Postpartum care is in the news!

Here, you will read Maria's article. It was based on an interview with my former clients, who talked about the care I offered and the impact postpartum care had on their journeys as parents.

"Beatriz helps us with solutions, not just comfort"

She worried about postpartum depression. He was unsure of how to support his wife after childbirth. To ensure a smooth transition from a couple to a family, Gabriella and Paul Killeen sought the help of a postpartum doula.

"In Sweden, there's such a strong focus on managing everything on our own. It's supposed to be tough, but it doesn't have to be," says Gabriella.

It’s lightly raining outside, and the warmth of spring has faded. The Killeen couple has settled in the living room inside their seventh-floor apartment. Frankie, twelve weeks old, sleeps in Gabriella’s arms.

“We actually haven’t been out today,” she says.

Beatriz Facio takes cups from the kitchen cabinet. She’s familiar with the apartment and knows Gabriella and Paul Killeen well. The couple reached out to her early in the pregnancy to create a postpartum plan.

“It was actually a friend of mine who suggested we meet since we both have roots in Brazil, but at that time, I didn’t know what a postpartum doula was,” says Gabriella Killeen. After a close friend experienced postpartum depression, Gabriella realized the importance of focusing on life after birth as well.

Gabriella and Paul Killeen met Beatriz Facio at a café in Malmö. They talked about themselves, how they met, and their thoughts about family life. Together, they created a postpartum plan—a plan for the first three months after birth, also known as the fourth trimester.

“As first-time parents, we wanted to set ourselves up for success, and it was comforting to discuss all the different options before Frankie arrived,” says Paul Killeen.

“The whole planning process was invaluable. Normally, you leave the hospital and have to figure everything out on your own. But we already had a plan for the future, even though we deviated from it a bit as we got to know Frankie better and understood her needs,” he continues.

Beatriz Facio has worked as a postpartum doula since November 2022. She says much of her job is about helping parents remain true to themselves while working on their relationship and adjusting to their new reality. Over Frankie’s first months, the couple met Beatriz fourteen times. Each visit looked different and varied in length.

“Many people wonder what we do during our sessions, and there’s no template. One day it might be about making sure you have breakfast. Another time, I might be emptying and refilling the dishwasher,” says Beatriz Facio.

But she emphasizes that the most important aspect is the conversations.

“You always ask how I’m doing first, then you ask about Frankie,” says Gabriella Killeen.

She recalls one visit when she wasn’t feeling well at all. She was struggling with breastfeeding, which wasn’t going smoothly, and she was in pain after her C-section.

“My back and shoulders hurt so much. I ended up going into the bathroom and crying,” says Gabriella Killeen. Meanwhile, Beatriz instructed Paul on how to massage Gabriella’s shoulders to help her relax.

“It didn’t take long before I felt my shoulders drop. Beatriz helps us with solutions, not just comfort like ‘it will get better’ or ‘it’s just a phase,’” says Gabriella Killeen.

“Many people think a postpartum doula is just someone who holds the baby for you. But this isn’t a nanny service. It’s about caring for the whole family. When I tell my friends, they say it sounds like pure luxury—and yes, it is. But it’s also about priorities. Some people spend money on expensive things for the baby. We chose to prioritize this,” she continues.

However, not everyone was thrilled about the idea of a postpartum doula. Gabriella Killeen’s mother felt left out. “She’s from Brazil, and there, family takes care of each other. But then she saw that we were getting help in ways she couldn’t provide,” Gabriella says about her mother.

Some of the couple’s friends also questioned their decision to hire a postpartum doula.

“I know many people find it scary to have a stranger in their home. And if you don’t want that, at least make sure to do postpartum planning. That way, you’re somewhat prepared,” says Gabriella Killeen.

Frankie starts to stir. She wakes up and begins to hiccup. Paul picks her up.

“For me, it’s been a lot about becoming confident with Frankie. Many people are fully prepared for the birth, but when they come home, they have no idea what to do,” says Paul Killeen.

“Everyone talks about how it takes a village to raise a child. But I would say it takes a village to take care of a mother after birth,” says Gabriella Killeen.

Five tips for the fourth trimester

1. Ask for help, but set boundaries with family and friends.

2. Accept help.

3. Freeze meals in advance.

4. Talk about how you’re doing as parents, not just how the baby is doing.

5. Put up a list on the fridge with things that need to be done so visitors can help when they’re there.

Source: Doula Beatriz Facio

Are you considering my help during childbirth or in the postpartum phase, whether you’re expecting a baby or adopting? Send me a message to book a free consultation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about my approach.

Learn more about my services here: Postpartum Care | Doulabeatrizfacio