Testimonials

Doula Jenn

Testimonials

Hear what people are saying about Doula Jenn Birth Doula Services by reading testimonials from Doula Jenn’s birth doula clients.

Not only did Jenn help us adjust, but she also helped us with so much information about the processes and the uniqueness that comes with each birth.

I had a positive, empowering, and memorable birth experience with Doula Jenn. She was an integral part of our birth process. I look back on our birth experience fondly – especially some little moments of joking or irony. Jenn was our Doula for our first daughter, who was born in 2020 during the pandemic. It wasn’t until almost 34 weeks in pregnancy that I decided to change doctors and hospitals. I was so grateful to be accepted to UCSD Jacob’s Center with the Midwives where an in-person Doula was permitted. My husband and I met with Jenn over Zoom and determined that she was the Doula for us at 35 weeks! We had planned to review my birth plan and things to do in the last month of pregnancy. Much to our surprise, I was diagnosed with pregnancy cholestasis and we were going to be a family of three much sooner than we expected. We met with Jenn on a Friday and went in to be induced on the following Monday. Not only did Jenn help us adjust, but she also helped us with so much information about the processes and the uniqueness that comes with each birth. She was supportive of me and my decisions, but also of helping my husband navigate the emotional roller coaster and staying supportive. After being at the hospital for 3 nights, we finally started to see some contractions. But it wasn’t enough. My water had to be broken, so Jenn talked us through it, but she made it clear at each step that everything was my decision. After that, my back labor accelerated quickly. Jenn was prepared with peppermint oil and a positive, coaching and reassuring attitude to help me work through the challenge. In the end, I succeeded with a natural and un-medicated birth, despite our roller coaster! Best of all, we brought our daughter into the world and she joined our family! Jenn was an important part of our birth experience and we hope that we get to share any future births with her as well!

Marisa Samoshin

I continue to be so grateful for your excellent support that made Cooper’s birth such a positive and healthy experience for me. From the moment I heard your voice coming into the delivery room, you helped me. Your constant presence and skill encouraged me on, and helped me feel calm, focused, and strong. What an incredible difference having the right support makes, and I’m so very thankful.

– Sarah Dall

Sharp Mary Birch

“She had amazing suggestions for laboring positions to ease pain and exhaustion and was an incredible advocate for the birth experience my husband and I wanted when it came to communicating with our medical team.”

We would recommend Jenn in a heartbeat. She was with us when we delivered our stillborn baby girl in February 2019 – she helped us through an incredibly dark time not only during the labor and delivery stage, but also afterwards as we were grieving, looking for answers and thinking about another pregnancy. Jenn was one of the first people we told when we were pregnant again and she recently helped us bring our healthy baby boy into the world in January 2020. She had amazing suggestions for laboring positions to ease pain and exhaustion and was an incredible advocate for the birth experience my husband and I wanted when it came to communicating with our medical team. Jenn’s kind, expert and low-key presence helped to make my 30+ hour labor a (mostly) peaceful and comfortable time. Jenn also helped us to manage our visitors, communicating news to family members in the waiting room and allowing my husband and I precious time alone with our baby. She helped us with breastfeeding quickly after delivery which helped us get off to the right start on that front and had helpful tips when she visited us at home a few days after we were discharged. If you are looking for a doula – stop now and call Jenn!

Kimberly

Birth Doula Birth Support

I used Jenn’s services during my first pregnancy, and it was the best decision I ever made! She was so encouraging, nurturing, and calming during my labor. She also coached me through birthing positions to successfully turn my baby for an easier delivery. Could not have asked for a better experience with Jenn.

– Jessica Cary

“Nowhere in the entire process did we ever feel like she was making decisions for us, but calmly encouraged and guided. She was also responsive and supportive well before and after baby’s actual birth day. ”

I can’t say enough about my positive experience with Jenn. Beyond all of the normal support and encouragement that I have absolutely no doubt she gives every mom and dad-to-be, she literally saved me from having unnecessary medication when an incompetent (or evil) L&D nurse told me I was only 5-6cm dilated when I was actually 9 1/2 cm and my unmedicated body was telling me to push! I wasn’t going to be able to endure the pain, and the struggle of trying not to push when my body wanted to without medication if I was only half way dilated – I was ready to give in and get the epidural. She quietly and professionally encouraged my husband to ask for a second opinion and thank goodness she did! A short time later and with only a few pushes our little boy was born – with no medication.

