I've been a family photographer in Everett and Seattle, photographing families as they go through major life transitions like weddings and graduations. No event feels as life-changing as a pregnancy and the addition of a new family member. Giving birth is a miracle but once that euphoria fades, most parents and mothers are left with the stressful nature of postpartum care. I have seen part of this as an aunt and friend to people with new babies but caring for a newborn with my own body as their life-giving source? That takes maternal strength.
Part of every parents' earliest preparation is choosing the care team that will support the mother during her birth. Whether it's Providence or Evergreen or Swedish or UW in Everett, Seattle, Kirkland or a simple home birth or birth at an alternative birth center, this step comes first. You choose a birth space, the Ob-Gyn, a doula. These are the professionals who will be with you during the crucial steps of their pregnancy. But what comes after that, when you go home? There is growing evidence of the need of postpartum care for mothers as , as detailed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists.
"The weeks following birth are a critical period for a woman and her infant, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being. During this period, a woman is adapting to multiple physical, social, and psychological changes. She is recovering from childbirth, adjusting to changing hormones, and learning to feed and care for her newborn."
Enter the postpartum doula. A postpartum doula (or any doula) is certified by Dona International. It is a non-profit organisation that "provides excellent doula education and certification to a diverse population of doulas worldwide". If you live in Everett or Seattle, a simple Internet search will present you with myriad options for doula care during birth. But the postpartum doula? This person will be a well of resources to you in the absence of family or friends in close proximity. Navigating postpartum depression or complex birth situations is what they are trained to do. Heck, even in the presence of close community care, a postpartum doula will be your voice of support in the face of so many internal and external changes.
I got to speak with Amanda Amundson of Le Havre Health Solutions about her work as a postpartum doula here in Everett and the Greater Seattle area. She officially started supporting postpartum mothers with newborns, as a doula here in the Washington community in 2024. The expansion of her medical career into postpartum care came very organically and she is looking to grow her birth work as a postpartum doula in Everett, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Edmonds, Seattle and more. Here is what Amanda had to say about the importance of postpartum doula care and her work as a certified postpartum doula.
Amanda Amundson of Le Havre Health Solutions in Everett, provides a service as a postpartum doula for families in the greater Seattle area. Photo by Edlyn G. D'Souza of EGD Photography.
Postpartum doulas are trained in the signs or symptoms of postpartum depression and can screen new parents for changes in behavior.
What made you want to explore this part of birth work? How long have you been a postpartum doula?
I have always worked in the medical field with a special interest in maternal, infant, and child health. Obtaining my degrees in nutrition and public health I worked in global health and really saw what a huge difference a small intervention can have on the lifelong outcomes for children. Becoming a postpartum doula was a natural fit for me, it encompasses all my passions and really speaks to my nurturing
disposition.
I absolutely love what I do and that I can support so many families in so many different ways, and see firsthand how my help reduces postpartum depression, increases breastfeeding, aids in maternal recovery from giving birth, and eases the stress new parents often experience. It seems like I’ve been doing this line of work since I was a pre-teen helping my neighbors as they brought home their babies and
needed another set of hands to to chores, watch the baby, and to give the parents time for self-care. I officially became a postpartum doula in 2024 and so far it's going great!
HOW WOULD CARE AND KNOWLEDGE FROM YOU ADD VALUE TO A PARENTS’ JOURNEY DURING POSTPARTUM? DO YOU ALSO WORK WITH EXTENDED FAMILY?
Interestingly times have changed and many people live in different states or countries away from family. In that case they desperately need the support of a pospartum doula to get them through the first couple months before anyone can visit. On the other hand if they DO have family and friends nearby new parents are very often looking for someone to come in and help reinforce THEIR parenting style/wishes and act as an advocate on their behalf. I work with all types of families, those who are adopting a baby, the LGBTQIA community, blended families, etc.
HOW SOON DO YOU RECOMMEND A FAMILY GET IN TOUCH WITH A POSTPARTUM DOULA?
Sometime during the last trimester of pregnancy for the mother/birthing parent. This way they can establish rapport with me and so that I can do a prenatal visit to the house and help them prepare for baby to come home. Some parents wait until after the baby is born to contact me and that is fine as well. They didn’t know what to expect and they feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes birth plans do not always go as expected and there are new things to navigate (tube feeding, a new medical diagnosis, monitors) these things can take a toll on new parents. Having a postpartum doula can be that continuity of care from the hospital to their home, and the peace of mind that there is someone there supporting them.
HOW WOULD A POSTPARTUM DOULA HELP IN UNDIAGNOSED CASES OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
Postpartum doulas are trained in the signs/symptoms of postpartum depression and can screen new parents for changes in behavior. Part of a postpartum doula’s scope of work is to sit with parents, facilitate communication, LISTEN, educate, and make the appropriate referrals to professionals when needed. Working with a postpartum doula has been shown to reduce the incidence of postpartum depression and improve bonding.
How would a postpartum doula bridge the gap between their knowledge and a parents' instincts?
Well the role of a postpartum doula is to help reinforce new parents to trust their intuition and gain confidence in their own abilities as a parent. We offer support where they need it. We are not medical experts, but serve as a guidance for parents when they have questions or need reassurance.
Are there certain areas of being a postpartum doula you are more experienced in?
I wouldn’t say there is one area that I am more experienced in than another, but I do know there are some postpartum doulas out there that are not as comfortable working with medically-fragile infants. This is something I do take a lot of pride in and help families who may have a baby that needs special attention and handling. I also am experience in dealing with multiples, and assisted a family that had a set of triplets.
Apart from being a certified postpartum doula, what else occupies your time and interests you?
I also enjoy using my education/background in nutrition to support families, as well as my training in yoga and Pilates to support mom’s recovery after childbirth. In my free time I enjoy being home with my husband and dog. We like trying new restaurants and hanging out with our friends.
in postpartum and looking for a newborn photographer near you?
EGD Photography is located outside Seattle, WA in Everett, WA. Edlyn G D'Souza is the friendly face behind the family, maternity and newborn and senior photography business. Edlyn works with families in Seattle, Everett, Bothell, Mukilteo, Lynnwood and most surrounding areas in Western Washington. She brings a calm and curious nature to every newborn and family photo session.
