Intentional Childbirth
Doula Services
BIRTHING AND BEYOND, FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
We are here to Serve
Intentional Childbirth Doula Services is dedicated to caring for the wellbeing of the whole family during the beautiful season of pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as postpartum!
MEET JENNY ERVIN
Hi, I am Jenny.
I always say I was born a doula. My birthing support is born out of many years of passion for this season in a woman’s life, many life experiences (including 8 children), and a desire to serve.
Ever since I was a teenager, I lived and breathed anything that had to do with pregnancy and babies. It might have something to do with the fact that I was at my baby brother’s birth when I was 16. I truly loved it! For my high school graduation, rather than wanting what most girls want at that age, I asked for things like a baby stethoscope, a fetoscope, and a blood pressure cuff. 
Fast forward many years and 8 living children (and 4 precious babies in heaven) my passion to serve comes from my own experiences as well.
Birth centers, home births, water births and an epidural in the hospital have all been a part of my own journey. But while the circumstances have varied greatly, but my love and passion for these things have not changed. You can read my second born’s birth story in the blog section. (He was almost born in the car!) and I also blogged about the home waterbirth of my seventh baby,
Why a Doula?
Having a baby is one of the most wonderful moments in a person’s life. It can also be one of the scariest, and most vulnerable times in a woman’s life. We are in a hostile society where birth is treated as a sickness instead of a natural, beautiful part of life. Birth can be one of the most traumatic events or one of the most supremely exhilarating times. And much of that has to do with the care and support you do or do not have.
When I had my first baby I had been preparing to be a midwife. I had been at births and a part of the experience several times. I was no stranger to the process of labor and delivery. My husband was more supportive than most men, and I had amazing midwives to assist me in my desire for an unmedicated birth.
But, do you know what happened? The minute my labor became intense while I wanted my husband’s continual touch and closeness, it was my mama’s face that I sought. I needed another woman who had been through what I was going through to help me, encourage me, and even anticipate my every need. You see, my mother was my doula even though I had not planned that all out.
When we are birthing, we naturally turn to the women who have been there before us. To be our advocate, support, encourage and guide us.
Doulas are for siblings too!
Not your first baby?
Learn about how a doula can assist you with sibling preparation our FREE resource “Bonding Birthing Traditions”!
What is a Doula?
- A doula in the greek means “Servant Woman” and that's exactly our role.
- A doula allows your husband to give you that tenderness you need and frees him up to be with you in whatever way you desire without heavy expectations that he himself might be unsure of.
- A doula frees up your midwives (if you are at home or birth center) to attend to your physical needs as they prepare for the birth of your baby. If you are in the hospital, a doula stays with you constantly when a nurse can only come and go.
- A doula can also assist in seeing what needs the husband, other family members and the midwives might have, such as a snack or cup of tea.
- A doula is available for those questions before and afterwards that you might not be sure if you want to bother your midwife with or you can’t ask your doctor.
- A doula can be there from the moment you want her to stay with you, even in the early stages of labor before it’s time to call the primary caregiver.
- A doula is a support to you during labor, helping with relaxation through contractions and offering ways to cope with the pain.
- A doula can assist you after the birth in breastfeeding, caring for your other children, assisting you with needs in your house, yes even washing dishes.
01
Educational Support
A doula is there to assist with providing information and education. Coming along side the expectant parents she is available for questions throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum. This enables the parents to make not only informed decisions but feel confident throughout the whole journey.
02
Physical
Support
While a doula is not a medical caregiver, a doula provides physical support and comfort measures throughout labor, delivery and postpartum. Whether it is through suggesting effective positions, offering a warm blanket, cool drink, or massage a doula is there for your physical comfort and needs.
03
Emotional Support
Birthing a baby is a highly emotional event for a woman. A doula is there for encouragement, support, and understanding before, during and after. She is a cheerleader, advocate and friend. Your emotional health is a strong priority to your doula. Assisting with fears beforehand, overwhelm during labor and processing postpartum emotions are all part of a doulas role.
Hear from other new parents...
We hired a Doula to help us through the birthing process for support and knowledge, as I suffer from anxiety and my husband is very much an introvert—has a hard time processing emotion.
Jenny was there for us every step of the way….helping me through times of feeling anxious and educating and encouraging my husband on the birthing process.
During delivery, Jenny’s calming presence helped me stay calm and collected during a time I would normally be overly anxious.
If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”
John Kennell
Research has shown that having a doula gives you a 39% decrease in the risk of a Cesarean (c-section)
How Can I Help You?
Fill out the form below and I will be in contact with you very shortly! I can’t wait to chat with you!
