A change for the better

When life calls for a pivot, sometimes you’ve just got to listen and go with the flow.

That’s what we were called to do earlier this year when the laws around hiring independent contractors changed in California. If you haven’t read up on it (and the ramifications of it) we encourage you to do so because it’s affecting a lot of industries and a lot of people.

As a doula agency, all of our team members were ICs or independent contractors, which ultimately meant that we as the agency were in charge of booking the clients and then we’d contract the work out to doulas who applied to be a part of our team. This gave our doulas the freedom to accept or decline work as they chose, allowed them to set their own hours and schedule, and provided us the assurance that if our customers weren’t 100% satisfied, that as an agency we could find a solution to ensure their expectations and needs were being met.

But with the passing of AB5 we found ourselves unsure of how we could move forward. According to our attorney, the options were limited but we had to choose one where we were operating within constructs of the new law. One such option was making our doulas employees which we did strongly consider, but ultimately decided against. The reason being that there was no way we could guarantee a certain amount of work each week or month, we didn’t want to micro-manage how doulas provided their services and also because the costs associated with hiring employees would mean that we wouldn’t be able pay our doulas (or ourselves) enough to keep the business running or make it worth everyone’s time and energy.

If you’ve been around for a while, you know that we advocate for doulas charging their worth. Yes, even newly trained doulas. And it didn’t sit right with us to consider reducing wages or reducing the amount of work we could send them each calendar year (which maintaining them as independent contractors would force us to do).

After some brainstorming and more consultations with our incredible attorney, we came up with what we now see as the optimal solution - one that provides Orange County families incredible support and ensures that doulas are paid their worth!

It is an honor to reintroduce Doulas of Orange County… no longer a Doula Agency, now a Doula Matching Service!

With this new approach to care, the cornerstones of Doulas of Orange County have not changed. We still highly vet each team member to make sure they are professional and qualified. We still have the highest standards in the industry to enhance the quality of care you receive. We still mentor and encourage our doulas so they can balance the work-life load that comes with this career. We still strive to get to know the expecting or new parents that are looking for doula support so we can match them with doulas and specialists that meet their families needs.

The main difference in our new matching service and the doula agency is that instead of booking with Doulas of Orange County, we refer inquiries to qualified doulas based on the matching criteria they share with us. From there the inquiring families can choose which doula they want to hire! Each doula pays a membership and referral fee to be a part of our platform and is free to set their own schedule, their own pricing, services and more.

With the doulas setting their own pricing and offering specialty packages and services, we can also cater to a wider variety of budgets. Finances are always a big part of the equation when looking for a doula and with this matching service we can match you with someone within your price range.

Honestly, it is the best of all worlds and we’re so glad to have found this solution!

If you’re interested in being a part of our team, we encourage you to read more about how we operate and apply here.

And if you’re an expecting mom or dad or you just had a baby and are looking for birth and postpartum doulas in Orange County, Long Beach, San Diego or the Inland Empire we would be honored to match you with several amazing doulas or newborn care specialists to interview! We take care of all the vetting, including running background checks and verifying trainings to ensure that the matches you receive are top notch, professional doulas! To start the matching process, fill out our birth and postpartum care questionnaire.

Being forced to pivot isn’t the easiest thing, especially in the middle of an already hectic year (hello pandemic!), but in this case, it has truly been a positive development and one that we’re excited to see flourish. Thank you to our incredible team members who have been patient through this transition and to our badass attorney who guided us through the process.

We’re happy to have the opportunity to stick with doing what we love! Thank you for sticking with us too!

Postpartum Mood Disorders: What New Moms Need to Know

Your baby has finally arrived! Your family and friends are elated and yet you don’t have any sense of joy and delight because all you feel is anxiety and fear. It is important to understand that this is perfectly normal and that every new mom goes through the same process. Throughout your pregnancy, there were fluctuations in your hormone levels but now that your baby is born, they are starting to return to normal. The impact of these hormonal changes varies from one woman to the next and so it is important to understand the different types of postpartum mood disorders. 