On a side note, my husband and I don’t do much without a ton of research and so you can imagine it was the same with a doula. Jenn’s was the very first name to cross our path and if we had listened to all the reviews and advice we would have stopped there. But if we had done that, we wouldn’t have fully appreciated how great of a fit for us she was. Other doulas we spoke to had many of their own opinions and pushed us in directions we weren’t interested in. Some of them put doubts, and even fear into us because of the decisions we had already researched and made. Jenn couldn’t have been farther from this. She really let us take the lead and tell her what we hoped our birth experience would be like. She was nothing but encouraging with every decision we made and fair and balanced when we asked her perspective or advice. Nowhere in the entire process did we ever feel like she was making decisions for us, but calmly encouraged and guided. She was also responsive and supportive well before and after baby’s actual birth day. Couldn’t be more grateful that we went with a doula and especially, that we found Jenn!

– Talia Green

These two were the absolute best people I could have had by my side as I gave birth to Teddy. My husband Brian and my doula @doulajennva. I’m very thankful that my labor and delivery went mostly according to plan and that it was a very positive experience for me. I owe that largely to Jenn. She not only provided excellent guidance throughout my pregnancy to help prepare my body for what was ahead, she was so calm and knowledgeable in positioning and supporting me throughout the worst parts of my labor. When I was completely exhausted after 19 hours and not sure I could go on, Jenn was able to reassure me that I’d find the energy to finish this when I needed to. And she was absolutely right. I cannot thank her enough. If you’re pregnant and ever on the fence about hiring a doula – do it.

Christie R

Natural Birth

At my 6-week postpartum check-up, my doctor mentioned how impressed she was with Jenn, and had received her info to recommend her to other patients. The fact that my doctor remembered Jenn after many weeks, is a true testament that she made a positive impression.

My husband & I decided we wanted an unconventional birth (by hospital standards), to include an unmedicated birth and the Hypnobabies and Spinning Babies programs. We began our search online looking for a doula with great reviews and the experience we wanted. Jenn was one of the doula’s we reached out to and had an in-person interview with. We immediately liked her personality: she was knowledgeable, informative, friendly, calm, and had the qualifications we were looking for. We decided to interview a few others, but ultimately I asked myself ‘whose skill set and personality would I find most comforting during the most important time of my life?” Jenn became the clear choice. Aside from answering our questions over the course of my pregnancy, she made a house call to check up on me and offer assistance on exercises to help keep me in shape, and gave us advice on how to best construct our birth plan that was to be given to the hospital. When I finally went into labor, Jenn came to the hospital and began her process of easing my pain until my body was ready to push. During my 3 1/2 hours of pushing, Jenn had me try several positions to find the most effective one, and was there teaching the doctor and staff new birthing positions. When there was concern about the length of time it was taking, Jenn advocated for more time & new positions that ultimately lead to me having the vaginal birth I wanted. Jenn was there to take on the burden of advocating my birthing choices for both myself and my baby, so I could focus on maintaining a stress free environment. Without her, I would not have had the experience I wanted. My baby and I were the healthiest we could be because of her. At my 6-week postpartum check-up, my doctor mentioned how impressed she was with Jenn, and had received her info to recommend her to other patients. The fact that my doctor remembered Jenn after many weeks, is a true testament that she made a positive impression.

– Britton Gruenther

“She (Jenn) comforted me and calmed me down, sprinkled some peppermint essential oil in the toilet basin so I could move along with my original intent…”

Read about Jackie’s HypnoBirth story here

Doula Jenn sharing another birth

Jennifer was ammazzzzing!

My husband and I are so grateful. We found her at a “Meet the Doulas” event and for some reason, I just knew she was the doula I wanted. She has positive energy and good vibes radiating from her. She has a great history of experience plus she has children of her own. She knew the ins and outs of the hospital and having her there really took a load off of my husband. In addition, I felt my experience at the hospital was so much better with her there as the staff was much more relaxed. She was an awesome support through my entire labor and delivery and I would highly recommend her. Thanks again, Jennifer!!!

– Kia Kay Lester

“She felt like a steady extension of the family in the chaos of the delivery room.”

