A Little about Jenna

Who i am

The loving nurturer that I am led me to becoming a birth doula.

I have the sincere pleasure of assisting many families in Jasper and Hinton. As of 2022 I have assisted approximately 80 families in Jasper and Hinton welcome their first, second, third and even fourth babies.

My education as a RMT, Yoga Instructor, Birth Doula, together with my own birthing experiences, has given me the skills to develop a well rounded holistic approach to supporting women and families through this life transition. I work with families where they are at, to empower, educate, to achieve their birth wishes and desires.

My experience includes assisting with VBACS, high risk pregnancies including twins. I have established a strong rapport with Hinton Hospital Staff and physicians over the past 12 years of serving our communities.

how to connect

I welcome anyone who is curious to learn more about doula services to contact me and connect via the email or phone listed on the website.

When to hire or inquire

I am currently accepting clients, with my services being in high demand I recommend contacting me as soon as you know you are pregnant. I can help with initial referral to physician, initial navigation of ultrasounds and tests, recommended resources and relationship building.

Pregnancy complications or loss

I can also be of assistance during the hard times, if any local family experiences loss, or complications, As a mother who had the unthinkable happen I am able to provide support to other women through the tough times. I have organized a pregnancy loss support group in Jasper that will continue to meet as needed to fill the gap in the community of linking support.

“Doula: woman caregiver, a trained and experienced labour companion who provides the woman and her partner continuous emotional support, physical comfort and assistance in obtaining information before, during and after childbirth.”

 A Birth Doula...

  • recognizes birth as a key life experience that will be forever remembered

  • understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour

  • assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth

  • stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout the entire labour

  • provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance in getting the information needed to make good decisions

  • perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience

  • mothers the mother

The acceptance of doulas in maternity is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well being of mothers and infants.

Why use a Doula?

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care, love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

I am educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period and am prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth.  I offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

  • tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications

  • reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience

  • reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and caesareans

  • reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

  • Feel more secure and cared for

  • Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics

  • Have greater success with breastfeeding

  • Have greater self-confidence

  • Have less postpartum depression

Women & couples hire doulas for many reasons. Some couples hire a doula just as much for the partner as for the labouring woman. Some women in our region who are seeking midwifery care turn to me as a doula to provide them with as close to a home like environment as possible given the choice for midwifery is just not available here, yet! Doula services are as flexible as you want them to be. 

What does the service look like?

A free consultation is always available to see if the services I provide are the right fit for you and your family. Please contact me to discuss a convenient time and place for you.

Once you decide that you would like to hire me for Birth Doula services we will set a date for our first prenatal appointment.

During the initial appointment we will sit down as a team, you and your partner and anyone else involved. We will go through a health history intake form, have discussions about what your wishes and desires are and get to know each other more thoroughly.

A second appointment will be scheduled as per both of our availability, during this time we spend time talking about when to call me, stages and phases of labour, recommended reading and videos, and fears or concerns to be addressed and referred to appropriate modalities. Time is spent practically going over hands on labouring positions, rituals and rhythms of labour and how to best listen to your body. We spend time ensuring your team is on the same page to best support you.

Additional appointments available upon request.

Prenatal Massages can be added to either of these appointments in the comfort of your own home.

Labour

When you think you are in labour, or having to make decisions around your birth it is best to call me, we will decide together what course of action to take.

I will remain with you continuously for the entire process of your labour. I provide massage, soothing words, breathing assistance, atmosphere control (dim lighting, music, candles etc) comfort techniques for coping, recommendations for position changes, in depth one on one support to husband or partner showing him or her how to best assist you. I will remain with you until baby is breastfeeding well and you are ready for quiet time as a family. Depending on time of birth I try to always deliver a healthy delicious meal to the family at the hospital, served on a silver platter of course!

Following your birth if you have chosen to have your placenta encapsulated I will take it to your home and begin processing right away.

I will make regular contact with you to see how you are doing and find a time that works best to come to your home following the birth to assist you with anything you may need, make referrals, give you your birth story and debrief you birth with you answering any questions you or your partner may have.

“My goal as your doula is to ensure you have the most satisfying experience possible, leave the details to me. Rest, relax, and be confident in the hands of a loving, nurturing woman trained to assist you in this amazingly transformative time in life.”

Pre and Post-natal In-home Support

Leading up to and/or following the birth of your baby. This option can look like whatever we want it to, you will be able to know best what you require as far as support, hourly rate 

  • Nap for parents

  • Newborn Care

  • Soft Support

  • Breastfeeding Assistance and or referrals

  • Answering questions, instilling confidence, listening

  • Light housework (laundry, dishes etc)

  • Overnight support

Contact Jenna for more information and to see if there is availability after your expected due date!

Testimonials

“It’s difficult for me to even begin to explain what having Jenna present at my birth meant to me. She was my rock. Gentle and calm, she brought so much peace into my household. She worked with me through each contraction and in a short period of time taught me to cope with the increasing discomfort of labour. I still remember how she held my hand and looked into my eyes when I was scared. I write this with tears in my eyes because I am so moved by her beautiful ability to quietly empower an individual in such a vulnerable state. I believe that Jenna is the reason I was able to have the birth experience I desired and I will never forget the part that she played in our sons birth - I am thankful beyond words for her.
- Lynsey
”
“Jenna is phenomenal and I can’t imagine a natural birth without her! At first, we weren’t sure about having a doula, but after meeting Jenna we were convinced! Jenna welcomed a strong relationship with us; she was always knowledgeable and positive on every subject! On birth-day, she rushed to our place at 2am. During the labour she provided incredible support yet respected the time that my partner and I needed. Her attention to detail is so extraordinary that nothing was left undone. More than I expected (I already knew she was capable of a lot)! She knew all the right things to say, all the best places to apply counter-pressure, and thought of every possible thing we might want before we ever asked! She helped us welcome our new little boy and I couldn’t think of a better person to have been there with us. I am grateful for Jenna’s hard work, unrelenting positivity and knowledge, and insistence on coconut water between pushes she helped me accomplish everything I’d hoped for!
- Layla”
“He never had to worry about what he should do better or different. He didn’t stress about things he might be forgetting. He knew Jenna was there to prompt him and guide him towards the best ways to support me. He could simply focus on sharing every minute with me.
Pam - Husbands point of view
”
“Having Jenna as my doula was truly a blessing. Jenna is such a gentle caring person and a great coach who listened to my needs to make my birthing experience comfortable for me. She was by my side through the entire experience as well as taught my husband the skills he needed to help coach me through the birth. I am so grateful for having Jenna as my doula and I hope many more mothers- to -be can experience her skills as well.
- Jesse’s mom
”
“It was truly a blessing having Jenna with us thru the birth of our baby boy. The advice and breathing techniques she gave me were extremely helpful and gave me the confidence I needed to give birth. She was with me every step of the way along side my husband which she gave the knowledge and strength he needed to help coach me thru the birth. Thank you Jenna, you are amazing!”