by Kari Hastings

Julia T., mom of Emma – born in February 2016, remembers her most vulnerable moment with Bridgetown Baby’s Emily Darley Hill. It was morning, and Emily was dropping in for one of their scheduled visits. Anxiety and postpartum depression had taken hold of Julia in the middle of the night, overwhelming her with feelings of negativity and a pleading question, “How will I ever feel better again?” When Emily arrived, Julia crumpled onto her couch and cried, “I just want to be a good mom.”

Although Julia had a good support system – a mother and sister living within blocks, plus many nearby friends – she says Emily’s support as a postpartum doula pulled her through that dark time and helped her find her footing as a new mom. “Emily normalized what I was going through,” Julia says. “She assured me I was going to be OK, and for me, that was huge.”

Emily connected her with a therapist who specializes in postpartum issues, and a neighborhood moms support group. Julia, who had a planned C-section, bought three Bridgetown Baby packages – a breastfeeding package and two home-visit packages.

Julia says knowing she would have a weekly doula visit was a lifesaver. “Emily would take the baby, wear her around the house in a wrap, clean, do laundry, cook, do food prep for the week, and my husband and I would just relax or sleep,” she says. “She would rub my feet, listen, give me advice, just anything I needed.”

Setting up Bridgetown Baby services in advance of her birth was one of the smartest things she did, Julia says. “I’ve struggled with anxiety in recent years, so I wanted to line up that support ahead of time,” Julia says. “I’m so glad I did. Emily was the sweetest, most calming presence. You can have the best family and friends in the world. The difference with a doula is that it’s their job to help you. There’s no guilt associated with it. They’re professionals.”