MEAGAN
Before I got pregnant I did not know what a doula was, but after learning about them in a child birthing class my husband and I decided to interview a couple doulas to see if it was for us. Initially, I was intrigued by the lower rate of c-sections by having a doula, but after we met Jessamyn we knew she would be helpful in so many more ways than that. We had an immediate connection with her and knew we wanted her to be by our side during our birthing process.
Our two prenatal visits were very informative and mentally prepared me for what to expect during labor and what I could do to cope with the pain. What I was so pleasantly surprised with Jessamyn was her overwhelming emotional support the last couple weeks of my pregnancy. I was feeling overwhelmed as our baby was 10 days late, and Jessamyn would check in on me daily to see how I was doing physically but also emotionally and always knew how to cheer me up!
When our baby finally did arrive, Jessamyn was more helpful during labor than I could have expected. She helped me stay active, speak up for what I wanted, and most importantly achieve my goal for my labor and delivery process. After all of her help, we received pictures and a video (with our permission) of our labor and delivery that we will cherish forever! Without her we would not have had any pictures from that day. We owe her so much for helping us have our baby the way we wanted and helping me so much emotionally during the entire process. I would recommend her to anyone!!
SYDNEY
Jessamyn couldn't have been a better team member for the birth of our second child! She was there when we needed her and told us later had been waiting nearby knowing we were probably further along than we thought. Her poise and presence during my labor were both calming and secure. She has great hands and could voice simply and succinctly direction that helped relax me through the hardest contractions and move the baby into position; she kept me full of fluids and got me to go to the hospital just in the knick of time as we didn't realize how far along I was. She has a beautiful sense of emotional timing, bringing lightness when needed and focusing at other times. Our experience birthing our second daughter was magical and I believe she was a key factor in it.
JEN
Jessamyn is an amazing doula and I cannot recommend her enough! She is everything we were looking for, and so much more. Jessamyn exudes warmth, joy, compassion and has a deep reverence and respect for birth. She is gentle and lighthearted while also providing firm and grounding support. From our very first meeting (the initial interview), I felt so safe with her and trusted her to support me during the incredible experience of childbirth. Because of her warm spirit and competent, experienced hands, I had complete faith in her and knew that she had my back, both literally and figuratively. It was this trust that allowed me to relax into birth and surrender to the process, both in the weeks before the big event, and during labor and birth. She anticipated my needs at every turn and somehow knew exactly what I needed before I even knew. In a nutshell, Jessamyn put me at ease, both physically and emotionally. She was a vital part of our birth team and I could not imagine giving birth without her by my side. I am forever grateful to her for supporting me through the incredible journey to motherhood.
TANYA
It was a pleasure having Jessamyn as our birth partner. I formed an instant "kindred spirit" relationship with her. She was nurturing throughout the entire pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Her coaching greatly helped me through the most difficult part of labor. Jessamyn involved my husband during the entire experience and was a great coach and advocate of our birth plan. The birth of my son was peaceful and wonderful. I can't imagine going through labor without her!
ELIZA
Jessamyn is a wonderful doula! In addition to be extremely caring and supportive, she is knowledgeable, organized, and has just the right touch. During our prenatal visits, she taught us so much about labor and delivery, information that one cannot read in books but comes from participating in numerous births. During L&D, she was with us for what ended up being a very long birth and helped us navigate a complex decision-making process that helped honor our wishes. During our postpartum visit, she checked in on how we were doing and expressed that she was there to support us in any way. In between visits, we also were in regular contact when questions arose or just to check in. If you're considering working with a doula for your pregnancy, I encourage you to work with Jessamyn. I cannot imagine going through the experience without her.
BETH
Jessamyn was absolutely wonderful during the homebirth of our baby boy and I can't recommend her enough! I just felt very comfortable with her right away and we've remained in contact since the birth. She will definitely be there again when we get around to having our second child.
We had only met twice prior to the birth (an initial coffee shop intro and then a home visit). Since our baby came three weeks early, we missed out on the second home visit, and while I would have loved to have gotten some more time with her to prepare, it all worked out great. Our birth was relatively straight-forward, but the baby was early and progressed much quicker than anticipated. Jessamyn managed to help soothe and guide me (and my husband) as well communicate and escalate my progress to the midwives.
She has a calm, fun demeanor, a nifty little bag of tricks to help get you through labor, and she's a masseuse - the best!!! She's warm, soothing and had the right level of involvement to allow my husband and I to feel like we were being guided and supported, not interfered with. My midwives, who had not worked with her before, both thought she was fantastic and commented on what a great job she had done and how they enjoyed working with her.
And while I had no intention of being photographed during the birth, she took pictures (with my permission) and video'd announcing that we'd had a boy to my awaiting parents. I absolutely love that I have them to look back on.
AMANDA
Jessamyn was an outstanding doula from beginning to end and was an advocate for me and my baby throughout my birth experience. She is sensitive, respectful, joyful, calm and encouraging. I intended to give birth at a birthing center, but because of some complications I was instead transferred to a hospital. Jessamyn stayed by my side throughout and made sure my needs were met and my voice was heard. Before the birth, she spent a lot of time with my husband and I preparing us and answering questions. Afterward, she checked in on me in-person, over e-mail and by phone and I am so grateful for all the support she offered during those first weeks. Both my husband and I, without question, would recommend Jessamyn to anyone who is looking for a doula.
ABEL
We hired Jessamyn to be our doula for our first baby and had an awesome experience! We really wanted a doula because my wife and I obviously were new to the whole experience of having a baby, but also to help us make sure we were able to minimize medical intervention during the whole process. Jessamyn was really supportive and truly wanted to understand our goals so that she could use her experience to coach us and make sure that we achieved them. We got exactly what we expected and wanted from her and she went above and beyond to help my wife keep it together when our baby still wasn't coming further and further past our due date. Definitely recommend Jessamyn to anyone seeking a doula, especially if you really want extra support in making sure your voice is heard among the doctors and nurses involved in your baby's birth!