Types of Postpartum Mood Disorders 

No matter what precautions you take, you cannot avoid postpartum stress and mood changes. However, it is important understand the differences between normal mood changes and more severe mood disorders. 

Postpartum Blues 

Postpartum blues is the most common type of postpartum mood disorders. According to experts, up to 80% of all new mothers get the “baby blues”. Postpartum blues generally set in when your baby is 2-3 days old and lasts for 1-2 weeks. Most new moms with the baby blues tend to feel sad and weepy and may break down in tears for no apparent reason. Postpartum blues are also associated with mood changes which means that you are likely to go from weepy to irritable and impatient in the blink of an eye. You are likely to feel restless and have problems sleeping which in turn causes fatigue and lethargy. Some new mums with the baby blues experience a loss of appetite and so they ignore their food intake. You may also experience a lack of mental focus and have trouble making decisions. You need to keep reminding yourself that what you are feeling and thinking is perfectly normal and that you just need a little time to rest and recover. 

Postpartum Depression 

Postpartum depression is a more serious postpartum mood disorder as it is linked to negative short-term and long-term effects on child development. Studies show that postpartum depression is not as common as the baby blues and affects up to 15% of mothers. Postpartum depression generally occurs about 1-3 weeks after childbirth but it can take longer – in rare cases, it can take up to 1 year! Postpartum depression is triggered by the sudden and drastic decrease of estrogen and progesterone after childbirth. New moms might think that their baby blues are simply lasting longer than usual, when in fact, they are suffering from postpartum depression. Women who have postpartum depression experience a change in their overall mood. Their overall mood is low and they have frequent crying spells. If you are constantly consumed by feelings of guilt and unhappy as a mum, you might have postpartum depression. Women with a history of depression are more likely to develop postpartum depression. 

Postpartum Psychosis 

Postpartum psychosis is the least common type of postpartum mood disorder but it is also the worst. According to researchers, postpartum psychosis affects less than 0.3% of all new mothers. Postpartum psychosis begins within 4 weeks of childbirth and generally requires hospitalization. Women with postpartum psychosis often exhibit extreme paranoia and suspicion. They suffer from hallucinations and delusions and may even have difficulty communicating. New moms with postpartum psychosis are often unable to sleep and display common signs of hyperactivity. A woman experiencing postpartum psychosis faces a break from reality where her delusions make perfect sense to her. Early diagnosis and treatment is imperative as the condition is linked to an increased risk of suicide and infanticide. 

Treatment options for Postpartum Mood Disorders 

The treatment for postpartum mood disorders varies according to the type of disorder and the severity. Most cases of postpartum blues do not require any treatment but new moms can benefit from counseling and support groups. Postpartum depression generally requires a short course of antidepressants along with cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Postpartum psychosis requires stronger medication – antipsychotics to reduce hallucinations and mood stabilizers to reduce manic episodes. There is no surefire way to prevent postpartum mood disorders but getting adequate sleep and plenty of social support does help to reduce the risk.  

Most new moms don’t realize that they are suffering from a postpartum mood disorder and instead it is brought to their attention by those closest to them. Experienced doulas can often make out when a new mom’s anxiety symptoms are severe and may require medical attention - she can also help you connect to a therapist or other treatment resources in your area. A Postpartum Doula can also help new moms adjust to their role as a mother and help to provide constant emotional support. 

To find a therapist in the OC area that specializes in perinatal or postpartum mood disorders, please visit our resource page. For more help you can also contact Postpartum Support International’s hotline at 1-800-944-4773

To get connected with Postpartum Doula in Orange County, please reach out!

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Author Bio: Anita Fernandes has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, public health, and has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers. Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle,as she has battled and overcome chronic pain. She shares her experiences in an effort to help others overcome the physical and mental health problems that can sometimes seem insurmountable.