Jennifer is a knowledgeable and passionate person, with a medical background, so it’s reassuring that she knows more than just what experience has taught her. She also has a calming personality, which made the height of labor very manageable. My delivery was in a hospital she frequents with clients, so in addition to knowing and having worked with the L&D nurses, she was aware of the flow of events and what exactly was needed and where to get different things. She felt like a steady extension of the family in the chaos of the delivery room.

– Amy Schroeder

Doula Jenn supports second time moms.

“Jennifer was with me through the pregnancy and a huge support ”

As a first time mom I wasn’t quite sure what to expect for the birth of my baby, but Jennifer was with me through the pregnancy and a huge support during the birth for both me and my husband. My goal was to have an unmedicated/natural labor and birth, but when my midwives suggested pitocin after my water broke and contractions weren’t starting on their own, I was so nervous! Jennifer helped me through the nerves and difficult contractions– it was a wonderful experience!

– Jessica Kelly

Doula Jenn provides birth doula services in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

“Jenn was our rock during the birth of our daughter.”

Even with the birthing class and all the readings we had done, we would not have had the ease of delivery that we did with our child if it hadn’t been for Jenn. She spent the time to meet with us beforehand to understand what our hopes were, educate us on what options we had during delivery, and made sure we knew that it was ultimately about what we needed. She made sure I knew she was available for any questions, concerns, or just needing to talk in the time before I went into labor. This especially meant a lot to me as I had had a loss prior to this successful pregnancy and my anxiety and fear were palpable. Jenn helped me through that.

Most important, I felt that she was there for us and solely focused on what I needed and doing her best to get me there during the labor. The medical staff have their priorities – I was Jenn‘s. Her help with pain management was vital and made my husband and I feel taken care of and understood. She stayed with us until we were comfortable to start to get know our daughter and checked in on us afterwards just to see how things were going.

I hope I will have the chance to work with Jenn in a few years when we hopefully have our second child. I could not recommend her more highly.

– Laura Fox

“She was compassionate; attentive; worked collaboratively with my husband, the nurses and doctors; and educated us as we encountered each hurdle.”

We are so happy we (1) decided to hire a doula, and (2) hired Jenn to be our doula. Heading into our first pregnancy, we thought Jenn would assist us through a natural delivery but little did we know that our labor and delivery would become more involved than originally planned. Jenn assisted us through much of our 36 hours of labor, including the decision to have a C-Section, and post-op recovery. Jenn was with us every step of the way – she was compassionate; attentive; worked collaboratively with my husband, the nurses and doctors; and educated us as we encountered each hurdle. Post-delivery Jenn was full of great advice to consider for new parents with tons of questions. Having Jenn by our side gave us peace of mind and made a stressful situation much more manageable. If you are considering hiring a doula, we highly recommend Jenn!

Kristin Simons

Doula Jenn provides birth doula services in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

“Jenn was the support I needed through my birth.”

Although I had my husband there, it was nice to have her with me. When I was ready to give up, she was there to keep me going and was there to give me positive reinforcements that I could do this and this is what my body was made to do. I met her only a couple times before the birth of my baby and I wasn’t sure that I would feel comfortable with her, but I was wrong. She made me feel very comfortable. She came to see me after my birth both at my home and at the Birth Center. I really appreciated everything she did for me. I couldn’t recommend her enough!

– Suzanne K.

“She was an amazing doula.”

Jennifer was an amazing doula. She was very supportive and made sure every request was met. She went above and beyond to make sure my child birth experience was stress free. I couldn’t imagine giving birth with out her.

Tamia James

“Jenn was warm and supportive from the first time we met.”

She listened to the details of my first pregnancy and delivery experience, which led to a scheduled c-section, and helped to plan our VBAC experience. She responded promptly when I texted her random questions, and had good advice when I needed it. When I went into labor, she kept in touch with me and guided me in managing the discomfort as my contractions intensified. Once I finally started active labor, Jenn met us at the hospital and was an absolute STAR. My OB wasn’t on call, and the on-call doctor from his practice got pulled over for speeding to get to the hospital; while the nurses scrambled to get my room set up, Jenn helped me to cope with the contractions and focus on helping my baby to make her way out. Although my labor was a blur (delivery took less than 2 hours from the time we checked in to the hospital), I clearly remember being grateful for Jenn’s calm, positive support. We didn’t have time to set up all the aesthetics I’d requested when we met, but she was there to support me and my husband in having the unmedicated natural birth I’d always wanted. The experience was so positive, I’m almost tempted to have a third child!

