FAQ

What are the benefits of hiring a postpartum doula?

I'm not going to tell you that you absolutely need a doula--plenty of people get by without. But I will say that having a nonjudgmental and professionally trained infant care specialist in your home can provide great peace of mind during the postpartum period. I draw on my training and years of experience to help you adjust to life with a newborn, creating a calm and nurturing environment within the home so that you can rest, recover, and bond as a family. Parents who hire postpartum doulas tend to get more sleep, feel less stressed, and have increased confidence in their parenting abilities.

What services do you provide?

Postpartum care is customized to each individual family. I'm generally happy to pitch in however I can. Popular requests include infant care, lactation support, emotional support, laundry, light housekeeping, meal prep, and pet care. I can also run errands and accompany you to doctors' appointments if you wish. As a doula, I will be your support and advocate; I will not speak on your behalf or make any decisions without your consent. You are totally in charge of your postpartum experience.

How do I decide on a package?

This is probably the question I get the most. It's hard to know how much help you'll want or need in the postpartum period, especially if this is your first baby. I always tell my clients to consider their main priorities. Do you want to prioritize healing immediately after birth? Focus on booking care for the first 2-4 weeks postpartum. Want to prioritize sleep? Consider overnight care at least a few nights a week for the first 3 months or so (by 4-5 months, most babies are able to sleep longer stretches--though that's no guarantee!). Need help when you or your partner go back to work? Book me for when your parental leave is coming to an end. I'm happy to work with you to figure out what kind of schedule and package works best for your family.

Do you support bedsharing families?

I am happy to support families who choose to bedshare/co-sleep. However, when an infant is under my personal supervision, I will always adhere to the safe sleep standards outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is not a judgement, but a liability issue. Whatever sleeping arrangements you choose, I will strive to make them as safe and effective as possible for you and your baby. (I do recommend that all co-sleeping families familiarize themselves with the Safe Sleep 7, which can be found here.)

Do you support LGBTQIA+ families?

I am more than happy to support LGBTQIA+ families! I'm part of the queer community myself and am proud to provide compassionate, gender-affirming care for all my clients. I can also point you in the direction of great local and online resources tailored to LGBTQIA+ parents and families.

How do I hire you?

You can reach out via the contact page on this website or email me directly at merichmer@gmail.com. Please include relevant details like your due date, location, and care preferences. I generally like to do a phone or Zoom interview first to get to know each other, followed by an in-person meeting and contract signing should we decide to move forward. I would love to be a part of your postpartum journey!