https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-12-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/shopping-for-a-provider monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/you-dont-get-a-trophy monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/questioning-your-birth monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/blog-post-trusting-your-instincts monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/blog-post-title-two-lad3j monthly 0.5 2021-01-22 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Traumatic+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Birth+education monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Processing+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Birth+support monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Your+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Get+informed+about+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Instinctual+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Transforming+through+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Trusting+yourself+in+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Mistreated+in+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Questioning+your+birth+decisions monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Questioning+your+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Supportive+Birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Positive+birth+experience monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/blog/tag/Empowered+birth monthly 0.5 https://www.birthandjoy.com/about daily 0.75 2023-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/59074c4c-ea24-45dc-bff7-ff81c57b9675/Joy+and+Garrett+Thanksgiving+2020.jpg About - Like so many others, I went into my first pregnancy knowing very little about childbirth and the care that people receive in pregnancy, labor, and post-partum. I assumed, as most do, that my providers had my best interests in mind and that their expertise would guide me through my birth experience. It was not until my 36th week of pregnancy that I really began to acknowledge the red flags I saw in my care along the way—flags that pointed to this practice not being an ideal fit for me, that the care provided was more of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, and that I was up against a great deal of pressure to consent to interventions and scheduling a birth around their needs as opposed to what was best for my situation and my baby. In this way, I was introduced to a landscape that was difficult to navigate and seemed unfair and insensitive to birthing families. Six years and two more pregnancies later, after having an unmedicated VBA2C supported by a doula, a midwife, and my husband, I started my certification process through DONA to become a birth doula. By this time, I experienced what it was to have mediocre care, and conversely, how life-changing it was to have consistent, positive supportive throughout pregnancy, labor and birth. A friend of mine recently described childbirth as a “mystical experience.” I love that description because it truly IS a mystical experience—it is challenging, it draws on an inner strength that you never knew you had, and it begins transforming you into the person you were always meant to be. Birth is a pivotal moment in the life of a family, and it deserves to be honored as such. I am extremely grateful to the families that allow me the privilege of supporting them through such a vulnerable and transformational time. It truly is an honor to hold space for them, support them, and be present to affirm the knowledge and strength that they already have within them. https://www.birthandjoy.com/testimonials daily 0.75 2025-09-26 https://www.birthandjoy.com/childbirthclasses daily 0.75 2025-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/cd48420d-87e9-467f-8b01-79f88128a6e5/Certified_Instructor_Seal.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/1f4896a7-58c6-445e-ae2a-428d2045a57f/LI_228202-18_LCCE_purple.jpg Childbirth Classes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.birthandjoy.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-02-02 https://www.birthandjoy.com/dancing-for-birth-class-sign-up daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/db8cbb22-3632-4884-8686-7566b0c63fbc/The_DFB_logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/0c38f475-2b55-4d76-bd9e-c1ca7431825f/Certified_Instructor_Seal.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/313f6fcf-be23-41f3-8b5b-0311c89c1966/Approval_Seal.png https://www.birthandjoy.com/about-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-10 https://www.birthandjoy.com/home daily 1.0 2025-09-26 https://www.birthandjoy.com/home/67f45e26-9b6f-4358-92d8-01f3c4091410-nga8p-eg2ej monthly 0.5 2025-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/1607811829752-NKPRT377P4JLN4KI64O5/Royale+twins-2.jpg Homepage - Post Partum - What about after baby is born? Immediately after the birth of your baby, I stay with you for approximately two hours after birth to help you initiate breastfeeding and to make sure you are comfortable. One or several weeks later, whichever you prefer, we will meet again to reflect on your birth experience, help with feeding, answer any questions, or discuss any other support you may need. I also remain available to you through phone or text in the upcoming weeks or months or even years. Birthing people need support whether you are a first time parent or three kids in already. We build a network to be here for one another, to listen and share and figure out solutions together. https://www.birthandjoy.com/home/67f45e26-9b6f-4358-92d8-01f3c4091410-xsyhr-bn2j6 monthly 0.5 2025-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/1605732006306-U5C6UJH3NT3JIWE8D94N/Brian+skin+to+skin-immediate+2.jpg Homepage - Birth - What does a doula do? Having a baby is hard work, and watching the person you love be uncomfortable can be worrisome. I provide continuous support to the birthing person/team. Once you are in labor, we stay in contact until you decide you want me to join you to help cope with labor. As a certified doula, I will support physically and emotionally throughout labor— assisting with different positions to help labor progress, coaching through comfort measures, and reminding you of all of your options. I remain with you to help keep the atmosphere calm so that you can focus on bringing your baby into the world. https://www.birthandjoy.com/home/pregnancy monthly 0.5 2020-12-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6e5b4f17af172384fa6991/1605731863867-5GRZ22GGNJH90ENN619T/Ashley+and+Noah+Pregnancy.JPG Homepage - Pregnancy - A doula is your personal guide through pregnancy, birth, and post partum. As your doula, I am here to support you through this incredible life transformation. The journey through pregnancy and birth includes a whole new world of experiences, and my purpose is to give evidence, review your options, and provide consistent positive support. During your pregnancy, we will meet at least twice to review your expectations and any questions you may have for your birth. In addition, you can always contact me by phone, email, or text at any time that you feel you need additional support or information.