Would you pay for a postnatal doula/mother's help?

[HBGKC]

As above, really!

I'm coming to the end of my own baby phase (I hope!), and am trying to work out what kind of job I could do in a couple of years' time, when my youngest starts nursery at 3, doing the 30 funded hours. I'll be 45, if that's relevant.

I have a large family and various other irregular commitments, so I don't think I can (yet) commit to a 'proper', full-time job. I'm looking for something I can do for a few hours each day, to earn something to contribute to the family pot. I'm not proud, wouldn't mind Ubering, but would obviously prefer to do something I found interesting, that adds something of value to people's lives.

My idea would be to offer my time, in chunks of 1/2/3 hours, morning or afternoon, to new mums. I'd come to their homes, and do whatever they needed, basically! Hold the baby while they have a shower. Make them breakfast. Change a nappy. Help them pack a bag ready to go to their newborn hearing check/baby clinic/six-week check-up. Unload the dishwasher/washing machine. Wind the baby. Support them in establishing breastfeeding, if that's their aim. Be a listening ear, particularly for them to unload their experience of labour onto - a lot of women really seem to need to talk through what may have happened to them/their baby.

Basically be a second pair of hands and a supportive presence. In terms of experience - I have had quite a few children, 3 in hospital, some at home, breastfed them all, and am a passionate supporter and advocate of women's rights around birth and their babies.

Would this interest you? And what kind of hourly rate do you think would be reasonable? I was thinking I could offer a sliding price scale depending on number of hours/days booked at a time IYSWIM.

Any takers? Sorry that was so long!

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the role of doula. They are NOT medically trained healthcare professionals. They are explicitly not allowed to give medical advice during pregnancy, labour or birth, or afterwards. That is the role of the midwife, doctor, health visitor.

Doulas are there to support the mother, physically, emotionally, and with information. There are 'doula courses' one can do, but I wouldn't describe them as a 'professional qualification', as there is no standardised measure that they all must match or fulfil.

A postnatal doula's role will vary from family to family. I think I prefer the term 'mother's help', as that's a pithier description of the role I'd want to play.

It’s each to their own in terms of what people would want and expect, I’m in the south west and paid £25 per hour for an ex midwife and then £14 per hour for the most wonderful post-natal doulas who did exactly what you describe ; cooking, helping, talking, supporting etc.
The only essential from my perspective was insurance; to protect both parties!
good luck

I haven't RTFT, sorry, but another thing you could consider is a doula course. They're usually more like evening classes you do for a while, rather than an academic, formal medical qualification.

I was lucky as had my husband to support me in the early days, but if I was single would pay £15ph (same rate as our cleaner, based in north London), for someone with no formal qualifications and would probably want them to do cleaning and possible meal prep (I would expect references and a DBS). I don’t think I would leave a stranger alone with a baby whilst I slept, especially a newborn, so I would be general house tasks.