Relevailles: rest while your family is taken care of
What exactly are reliefs?
Releases are post-natal support at home: a trained person comes to your home, after the birth, to support you in rest, caring for the baby and organizing daily life. The word also comes from the idea of "getting up" from your diapers, this period when you slowly regain your strength.
This service is aimed at all families with a baby (often up to around nine months), regardless of income or situation. We can call on it whether or not we have a network around us, and whatever the baby's temperament. Some families book a few hours a week, others provide support day and night. This support is offered both by community organizations and by birth attendants such as those at Ysé Naissance.
What does a support person actually do during relief work?
She takes care of you as much as your baby, so you can rest. Concretely, a relief session can include:
- 🤱 Support for breastfeeding and baby's sleep
- 👶 Caring for the newborn while you sleep, take a shower or take a breather
- 🍲 Preparing meals or snacks for the family
- 🧺 Light household chores to lighten the house
- 👧 Custody of siblings, to offer a moment to the older ones
- 💬 Listening and emotional support in adapting to parenthood
Support is always provided while respecting your pace and your choices. It is complementary to medical monitoring: a companion does not make a diagnosis and never replaces your doctor, your midwife or the CLSC. At Ysé Naissance, this support is based on the experience of numerous families supported over the years and on recognized training in perinatal care.
What if someone was watching over you at home?
Our certified companions come to your home to let you sleep, cook a good meal and take over with your baby. You recover, we take care of the rest. Insurance receipts available.
Why do rest and support matter so much after giving birth?
Because the body and the heart need time. Recovery after childbirth generally lasts six to eight weeks: the uterus regains its size, bleeding (lochia) can last from 10 days to 6 weeks, and fatigue is very common during this period, as recalled Be born and grow. Getting plenty of rest, limiting visits, and asking for help with meals and chores are some of the basic recommendations.
The World Health Organization considers the first six weeks to be a critical period, both for physical recovery and for the mental health of the mother (WHO, 2022). And this mental aspect is not anecdotal: in Canada, nearly one in four mothers (23%) report feelings associated with postpartum depression or anxiety (Statistics Canada, 2019).
Reliefs are not a medical treatment, and they do not alone prevent perinatal depression. But by allowing you to sleep, eat and breathe, they create resting conditions that support your recovery, support that we see every day from the families we support.
Relevailles, postnatal doula, home help: what postpartum help is there?
Several forms of support coexist, and they are often complementary rather than competing. Here is a simple guide to help you find your way.
| Type of help | What she brings | Ideal though... |
|---|---|---|
| Relevals | Comprehensive support at home: rest, baby care, meals, light cleaning, listening. | You want to breathe and be supported on several fronts at once. |
| Doula /postnatal companion | Personalized support (emotional, breastfeeding, adaptation), based on knowledge of perinatal care. | You are looking for a human presence and reliable information for this transition. |
| Housekeeper at home | Housekeeping (housekeeping, laundry), without care or parenting support component. | Your main need is to keep the house tidy. |
| Breastfeeding consultant (IBCLC) | Clinical expertise targeted at breastfeeding (breastfeeding, pain, weight gain). | Breastfeeding is your number one challenge. |
| Network & CLSC | Close for a one-off helping hand; CLSC for mother-baby health monitoring. | You have an available entourage and medical monitoring already in place. |
Many families combine these resources. If you are unsure about what would suit you, our team doulas can help you see things clearly during a first meeting.
How much do the readings cost and are they covered by insurance?
At Ysé Naissance, relief is offered in the form of hour packages to use at your own pace, directly at your home. Here are the current prices:
| Package | Rates | Ideal for... |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | $770 + taxes | A boost over the very first weeks, a few respite sessions. |
| 20 hours | $1,100 + taxes | Regular support to get through the postpartum period more peacefully. |
| 35 hours | $1,760 + taxes | In-depth support: cesarean section, twins, intense fatigue, lack of network. |
On the insurance side: our companions provide official naturopathic receipts, eligible for reimbursement by several group or private insurance companies. Coverage varies from one plan to another: remember to check the "Naturopathy" label on your contract with your insurer before booking. This is a concrete advantage to reduce the bill, and our team can help you present the relief packages in detail.
