The short version. Decide what kind of help you need, then make one call. Free: the Family Connects nurse home visit (541-322-7475) and the St. Charles nurse navigator (541-397-8909). Paid: postpartum doulas for daytime or overnight help. Struggling right now: the Maternal Mental Health Hotline answers 24/7 at 1-833-852-6262.
Match the need to the first call
| What you need | Call first |
|---|---|
| Someone to check on me and the baby at home | Family Connects, 541-322-7475. Free. |
| A nurse to answer a question | St. Charles nurse navigator, 541-397-8909. Free. |
| Sleep, or hands-on help at home | A postpartum doula. Ask exactly what a shift includes. |
| Feeding is hard | Lactation help, 541-706-4924. |
| I feel alone | A parent and baby group, or the Newly Postpartum Circle. |
| Sadness, anxiety or scary thoughts that will not lift | Your OB, midwife or doctor, and the hotline below. |
If you are struggling
Feeling weepy and overwhelmed in the first two weeks is very common. If it lasts longer, gets worse, or you feel anxious, numb or unlike yourself, that is a reason to call, and it is treatable.
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA). Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.
- Emergency: call 911.
Tell your OB or midwife too. They hear this every week and can connect you with care. The Perinatal Providers directory lists local therapists who specialize in this stretch of life.
Build the contact list now
Before the due date, put these in both parents’ phones:
- Your pediatrician, including the after-hours line
- Your OB or midwife
- Lactation services
- Family Connects
- One friend, neighbor or relative who will really show up
- The hotline above
When family is far away
A lot of Bend parents moved here from somewhere else. If your people are a flight away, plan for it:
- Ask visitors to come in shifts over six weeks, not all in week one.
- Give helpers jobs: laundry, dinner, the dog, holding the baby while you shower.
- Budget for a few doula shifts or a meal service in weeks two through four, after the first visitors leave.
- Pick one recurring group and go twice. Familiar faces are what make it work.
What a postpartum doula can do
Depending on the person and the package: newborn care coaching, feeding and pumping help, overnight shifts so you sleep, light housework, sibling care and a calm second opinion. Services vary a lot, so get the list in writing.
Common questions
What is the difference between a postpartum group and a postpartum doula?
A group gives you other parents to talk to. A doula comes to your home and gives hands-on help, usually for a fee. Plenty of people use both.
Should we set up postpartum help before the birth?
Yes. Overnight doula help books ahead, and it is far easier to save phone numbers now than to research at 3 a.m. with a crying baby.
Can partners use these resources?
Yes. The national hotline, the nurse navigator and many groups are for partners too. New dads and non-birthing parents can struggle as well.
How long does OHP cover me after the birth?
Oregon Health Plan postpartum coverage lasts 12 months, and includes behavioral health care. Your baby is covered too once you report the birth.
What paid time off do new parents get in Oregon?
Paid Leave Oregon provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a year, which can be used to bond with a new child during the first year, and up to 2 more weeks in some pregnancy-related situations. Apply through the state's Frances Online system.
Does postpartum support replace medical follow-up?
No. Keep your own postpartum visit and the baby's checkups, and bring up anything that worries you.
Where these facts come from
Last checked October 8, 2026. Classes fill, schedules shift and prices change, so confirm with the provider before you go. This is local information, not medical advice.