It is important to get the support you deserve.
Meet your Doula!
Hello everyone, Pam Sutton here! With over 25 years of experience supporting mothers and babies, I'm deeply passionate about my work. Currently certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula and a Lactation Specialist, my journey began in 1998 in California following the birth of my second daughter. Inspired by the incredible support I received, which contrasted starkly with my first birth experience, I embarked on doula training to ensure other women could also benefit from such care.
In addition to my doula certifications, I spent over two decades as a chiropractic assistant, gaining valuable insights into health and wellness. I recertified my doula training in Texas with Tiny Love Doula in 2013 and 2020, focusing initially on birth clients and later shifting to postpartum support, driven by the urgent need I observed during the "4th trimester."
My determination to support mothers is deeply personal, rooted in witnessing my own mother's severe postpartum depression after my youngest sister's birth. This experience fuels my dedication to providing compassionate care to fellow moms facing similar challenges.
Recognizing the critical need for breastfeeding support, I became certified as a Lactation Specialist in 2022. Understanding firsthand the obstacles new mothers encounter, I am committed to ensuring they receive the education and assistance crucial for a successful breastfeeding journey. Currently pursuing further certification as a Lactation Consultant under Melanie Kondrat of Dragonfly Lactation, I am eager to expand my ability to mentor and support mothers and babies during their postpartum period.
Beyond my professional life, my husband and I are proud parents to four wonderful adult children, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren with another on the way. After a year of traveling the country in our RV, we settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, where we're embracing homesteading and thriving in our new community.
I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of mothers and families, ensuring they receive the support and care they deserve during this special and challenging time.
Transforming Postpartum Wellness
Regardless of how or where a mother gives birth, there needs to be time to heal and transition to the new life. And of course, if a cesarean is involved, more time and recovery will be necessary. There is a 4th trimester saying “in the bed for 5 days, on the bed for 5 days, and around the bed for 5 days”, meaning she should be doing nothing other than resting and feeding her newborn for at least a couple of weeks. Others in the household or friends should be bringing her nourishing meals and drinks and attending to the dishes, cleaning, laundry, and other children if there are any. This can include the father or partner, and optimally includes extended family members and/or doulas, to also give dad a break to rest and bond with the new family.
So many other cultures in the world worship this postpartum time by surrounding the new mama with support for months, which allows the best chance for emotional and physical wellness for all. Typically in the U.S., moms are sent home from the hospital and not seen until 6 weeks after. There is so much to learn and adjust to, even with second or third babies and there is so much room for care and support. This new generation seems to look up to the mama that can “bounce back”, to running the household or going back to work, or being back in shape when this time should be honored and preserved so that true healing takes place; body, mind, and spirit. Education and awareness for this type of care are critical to making a difference for new mamas and all should have access to postpartum care during the 4th trimester!
What a Typical Shift Looks Like
While there are many new family needs that are common in all households, support for the new mama may look different from family to family. There are many possible circumstances and dynamics, so it’s essential that clients get personalized care and support. Most common challenges include soothing, feedings, sleeping, basic rest for mom, and overall questioning what is normal and what is not. Also, common inquiries include when to get professional help, whether it is lactation support, pediatrics, physical therapy, tongue or lip ties, midwife or OB/Gyn questions, and most importantly, postpartum blues and/or depression signs and referral to the appropriate care. Adding in sleep deprivation and lack of adequate nutrition, oftentimes moms don’t even know what they need. Another reality is that it is hard for a lot of women to even ask for help, as many feel the societal pressure to be able to do it all. Just because we can do it all doesn’t mean we should be doing it all.
As a postpartum doula, at our first visit, I will first sit and listen so that she can process the birth and express herself and assess her own physical and emotional state. There may have been birth trauma and unresolved stress or anxiety that wasn’t anticipated, and holding space for this is essential. Even if there weren’t any complications or negative events, birth is so incredible, the memories and experiences are almost always wanting and needing to be shared. Next, I will be making sure she is hydrated and fed, and asking how I can best help her at that moment. I may throw a load of laundry in, take baby so mama can rest, do some dishes, help other siblings, tidy up, or do some light meal prep, and almost always, mom might just want to take a shower! Many times dads or partners have to go back to work right away, so extra hands around are invaluable.
Thanks to technology, services can now be accessed virtually, and it is amazing that doulas can support more women now across the country and world, wherever they are! This support will look different than in-person care but will be specialized and focussed on challenges at hand, troubleshooting, and getting a concentrated dose of help in a shorter period of time. There are always questions that come up daily with newborns, and now access to private zoom sessions can address those needs along with providing resources of information and referrals to professionals.
Mothering is not easy, know that you are not alone!