– Jade H.

Doula Jenn provides birth doula services in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

“She was the best support I could have ever asked for.”

I specifically selected Jenn because I wanted a doula who was familiar with Hypnobabies since I was using the home study curriculum during my pregnancy. After having an induced labor which resulted in an emergency C-section with my first baby, I was hoping for an unmedicated VBAC with my second. Jenn was great in answering all my questions and helped me finalize my birth preferences. She even gave me recommendations on what specific rooms to request at the hospital that had bathtubs, as well as the name of a wireless fetal monitor I could request since I knew that my OB practice required me to be continuously monitored. She had previously worked with both of the midwives in my practice which gave me another level of comfort.

She participated in a birth rehearsal my husband and I had with a Hypnobabies instructor and was instrumental in making me feel more comfortable about what I could do at home to stay calm and focused during contractions (Hypnobabies terminiology- “birthing waves”) and to stay as long as I was comfortable at home before going to the hospital.

When I contacted her to let her know we were going to the hospital, she came promptly and met us in triage. I was 5 cm dilated already upon arrival. Everything went very fast for me, which was a good thing but also was extremely intense. She was the best support I could have ever asked for, and was not only emotionally supportive in telling me not only that I COULD do it but I WAS doing it, she physically provided support such as counter pressure where I needed it, helping me change positions, and helping me with my breathing. She is the main reason that I was able to deliver my son vaginally and not have another emergency C-section due to some heart rate decelerations. My husband and I are forever grateful to her for all she’s done for us. I would recommend her to anyone, but especially those interested in an unmedicated birth.

Emily McDermott

Doula Jenn provides birth doula services in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

“I recommend Jenn to anyone going into hospital birth.”

Jenn’s years of birth experience helped us approach our first delivery with confidence. She helped us think through our “birth preferences” in advance so I was ready to ask for what I wanted in labor. She provided calm, professional support to me and my husband during birth, saying exactly what I needed to hear to keep going and making suggestions on how he could help. The medical staff came and went, but our Doula stayed with us the whole time. I was able to experience the whole birth unmedicated with her help (though I felt she would have been equally supportive and helpful if we made the choice to use paid meds). Thank you, Jenn, for making our birth experience such a positive one!

– Liesel K.

“I could not have done it without Jenn!”

Being a first time mom, I had no idea what to expect from labor but knew that I wanted to create as calm, productive and strong environment as possible for myself, my husband and new baby. Jenn was the perfect doula to create that type of environment. She is extremely experienced in a wide variety of labors and births, which was very calming for me. I trusted her completely! When my labor ended up being a long and slow one, she was readily accessible via text and phone calls until I felt like I really needed her by my side, at which point she cancelled an appointment to go to the hospital to be with me. Once there, she was very supportive and action-oriented — she helped me try different positions and movements to progress my labor. She also helped explain some of the more “medical talk” happening between the nurses and my OB, which assisted me in making certain decisions during the labor process. She also was a huge support to my husband and coached him on how he could be support me during labor. Ultimately, we ended up with a healthy baby and we were both really happy with my labor experience. I could not have done it without Jenn! Her experience, supportive, calm and strong nature are just the qualities to help you through the labor and delivery process!

Meghan B.

Doula Jenn provides birth doula services in Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.

“Can’t recommend her enough!”

Jenn was an absolute god send. My husband and I don’t know what we would have done with out her. We are both first time parents and I had to be induced and had Jenn not been with us we think that we would have panicked. Jenn is so calm and easy going. She makes the whole process of pregnancy and giving birth seem so manageable and wonderful. Now we consider her a great friend and someone we hope will be in our lives forever! Can’t recommend her enough! And I honestly can’t imagine going through pregnancy, birth and post natal with out a doula. It’s a no brainer!

Hannah Butler

“Jennifer was a Godsend for my family.”

Originally we had not planned on using a doula, but I am so glad we did. Jennifer was kind and competent. She saved me from back labor by directing me in movements to help flip our baby. She compassionately directed my husband in comforting me during my contractions. She constantly stayed by our side to monitor our baby’s stubbornly dipping heart rate (the nurses and midwives aren’t always in the room). She even helped us get our son’s days and nights regulated! Hiring Jennifer was worth every cent. We are incredibly grateful for her guidance and support before, during, and after labor.

