Jesse Waller Birth & Postpartum Doula in Richmond, VA

As a woman with a complex medical history and difficulty becoming pregnant, I knew a doula would be a part of my pregnancy and birth plan. My little one is now 14 months old, and my husband and I still to this day talk about how thankful we are that we found Jesse to support us throughout our journey. She was the perfect mix of helpful, available, real, and nurturing. As a mother who went through IVF and had gestational diabetes, I especially reflect on how helpful she was after our many ultrasounds and visits with doctors when we felt like information was confusing or conflicting. She was always available to hop on the phone, provide actual statistics and facts, as well as counsel and provide info from her previous tdoula experience. These calls were invaluable to us and our ability to feel empowered and informed. During our ECV and subsequent scheduled cesarean, Jesse helped us both feel calm, seen, supported, hydrated, and comfortable. She's just got a great vibe and her ability to read the room can't be taught!! She's got a gift.

— Nora

Jesse was an absolute life saver those first weeks. She provided us with opportunities for sleep, prepared meals for us, helped with our baby's laundry and dishes, and more. I felt immediately comfortable with Jesse, and it helped that she was a lactation consultant. She was prompt, professional, communicative, prioritized health and hygiene, and was totally non-judgmental. I wish we could have had her help every day (and still do!). I would definitely use Jesse again.

— Corinne

Jesse provided support and advice and truly cared for my wellbeing as a first-time mom. Jesse's presence made my recovery so much smoother and less overwhelming. During her visits, my partner and I were able to get restful sleep knowing our baby was in such capable and nurturing hands. She made sure to support my desire to breastfeed while also making sure I got as much sleep as possible. I really appreciate her support during late night feeds by her providing company bringing me snacks. Her thoughtful lactation advice also eased a lot of my breastfeeding stress, making those early days feel far more manageable. Lastly, my partner and I would wake up to a calm, tidy home thanks to her help with light chores, making the next day so much easier to manage.

— Meera

Jesse is a superstar! I was recovering from a C section after a long induction and came home feeling like my world was turned upside down, but Jesse was such a wonderful, grounding presence. During one of the most vulnerable moments in my life, Jesse offered comfort, a listening ear, and wisdom that was so crucial in those early weeks. Being able to trust someone to watch your new baby is so hard (the hormone struggle is real, let's be honest), but Jesse was such a pro. She's a baby whisperer! The magic that Jesse brings as a postpartum doula is her heart. When you're working with Jesse, you feel like you have a friend who genuinely cares about your wellbeing. Yes, she helped with the dishes and folded our laundry (things that we needed help with postpartum), but she also listened and gave the emotional support we needed just as much. As I'm writing this nearly 16 weeks postpartum, I truly feel that I could not have recovered as well as I did without Jesse. The confidence I feel as a new mom is 1000% thanks to the foundation Jesse helped us build in those early days. Everyone needs a Jesse after having a baby!

— Lucy Yen

Jesse was the absolute greatest gift to my postpartum recovery and my family’s wellbeing after the birth of my second child. I cannot overstate how valuable her support was—she wrapped our whole household in a warm, steady, and deeply competent embrace of care. We had Jesse mostly for daytime visits and a couple of overnights, all of which were incredible. From the moment she arrived, I trusted her completely. She helped me prioritize my own needs amid the nonstop demands of a newborn and a spirited toddler, and always knew exactly how to step in—with no prompting or direction—to care for both me and my family. The first day she came, I was four days postpartum, running on fumes, with a broken fridge, a clusterfeeding newborn, and a very dysregulated 3-year-old. By the end of that visit, Jesse had reset the kitchen and laundry, helped my toddler wind down for a rest, and was wearing my newborn so I could shower and nap. She kept my water glass (and my emotional reserves) full the whole time. Her ability to intuit what’s needed—whether it’s holding the baby, folding laundry, preparing a nourishing lunch, or offering quiet reassurance—was remarkable. She made our home feel calmer, more manageable, and even joyful during an intense time of transition. I offer Jesse my highest and most heartfelt recommendation. I will tell anyone who will listen how amazing she is, and I will be forever grateful for her care.

