Supporting YOUR birtH EXPERIENCE,body & soul
Looking For A Doula In San Diego County But Not Sure Where to Start?
Are you pregnant and feeling underprepared for labor and childbirth? Would having more one-on-one support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum be helpful to you? Have you heard how great doulas are but not really sure what they do?
Congratulations on the imminent arrival of your baby. While you’re hopefully excited for the big day and the changes in store once you meet this beautiful new human, pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many things to plan, decisions to make, and new skills to learn before giving birth and becoming a parent.
Perhaps you were relying on your care provider to be the primary source of support during your pregnancy, but you’ve probably noticed they aren’t spending as much time with you as you’d imagined. If you’re getting shuffled in and out of your prenatal appointments in short order, you’re not alone. Most care providers are quite busy and rarely have time to slow down and explain things to the level of satisfaction you may have expected.
Most Expectant Families Could Use The Additional Support A Birth Doula Can Offer
If you’re like most expectant parents, you could benefit from having a trained and knowledgeable birth doula to guide you through childbirth and postpartum preparation. Although you have family members, friends, and coworkers to talk to, you may discover you have differing views about things. And if they gave birth in a different generation, it may be challenging to relate to their experience.
You might be getting unsolicited advice coming at you left and right—it can be hard to sift through it all to determine whether it’s evidence-based fact or some old wives’ tale. While it’s meant to be well-meaning, it may leave you feeling confused and uncertain about what decisions to make.
Have you noticed that the birth stories people share with you are rarely uplifting and positive? Chalk it up to human nature that stories recounting endless hours of excruciating labor are more commonly retold than stories about a calm, peaceful, uneventful birth. Perhaps they make for more dramatic storytelling, but they can inaccurately skew your thoughts about pregnancy to the negative, which is the last thing you want when preparing to give birth.
And how is your partner holding up? They may be reacting in all sorts of different ways but most of the time they feel out of their depth if you’re expecting your first baby. They know they want to support you as much as they can but are probably not quite sure how to do that.
That’s why having a birth doula in your corner can be such an invaluable resource for both of you. By directing you to reliable sources of information and helping you to dispel fear, a doula can help you make preparations that can positively impact your birth experience.
A Birth Doula Prepares You For Childbirth And Supports You In Labor
A Birth Doula Prepares You For Childbirth And Supports You In LaborI’m honored for the opportunity to assist you with this wonderful and exciting journey into parenthood. My goal is for you and your partner to feel PREPARED, POSITIVE, and EMPOWERED when the big day comes.
Within our current birth culture, it’s common for expectant parents to focus most of their preparation on accumulating all the things baby will need once they arrive while often giving little consideration to HOW their baby will make its arrival. When thought is given ahead of time to the atmosphere your baby will enter when transitioning from womb to world, it can transform an already profound moment into a truly magical experience.
It’s also a tremendous benefit for you to understand what is happening within your body to create this miracle, as well as recognize and honor the truly awesome power you possess to bring life into this world. Not only will I be there for you and your partner during labor in every way, but I will also guide you in your journey to learn all there is to know ahead of time so that you feel prepared for birth, both physically and emotionally.
Just as every family is different, so is every birth. Regardless of what type of birth you decide is best for you and your baby, you deserve the special support only a doula can give. And while there are never any guarantees the birth will go according to plan (because let’s face it, baby is in charge), it’s essential to know you have choices along the way and should always be an active participant in the process—the decisions you make for yourself and your baby matter.
Having a birth doula present is one of the best steps you can take to get the support you need to make informed choices, experience emotional wellbeing throughout labor, and feel prepared for all of the changes to come during and after pregnancy. You may have heard about doulas but not sure what we do exactly. DONA International* defines a doula as “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a birthing person before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.” Those who hire a doula report a shorter, more satisfying birth experience.**
Although my scope is is non-medical in nature, I am well-versed in the physiology of birth and dedicated to meeting your physical and emotional needs once you’re in labor. When labor starts, I will be your continuous support person until baby is born. I provide this support with an objective viewpoint, remaining committed to your preferences without personal bias.
