Does Hiring a Postpartum Doula Help With Postpartum Depression?

About 1 in 7 mothers in the United States experience postpartum depression, or PPD. These feelings can be intense, lasting longer than the typical "baby blues," and often go undiagnosed. One way to find support is through a postpartum doula.¹

What is a doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides support – physical, emotional, and informational – to parents before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Unlike medical staff, doulas do not perform clinical tasks or give medical advice. Instead, they act as a supportive guide throughout the birthing journey. A doula's goal is to empower individuals and their families to have a positive and memorable birth.^2,3

Doulas can also provide crucial support during the postpartum period. A postpartum doula differs from a birth doula in that they focus on supporting families after the baby is born.^2,3

What does a postpartum doula do?

A postpartum doula offers many kinds of support. This may include:^2-4

• Offering guidance with infant feeding, including breastfeeding
• Supporting your emotional and physical healing in the postpartum period
• Managing light household tasks to reduce your stress
• Providing hands-on help with newborn basics like diapering, bathing, feeding, and comforting
• Preparing simple, nourishing meals
• Demonstrating calming techniques for your baby
• Assisting with the care of older children during this transition
• Connecting you with valuable local resources, such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation specialists, and support groups

Postpartum doulas are not medical professionals. They do not give medical advice. However, because of their close contact with you in the days and weeks after birth, they may notice signs of mood changes, such as PPD, that other professionals, like an obstetrician or pediatrician, might not observe.^2,4

If they see signs of depression, they can help connect you with doctors or therapists. They can also help you find local support groups and other helpful resources. Their main goal is to help you feel cared for, confident, and strong as a new parent.^3,4

How a postpartum doula may help with PPD symptoms

Research shows that having support during the time around birth can greatly help with feelings of depression and anxiety. For example, a 2022 study found that women who had doula care during labor and birth had a nearly 60 percent lower chance of experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety.^2,4,5

Women who received doula care were also more likely to attend postnatal visits (61.5 percent compared to 35.9 percent of non-doula women). This suggests that doulas foster greater engagement in care, which may contribute to better postpartum mental health.⁵

Here are other ways a postpartum doula may help reduce PPD symptoms:^2-5

• Less isolation – PPD can make you feel very alone. A postpartum doula provides a steady, kind presence. Knowing you have someone in your corner can make a world of difference. It helps you feel connected and understood.
• Reduced stress – Caring for a newborn is exhausting. When a doula helps with daily tasks, it lightens your load. This can lower stress. Less stress means you have more energy to focus on your well-being and bond with your baby.
• Better rest – Sleep is vital for mental health. A doula can watch the baby while you rest, shower, or simply take a break. This focused time for yourself helps you recover and feel more like yourself.
• Empowerment – Postpartum doulas give you information and guidance. This helps you feel more confident in your parenting skills. When you feel capable, it can help reduce feelings of doubt and sadness that can come with PPD.
• Early recognition and referral – Some doulas are trained to spot the early signs of PPD. They can talk with you about your feelings. If needed, they can help you connect with mental health professionals who can provide more help. Getting help early is key for both you and your baby.

Unique position to help

Doulas are in a special position to spot signs of PPD and offer mental health help. This is because they give close and steady emotional support during pregnancy and after the baby is born. Most doulas feel that looking out for PPD is part of their job and is a good way to help.^2,5

While all of this is very promising, more research is needed to specifically explore the impact of postpartum doula care on postpartum health outcomes.^2,5

Despite their unique position to help parents with PPD symptoms, there are some challenges:²

Training gaps

Despite their perceived role, many doulas feel underprepared by their training to identify comprehensive PPD symptoms, distinguish between types of disorders, and effectively refer clients to mental health services.^2,4

Need for standardized training

There is a strong call for standardized training protocols for doulas to include comprehensive education on PPD, practical assessment tools, and clear referral pathways, as well as more peer-to-peer support for doulas themselves.^2,4

Systemic barriers to collaboration

Doulas often face challenges in coordinating care with medical providers, who may not fully recognize their legitimacy or understand their role in an interdisciplinary team.^2,4

The bottom line

Doulas can be a great help for new parents. But they are not used as much as they could be.^2-5

They play a big role in making mothers healthier and in supporting their mental well-being, especially after birth. However, doulas can do their best work when they have complete training and are fully integrated into the broader healthcare system.^2-5