— Zoe

When I was pregnant with my second, I was often asked if I would hire a doula again since I had already experienced a birth. If you’ve ever worked with Jesse before, then you would understand why my birth team wouldn’t be complete without her. Jesse’s knowledge, presence, and care helped me feel safe. I had a precipitous labor that was intense and overwhelming, but Jesse was there every step of the way keeping me grounded. The pace of my labor and delivery was unexpected and scary, but I knew I could safely bring my baby into the world thanks to Jesse’s guidance and affirmation. Beyond birth, her postpartum care has been invaluable. Jesse helped me process my birth experience and answered all the little newborn questions I hadn’t encountered the first time around. I felt completely taken care of during this time of transition for my family. The way Jesse connects with parents and babies alike is so genuinely full of love. I am grateful to have had her by my side for both of my children’s births, and I can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone in the birthing or postpartum stages of life.

— Laura Jo Cramer

Words cannot accurately express just how deeply grateful I am to have found Jesse. From pregnancy to birth and postpartum, she has been a guiding light of support for myself and my partner. My birth was particularly long and filled with a series of unfortunate complications, and I genuinely do not think I could have come out the other end of that experience without her. Her energy and skill during birth were exactly what I needed: she provided comfort and massage when I needed it, additional context to help us make tough choices when there was confusion, and the perfect amount of humor when all we needed was to laugh in the moment. Additionally, having her as a postpartum doula has been the absolute best decision to help set us up for success in the early stages of parenthood. She is one of few people I trust wholeheartedly with my baby, and lovingly cares for him while my partner and I can catch up on some much needed sleep. She even helps us with laundry, dishes, and bakes the most INCREDIBLE focaccia, one of the many amazing treats she spoils us with! We continue to feel so lucky to have her support and implore anyone who's on the fence about a birth & postpartum doula to DO IT. Best decision, hands down.

— Julie Bowman

Working with Jesse has really helped me appreciate this craft and profession. Jesse is reliable, consistent, attentive, communicative, and most importantly experienced. Jesse supported me by always being on time, which allowed me to hand-off our baby so I can get to work, and my wife can sleep an extra hour after being up periodically throughout the night nursing baby. Jesse served as a calm reassuring voice of reason supporting my wife’s mental health postpartum when her hormones regulated from childbirth. She is kind, knowledgeable, compassionate, listened without judgement and illuminated insights from her experience that reassured us we were doing things right. For example, my wife struggled breastfeeding for the first few months, and I can see how disheartened she was when she couldn’t get our baby to latch effectively. Jesse was so tactful and supportive during this time with a good listening ear, by sharing her own experiences, with baking lactation cookies to boost morale, and making recommendations for lactation specialists to work with. Aside from mom and dad, our baby has spent most of his time with Jesse and I’m so grateful to have her as someone we can trust with our most precious baby. When Jesse is with our son, she is actively engaged in stimulating him with songs, books, belly time, and play. Our baby just adores Jesse and lights up when he sees her. When Jesse is not with my wife, or taking care of our baby, she is helping around the house with lite chores that kept the house tidy, which is very much appreciated when time is in such short supply between balancing a newborn and work. Jesse helps answer my questions, everything from the effectiveness of different baby carriers, how a baby’s eyesight develops to a crash course on baby CPR. There’s so much to share, but ultimately, I hope you get to experience the bond and friendship we have developed working with Jesse as our doula.

— Mike

I haven't even started typing and I'm already crying with gratitude thinking about how much of a difference Jesse made in my birth experience. I will forever remember Jesse's voice during my labor- so genuinely caring, present, and reassuring. Exactly what is needed at every moment. It is a vulnerable experience to rely on someone so heavily. Jesse made me so comfortable however, that I found it easy to need her, which is my greatest challenge in birth. I can confidently say I would not have had the home birth I wanted without her. From our very first meeting, Jesse was able to intuit my feelings about my first birth that I had never even admitted to myself. I processed more in 10 minutes than I had in 3 years because of her gentle guidance and strong instinct. She is so skilled in her work and has such a strong education in supporting pregnancy and birth, but her greatest gift is something deeper- something I don’t think can be taught. Jesse affirmed my feelings and experience every step of the way. She empowered me to pursue my redemption birth, instilled confidence in me throughout pregnancy, and brought joy to my family. My 3 year old has never gravitated to someone as quickly as she did with Jesse, which made it easy to have my daughter present at the birth. That is one of the greatest gifts I’ve been given.

