Birth Journey:

My first birth was induced at full term due to suspected meconium staining. After four days of induction, an epidural, an episiotomy and tearing my 10lb 1oz daughter was born.  The birth was traumatic for us as a family.Thankfully she grew to be a healthy, beautiful baby. My greatest joy was that breastfeeding was effortless and enjoyable. We nursed for a blissful 14 months.

Our second daughter was born two years later under the care of a family doctor. We were determined to do things differently but couldn’t help feeling that we were destined to relive the last birth. Our doctor had us induced at 39 weeks due to fear of a large baby (based on Emma’s birth weight.) From the first contraction to the last push my labor lasted a short two hours and forty five mins. There was no time for pain meds and I found that I had a body that worked well without them. My husband was more present with her birth up until we were pushing. The nurses had me lay flat on my back, legs in stirrups and allowed a complete stranger to catch her. Alaina was born with two pushes and a small tear.  We started out a bit slower with the breastfeeding then Emma and I, but we too enjoyed a beautiful nursing relationship for 14 months. Breastfeeding, for me, was the reward for having endured their medical births.

Doula Journey:

Fall of 2008 I was invited to attend the birth of close friends. They birthed their baby at the Mountain Midwifery Birth Center in Englewood, CO. Their birth was a beautiful, natural water birth that completely opened my eyes to the birth my soul always wanted. While I sat in the bed next to the new mom feeding her yogurt while she breastfeed her sweet, new daughter I realized that being a doula was what I needed to do with my life.

I completed my Labor Doula CAPPA Accredited training in Feb. of 2009 with Ana Hill of Childbirth And Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA).

It is with great enthusiasm that I pursue this labor of love.

Why Jessica is the Labor Doula for you:

I will work to give you informed choices, to empower you to own your birth, to be an active participant, and to be by your side no matter how your birth unfolds.

You need to be prepared to ask a lot of questions, find the best birth place, the best health care provider, the best environment, the appropriate preparations, etc. Working toward a satisfying, empowering, and life changing birth takes a lot of work, let me make it light work. 

You do deserve a doula. Call me for a free interview to see if we are a good fit. I am excited to work with you as you travel on your own birth journey.