NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula

Emotional and physical assistance to expecting mothers during pregnancy, labor, and postnatal.

What is an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula?

NCS/Baby Nurses/Doulas are specialists who provide care and support to families with newborns. This individual needs to give emotional and physical support to the parents expecting a newborn, especially to the mother. During a woman’s pregnancy, they can help provide nourishing food for the mother. A Doula also helps to organize the newborn’s nursery, toys, and physical environment at home for when the baby comes. NCS are also trained to provide basic medical support to the mother and check on the progression of pregnancy. This includes contractions, breaking of water, and other routine issues that come with pregnancy.

They stay with the mother during the labor period and do everything to calm her down. After a baby is born, they help the mother for the first few weeks with household chores related to the child. They let the mother rest during the first week while making nourishing food, preparing the baby’s diapers, feeding, caring for them while the mother is asleep, and establishing sleep schedules. They provide peace of mind for the mother knowing that her newborn is receiving the best care. They teach a mother the proper way to care for the baby once she is ready.

Benefits of Having an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula

Bringing a new life into the world can be both a joyous and overwhelming experience. One way to ease this transition is by having a trained professional, such as an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula, by your side, they have the knowledge and expertise to provide new parents with the support and guidance they need during their child’s first few weeks and months. They assist with everything from breastfeeding and bottle-feeding to baby care basics, such as diapering and bathing. They can also help establish a sleep schedule and provide tips for soothing a fussy baby.

They are responsible for the round-the-clock care of the baby, including feeding, diapering, and soothing. Also, they provide emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother before, during, and just after birth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Having one of these professionals on hand can bring a sense of peace and security to new parents, allowing them to focus on bonding with their baby and adjusting to life as a family. As a new parent, you deserve the support and help you need to navigate this journey, and having an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula can make all the difference in the world. Here is the list of benefits:

Emotional reassurance

The first thing done by an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula is to have a good relationship with the expecting mother. They become a part of the birth process and part of the family itself. Before the labor, an NCS or a doula constantly informs the mother about what she can expect, including pain, gas, and changing hormones. An NCS reassures a mother that these things are normal and they are there at all times. This boosts the mother emotionally as she now knows that there is someone beside her who knows about the stuff. They can give the parent a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in providing for their baby's needs.

Helpful information

NCS or doulas are not medical professionals, but they are trained to comfort mothers with techniques to relieve them from pain. These techniques can include breathing and relaxation, massage, and laboring positions. Even if an NCS is not around a mother during pregnancy, they can provide support through phones whenever required. Having an NCS is also highly beneficial for the father, giving him a break from the massive responsibility and providing support. A father can also be emotionally reassured that there is someone there for the things the parents are unaware of.

Assistance with breast-feeding

NCSs/doulas provide pre and postnatal support to encourage breastfeeding to the mother. They are determined to provide a healthy pregnancy experience to the mother, resulting in proper lactation for the mother. They help the mother achieve this by providing nourishing food before and after the pregnancy and keeping her physical and mental health balanced. Also, they encourage the mother to provide breast milk to their child by reminding the mother about its benefits. They encourage breastfeeding and can sometimes organize support groups of different mothers to encourage each other.

Decrease negative childbirth experiences

They can provide new parents with the support, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate the childbirth experience and decrease negative experiences. They create a positive and memorable experience that can be cherished forever. They encourage soothing massage and let the mother focus on her breathing as she goes through the intense physical and emotional experience of childbirth. This can significantly lessen her anxiety and fear. This makes her feel more controlled and confident in her ability to give birth. They help the mother with breastfeeding after birth, usually deemed tough and overwhelming for new mothers. This establishes a successful breastfeeding relationship between a new mother and her newborn.

Decrease use of C-sections

They can help ease the birthing process, reducing the need for c-sections. They provide emotional support and physical assistance and coach the mothers through the labor process, teaching them techniques such as breathing and positions that can help to facilitate delivery. They bridge the gap between medical professionals and patients, ensuring that the mother's wishes and needs are considered during the birthing process. Working in harmony with the medical team can help harmonize the birthing experience and reduce the need for C-sections. So they can help deliver the babies most naturally and safely as possible to breathe new life into the birthing process and cut down on C-sections.

Duties of an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula

A NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula should have the duties of providing round-the-clock care for a newborn, soothing and calming the baby, preparing bottles and meals, monitoring the baby’s health and well-being, and providing emotional support for the parents. Other duties include keeping the baby’s sleeping and feeding schedule, providing diaper changes, performing light housekeeping, and helping with the baby’s laundry. So, considering their duties, they can be referred to as an extra set of hands and eyes for new parents, helping them to feel more confident in their ability to care for their new baby. They must provide advice on child-rearing, including feeding, sleeping, and development milestones. They can vary depending on the specific role and the needs of the family they are working with.  Here are some of the duties of an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula:

  • Provide educational support
  • Listening to concerns and questions
  • Attending prenatal meetings
  • Remaining with the mother throughout labor
  • Assisting with anything to make motherhood better

Steps to Hiring an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula

  1. Build a Job Description
  2. Matching with a Candidate
  3. Scheduling an Interview
  4. Hiring a Candidate

Cost of an NCS/Baby Nurse/Doula

Their cost is typically between $35 to $55 per hour. The live-in baby nurses can cost around $600 to $1000 per day, depending upon your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Doula and a Nurse?

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional and physical support to a person during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. On the other hand, a nurse is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to provide medical care to patients. A doula’s primary focus is on providing emotional and physical support, but a nurse’s primary focus is on providing medical care. Doulas may not have medical training and may not perform medical procedures, whereas nurses are trained in administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and providing medical treatments. Nurses may work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, and may specialize in a particular area of medicine.

Is it really necessary to have a Doula?

It is not necessarily required to have a doula present during childbirth, but some studies have suggested that having a doula present may be beneficial for some people. Studies have shown that having a doula present during childbirth can lead to shorter labor, fewer interventions such as cesarean delivery and vacuum or forceps-assisted birth, and improved maternal and infant outcomes. They can help advocate for the woman’s wishes and provide information and guidance to the woman and her partner. However, it is ultimately a personal decision and it depends on the individual’s preference and comfort level.

What do doctors think of Doulas?

Many doctors think that doulas help to create a more positive and calm birth experience for both the mother and the medical staff, and can help to decrease the need for interventions such as C-sections and the use of instruments like forceps during delivery. They are becoming increasingly recognized by medical professionals as valuable birth team members. Studies have also shown that doulas can positively affect birth outcomes. One such example could be they have reduced the risk of postpartum depression. Some doctors and nurses may have different opinions on doulas, but overall, most consider them a positive addition to the birth team.

What are the disadvantages of Doulas?

Some of the disadvantages of doulas can be that they may not be experienced if not hired properly, which can obviously be avoided after proper research and they can be expensive. You should be prepared that they are not medical professionals and do not provide medical care. At any cost, you should not substitute them for medical care. They need to be thought of as complementary services. Therefore, doulas can be considered valuable assets to any birthing team as they ensure that mothers and babies receive the best care. So, the various advantages outweigh the cons of having a doula.