— Mera

I sought a doula not truly knowing I needed one. My first birth experience had been traumatic, which left me carrying a whole load of baggage into my second pregnancy. After my first meeting with Jesse, I was certain I had made the right decision in seeking her help. Her evidence-based approach to childbirth was incredibly reassuring and empowering. I felt supported as a queer woman, ans comforted as I sought a VBAC and redemptive birth experience. From our initial consultation to the birth of my child, Jesse provided valuable information that helped me make informed decisions that felt wholly my own. She pulled from her life experience and her wealth of knowledge to give me advice that I could relate to and rely on. During labor, her calm presence and support were exactly what I needed. She guided me through each phase with confidence and encouraged me to trust my body. She brought levity into the room when things were heavy, advocated for me when it was truly needed, and helped my partner find meaningful ways to participate in the birth. I can't imagine what labor would have looked like without Jesse's help - and so glad I don't have to. Jesse played a major role in me having the redemptive birth experience I had hoped for. My partner and I are forever grateful to her for all the she has done for our family.

— Lydia

When they say it takes a village.... we're so glad that Jesse was part of ours! We were in need of postpartum help, as I was having a planned c section with my 2nd baby and knew I would want assistance at home. Jesse pulled through and exceeded expectations! It was so nice to have an extra set of hands, eyes and ears in the house. Jesse made sure I was always well hydrated and nourished. She had some great tips and advice for postpartum self care as well as for my newborn. My only regret is not having a postpartum doula with our 1st born! Would absolutely recommend Jesse to anyone that is considering!

— Hollie

My labor and delivery experience.... did not go as planned. I had read the books and done the classes and written the birth plan, but when it was time, it all went out the window. In fact, it's taken me 13 months to write this review just to bring myself back to that room. We hit hurdle after hurdle, but the single thing that remained consistent was Jesse's presence. I spent 36 hours in that room, and Jesse spent every single one of them in there with me. To this day I don't know when she ate or slept (or if she did at all), but I know that every second I needed her she was there -- with water or chicken broth or a story or a joke. She showed me how to breathe through contractions and how to stand in the shower so the water could help with the pain. After a full day, she got on the bed with a sheet under my belly to try to move baby around and just give me a little relief. I don't know where her strength or energy came from, but she gave it all to me. When I couldn't do it anymore and I opted for a C-section, I told Jesse she should go home. She didn't. She stayed. And thank god for that. I hemorrhaged during the procedure and she stayed with me so my husband could be with our baby. I can't imagine how scared I would have been laying there by myself. She visited me the next day and helped me understand what had happened, and has continued to do so for the past year+. Just the other day, I saw her at a support group at the My Birth studio and she followed up that night with some resources she thought would be helpful for me. She was there all 2160 minutes of my labor, and she's still there for me today. I am so grateful for Jesse and everything she and doulas do for mamas and families. Once it's time for us to try again, I hope to have her there with me - and hopefully postpartum, too! Labor is simultaneously beautiful and terrifying, and I can't recommend Jesse enough as a partner though it.

— Whitney White

This was my second baby, and first homebirth. From the beginning of my pregnancy I knew Jesse would be a part of it. I think she was one of the first I told. From first ultrasound photos, to selecting my midwife to difficulties with my anatomy scan results, to the birth and postpartum period she was there for us. When you think of doulas you think hip squeezes, and education- my experience was so much more. The value of having someone’s ear and educated opinion through all the ups and downs was so important. When my baby was three months old he had to be admitted to the hospital, and she texted with me in the middle of the night while working a postpartum shift. When I had no one to vent to, Jesse was there. If I could bring it down to one thing, the combination of lived experience and evidence based knowledge makes her the perfect fit for a growing family.

