This is just a comprehensive description of what I do -- you will not be expected to do all of this! The role of the collaborative doula will be to fill in any gaps in cohesive support that I can't provide from Chicago.

I do postpartum visits with the parents I work with after their baby is earthside around:

the day after birth, 3 days after birth/transition to home, and 1 week after birth. I continue visits: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year of the postpartum season.

Unlike traditional postpartum doula support, this role is more reflective of the prenatal support before their birth -- the emphasis is on relational, emotional, and skills support and education as well as providing resources and referrals, not short term practical help like laundry, cooking, etc.

These visits are meant to maintain connection and provide ongoing support through that first year. It's for the practical, yes, but the emphasis is more about presence. Usually they last around two hours and vary family by family, their unique needs, and how it all changes over time.

Some of the more frequent things we focus on:

• sharing their birth experience

• caring for their baby (feeding, baby wearing, soothing, development, etc.)

• caring for themselves (sleep, eating, self care, community & friends)

• co-parenting

• transitioning to work

• checking in on physical and mental well-being

• fertility management

• offering related resources, connections, and guidance

Outside of these visits, just like during their pregnancy before the on-call period, we stay in communication -- some clients need more of this, and some less.

It's fairly simple:

• be available to offer "virtual" support as needed (texts/calls -- i'll talk more about communication tools later)

• step in if family needs support in-person at a time outside of the visit schedule

• email a summary and hop on the phone for a follow up chat after any client support

• from August 2024 - March 2025.

culturally competent and affirming of LGBTQ & poly families (direct experience preferred)

postpartum doula/support training (certification not required, but training must be completed).*

*if you were trained or certified through DONA, additional training or certifications are needed (it's unfortunate that i have to make that a rule -- hopefully DONA will improve their model and one day I won't have to).

I feel strongly about ethical wages, especially in nurturing fields like ours. This is an hourly paid position; depending on context, includes gas reimbursement and well-being stipend.

Hourly compensation is $25/hr and includes any time you spend caring for clients -- some examples:

• time on the phone, texting, video chatting, etc.

• time spent researching and providing resources

• time spent in-person with clients

Gas reimbursement for travel further than 20 miles (after 20 miles, each one after is $0.75/mile)

Self care stipend of $100 if you meet the clients more than once in-person as a standard (I may provide a stipend even if you don't meet that req depending on your needs, for example: if discussing birth trauma over the phone was activating and you needed to discuss it with your therapist.)

I'm excited to hear from you and find out if we're a good collaborative fit! --

• There's a form below that you'll fill out and send, if that looks all good we'll do an informal interview in person.

• I'll choose a couple of candidates and offer the families the opportunity to review your information and/or do a short interview with you as well.

• once we all feel warm and fuzzy, it's official!