Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Stearns.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path of assisting parents during the birthing process began in 20o9 after I assisted a friend during the birth of her second child. However, my passion was really ignited after the birth of my first child in 2015 where my experience made me feel disrespected and as if I was treated as a number, not as a patient. I wanted to assist other parents to be able to help them navigate the healthcare system so they could feel empowered and supported in making the birth choices that are best for them.
My journey as a birth doula has given me the opportunity to be a steadfast supporter of whatever birth path my clients choose is right for them and their family. With the experience I’ve cultivated I hope I have been a vital resource for my clients and walked by their side in support, learning together, and experiencing this life-changing journey together.
Birth in America has gone down a path that needs to be reanalyzed. Many decisions which are presented during labor and birth aren’t always offered with the birthing person’s best interests in mind and it is important to be given the opportunity to make informed decisions and achieve an optimal birth outcome. I hope in the years to come progress can be made in the healthcare industry to put the patient’s health first but until then I think it is vital to provide a support system for each other. Pregnancy and birth can be a very daunting thing but with the proper support, one can be relaxed and feel supported and embark on parenthood with a healthy mindset. My hope is that the support and experience gained will be shared among family and friends and passed down for generations to come.
I believe birth is a natural process in which can empower the birthing person and enter parenthood on the right path. Interventions have a time and place but it’s important to be educated on the benefits and risks of each choice and feel confident in every decision. Moving forward I hope for better obstetrics research, practices and processes to prevent generations of parents defining their birth as “traumatic” and reducing interventions and surgical births.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road due to the fact that the scope of a doula’s practice isn’t well understood or respected. Per the Oxford Dictionary, a doula is defined as “a woman, typically without formal obstetric training, who is employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during labor.” It is important to remember that a doula doesn’t have official medical training but does have experience in birth positioning, natural pain relief methods and support techniques to support the birthing person. These skills can be a real complement to the birth process if executed properly and in mutual cooperation of the medical provider. Every hospital and birthing location has its own set of standards for working with doulas based on their experiences. Additionally, doula training is handled by independent organizations without standards in place. Therefore, the training received by doulas, if any, varies greatly.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer doula birth services to expectant parents to assist them during the prenatal, birth and postnatal phases. Many parents seek out my services to be an advocate for them during birth and a resource along their journey. I believe birth is a natural event and optimal outcomes are achieved with minimal intervention. I strive to educate my clients by empowering them with information, clearly presenting the options which will be available to them, and physically and mentally supporting them during birth. I also provide photography services during the birth. Documenting a beautiful moment is important and I provide that so the birthing couples can be completely captivated by the arrival of their newest family member.
What are your plans for the future?
I am honored to be invited into birthing spaces of couples during such a sacred and treasured moment and hope to continue that work. Looking larger scale, I would like to do work to see that funding gets allocated for obstetric research to promote natural birth and lower interventions. Maternal mortality rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world so changes needs to be made. I hope to foster relationships, see that proper funding is provided and people are educated to improve these grim statistics. As an independent business consultant, which includes working as a Director of Operations for Non-profit organizations, I hope my skill set can create momentum in changing the birth culture in American to one which is parent and baby-focused.
Pricing:
- Average birth doula pricing ranges from $400-$1500
Contact Info:
- Email: doulajenniferstearns@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.jenniferbirthdoula.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthdoulajenniferstearns
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jennifer-birth-doula-prior-lake?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