— CMM

I don't know how we would have made it through the first few months after our daughter was born without Jesse. I knew I would need additional support postpartum mentally, emotionally, and physically, but Jesse exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond anything we could have hoped for. They really helped to relieve the cognitive and invisible load of motherhood for me during the first few weeks and allowed us to get much needed time for rest and self-care. We also enlisted Jesse's help for some overnights which was one of the best decisions we could have made as new parents. They helped me to gain my confidence, footing, and grounding as a new mom and always reminded me that I knew my baby best. Jesse also helped me to listen to my intuition as a new parent while also gently guiding me in the process. She supported me with everything from pumping and breastfeeding to housework and cooking a meal to assembling and using baby furniture. Jesse wears so many different hats and wears them all so well. Our little one absolutely loved her and I always felt safe and secure knowing Jesse was with her. She was literally a life saver for our family during one of the most important times in our lives and I would highly recommend connecting with Jesse for doula services.

— Jess Smith

There aren’t words to capture what Jesse means to my family. I cannot imagine my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum without Jesse. I will fully admit I was somewhat of a doula skeptic—I didn’t think we needed one. But when I found out I was having twins, I knew we would need the extra support. To say they are exceptional is an understatement. It was important for my wife and I that we had an LGBT+ affirming doula who was also evidence-based. Jesse was always available for questions (and I had many!) throughout pregnancy and postpartum too. Having twins was a big surprise, and quickly my plans and thoughts of what my birth would look like changed. Things suddenly felt very uncertain and out of my control. They helped me feel prepared for all the possibilities, and supported me through labor to help me succeed in my goal of a vaginal delivery for both twins. Jesse was a powerful advocate for me, especially when I wasn’t for myself. Whether it be for hydration, comfort items, questions for the medical team—she anticipated my needs before I even knew I had them and ensured I had all I needed. My wife has some medical anxiety, and Jesse specifically paid attention to her and supported her simultaneously. I am not sure what we would have done during labor without them. One twin ended up needing some NICU time, so my wife accompanied the baby and Jesse remained with me. Not only was she able to keep in contact with my wife, she supported me through some unexpected complications. I truly can’t imagine it without her. In the midst of all of that, she got photos of the entire process. I have nothing but glowing, positive things to say. Jesse has undoubtedly had the same effect on all the families they work with, and anyone who chooses Jesse as their doula is so lucky to gain her warmth, knowledge, skills, and compassion.

— Kelsey B.

Hiring Jesse to be my doula was the best decision I made during my pregnancy, especially since it was my first baby. She really took the time to get to know me and make sure we were a good fit which I really appreciated. She helped me and my husband both feel as prepared as possible for the labor and delivery process and walked us through step by step for what to expect when we showed up at the hospital. She was so supportive both during and after my labor and delivery and continued to check on me after we got home with our son. She made such a positive impact on my experience both pre and post partum! I will definitely be asking her to be my doula again if my husband and I are lucky enough to have a second child. I cannot reccomend her and her services enough!

— Molly

I chose Jesse as my doula after the traumatic birth of my first child, recognizing my need for dedicated support during the birthing process. Jesse provided exceptional support throughout my unexpected c-section, despite my initial plans for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Their caring demeanor and extensive knowledge were invaluable during such a challenging time, adapting seamlessly to the change in circumstances. Jesse's presence helped me feel empowered and informed, guiding me through each step of the process with compassion and expertise. Their ability to provide emotional and physical support was remarkable, and their dedication to my well-being continued beyond the delivery room. In the postpartum period, Jesse would drop anything to be helpful and supportive, offering guidance and encouragement as I navigated the challenges of recovery and life with two kiddos. As time has gone on, Jesse has come to mean a lot to our family. Jesse remembers the baby's birthday and loves receiving updates about his growth and milestones. Their genuine care and ongoing support have made a lasting impact on my parenthood journey, and I am incredibly grateful for their presence in my life. I can’t recommend Jesse enough!

