JESSICA BALLARD, CLC, DONA TRAINED DOULA
"You are compassionate, encouraging and a listener. You would make a great doula." These inspiring words from a doula friend together with the experience of my first birth encouraged me to start my own doula journey. The birth of my daughter involved a series of interventions including breaking my water, vacuum extraction and an episiotomy (all with little forewarning and without my consent). I ended up with a healthy baby but without much ownership of my birth experience. When I learned there was a profession that provided continual emotional, physical and educational support to a pregnant person during labor (and before and after) I wondered how different my birth would have been with a doula. As I educated myself on the ins and outs of birth and labor support I knew I wanted to be a doula. With the support of friends and family I received my DONA (Doulas of North America) training and began attending births. Watching an empowered, informed and supported person give birth is an amazing experience. I am passionate to equip, encourage and empower you through this transformational time in your life. I am DONA trained to support you during your pregnancy and during labor. I have experience from homebirth to hospital birth. As a Certified Lactation Consultant I also offer breastfeeding support.
I am married and a mom of 2. I love cooking international food, traveling, reading, theatre and hanging with my family.
"You are compassionate, encouraging and a listener. You would make a great doula." These inspiring words from a doula friend together with the experience of my first birth encouraged me to start my own doula journey. The birth of my daughter involved a series of interventions including breaking my water, vacuum extraction and an episiotomy (all with little forewarning and without my consent). I ended up with a healthy baby but without much ownership of my birth experience. When I learned there was a profession that provided continual emotional, physical and educational support to a pregnant person during labor (and before and after) I wondered how different my birth would have been with a doula. As I educated myself on the ins and outs of birth and labor support I knew I wanted to be a doula. With the support of friends and family I received my DONA (Doulas of North America) training and began attending births. Watching an empowered, informed and supported person give birth is an amazing experience. I am passionate to equip, encourage and empower you through this transformational time in your life. I am DONA trained to support you during your pregnancy and during labor. I have experience from homebirth to hospital birth. As a Certified Lactation Consultant I also offer breastfeeding support.
I am married and a mom of 2. I love cooking international food, traveling, reading, theatre and hanging with my family.
WHAT IS A DOULA?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth- DONA
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth- DONA