December 2015

When we met Jacquie for the first time we were looking for some sleep and help with our one week newborn son. We never could have imagined the incredible woman she is and how much she’s helped us in many areas. My wife had experienced postpartum emotional complications with our first child and we thought we would be more prepared the second time. When that time came she had a difficult child birth and it took a toll on my wife both physically and mentally.

Jacquie was a breath of fresh air who would show up nightly prepared with information to help guide us and educate us regarding what we were going through. She would listen to our daily concerns and engage us in great conversation. She wouldn’t tell us what to do as most people would. She would let us talk freely and we would talk about our daily struggles and successes’ which would make us feel much better.

Jacquie also gave my wife an amazing amount of emotional support. Jacquie being a mother could empathize, where I could not. Jacquie works with a great doula network that helped train her and educated her on the resources out there for new mothers. Not only did Jacquie support my wife but also me as well. As a father of a newborn I had a lot of new responsibilities added to go along with helping more with our 2 year old, job, and emotional support for my wife. Jacquie would ask how I was doing with everything, which was unexpected. She provided me with a website for dad’s with wives who were experiencing postpartum emotional complications.

She would also leave encouraging notes for my wife and also research any questions my wife had. It wasn’t Wikipedia info either . She would find the sources of her research and give us great information so we could make an educated decision. Jacquie was a blessing to our whole family and we’re sure she will be to yours as well!

I contacted Jacquie when I was pregnant for the first time because honestly, I was terrified of what it would be like to become a mother. I have never done well with uncertainty and well, getting pregnant and becoming a first-time parent is one of the most uncertain and unnerving times in our lives. I wanted (needed) to feel like I was not alone in my transition, but most of all, I needed someone who had experience who could walk alongside me with whatever happened. Jacquie was like a second mother to me. She took care of my baby, helped me to learn about nutrition, latching, bonding, and all the supplies I didn’t know I needed for pumping. What helped me most of all, however, was how she listened to me. Having a new baby puts stress on individuals, but partners, too, which can in turn, put stress on the relationship. Jacquie was never, ever judgmental; she was there for both of us as we struggled to navigate our new roles and support each other as we dealt with less sleep, raging hormones, and many unexpected challenges that came up during and after my birthing experience. I will never forget the moment when she held my face in her hands and looked me in the eyes and told me that everything would be okay. I felt like I was her daughter, and her reassurance helped me more than words can say. She supported us, cared for us, but most of all, empowered us. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to go through this experience without her. Having Jacquie as my postpartum doula was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. ~Lindsey, 2019