What is a postpartum doula?

A professional guide for family transitions.

Increasingly, families find themselves lacking adequate support in the fourth trimester. As birth and recovery are increasingly medicalized, the support structures of the past can’t always meet the needs of this special time.

As a DONA-trained doula, I have the tools and experience to help you make the most of your first days home together. Using the latest science and age-old techniques, my job is to support physical recovery, emotional balance, and skill building. My aim is to help new parents build confidence in their own abilities.

I do this by offering services like:

  • Help with nursing, pumping, and bottle feeding

  • Newborn care information - from understanding cues to giving baths and everything in between

  • Overnight visits to help reduce fatigue

  • Customized support for recovery from any type of delivery

  • Light housekeeping - “outer order, inner calm”

  • Support for older siblings as their roles change

  • Connection to reliable resources for your family’s unique situation

And through whatever practical support your family may need, I’m also here to listen. The transition of bringing a new baby into the family is a journey for everyone on top of the initial birth experience. Let’s talk about what you’re going through and really understand what your family will need to thrive.

Emily E. Peden

Owner & Postpartum Doula

Nurturing is in my DNA and I’m so excited to share my passion with you. I’m Emily Peden (she/her), a Virginia Beach mom, wife, and postpartum care provider.

When my son was born, I learned so much about myself and motherhood:

  • You can push out an 8-pound baby

  • There are depths to fatigue you could not have imagined

  • “Dad” is a very good look on him…

  • Breastfeeding is way harder than it looks

  • These baby clothes are even cuter on

  • This is not a job you can do alone

In March of 2023, one career door closed and another opened. Songbird Doula Care was born (pun so intended) out of a deep desire to bring back the traditional postpartum care that has kept humanity going this long with the added benefit of everything modern science has to offer.

I’m a professionally trained listener and problem solver. I spent eight years helping businesses, but now it’s time to make the world a better place, one healthy family at a time.

Let me take care of some chores. Ask me anything. Shower while I rock the baby. Cry on my shoulder. I’m here to make sure you and your family feel comfortable and capable in your earliest days together. I can’t wait to meet you.

<3 Emily

You in?

Still have questions? Love it.

Check out my frequently asked questions for more about what postpartum doulas do, what it looks like to work together, and more.