— Jessica Swope

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about working with Jennifer.”

She was kind, supportive, motivating, and just a wonderful presence to having throughout my labor.  She was able to assist me and work with my husband to help with pain management.  I ultimately ended up needing to get a c section and I would have thought that I wouldn’t necessarily need a doula for that but having Jenn there made all the difference in the world!  She was so helpful when it came time to discuss the options. I would absolutely use Jenn again as she made the experience so much better.  Having an extended labor ( over 40 hours) that results in a c section can be incredibly overwhelming and she absolutely helped keep me calm, assisted with my pain, and was just a wonderful person to have in the room with us to support both myself and my husband.

Allison Wiseman

“Hiring Jen was worth every second! I recommend Jen to all my sisters, friends, and will contact her again for my third pregnancy and labor.”

Meeting Jennifer was a tremendous blessing! Tired of all the interventions with my previous pregnancy, I wanted to go as unmedicated as possible. I knew it would be painful so I started to get Jen’s help. From the day I met Jen, she answered all questions and helped me for the big & most special day. That day came and Jen was with me from the beginning to the end, helping me manage every wave with different techniques, just as if solving a puzzle; every technique worked like magic, just like there is one key for every lock. For example, when I was going through transition,  Jen would tell me what to do and/or she would do it for me, the best thing for me was that it often involved my husband.  Even when I was being stiched  up and my husband walked away with the nurses and the baby, Jen distracted by talking to me.

Marcela Kwon

“Jen is great.”

We were expecting our first baby and wanted to have an unmedicated birth. While I was nervous about a whole host of things, she totally put my mind at ease and provided helpful tips and moral support to get us through.

Meredith Gentine

“I could not have asked for a better birth doula experience, given the circumstances.”

She was fantastic. We clicked immediately and she just got to work, guiding me through a very bizarre, long, just the opposite of everything planned birth experience.

Jennifer was very skilled at picking up non verbal cues and rolling with the punches.

She provided excellent support for both me and my my husband, she helped us sort through information when it came time to make decisions and we were beyond exhausted. She stood with us when we were standing up for ourselves when we were being bullied by an on call doctor.

We were very grateful to have her by our side for the majority of our son’s almost 2 day arrival. I could not have asked for a better birth doula experience, given the circumstances. I would choose to use her services again in a heartbeat.

Michelle Zugschwerdt

“Jenn was instrumental in helping me have the birth experience that I wanted to have.”

Jennifer K.

“HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!”

Jennifer was wonderful to work with!  We decided to hire a doula just 2 weeks before delivery, and when we met with Jennifer for the first time, I knew she would be perfect for us. She was very attentive, responsive and helped me feel calm and at ease during the delivery. She followed up a few days after baby was born, and even checked in with a home visit to assist with any nursing/baby related questions.

Kara Chaffin

“Knowledgeable, attentive, and stress-busting.”

My husband and I decided to hire a doula for our first child. Although we had initially been working with another peer doula, that doula could not attend our birth due to reasons beyond her control and in stepped Jenn. Jenn was easy to connect with and talk with about our birth plans, etc. She proved to be very responsive leading up to the big day, answering all our questions promptly. When the big day approached, Jenn was fully available upon a moment’s notice. She spent over twelve hours with us during my fairly complicated labor process, including being in touch on the phone leading up to her physically being with us at the hospital. During my laboring, it was as if she was telepathic during my contractions when I was seized by pain and couldn’t speak. My husband and I can’t think of anything she could have done differently to have better taken care of our laboring and delivery needs! Her postpartum visit was also so very informative and put us at ease as new parents.

Emily Olson

“Experienced mother and birth partner.”

I had the most amazing birth experience and Jenn was a huge reason why it was so great. She was both assertive and passive enough for both my husband and me. It was our first birth and my husband was nervous about the entire thing. She really helped him know how he could help and stepped up when my husband was getting uncomforable. Jenn was amazing at answering all of my questions before the birth and stayed extra long after the birth and with her follow-up checkup to make sure that she answered any of my questions.

Dana Brodeck

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