From Birth to Bliss: Postpartum Doulas' Role in Parenting and Marriage
At Louisiana Baby Company, we understand the unique challenges that come with welcoming a newborn into your family and the impact it can have on your relationship as partners. It's not uncommon for sleep deprivation, lack of time, and changes in intimacy to take a toll on your connection.
Let’s dive into those challenges and how postpartum doula care can help you navigate them, as well as give you the opportunity to make a more meaningful connection as partners, friends, and parents.
No Sleep and No Time
Having a newborn can change the dynamic between partners, lead to new stressors like lack of time alone together and sleep deprivation, and impact relationship quality and satisfaction.
According to Verywell Family, new parents can experience relationship discord after a baby is born due to factors such as adjustment to new roles and depleted resources like time, sleep, and money[1]. UCLA Health notes that as new parents adapt to parenthood, the dynamic between partners in a relationship changes, and this can impact the relationship[2]. Healthline shares that relationships tend to change after having a baby due to numerous factors, including the couple's lack of "me" time[3]. NCT also notes that adjustments after having a baby can lead to ups and downs in relationships[4].
However, with the proper tools and support, such as postpartum doula care, it is possible to navigate these changes and maintain a healthy relationship with your partner.
Making the Most of Postpartum Doulas
Research has shown that postpartum support can help support healthy parental and partner relationships. Studies have found that couples who receive postpartum doula support have higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships and experience lower rates of postpartum depression.
So, how can a postpartum doula help you and your partner during this transition? Here are some practical tips and guidance to demonstrate the impact a postpartum doula can have on your relationship:
Sleep Strategies
One of the most significant challenges of having a newborn is sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation prevents all of us from operating at our best. It can make you feel cranky and easily frustrated. These feelings can easily interfere with your ability to connect with your partner. A postpartum doula can suggest sleep strategies (like appropriate schedules for the age of your child) and offer practical tips (like sound machines or black out curtains) to get some much-needed rest. An overnight doula can take over nighttime baby duties while you and your partner sleep, helping you feel more refreshed and energized the next day.
Household Responsibilities
Adding a baby to a home also adds many new household responsibilities. A postpartum doula can help with light housework, meal preparation, and other responsibilities that can pile up as you adjust to the demands of a newborn. This will give you the chance to slowly get accustomed to all of your new responsibilities and allow the birthing person more time to heal physically. Removing some of these stressors can help reduce tension in your relationship and allow you to focus on bonding with your partner and your baby.
Emotional Support
A postpartum doula can also provide emotional support during this time of transition. They can help you process your feelings about becoming a parent and offer guidance on how to handle common issues that arise. A doula can also help you identify what's most important to both of you in terms of parenting and what goals you want to prioritize, so you do not feel pressure to do “all the things” all the time. This is especially important if one or both of you are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenthood.
Time to Invest in Your Partner Relationship
A postpartum doula gives you back time that you would usually have to spend taking care of responsibilities. They can provide you with the extra support you need to take some much-needed time for yourselves as partners. Even if it's just a quick trip to the store or a walk around the block, having someone you trust take over baby duties for even a short period can help you feel more connected and recharged.
Seeking Help from a Trusted Postpartum Doula
Having a newborn can be a challenging time for partners as you adjust to your new roles and responsibilities. Hiring a postpartum doula can help alleviate some of the stress and support healthy relationships between parents.
At Louisiana Baby Company, we have a team of skilled and experienced doulas who are passionate about helping new parents navigate this exciting, but sometimes overwhelming time. We're here to provide you and your partner with the support and guidance you need to reconnect as a couple and adjust to life with your new bundle of joy. If you're wondering how to choose the right doula, or are interested in learning more about how we can help you and your partner during this transition, please reach out to us today. We look forward to supporting your family's journey!
In this blog, we will delve into the importance of hiring a postpartum doula, the factors that influence the cost of such support, practical tips for budgeting, paying for these invaluable services, and how to identify the perfect postpartum care support.