Hey, I'm Jess. I'm excited to meet you!
I am married to my very sweet hubby and together we have four children. I enjoy playing music (guitar and ukulele mainly, though we own plenty other instruments to keep us busy learning), family bike rides, and drawing in my bullet journal when I have the chance. I attended my first birth doula training in 2009 hosted by the Doula Association of Central Oklahoma, little did I know the first certification of many to pursue in birth work. In 2010 I was accredited as a La Leche League Leader and began hosting monthly support groups for local breastfeeding families. In 2016 I received my Certified Lactation Counselor certificate and began hosting Baby Cafe USA meetings in collaboration with our state breastfeeding coalition. That same year I also accepted a position as Operations Manager at Thrive Mama Collective. In 2017 I received notice of earning my International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification and I became a Thrive Mama Collective Member. Since that time I have been serving families in my private practice in Oklahoma City. In 2020 I was able to expand my skill set as a lactation consultant by attending the IBCLC Master Class: Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad course, and in 2021 I attended the HypnoBirthing Educators Certification course. I am continuously expanding my knowledge base on topics related to infant and parent healthcare. |
Professional Experience
I have helped a variety of families, dynamics, and situations as a doula and a lactation consultant such as:
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My Personal Birth Experiences
My first birth was a very common hospital birth, facilitated by an un-necessary induction (no medical indication), and required me to have an epidural due to the fear-pain-tension cycle I was unknowingly allowing myself to feed into by being under prepared. In the end things went fairly straight forward during labor, but I was left with feelings of disconnect with my body and my baby, all the while feeling very sore and experiencing a painful recovery from directed pushing when I could not feel my contractions well enough to assist with them on my own.
I was not prepared for breastfeeding either. I had called the hospital where I was planning to have my baby and requested to enroll in the next breastfeeding class, I was ready to learn! When I spoke with the scheduler she let me know that I was calling a bit ahead of when I would be able to enroll. I marked the date on my calendar for when I could enroll next and when I called back I was told that they were full for prenatal classes but that they could enroll me in a class after my baby was born. How would that help me know what to do until then? When I found out I was pregnant for the second time, I knew in my heart that I wanted my birth experience to feel different than it had before. I wanted to have an out of hospital birth, but due to finances and late planning I decided to stick with my original provider and facility. After months of thorough preparation, reading books, and hiring a doula, I achieved my birth goals and welcomed my second baby by unmedicated water birth in the hospital. It was with my third baby that I made the leap to home birth. Late in my pregnancy I decided to change providers with only a few weeks left to go before my estimated due date approached. I reached out to local midwives and formed a plan. I welcomed my third baby into the world in my bedroom in the early hours of the morning, swiftly and with confidence in my abilities.
My fourth baby brought with it the joy and peace of complete midwifery care. Oh what a joy it was to be cared for by midwives for my entire pregnancy. All of my prenatal visits were calm and long, full of education and autonomous decision making. Ironically, my sweet baby needed intervention at birth and we followed the quick decision of our midwife to transfer care during labor where I was able to birth at the exact location that we needed to be. Her care continued both in the labor and delivery room and at home in the weeks and months postpartum. I am so thankful for the care of my heart and my health that my midwives have provided for me over the years. My birth experiences have helped form and humble me as I serve others through birth work. |
Kind Words
After baby #4, I realized my previous breastfeeding experiences weren't enough to help us overcome a difficult latch (even after getting professional help with multiple overly restrictive frenulums). Jessica came to the rescue with information and recommendations. She helped me not only feel more confident, but gave us the knowledge to improve our daughter's latch and ensured a functional breastfeeding relationship. She is invaluable.
- E |
Jessica was the facilitator at a group for breastfeeding moms (Milk Moms), which I attended after the birth of my first baby. Jessica is extremely knowledgeable; she patiently answered ALL my questions (I had a lot). Jessica was a great source of support to help us navigate the challenges of breastfeeding. I would highly recommend her!
- R |
Jessica's services are in investment that pays dividends for your baby, for you and for the whole family. She brings a deep base of knowledge derived from experience, her studies (she regularly takes new classes and stays on top of all the latest research), and blends that with her put-you-at-ease manor. Like your private Sherpa, she will guide you away from crevasses and clear your path ahead.
- R |