Rest and Peace, with A Postpartum Doula
Posted on: July 21, 2025 | Babies, birth, Business, childcare, Children, Doulas, Famillies, Fatherhood, Feeding, Friendship, Information, Motherhood, Parenting, Postpartum Doulas, sleep
Shaun glanced at the clock. Tick…tock…tick…tock…1 hour until the postpartum doula was scheduled to arrive. They had been trying to soothe the upset baby for the past 3 hours. Bouncing here, holding baby this way and that, and singing ‘Motownphilly’ to bring some fun into the situation. Shanae was out taking a stroll, indulging in some much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air before settling in for the night. Shaun was confident that they could navigate this moment with Sammi, but now he wasn’t so sure. A co-worker had mentioned the services of a postpartum doula that they had used and recommended. Both Shaun and Shanae had been apprehensive for weeks about reaching out, and now 6-week-old Sammi was not having it. What “it” was, both Shaun and Shanae were clueless to.
The day before, after sleeping for a combined 5 hours between them, Shaun reached out to Shanae. “So, you know Jack recently had Mikey, right?…” Shaun spoke, pouring hot coffee into his favorite mug. “Uh huh,” Shanae uttered while adjusting herself to feed a squirming Sammi. “Well, he and Diane used a postpartum doula when they brought Mikey home. He said that they were clueless when it came to all the baby things, and the postpartum doula helped get them situated. Jack mentioned that their doula came overnight to help them get a workable routine down. He said that now at 12 weeks, Mikey sleeps like clockwork, and that he and Diane have a little time alone before they go to bed.” Shaun continued. “Reeeally?” Shanae pondered as she settled Sammi to nurse.
“Did he give you the contact information by chance?” Shanae searched. “He did.” Shaun started with a mix of enthusiasm and hesitation. “Do you think I should call them?” He continued, grabbing his work bag. “I think that if YOU feel like we could benefit from having a doula, I’m game with giving it a shot.” Shanae yawned, getting up from the table and placing a sleeping baby in the nearby bassinet. As she turned, she came face-to-face with Shaun. “I think that a great night’s sleep is for us both. And that sweet Sammi could probably use some rested parents for a change.” Shaun said, peering over the bassinet to gaze at Sammi, then kissing Shanae goodbye.
Tonight was the night the doula was coming over. Shanae had spoken with the doula agency owner earlier that day and expressed her anxiety. As Shanae spoke, the owner of Vegas Family Doulas listened, assured, and attuned her expectations and fears. She discussed the benefits of having a postpartum doula’s support and how their agency operates. The conversation flowed like hot coffee with friends. By the time Shanae hung up the phone, she was anticipating having the support of her postpartum doula.
Terry arrived minutes before her 8 pm shift. She grabbed her belongings and headed up to meet the Jamesons. She smiled, excited to meet Shanae in person. The agency provided all the needed information about the family, and she already felt like she knew them. Before that day, she had spoken with Shanae on the phone to connect.
Before Terry could ring the doorbell, Shaun eagerly opened the door with a smile. Walking in, a sleeping Sammi greeted Terry in Shanae’s arms, and what appeared to be dinner simmering on the stove. The trio caught up on the couch, exchanging formal introductions, discussing their wants, and sharing expectations for the evening. As the minutes quickly turned to an hour, Terry and the baby retreated to the nursery, while Shaun and Shanae sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy a quiet meal together, now that the baby was settled.
As the evening rolled on, a swaddled Sammi grunted, moaned, and tooted through the slumber. Feedings were coordinated with Shanae, and the house filled with sounds of a humming refrigerator and a white noise machine. As dawn began to break, Shaun stopped by the nursery to check out the scene on his way to the kitchen. “How’d it go in here?” He asked in wonder. “It went wonderfully. Normal baby sounds, no crying, and Sammi slept like ‘baby’” Terry joked, “how did YOU sleep?” Terry continued. “Like a baby!” Shaun replied with a chuckle.
Shanae joined Terry and Shaun at the kitchen table, as Shaun placed a cup of hot tea in front of her. “WOW!” Shanae expressed. “You know when your whole body just melts into the bed, and you sleep a nice, deep, peaceful recharging sleep?” Shanae asked rhetorically. “That’s how I slept. With the feedings, Terry bringing the baby in to feed is so amazing. I didn’t have to leave the bed. I can’t believe Sammi slept so well! Shoot, we ALL slept SO well. Thank you, thank you, Terry. I didn’t know what to expect having someone in our home with our baby overnight, and this was bigger and better than my expectations.” They continued to discuss the happenings of the night. Terry gave tips for the daytime to help those evenings go more smoothly for the couple. They chuckled over Shaun’s work shenanigans and discussed Terry’s schedule for the week. As Terry gathered her belongings to head out of the shift. Shaun and Shanae escorted her to the door. “We appreciate you more than you know,” Shaun said with appreciation in his voice. “You are an amazing postpartum doula. We cannot wait to see you again tonight.” Shanae added. “Drive safely!”