— Chelsea Bookbinder

Immediately after meeting Jesse we knew we had to lock her down before she was snatched up by someone else! My spouse is non-binary and we wanted to find a doula who was works with queer couples. In our very first meeting, Jesse's energy was so warm and caring and generous. We were put at ease by their wealth of knowledge and experience with birth, as well as their willingness to be available for any and all questions that either my partner or I had during any part of the pregnancy! (And boy did I have a lot of questions! Haha) I wasn't sure what I wanted my birth experience to look like exactly. Jesse provided us with so many resources that focused on evidence based birth information that aided in our decision making and planning. I went into my labor and delivery feeling confident in our plan and was able to have the birth that I dreamed of! Jesse was so incredible every step of the way, but especially during labor and delivery! I called at 2:45 in the morning to report that my contractions had started, Jesse checked in regularly and made my partner and I feel completely supported and sure that we were in good hands. Jesse came over and helped with doing massaging and different positions to get the baby engaged to make his debut! When we got to the hospital I wws already 6cm dialated because Jesse was able to coach and support me for so long at home where I was most comfortable! I get horrible anxiety in medical settings and Jesse made the delivery room so cozy and beautiful with tea lights and kept me comfortable and hydrated so I could labor naturally and unmedicated as I'd hoped. Immediately after meeting our baby Jesse was helping me get him to latch and coaching me through what the next 24 hours would look like. I never felt surprised by anything at the hospital because Jesse prepared us for it all! She checks in regularly and I know that I could ask Jesse for help or support or advice about ANYTHING and she would be there for us!

— Carly Moenich

Jesse is an exceptional human and I am the most grateful for her life and her calling. Labor was and had always been a terrifying thought for me; one that I knew was inevitable given that my desire was/is to birth children. At 25ish weeks, I reached out to Jesse looking for support and stability and what I received from her was that and so much more. She was there for my husband and I at every turn. Patiently answering questions we already had the answers to, lovingly reassuring our doubts and concerns, and knowledgeably informing us about all the things we had no idea about while respectfully reminding us of our autonomy to make these decisions. And then when push came to shove (literally), she assumed the momma bear role and took care of not only myself but also my husband. She set up the room with calming lights, hung picture cards on the walls with empowering words, and we'll never forget her crockpot of herbs brewing in the corner for the wet compresses. All of which completely helped to suppress that fear I had. She was there with us - mind, body, and soul. And ON HER BIRTHDAY! She advocated for us and with us when things went awry. Our experience with Jesse is one that we'll cherish forever because she gave us more than we could have ever asked for. Thank you for sharing your birthday with us and with Santi. We love you always!

— Jenina Segovia

It’s hard to accurately describe how much I appreciate what Jesse did for us. From the beginning, we picked Jesse to be our doula because I connected with their straightforward approach and deep well of knowledge. They immediately made me feel comfortable and taken care of, like I was in good, capable hands. Jesse brought evidence based advice as well as support that helped me stay connected to my body. During my pregnancy, Jesse was constantly in touch, offering advice and resources and anytime they didn’t immediately have an answer, Jesse would research it and get back to me. When l finally started laboring, Jesse was by our sides guiding us for nearly 20 hours. At home, Jesse helped me move through the labor, encouraging good breathing and coping techniques. They helped us know what to do next and centered the experience between my partner and I. Once we made it to the hospital, Jesse continued to be our guide. From positions, to talking to our midwife and nurses, to ensuring we both had enough calories. When things got tough, Jesse made me feel capable but also listened when I was feeling unsure of being able to continue unmedicated. They physically supported me so much as well with hip squeezes and holding my legs during pushing, and so much more. Once my son was born and had to be taken to the NICU, Jesse stayed with me while my husband went with our son. It was an incredibly scary, vulnerable, overwhelming moment and to not have any other family there, Jesse there was so calming and reassuring. But it was more than that, I felt their love and care so deeplly, it was like having my mom with me. Saying thank you or writing a review feels so trivial compared to what we received. Jesse still regularly texts sweet notes asking about our son, even 7 months after his birth. It all becomes a hazy memory, but I will never forget how capable and cared for Jesse made me feel.

