WHAT WE DO
WHAT IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA?
Doula (v.) To mother the mother/birthing person
Doula (n.) a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a birthing parent before, during, and just after childbirth
Postpartum doulas are knowledgeable professionals who assist families during the critical period immediately after the birth of their baby/babies and beyond.
The doula’s knowledge and expertise enables them to assist with all postpartum comfort including breastfeeding/chest feeding/body feeding support, nonjudgemental guidance on infant care techniques, information and assistance with normal postpartum restoration, and family assistance and counseling through this major transition.
Postpartum doulas are trained to know when things are not progressing in a typical fashion and how to utilize resources to support.
Doulas have a deep respect for the family structure and how to balance information and help in a way that empowers the new parents to care for their new baby while guiding and supporting them along the way. The postpartum doula does not provide medical care for the birthing parent or baby, but can provide information regarding maternal and infant health during the postpartum period.
Furthermore, the postpartum doula can connect the family with professionals and specialists should they need medical assistance of any kind (adapted from the CAPPA Postpartum Doula Manual).
To see the specific scope of practice Alyssa abides by, please see
https://cappa.net/training-certification/certified-postpartum-doula-cpd/
“An invisible red thread connects those that are destined to meet regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.”
ALYSSA
DeGEORGE
Certified Postpartum Doula (CPD), Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C) Psychotherapy Track, Certified Abortion Doula (CAD), Birth Doula (BD), Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) & M. Ed.
Alyssa has always been drawn to helping, supporting, and encouraging others which is why she pursued her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders at Emerson College and her dual Master's Degree in Special Education at Lesley University.
She taught Special Education for a few years in Boston and the South Shore before leaving the field to have her children.
Alyssa became passionate about the postpartum period after the birth of her first daughter in 2018. During her first postpartum experience, Alyssa felt completely overwhelmed and realized how underprepared birthing parents are for the intricacies of the fourth trimester. Feeling completely lost, Alyssa extensively researched newborn care and informally supported friends and family members with her newly acquired knowledge.
When her second daughter was born in 2020, she felt more prepared for caring for her baby but was met with the challenge of simultaneously raising her young toddler during a pandemic with undiagnosed Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Alyssa has always called the South Shore Home and lives in Scituate, MA, with her husband, two daughters, and French Bulldogs, Mitchell & Frannie. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially at the beach, reading, exercising, cooking, and is an aspiring gardener.
Get the support you deserve.
Studies have shown that birthing people who have the support of a doula are more likely to have a positive birth experience. They are also less likely to experience complications such as postpartum depression.
