. The baby blues are real and everyone goes through them at some level. Many times it lingers because of the exhaustion of recovery and having a newborn. A doula’s assistance during this period has been shown to reduce the probabilities and severity of postpartum depression.
I also really look forward to working with the families of adoption. A different, but just as beautiful of a beginning.
I also really look forward to working with the families of adoption. A different, but just as beautiful of a beginning.
I truly only have one mantra when it comes to the initial postpartum time period for a woman
"The best gift you can give your baby, is a happy Mother"
"The best gift you can give your baby, is a happy Mother"
