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

After taking a Bradley method class we learned about a the role of a postpartum doula. We thought it sounded great and we got Jacqui’s info but we assumed we wouldn’t end up needing her help. Lo and behold, I ended up with a c-section and having a newborn was more overwhelming than we thought! It was extremely easy to get in touch with her and she was available to help us within a couple of days of our initial conversation.

It was great to have her help for multiple reasons. First it was just great to have someone who understood the struggles of being a new parent and she encouraged me to take care of myself and be patient while recovering from a c-section. This was different from family members who were encouraging me to walk around, get up and do stuff already! She also just helped train us as new parents and helped us set up a system for washing bottles that has served us well to this day. There is lots of stuff we learned in class or read about, but it’s incredibly helpful to have someone come to your home, someone who is kind and understanding and gentle, and show you how best to care for your child in your own home. And it’s great to have the encouragement of a professional. It is worth the cost to get this kind of professional help, to build confidence and get that immediate help and support as a new parent.

In case it wasn’t already clear, I highly recommend Jacqui as a postpartum doula!         ~Z’s Mamma, December 2018