What is a doula?
When people ask me what I do the easy answer is “I’m a birth coach” but BEING A DOULA is so much more than breathing techniques and hip squeezes (though they are divine).
As a doula, I will walk alongside you and your partner as you begin a new chapter in life. We go over the natural labor patterns, comfort strategies and coping skills. We will start with a consult where you can come ask your questions and share your dreams for labor/birth. I always tell partners that “I know birth but you know mama better than anyone!” This is why it’s so important that both of you come to the consult to see if we’re a good fit.
Once you decide to move forward we will set up our two prenatal visits: COMFORT MEASURES (where I show you and your partner how to support one another during labor) and BIRTH PREFERENCES (where we sift through all the options and figure out how you hope your birth story will unfold). Most clients choose to add on BIRTH PHOTS AND FILMS which includes A CUSTOM GIFT ALBUM.
I am on call for your birth from 37 WEEKS until the baby decides to arrive. You can check in with questions or concerns and guidance on when to call your care provider to let them know it’s GO TIME. I will join you in active labor to provide in person support wherever you choose to labor and through the immediate postpartum (usually 2-3 hours after birth).
Once you’re settled in at home I will come to you for a POSTPARTUM visit to process your birth experience, talk about life with baby and look at your photos and films together. This is a great opportunity for a COMING HOME newborn session to document the beauty of your fourth trimester!
“I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT JESSICA AND OUR EXPERIENCE WITH HER AS OUR DOULA AND BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER. MY HUSBAND AND I WENT BACK AND FORTH ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE WANTED TO HIRE A DOULA —- WHILE I WAS DOING MY RESEARCH - I STUMBLED UPON JESSICA’S WEBSITE - AND INSTANTLY FELT “DRAWN” TO HER AND HER WORK. WE ENDED UP TAKING BIRTH CLASSES THROUGH THE BIRTH CENTER IN BLOOMINGTON WHERE SHE LEAD! AS SOON AS I SAW HER, I SERIOUSLY LOOKED AT MY HUSBAND AND SAID “THAT’S HER. THAT’S JESSICA. I WANT HER.” IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR MY HUSBAND TO BE ON BOARD AFTER WE ATTENDED ALL THREE OF OUR BIRTH CLASSES. WE DELIVERED AT THE BIRTH CENTER, OUR DAUGHTER MADE A VERY SPEEDY DELIVERY - JESSICA MET US THERE AND WAS SIMPLY AMAZING FROM THE MOMENT WE GOT INSIDE. SHE WAS QUICK TO MY SIDE TO ASSIST AS I WAS ALREADY TRANSITION - SHE DIDN’T SPEAK A BEAT. HER CALM, KIND, AND ENCOURAGING WORDS ARE EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED IN OUR BIRTH SPACE. I WOULD RECOMMEND JESSICA TO ANYONE - AS SHE TRULY SUPPORTS ALL BIRTH PLANS - AND DREAMS. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE ALREADY DECIDED WE’LL NEED HER FOR EVERY/ANY FUTURE BIRTH.”