A Day in the Life of a Postpartum Doula

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A gentle glimpse into a day in the life of a postpartum doula—nourishing meals, healing support, & the magic of planning ahead for life after birth

One of the most common questions I get asked — sometimes even by close friends — is:

“So… what does a postpartum doula actually do?”

It’s a fair question. My work isn’t always easy to define. It’s not a checklist of tasks — it’s a way of being. It’s practical support, emotional holding, nourishing meals, healing touch, and so many quiet little things that add up to something powerful and meaningful.

So I thought I’d offer you a little glimpse into what a day in my life as a postpartum doula looks like — especially if you’ve ever wondered whether this kind of care is for you, or if you’re a doula yourself exploring this beautiful path.

Mornings in the Devon Countryside

I live with my lurcher, Tui, in a small village tucked into the beautiful green hills of Devon. After many years living and working in the City of Auckland, New Zealand, running my beautiful pregnancy spa, I decided to return to the UK to live a slower, gentler life in a close-knit community.

Most mornings start slowly. A cup of tea in the garden while the cows move through the nearby fields and the birds call to each other in the hedgerows. I check on my vegetables and flowers, take Tui for a “sniff-and-stroll” through the lanes, and sometimes do a bit of yoga or stretching.

Before heading off to see a client, I’ll usually send a quick message or make a call: “How are you feeling today? What do you most need? What would you love to eat? Do you need anything picked up on my way?”

That check-in sets the tone for everything that follows.

Arriving With Care

When I arrive at a family’s home, the very first thing I do is make sure mum is cared for. Does she have a hot drink nearby? Is her water bottle full? Has she had breakfast — and if not, can I make her a second one? An omelette or a warming bowl of porridge is often my go-to.

Only once she’s been hydrated, nourished and settled do we sit down to talk. If it’s our first postpartum visit, she may want to share her birth story — and I am always ready to listen and to fully receive it with no judgment, no interruption, no need to fix or advise. Just a calm, quiet space to be heard.

Some mothers feel empowered and elated when they tell me their story. Others are tearful, raw, or holding unresolved trauma. Most feel some mixture of both. And all of that is welcome and ok.

Listening, Holding, Nourishing

From there, we tune into what feels most helpful in the moment. Maybe it’s rest — a nap while I hold or wear the baby. Perhaps she needs a shower, a long soak in the bath, or just ten quiet minutes in the garden. Maybe it’s food that’s most needed — a warming soup, snacks she can eat with one hand, or a comforting dinner for later so she doesn't have to think about cooking at all. 

Sometimes I offer massage, belly binding, or a gentle foot rub to help her come back into her body. Other times, I'm simply nearby, tending to little tasks such as folding laundry, while she nurses her baby or talks.

While I’m there, I might pop on a load of washing, tidy the kitchen, change the bed linen (spritzing with lavender oil), or pick some flowers from the garden to put on her breakfast tray or beside or bed. I always aim to leave the space feeling more calm and settled than when I arrived — a small sanctuary amid the newborn whirlwind where she will feel calm, comfortable and completely taken care of.

The Magic Is in the Preparation

What makes this work so fulfilling — and let’s be honest, so much easier — is the preparation we do before the baby arrives.

In the weeks leading up to birth, I meet with families to create a detailed postpartum plan. We talk about their hopes, their fears, their family dynamics, what makes them feel supported, and what kind of rhythm they want for those early weeks. We plan for food, visitors, sleep, emotions, and so much more.

So when I show up at the door after baby has arrived, I’m not guessing. The fridge is stocked with the right foods. The communication is already flowing. The village of support has been gathered and it at hand. Everyone knows how I fit into their world. And the mother feels held — from day one.

Walking Away (Gently)

After four hours or so, if everything feels settled — the baby is content, mum has been nourished, there’s food in the fridge and peace in the room — I begin to wrap up. I always check in before I go:
“Is there anything else you need before I leave?”

We talk about what she might need next time. Reflexology? More meals? Baby massage? I make a note. And then I head home for another walk with Tui, maybe a little garden time, or time to prepare some postpartum herbal teas or bath salts as gifts for future visits.

This Is My Happy Place

I love this work — deeply. It weaves together so many of the things that bring me joy: caring for mothers, cooking nourishing food, listening with presence, offering touch and healing, and simply creating space for the postpartum period to be what it’s meant to be — slow, sacred, and supported.

Being a postpartum doula isn’t just about what I do — it’s about how I show up. With calm, with care, with warmth, with a thermos of bone broth and hands ready to hold.

If you’re a doula or birth professional and this way of working resonates with you, I’d love to share the postpartum planning template I use with all my clients — it’s free to download, and it’s been a complete game-changer in my practice.

And if you’d like to learn more, you're warmly invited to train or mentor with me. This work is so needed — and so beautiful.

Free Resources:

Jojo Hogan is a postpartum doula, perinatal massage therapist, and founder of the global Slow Postpartum Movement™. Based in the UK, she supports new mothers with calm, nourishing care and trains perinatal professionals around the world to embrace a slower, more intentional approach to postpartum support.

Categories: : Postnatal, Postpartum, Postpartum Nutrition, Postpartum Support, DOULA

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