— Christie Thompson

We chose Jesse as our doula for my third pregnancy and planned home birth and could not imagine a better provider. We chose to interview Jesse after doing some research and finding that she aligned with our values— evidence based practice, member of the LGBTQIA community and informed on issues that impact gender and neuro-diverse families and had the experience with lactation and massage which we felt would be helpful to us in that period. During the pregnancy, Jesse was always available with information and a non-judgmental listening ear when problems arose or when a decision needed to be made; anticipatory guidance was always timely and without bias. I told them that I hadn’t had any photos at my last birth and somehow Jesse managed to take a ton of great photos while supporting us through labor and postpartum. She anticipated my needs before I even noticed them (hydration, comfort measures) and provided a calm, reassuring presence. Things like counter pressure, a fan and a heat pack seemed to just appear at the right time. My labor was unusually fast and furious, and Jesse was the real MVP helping me get myself back together after the birth. They’ve been available since the birth for any questions or updates I’ve had or wanted to share and a relentless encourager of all the rest and recuperation I needed to allow myself. If I am ever crazy to have one more, Jesse would definitely be my first call.

— Elizabeth Stearns

Having Jesse be a part of our support team was the single best decision we made during our pregnancy. From the moment we had our interview with her, we knew that she was the perfect fit for us. Her evidence-based approach to birth, unbiased and non-judgemental guidance (we had a medicated/hospital birth), pro-science, calm but strong demeanor, and kindness were unparalleled. I had a traumatic start to my pregnancy, along with HG all pregnancy where I was incredibly sick. Jesse knew this and did everything she could leading up to and at the hospital to inform us to make sure the hospital environment didn't feel like a hospital environment and carry that trauma. From helping us think through our birth preferences ahead of time to ensure we were able to make informed decisions, to talking us through the "what if" scenarios that could happen so that we were prepared, we went into labor as first time parents feeling as prepared as we could be. The night I went into labor she was available to provide guidance (in the middle of the night multiple times) on comfort measures and supported us when we felt it was time to go into the hospital. When we got admitted she got there as soon as she could and in the hospital her unwavering support made for an extremely smooth birth experience, and I know that even if our birth experience hadn't been smooth she would have helped us work through it. During labor Jesse was both a calming presence and an advocate for us, serving as a sounding board, partner, reminding us that we can take time to think through decisions. In the days and weeks after birth she has been just as present, only a text or phone call away, helping us through the challenges of having an infant with jaundice and low birth weight. We are so grateful to have had Jesse as part of our birth team, and as a continued support as we work through the challenges of being first time parents.

— Kendall Moore

I'm incredibly grateful for finding Jesse. Her calm presence and unwavering support made a such a positive impact to my prenancy and labor/delivery. She not only helped me make informed choices but also provided the assurance I needed to advocate for myself. Jesse's attentiveness during early labor over the phone allowed me to follow my instincts, and her support extended beyond birth, guiding us through postpartum challenges with valuable advice and resources. Jesse's unique qualities truly set her apart. Her balanced approach, blending a calming demeanor with assertive advocacy, is truly exceptional. Her expertise and passion shine through, creating a strong sense of trust and collaboration. What stood out was her support for both me and my partner. She provided coaching and comfort measures for him, ensuring he was a crucial and useful part of the experience. Her toolbox of techniques, including aromatherapy and massage, added to her valuable support during labor and recovery. Jesse's commitment goes beyond childbirth – she's a doula for life. Her continued presence and genuine care during the postpartum period and beyond exemplify her dedication. Her celebration of my achievements after childbirth was truly uplifting. If you're seeking a doula who brings knowledge, unwavering support, and a balanced approach to your journey, Jesse is the doula to choose.

— D Adams

Can’t say enough good things about Jesse! We hired her in the midst of a pregnancy where I was feeling pretty miserable physically and anxious about birth. She was exactly what we needed — calm, science-minded, & positive without pressuring me to feel any particular way about my experience. Through my pregnancy she was 100% supportive of my choices in situations when I knew what I wanted (a hospital birth, an epidural), & helped me talk through my options when I didn’t, always reminding me that there is no right way to have a baby. During pre-labor & early labor she was a calming presence on the phone, giving us suggestions for moving things along & for coping with contractions. Once at the hospital she was such a helpful & reassuring person to have in our corner, someone who had experience with many of the doctors & nurses, knew where to grab a popsicle when I was feeling nauseous, & could talk us through what was happening & what was coming next. She came armed with everything we could have needed & turned our room into a calm cocoon where I could labor in peace. She faded into the background when she sensed my partner & I could use a few moments alone together, & then would appear with something I didn’t know I needed at the exact moment I needed it — a hip squeeze during a challenging contraction; a fan & cool cloth on my forehead when I began pushing. Since the birth she’s been an amazing resource for us as first-time parents, checking in on us regularly, giving us some very helpful newborn baby intel, helping me process my birth experience, & always available to answer an ‘is this normal?’ text. I credit her 100% with how smoothly our labor and delivery went & for turning an experience around which I felt a lot of fear into one of the most positive & empowering events of my life.