As a birth doula servicing greater San Diego County who has attended almost 100 births, I will encourage you throughout the challenges of labor, reminding you with positive and loving care that you are capable of giving birth to this baby, even when you may have stopped believing this yourself.
My Services
The Destiny Doula Package
- 1 Free Consultation/Interview Via Zoom or FaceTime
- 2 Prenatal Home Visits (Additional Visits/Get Togethers As Needed)
- Unlimited Email/Text Support to Answer Questions & Provide Referrals to Local Resources throughout Your Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Assistance with Preparing Birth Preferences + Other Prenatal & Postpartum Preparations (e.g., lactation bar samples + recipe, eye mask, raspberry leaf tea, etc.) + access to TENS unit for labor
- 24/7 On Call Starting at 38 Weeks Until Birth
- Access to a Back-Up Doula
- Access to a Prenatal & Postpartum Support Group
- Continuous Support throughout Labor Until Birth (In Home, Hospital or Birth Center)
- 2 Hours Postpartum Support to Assist with Breastfeeding
- Photography of the Birth (Non-Professional – Using Client’s Camera or Phone)
- 1 Postpartum Visit 7-10 Days After the Birth
Price: $1,200
*Individual trip distances that exceed 50 miles round trip from La Mesa will be subject to mileage reimbursement.
The Destiny Doula Deluxe Package
- 1 Free Consultation/Interview Via Zoom or FaceTime
- 2 Prenatal Home Visits (Additional Visits/Get Togethers As Needed)
- Unlimited Email/Text Support to Answer Questions & Provide Referrals to Local Resources throughout Your Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Assistance with Preparing Birth Preferences + Other Prenatal & Postpartum Preparations (e.g., lactation bar samples + recipe, eye mask, raspberry leaf tea, etc.) + access to TENS unit for labor
- 24/7 On Call Starting at 38 Weeks Until Birth
- Access to a Back-Up Doula
- Access to a Prenatal & Postpartum Support Group
- Continuous Support throughout Labor Until Birth (In Home, Hospital or Birth Center)
- 2 Hours Postpartum Support to Assist with Breastfeeding
- Photography of the Birth (Non-Professional – Using Client’s Camera or Phone)
- 1 Postpartum Visit 7-10 Days After the Birth
- “Your Birthing Experience” – Summary of Notes Taken During Your Labor & Baby’s Birth with a Detailed Timeline of Events
Price: $1,350
But You May Still Have Questions About Whether A Birth Doula Is Right For You…
Will a birth doula replace my partner and make them feel left out?
Absolutely not. As a doula, I aim to provide support to you as well as your partner. I do this by giving your partner suggestions of how to physically and emotionally provide you comfort and encouragement during labor. I will answer any questions they have along the way and give them the opportunity to take breaks so they can maintain composure and confidence throughout labor. After completing prenatal visits, you partner will be prepared to work together with me to provide you support, not in competition. Need a second opinion? Read what David Arrell, author of Welcome to Fatherhood has to say on the subject: https://www.welcometofatherhood.com/blogs/dude-hire-a-doula
I’m not sure I’ll end up having an unmedicated birth – aren’t birth doulas just for those?
Doulas can be just as supportive to clients who plan to have medicated or cesarean births or start out with the goal of unmedicated birth but don’t end up that way. The key takeaway is that I will be on hand to provide emotional and physical support as well as impart information to you and your partner, services that are beneficial to you regardless of the type of birth you have planned or end up having. The support a doula provides is always beneficial.
Can I really afford a birth doula?
If you’re unsure if you can afford the cost of a doula, there are creative ways to clear this hurdle. Begin by evaluating the “must haves” for your baby; ask your friends and family who are already parents what are essentials vs. items that have ended up collecting dust in the closet. You need less than you probably think. You can also get yourself tied into a “baby train” of passed along items or look for finds on OfferUp, Craigslist, FB Marketplace, etc. If you pay via Paypal you can use your credit card. You can also set up a “Doula Fund” at your baby shower.
Are you vaccinated?
Yes, I am. I have also received three booster shots.
Everyone Deserves A Birth Doula
If you’re excited by the idea of a doula’s support, let’s connect to see if we’re a good fit. I have a contact page where you can send me an email, but if you’d rather text me, my phone number is 619-251-5092. From there we can set up a free 45-minute Zoom consultation where I can answer your questions and learn more about you and the support you’re looking for. You won’t regret the decision of hiring a doula, I promise!
