POSTPARTUM DOULA

Postpartum Doulas offer support to families as they adjust to life with a new baby.

Doula care typically centers birthing people as they heal and process the huge physical, psychological, and philosophical shifts that often arise in the postpartum period. New babies are experiencing the same awakening while siblings and partners are discovering their new roles and making adjustments of their own. Because of this, Aimee believes it is vital to incorporate the whole family in her Postpartum Doula support.

Aimee’s support includes

  • Listening to parents and affirming they are the best parents for their child

  • Sharing knowledge on baby development and all the tricks she has up her sleeve to make parenting easier

  • Infant feeding education & support

  • A focus on relationships as they shift and need tending to in new ways

  • Talking with parents about perinatal moods & anxiety disorders  

  • Helping siblings and relatives adjust to their growing family

  • Light meal preparation to ensure proper healing & rest

  • Practical household assistance to ensure families aren't getting overwhelmed

  • Referrals to local providers and resources

  • Optional prenatal visits to help families feel prepared for the postpartum period

Service Area

Aimee supports families in most Central & North Seattle neighborhoods.

PRICING DETAILS

  • $75 an hour for Postpartum Doula support.

  • Aimee works with one family at a time 2-5 afternoons a week for 6-12 weeks.

  • Families reserve Aimee’s support for a minimum of 10 hours a week and, because she prioritizes working with one family at a time, they have the option to add hours at any time throughout the contracted period.

covid and illness

Aimee is fully vaccinated and continues to wear a mask while working. She discusses her safety protocols around illness with each potential client and works with families whose protocols similarly align.

CATS

Aimee is allergic to cats and unable to work in homes that have one. She is happy to offer referrals to Doulas she knows and trusts who are not allergic.

everyone deserves support

Aimee is passionate about supporting people and organizations fighting for and offering direct support to families who don’t receive enough under our current system. She urges you to learn more about and join her in supporting the below reproductive justice organizations.

Something Beautiful Midwifery is raising funds to create a birth center in Auburn, Washington. The birth center will be home to three beloved and respected Midwives and will make an impact on every family they support. You can learn more here.

Hummingbird Indigenous Doula Services a culturally responsive, full-spectrum, Indigenous doula program That provides free-of-cost services to American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander families birthing in King County.

Surge Reproductive Justice mobilizes communities to build a world where all people can make powerful, self-determined choices for their bodies and the future of their families and communities. Their work centers Black women, women of color, and queer and trans people of color for a movement that rises from the bottom up.

Harm Reduction Doulas a collective of full spectrum doulas providing harm reduction services in Seattle, Washington.

  • Doulas are knowledgeable companions who support people through major life transitions including birth, postpartum, miscarriage, abortion, IVF, and death. 

  • Postpartum Doulas offer support and guidance to families as they navigate early parenthood. At Sound Babies, Aimee begins working with families prenatally as they prepare for their baby, offers personalized in-home support for the first 6-12 weeks postpartum, and remains a resource throughout the first year of parenting. 

  • While Doulas, NCS, and Night Nannies all help families during the early days of parenting, their focus tends to be different. Nannies focus on infant care, NCS offer infant care in addition to educating parents on newborn development and needs, and Postpartum Doulas typically focus their support on parents. Though Aimee is a trained NCS and experienced Nanny, she primarily offers Doula support. 

  • When families hire an overnight Doula, the primary focus during those hours is sleep. Doulas will be able to check in with parents and answer questions during their visit, but it will be limited as families prioritize rest. Families who hire day Doulas often want support around lactation, education on infant development, check ins regarding mental & emotional health, and practical household support. Some Doulas offer both day and overnight support but most Doulas limit themselves to one. Sound Babies offers daytime support and is happy to refer families to trusted overnight Doulas.

  • As soon as you find one you like! Postpartum Doulas in Seattle often book 6+ months out so it is recommended to start early and, if you find someone you like, quickly reserve their time. Most Doulas require a non-refundable retainer and signed contract before setting aside time for a family. If you are already postpartum and needing last minute support, you can still reach out. Sound Babies sometimes has last minute availability or knows a Doula who does. 

  • While experience is valuable, you should hire a Doula who puts you at ease and who you look forward to talking to.  

  • Aimee is the sole Doula at Sound Babies. She is active in the Seattle birth community, though, and always happy to offer families referrals if her support doesn’t quite fit their needs or she is unavailable. These referrals do not cost families nor Doulas as Aimee views it as community building and connecting folks to resources; both things she loves.

  • Sound Babies supports one family at a time Monday - Friday and offers check ins to previous and expecting clients on the weekends. Aimee typically works with 4-6 families a year for 8-12 weeks each. 

    1. Fill out the contact form under the “connect” page.

    2. Aimee will reach out to schedule an interview.

    3. If everyone wants to move forward after the interview, Aimee will send over a proposal through Honeybook.

    4. Parents then create an anticipated schedule, sign Sound Babies’ contract, and pay a non-refundable retainer fee in the Honeybook portal.

    5. Aimee will confirm the contracted dates and send over an intake form.

    6. A prenatal visit will be scheduled based on the family’s and Aimee’s availability.

    7. Then Aimee will be available to answer any questions and ready to start in-person whenever baby arrives!