Not sure which package you need?
In 30 minutes, we take stock of your needs, your budget and the number of useful hours. Without obligation, and with clear answers on insurance receipts.
When to request readings, and when to consult a professional?
You don't have to be "at the end of your rope" to deserve support. Releases are useful as soon as you feel that rest is lacking: broken nights, demanding breastfeeding, lack of network, return of an elder to manage, or simply the desire to experience this beginning more slowly. Anticipating pregnancy is often the best option, because the first weeks pass quickly. It's also a good time to prepare your maternity suitcase and think about who will surround you when you return.
Baby blues, common in the first days, are distinguished from perinatal depression, which is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum (INSPQ). The readings remain support, not medical care: contact a health professional without delay (your doctor, your midwife, your CLSC or Info-Santé at 811) if you or the person accompanied presents in particular:
- 🩸 suddenly heavy bleeding (which soaks a towel in less than an hour) or severe clots;
- 🌡️ fever, chills, severe pain or worsening sore;
- 🫂 sadness, anxiety or emptiness that persists beyond two weeks, or prevents you from functioning;
- ⚠️ dark thoughts, feeling like you can't do it anymore or that you want to hurt yourself or the baby.
In case of distress or suicidal thoughts, don't be alone: call him 988 (suicide crisis helpline) or go to the emergency room. These situations are more common than you might think, and help is available.
How to book reliefs?
The process is simple and can be done at your own pace:
- 📞 A discovery encounter to talk about your situation, without obligation.
- 📝 Assessing your needs : day or night, number of hours, priorities (rest, breastfeeding, siblings...).
- 📅 Choosing a package and the planning of sessions, ideally reserved before the birth.
Are you still preparing for your baby arrival? Now is the perfect time to prepare for your postpartum and think about the support you will want to receive. You can also explore our entire postnatal support to combine relief, breastfeeding and follow-up.
Offer relief to a new parent?
It is one of the most beautiful birth gifts: rest, meals and a reassuring presence at home. Offer a few hours of support to a family you care about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are relievers reserved for breastfeeding mothers?
No. The support adapts to your reality, whether you are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or mixing the two. The goal remains the same: to help you recover and take care of your baby.
When can we start surveys?
As soon as you get home, and sometimes even in the very first days. As the first weeks pass quickly, many families book before the birth to be sure they have support at the right time.
Can we give reliefs as gifts?
Yes, it is an increasingly popular gift idea. You can offer a number of hours of support to a loved one; contact us to organize this simply.
Are the readings reimbursed by insurance?
Often in part, yes. At Ysé Naissance, our companions provide official naturopathic receipts, eligible for reimbursement by several private insurance companies. Check the "Naturopathy" label on your contract with your insurer before booking.
What is the difference between a postnatal doula and lifts?
The two largely overlap. "Relevailles" mainly refers to the home support service (rest, care, meals, light cleaning), often offered by a postnatal companion or doula. At Ysé Naissance, it is our guides trained in perinatal care who provide it.
In summary
Relevals provide comprehensive support at home during the weeks following birth: rest, baby care, meals and listening. They do not replace medical monitoring, but they create favorable conditions for your recovery, during a period that the WHO considers critical. This support is easily combined with other resources according to your needs and budget. The best time to organize it? Often even before the baby arrives.
This article is informative and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
Sources:
Be born and grow. Recover after childbirth, 2023.
World Health Organization. WHO emergencies quality care for women and newborns in the critical first weeks after childbirth, 2022.
Statistics Canada. Maternal mental health in Canada, 2018-2019, 2019.
National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ). Mental health and mental disorders in the perinatal context.
Remember that every pregnancy is unique
Choosing a birth attendant can make all the difference in your experience of parenting.
Find all of the services offered in preparation for birth as well as the notice families supported by the Ysé Naissance team ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