"I would not have had the birth I had without doula Jenn and am forever indebted to her dedication and care in the birthing process..." (See Testimonials)
"She was a guiding voice that day and I’m grateful she was a part of our birth story..." (See Testimonials)
"It’s not possible to praise or thank Jennifer enough for how supportive and invaluable she was to my birth experience! I don’t know how I could have done it without her and I feel so lucky that she was there for me working hard to ease my physical discomfort and mind..." (See Testimonials)
"Jennifer is such a beautiful soul and I was so lucky to have her as my doula. Not only was she informative but she encouraged me all the way up to delivery..." (See Testimonials)
"Honestly, I could not have homebirthed without Jenn. Jenn NEVER left my side. I had a super awesome husband and care team, yes, BUT Jenn blew everyone out of the water when it came to every part of the experience." (See Testimonials)
"Jenn will forever hold a special place in my heart and that of my family's, especially my little baby boy's..." (See Testimonials)
"She has just the right touch and took a lot of pressure off my husband. Even more importantly though, she has a heart of gold...It was so evident to me that she cared so much for me and my family. It isn’t just a job for her. I will never forget how she made me feel..." (See Testimonials)
"I am so thankful to have found Jen to be my Doula! This was my 3rd baby, and a Doula plays an important role no matter how many times you’ve given birth. Jen was caring, supportive, comforting and extremely responsive.." (See Testimonials)
"Amazing, invaluable, kind, caring, patient, knowledgeable, experienced, supportive… These are just a few words to describe Jennifer Cole’s Doula Services..." (See Testimonials)
There are no words to express how much we appreciate all that you’ve done for us. Your presence was an absolute God send during the most important evolution of our lives...
"Wow! I can’t say enough wonderful things about Jennifer! She was truly a God send after an unexpected induction..." (See Testimonials)
"She has a knowledge set that you can tap into to seek wisdom before and during labor. With my hypnobirthing education and training and her as a doula I felt much more prepared for my labor and birth of our baby girl... She was a HUGE support for my husband as he was able to take breaks and stay nourished during that full day...In hypnobirthing they use a lot of touch to help counter labor “pain” and hers was by far the best, better than my husband’s!..." (See Testimonials)
"Jenn was incredible! She was with us for 37 hours of labor! She was a constant source of positivity, encouragement, knowledge of pain relief techniques and an extra set of helpful hands, which gave my husband/coach a much-needed break..." (See Testimonials)
"I can honestly say, I do not know if I would have had such a positive experience if Jennifer wasn't part of the process." (See Testimonials)
"The tools she used to help me manage pain and stay mentally engaged while laboring were incredible. She was with us through the most intense time in our lives and we will always be so deeply grateful for her presence and care." (See Testimonials)
"The tools she used to help me manage pain and stay mentally engaged while laboring were incredible. She was with us through the most intense time in our lives and we will always be so deeply grateful for her presence and care." (See Testimonials)
"Jennifer also helped my husband understand how he could best support me which really helped us connect better." (See Testimonials)
"Honestly I can't imagine her not being there. She brought such a sense of calm confidence that I really needed to feel." (See Testimonials)
"I am so grateful for her presence and participation during my labor. I couldn't have been as strong as I was without her." (See Testimonials)
"We highly recommend her and consider her to be a part of our baby’s life." (See Testimonials)
"I highly recommend Jennifer’s doula services and I plan to have her as my doula again if/when I have another baby." (See Testimonials)
"My partner and I both greatly valued her presence, advice, and encouragement throughout; it was undoubtedly a better experience because she was there with us." (See Testimonials)
"I’m still in shock that we had a successful VBAC. Knowing we had Jenn to support us gave us the courage to really go for it - I’m just so grateful to have finally had the birth I wanted..." (See Testimonials)
"Jenn is kind, patient, supportive, and easy to talk to. I could not have been more grateful to her during my birth and postpartum experience." (See Testimonials)
In 2020 I was featured in an ABC 10 News San Diego segment that discussed childbirth options outside the hospital during COVID-19.
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