I believe childbirth is a miraculous experience and children are a blessing. It is a joy for me to walk alongside families, providing education, confidence, and support throughout this stage of life.
LET'S CONNECT
Jessica is a Certified Birth Doula and a Midwife Assistant, helping new parents navigate pregnancy, labor, and delivery since the beginning of 2022. She supports families in the greater Seattle area and lives in Kirkland. She is happy to support births at homes, in hospitals, or in birth centers. Jessica believes that each birth is unique, as are the hopes and desires of the birthing person. Her goal is to support those desires by bolstering education and confidence, ensuring informed choices and advocating for her clients every step of the way.
Jessica’s interest in childbirth was ignited when she was 8 years old and accompanied her mother in the labor and delivery of her youngest brother. This interest grew as she became a mother herself, experiencing both the heartbreaking loss of miscarriages and the boundless joy of welcoming two daughters into this world. These experiences, even the painful parts, have equipped her with great love and empathy for her clients and wherever they may find themselves on the journey. She believes that working in the birth world is truly an honor and a blessing.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters. She enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, and playing games. Jessica is active in her church – loving Jesus, leading a small group in student ministries, and participating in various other Bible studies and overseas mission trips.
Training & Certifications:
- Certified Birth Doula – DONA International https://www.dona.org/
- Certified BRM® Professional https://bodyreadymethod.com/
- BLS + CPR (Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
- NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
- Birth Assisting Basics Course
Jessica was such a calm and confident energy in our birthing journey. Leading up to delivery day she stayed connected, offered information and encouragement as I navigated induction and even flipping baby techniques. During delivery, she stayed by my side, offering comfort and support through labor as Riley’s delivery stalled at one point. His heart rate kept dropping to alarm levels during contractions and she was there to support me as I processed the information and emotions around that experience. After baby, she touched based to help me process my birth experience and see how we were doing postpartum. I am so glad I decided to add a doula to our experience and was very pleased with Jessica’s work ethic and presence. It allowed my partner to rest as well as have additional support through labor and delivery.
Michelle Whitaker
Amazing experience with Expecting Joy- specifically Jessica! Honestly, I was originally torn on whether or not I needed to get a doula. But wow, I am so happy that we had Jessica with us for labor and delivery!
Jessica was supportive of my goals for a natural, unmedicated birth. My labor was long and Jessica really helped me with what positions to do and was very encouraging throughout. She also sought to understand my husband’s goals for birth and empowered him to coach me throughout labor. It was great to meet with her before birth and then again after I delivered to debrief about the experience.
I delivered at a hospital but beforehand I was nervous on whether they would push for unnecessary medical intervention. Because I had such a great team (Jessica and my husband) coaching me, I feel like the nurses and hospital staff trusted us to go through labor without getting too involved. When decisions about my care came up, Jessica talked with my husband and I to ensure we understood the options and reminded us of our goals. Again, labor was very tough and exhausting. I honestly feel like I would not have been able to meet my goals if it wasn’t for Jessica. I really appreciated her calm and reassuring demeanor during labor.
I truly was thanking God for Jessica after delivering my first daughter and I am eternally grateful to her for her support. I will remember her forever as a beautiful part of the birth story. Hire her! You will not regret it!
Karesa Espinosa
Having Jessica at my delivery was an unexpected blessing! My baby came 4 weeks early & my mom couldn't attend as planned, so Jessica volunteered to help me instead. She showed up for me with no qualms or delays. She came with a blanket of calmness and support that did not compromise her efficiency in the slightest. It being my first delivery, I needed someone to let me know that it was alright to do things differently than what the nurses were saying, or to help me understand the pros and cons of certain choices I was being asked to make (epidural, for instance). Jessica's clear and unbiased answers are much appreciated in a time when making decisions is already fraught. She helped me turn as needed, massaged me to help ease my pains, held my hand through it all and even cut the cord! She was even waiting to help me after an emergency surgery to remove my retained placenta. She only left once she was satisfied that my LO & i were settled in with no issues and comfortable.As I said at the beginning, Jessica's presence was an unexpected but much appreciated blessing at my delivery!
Brynell D'Souza
