Vanessa La Doula
Postpartum Doula
What is a Postpartum Doula?
Someone that offers non-clinical support, whether physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual if that's what you're looking for. Focusing care towards the birthing person which leads to the focus on the family as a whole. A person that can also advocate for you whether it's signs and symptoms of concern to guide you to the best provider or your needs being met as best as possible.
Why consider working with one?
We tend to prepare and educate ourselves on the pregnancy up until the birth of the baby. It's absolutely needed! Yet, whenever we think about how life will be after the baby arrives, it tends to be an oversight. The day to day responsibilities, the how to's, the transitions of relationships, or the physical and emotional changes can surprise us.
About Vanessa
Entering into birth work wasn't part of my story. I was determined to be a filmmaker. Succeeding as a camera assistant, though a technical position, many admired my sense of motherly care within an industry that can lack much of this.
Though it wasn't at the front site of my perspective, becoming a doula was someone who resonated within me. I knew much about a birth doula yet not hearing much about a postpartum doula. When my pregnancy came along, all my preparation was for the birth and little went into my postpartum planning. This was the pinnacle moment. Experiencing some challenges of my own, the realization of "why don't we talk more about postpartum" and seeing the cultural differences in care inspired me to take action towards my new journey.
As a woman, we tend to feel like we have to prove we can do it all. Create life, birth life, support life with as little support for our own self. I am guilty of this. I want you to know that I am here for you. You deserve as much care as your newborn. Tend to your body. Tend to your mind. Tend to your soul. As cheesy as this sounds, I say it's fact. "It takes a village to raise a child." I also say, “it takes a village to support a parent.”
What are my offerings?
~ Non-medical physical, emotional and informational support after the birth of your baby.
~ Range of services to nurture you and your transitioning family
~ Support with self care and postpartum recovery
~ General newborn care
~ Breast/chest feeding support
~ Baby wearing techniques
- ~ A listening ear
Certifications orTrainings
~ Whole Body Pregnancy Postpartum Training - Facilitated by Erika Davis
~ Manhattan Birth Mentorship Program - Mentored by
Guramrit LeBron
~ Integrative Feeding & Lactation Specialist - Facilitated by
Tanya Wills & Sarah Lovell
~ Postpartum Ritual Workshop w/ Earth Groundz - Teachings by Nubia Martin
~ The First 40 Days - La Cuarentena - Teachings by
Nathalie Serrano-Feliz
~ Walking with Whitney Birth - 3 months training - Facilitated by Whitney Burke
~ Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
Experiences left behind...
We are so grateful for Vanessa’s guidance and support as our Postpartum Doula. Her presence was very calming and soothing every time she came over. We felt taken care of and in good hands. She was always checking in on us and answered any questions we had about the postpartum recovery and care for the baby. She lovingly took care of the baby while we rested, helped with household chores, prepared meals and she even cooked the most delicious healing and nutritious bone broth. She prepared a herbal bath with calming ambience and a perineal steam bath which were incredible. She offered guidance with lactation, nutrition and provided emotional support by giving us the space to talk about our feelings. We loved working with her and recommend her to anyone. - Laura
