I have been very blessed to provide doula services to Iowa State University faculty members over the past few years, and typically these faculty members are researchers and professors from other countries. I’d like to share some ideas that I take from other cultures’ traditions and wisdom to apply to my work as a Postpartum Doula.
Continuous Family Support
One of the values that many families have in other countries/cultures is the idea of continuous family support. I find it common that my client’s parents will pack up their lives and careers, move to the US, and live with their daughter/daughter in law during the pregnancy, and stay after the baby is born. And I’m not talking about family staying for the first week home from the hospital–they are there months at a time to provide meals, rest, and parenting wisdom to the new mom and family.
Family Traditions
During one of my recent postpartum visits, I was offered a bowl of Bottle Gourd Soup (Lauki Soup in India). The mother of my client shared with me that this particular vegetable, much like a big zucchini squash, was known for increasing breast milk production in the Indian culture. She was making large pots of this for her daughter to drink every day by the mug-full. (Side note–it was delicious and I’m excited to add this to my soup collection!)
This mother also shared with me all of the different tinctures and herbal remedies she was making to help her daughter recover from birth. When I asked her how she knew all of this, she laughed and said that it is just part of what she learned from her mother. I feel like we’ve lost so much of this wisdom in our society today. 
Religious Traditions
Many of the families I work with have religious rituals or traditions they honor. I’ve been invited to Jewish ceremonies and Christian baptisms, and I always try to attend if I can. I think it is neat to see how babies are celebrated and how ancient traditions are still going on today. 
Love is Universal
English is not the main language for many of my clients. When I get to work with the extended family, I have to work harder to communicate effectively with everyone. That said, it is so easy to see love through a touch, a smile, or a gentle squeeze given to the new mom and baby. Being able to support a new mom during this time is something I will always treasure.
The Bottom Line…
…learn as much as you can from your family, your partner’s family, and those around you. We are losing the art of caring for the new family and helping them as they transition into their new role as mothers/parents. Then SHARE this information with others. Do you have a great remedy for relieving post-birth cramping? Share it! Did a family member do something special for you and/or your baby that their family did for them? Share it! Is there a special birth tradition you have in your family? Share it! We cannot have this ancient wisdom be totally erased from our society.
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