They say it takes a village to raise a baby, but for most families in our society, they have to build their own village now. Long gone are the days of generational homes, where the elders helped to care for the new moms and their little babies, helping with older siblings and things around the home.

Now, we must build our own village. Whether this is your first baby or not, there is a great need for postpartum support. It goes far beyond the physical needs of helping new parents to get some much needed sleep, to the emotional needs of having someone to listen and hold space, and the mental needs of knowing that you are not alone in this great new adventure.

There have been studies done that show ongoing support in the postpartum period can help to reduce the risk of postpartum depression. It must be stressed, however, that there is no 100% successful prevention method for postpartum depression, and that postpartum doulas, while they are skilled peer supporters and even experts in postpartum care, they are not mental health professions, and should still refer to mental health professionals as necessary.

Postpartum can be overwhelming, exhausting, full of questions, scary, and isolating. You do not need to face these changes alone, or feel like you must figure it out on your own.