— Laura Sant

I'm not sure where to begin when I think about my journey to finding Jesse so I will start with my first birth. It was traumatic to sum it up. I was desparately trying to advocate for myself the entire time and no one seemed to be listening to me even though it was my body they were operating on. I had an unplanned C-Section, violently shaking, scared, alone for the beginning of it even though I begged for them to make sure my husband was in the room before they started. It left me feeling "not human" for lack of words. Flash forward to my second pregnancy. I knew I wanted to do things differently and I knew I wanted to have a doula on my side. It was as if Jesse and I were destined to meet. From the moment I first interviewed with Jesse, I could tell there was something special about her. Even when she was just introducing her background and experience I also appreciated how she was advocating for her colleague as well. Jesse listened to my full story and without having to share all of my intimate thoughts of my first birth, she could relate to my experiences because she had also gone through similar experiences and I just loved her natural and caring presence. My second birth turned out to be everything we wanted. With Jesse by my side, I overcame my internal battles throughout the entire birth. She reminded me that I was safe, she reminded me how to breathe, and she encouraged the strength in me that I constantly doubted I had. Not only was Jesse caring for me, she was caring for the environment, people and any element that could impact my birthing experience. Jesse came ready! I know that I would not have been able to bring my baby into the world with no medical interventions without Jesse. When you put your trust in her, she will help you unleash your power and strength. Do not hesitate to have her on your team!

— Sherita

We were so very lucky to have Jesse step in last minute as a backup doula! She and our initial doula Melanie worked seamlessly together to ensure that we were covered for every minute of our labor. Jesse is an incredibly kind person and we're just so grateful to have a bonus doula of her caliber. In addition to being the most calming presence in the room, Jesse went out of her way to massage me for literally four hours straight during active labor -- truly, I fell asleep, woke back up, and she was still massaging! She had the exact right kind of energy for the calm and beautiful birth I wanted, and coached me every step of the way, helping me get out of my head and into my body through deep breathing. I seriously could not have done it without her. (Bonus: She asked if we wanted pictures, and took the most gorgeous birth photos, all while doula-ing away!) I don't know how she's so magical, but we love her oh so much and we're so lucky to have her as part of the family now.

— Ashley G.

At 32 weeks pregnant, my husband and I thought we had decided not to hire a birth doula; then we met Jesse through a birth education course at MyBirth and knew that we wanted her to be part of our birth team. During the remainder of pregnancy, Jesse offered an evidence-based perspective that helped my husband and I make informed decisions about our birth preferences. In our experience this was not a common approach for other birth workers, which made it difficult to distinguish anecdotal storytelling from more representative data. At a time where I was feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, Jesse shared resources that helped me feel better prepared to give birth. Throughout my labor/delivery, Jesse was helpful, unbiased, and empowering. As I worked through nearly 6 hours of active labor, Jesse was unwaveringly yet unobtrusively present. She set the ambiance in the room, made suggestions to aide with my progress and comfort, and offered consistent support to my partner so he could best show up for me. Jesse made sure the focus of the day was on me, my partner, and our baby. While Jesse knew my birth preferences inside and out, and communicated them to the midwife and nurse, she was never attached to a singular path. This helped me consider my options every step of the way and feel confident that there was no one right way to have a baby. Ultimately, Jesse’s leadership during my birth experience helped me feel empowered to make the right decisions for me to bring my baby into the world. My husband and I are so grateful that Jesse was a major highlight in our experience. We went from being certain that we weren’t going to hire a doula to not being able to imagine giving birth without Jesse on our team. At a month postpartum, I continue to feel cared for by Jesse through her home visit, sharing photos, and checking in. If/when we decide to have another child, our first call will definitely be to Jesse!

— Laura Jo Cramer