What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

Written By Kelsi Wathen

There’s a pattern I’ve seen often in my five years as a doula: families spend a lot of time, energy, and money planning for birth, while completely overlooking postpartum. When they arrive to postpartum, they’re shocked at how challenging it is to navigate daily life while recovering from birth and integrating a new tiny human into their world. These families end up in one of two boats: scrambling to find help or struggling through and burning themselves out.

While I’d never deny that setting yourself up for a positive birth experience is incredibly important and has a lasting impact on your physical, mental, and emotional state — birth lasts a few days at most. Early postpartum, on the other hand, lasts for months, and can also set you up for lasting consequences if you’re not well supported.

Postpartum doulas are trained to support families through this transition and, as of 2026, postpartum doula services are covered by many insurance plans in Oregon!

What do postpartum doulas do?

A postpartum doula comes to your home with no agenda except to help meet your family’s needs that day. They are 100% comfortable with the messy realities of early parenthood and don’t expect you to be “on” for them. Their care will vary depending on your needs, and may include:

  • Breastfeeding support and education

  • Food preparation

  • Newborn care education

  • Household support such as light cleaning, washing dishes, and folding laundry

  • Emotional support and birth story processing

  • Referring to recommended care providers

Specialty Postpartum Care:

Some postpartum doulas, such as myself, have extensive training that allows us to offer more specialized postpartum care, such as:

  • Postpartum-specific nutrition education and meal preparation

  • Warming therapies such as moxibustion, vaginal steaming, and warm oil massage to support recovery from birth

  • Closing of the Bones ceremony

  • Herbal remedies to support recovery, emotional health, & milk production

Benefits of Hiring a Postpartum Doula

Mothers who receive postpartum care have reported:

  • An easier transition into motherhood or bringing a new addition into the family

  • Smoother recovery after birth

  • Feelings of increased confidence as a new mother

  • Lower incidence of postpartum depression and anxiety

  • A deeper sense of integration of their birth journey

  • Lower incidence of postpartum depletion

How Much Does a Postpartum Doula Cost?

Out of pocket postpartum doula care generally ranges from $40-$60 an hour, depending on your local economy. Most doulas offer packages which may include a discounted hourly rate. In Oregon, insurance is now legally required to cover doula care! Many insurance companies, including OHP, cover 8 doula visits, which can be used before or after birth.

Ready to Set Yourself Up for a Thriving Postpartum?

I’d love to support you!

Learn more about my postpartum doula services in Southern Oregon.

Book a postpartum planning session (available virtually).

Book a free consultation call to connect with me and get your questions answered.

Kelsi Wathen

Hey, I'm Kelsi.

I'm a birth and postpartum doula and holistic women's health practitioner.

I teach mothers to thrive through pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood with foundational nourishment practices, connection to intuition, and informed decision-making.

If you're ready to feel nourished, rooted, and empowered in motherhood, you're in the right place.

https://wildknowing.co
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