A postpartum doula is a non-clinical support person who cares for the whole family in the weeks and months after birth. Support can include emotional check-ins, help with rest, newborn care coaching, feeding support, light household tasks, and resource navigation.

Hearth & Feather welcomes every kind of family: queer, trans, nonbinary, and straight parents; solo and co‑parents; poly families; adoptive and surrogate parents; and parents navigating substance use, treatment, or recovery. Care is designed to be trauma‑informed and anti‑racist, with respect for all bodies, genders, and family constellations.

No. A postpartum doula does not provide medical care, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, or offer psychotherapy. Instead, support focuses on education, nervous system support, and practical help, and you will always be encouraged to connect with your medical and mental health providers for clinical needs.

In‑home support is currently available within the Mohawk Valley region of New York State, with possible accommodations for nearby areas depending on availability and your family’s needs. Visits are generally scheduled in 2–4 hour blocks during daytime or early evening, and virtual sessions (video, phone, or secure messaging) can supplement in‑person care when that works better for you.

The role of a postpartum doula is to support you, not to police you. There is no automatic reporting of substance use or mental health history. If safety concerns arise, they are discussed transparently and collaboratively, with the goal of harm reduction, connection, and linking to appropriate resources, not punishment or surprise involvement of systems. The only time I will call 911 is in the event of an immediate emergency or safety concern.

Yes. Hearth & Feather is harm reduction–centered and welcomes people who use drugs, people on MAT and people in any stage of treatment or recovery. Conversations about substance use are grounded in safety, consent, and nonjudgment, with a focus on practical planning and keeping families together whenever possible.

No. The focus is just as much on you as on the baby. Support includes emotional care for the birthing person, partners, and other caregivers, as well as help with siblings, household flow, and navigating the massive identity shifts of the postpartum period.

Yes. All care is explicitly queer‑ and trans‑affirming. Language is gender neutral by default (“parents,” “birthing person,” “postpartum person”) and then tailored to the words you use for yourself, your body, and your family. Pronouns are asked and respected, and all offerings are open to LGBTQ+ families and chosen kin.

Each visit is shaped around what you need most that day. That might be a long nap while someone you trust cares for the baby, a calm conversation about feeding or body changes, help preparing simple food, or planning for upcoming appointments or system involvement. You set the priorities; the visit follows your lead.

Postpartum support is billed at 40 dollars per hour, with a 2‑hour minimum per in‑home visit. There are tiered packages (Wisp, Charm, and Solstice) designed for different levels of support, and additional “a la carte” hours can be added as needed. A sliding scale and community‑care options may be available for families facing financial and structural barriers.