Postnatal doula – ever heard of her? For quite some time, we weren't really sure what she was, who did it, and which women could apply for a postnatal doula. Luckily, we learned a lot and discovered just how wonderful postnatal doulas are and how incredibly helpful they can be, especially in the early days after birth and throughout the postpartum period. We've written down here how postnatal doulas specifically support women, what the difference is between a postnatal doula and a household helper, what it costs, and how to apply for one.
1 | What is a postpartum doula?
Postnatal doulas, like domestic helpers, take care of all the tasks that arise in the household. This can range from shopping and cooking to looking after siblings. But postnatal doulas are much more than that: thanks to their training, which is specifically tailored to the needs of mother and child, they are also contact persons for all matters relating to pregnancy and the postpartum period. They support you with advice on topics such as infant care, postpartum recovery, and nutrition. In this way, they can be a great help in getting off to a good start in motherhood.
2 | What exactly do postpartum doulas do?
A postpartum doula will support you in all aspects of pregnancy and the postpartum period:
She is someone you can talk to and contact, and she will support you in your decisions.
# gives tips on how to care for your baby,
# can provide very specific advice on topics such as nutrition, baby care and breastfeeding,
# helps with household chores,
# supports the care of siblings,
# can give relaxing massages and
# can also provide contact information for other advisory services if needed.
3 | What is the difference between a maternity doula and a domestic helper?
Domestic helpers and postpartum doulas differ primarily in their training: unlike domestic helpers, postpartum doulas are specifically trained to provide care during pregnancy and the postpartum period and can offer concrete assistance. Domestic helpers primarily support you with all aspects of household management and organization – which is also fantastic! It's a bit confusing: the application process is the same for both types of support; you always apply for "domestic help" with your health insurance provider. The difference lies in the training of the person you ultimately choose to provide the specific support.
4 | Which women can apply for a maternity nurse or domestic help?
You can, of course, always book and pay for a postpartum doula privately. The costs vary considerably depending on the city/state, and on average usually range between €20 and €45 per hour. However, there is also the option of reimbursement through health insurance. Most postpartum doulas are prescribed under Section 24 of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) (household help during pregnancy and/or childbirth). Another possibility is a prescription under Section 38 of the SGB V: this approves household help if the household cannot be managed due to illness. Prescriptions under Section 38 of the SGB V require a co-payment.
The application must be submitted through a doctor and usually occurs when women are unable to manage their household or care for their other children due to severe pregnancy complications or postpartum problems. Typical reasons include severe morning sickness or cervical shortening.
Important: The application is only possible if no partner is available to provide support – for example, because the woman is a single parent or because her partner works full-time. Your midwife, gynecologist, or postpartum doula can usually provide helpful advice on the application process.
5 | What exactly is the process of applying for a postpartum doula?
First, you will need the application form from your health insurance company, which can usually be found on their website under the keyword "household help" or "mother care".
Your postpartum doula, whom you have already found, can help you fill out the form. Alternatively, you can contact a parent or family counseling center in your area.
In addition to the completed form, you will also need a certificate from your doctor before you can submit the application. Important: even if the application is rejected, it can always be worthwhile to file an appeal and explain in detail why you need a postpartum doula.
6 | How many hours of maternity care can I apply for?
It really depends on the specific situation and varies from application to application. Be sure to seek advice on which number of hours best suits your situation and how to justify it effectively.
7 | How do I find a postpartum doula?
You always have to find a postpartum doula yourself, even if your health insurance covers the costs. You can, of course, search online and contact postpartum doulas. This website also has a (non-exhaustive) list of postpartum doulas for various regions in Germany.
