Are you having a Postnatal Doula?

So I'm due to have baby #4 any time in the next few weeks and besides setting up the birth pool I think I'm all organised and ready to go.  Am I planning on taking my own advice and having a babymoon?  Most certainly - I plan on staying in bed for the first 2-3 days after birth!  Here are some of the support and services I have lined up :

Birth & Postnatal Doula - I have hired a lovely doula that I have known for a few years to support me during birth and in the weeks after birth.  I chose Diana for her calming presence, open heart and knowledge that she will support me in the choices I make for my birth and postnatal period.  I feel comfortable having her around me, my children and in my home during those private, vulnerable, joyful and raw moments that are sure to occur.

Birth Photographer -  This is the last time I will be pregnant, the last time I will give birth, the last time I will get to hold my newborn baby in my arms.  I want to have those moments captured for me and my family even if no-one else gets to see them (although I'm sure I'll share some of them)  This baby's birth day is as special a time as a wedding, anniversary or any other special occasion.  I can't wait to see what Victoria captures

Meals - I have set up a meal roster using mealtrain.com where friends and family can choose a day that suits them and schedule in what meal they would like to bring our family.  This is a free online service that anyone can use for any reason.  It shows our address, meal preferences/allergies etc, drop off times etc and only required about 15 minutes for me to set it all up, the rest is automatic.  It means our family doesn't have to worry about what is for dinner or the children can have a healthy, freezable school lunch ready made for them.  Both are things that will be a practical help to us and one less thing to worry about while we settle into our new family rhythm.

Housework - If you want to visit our new family be prepared to work for it!  I'll have a list of suggestions on our family whiteboard for you.  Perhaps hang out a load of washing, pick up the children's toys with them, wipe the crumbs off the kitchen table or get the junk mail out the letterbox and put it in the recycling for us.  It might only take you 30 seconds and I'll probably have a twinge of 'supermum' guilt letting you to do it but I'll remind myself that it is okay to ask for  help and be grateful that I have my village of support willing to help me.


These are just a few of the things I have in place to support our family.  What would you choose?