There are so many things I could say about Jeannette. Jeannette was by my husband and me every step of the way. There was not a moment where she wasn’t supporting me and wanting me to get what I wanted, before, during,and after my son was born. She will fight for you to be heard, seen, and supported. Her knowledge of birth combined with her tenderness is just the perfect doula package in a woman. I was a first time mom and she always encouraged questions, and never made me feel dumb or that I was overreacting. She made me feel seen through a scenario that often times makes the mother feel forgotten. I felt like Jeannette fought in the battle with me to get my son here. I will never forget the support she gave both my husband and me. If I ever get pregnant again Jeannette will be one of my first calls. There is no other doula that I could even imagine hiring. She is the gold standard.”
Thank you for everything.
-Kelly
My birth would not have been the same without Jeannette's guidance and support! My husband and I fell in love with her instantly and throughout our prenatal sessions she gave us the confidence and education we needed to have a beautiful, healthy birth and I couldn't have asked for more. I have recommended her to any mamas who have asked (and probably those who haven't!) and will continue to do so. Her lactation consultations helped me feel secure and confident in navigating breastfeeding - and other new-parent struggles - postpartum. She was one of the first people we told of our second pregnancy just to make sure we could get on her calendar! A fast friend with the warmest heart, the name "Birth Buttress" could only go to the ever-calming and incredibly supportive Jeannette McDonald.
— Virginia Koebley
Jeannette really took the time to get to know us, educate us and help plan the best path forward, while setting up realistic expectations along the way. She was a calming presence during labor for both me and my husband. When my birth experience did not go according to plan, she went above and beyond to be the voice of reason when we were too exhausted to understand the situation we were in. Thanks to her, we welcomed our daughter into the world without an unnecessary surgery. We highly recommend Jeannette to anyone who needs the extra support during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum.
-Veronica Park
A fabulous and caring person who made me feel safe, confident and prepared. I gave birth naturally and without any issues and I give major credit to Jeannette for helping me on that journey! I highly recommend this talented and lovely person to anyone who is about to embark on the adventure of parenthood.
-Casandra Younglove
Working with Jeannette was incredible-- I recommend her to literally every pregnant person I know. Her pre-delivery sessions were hugely informational and made me feel so much more empowered and confident in what was to come. Then when I went into labor I felt like I was in such good hands with her. She was available to answer questions via text when things were just getting started, and then came to our house to help me get my labor moving at home. I was SO grateful for her being there as a wealth of knowledge and support. In the hospital she was encouraging and present, and it was such a blessing to have a supportive advocate and caretaker. I also rested easier knowing that someone was watching out for my husband when I obviously couldn't! The sweet pictures she took were an unexpected treat, and I felt so fortunate to have my big moment documented. After we went home she was available via text for lactation support and then visited us in person to help get my little guy going. Since this experience Jeannette has become a friend, which is a testament to her wonderful character, personality, and wonderful self. Honestly, pregnancy and delivery is such a huge undertaking that I feel like everyone should have access to a doula (you need all the support you can get), and I would 110% recommend using Jeannette.
-Lydia Fogo
I knew Jeannette was the doula for me from the moment I met her! Her calming presence during our prenatal sessions carried right over into her guidance during labor. Sadly, I had my daughter during the height of Covid and Jeannette was not allowed to accompany us to the hospital, but the hours I labored at home with her are some of my most special and cherished memories. After we came home from the hospital, I struggled severely with breastfeeding and Jeannette was always just a text away to offer support and advice, and was the one to discover that my daughter had a tongue tie during one of our lactation consults. I don’t plan to have another baby, but if I did I would absolutely want Jeannette to accompany me on that journey again.
-Angela Rose
I don’t believe that our experience with Jeannette could have been any better. Through the meetings we had before it really felt like she was part of the family, she answered all of our questions and helped us know what to expect and learn how to communicate throughout labor. I can’t imagine not having her with us through the whole process. Especially with our unexpected complications with Destany when I was in the corner holding little Andrew for nearly an hour while everybody was working with her it meant so much to know that Jeannette was over there holding her hand and being a comfort to her since I couldn’t.
-Isaac, Destany & Andrew
I can’t imagine trying to have gone through our birth process without Jeannette. She brought wisdom, calm and understanding to multiple days of labor as well as to the months prior in addition to the knowledge and help that I could never offer as a husband. She is literally the only reason my wife was able to have a happy vaginal delivery and not be coerced into surgery. We recommend her to anyone, and especially those who are having their first baby like we were.
-Dylan Fuller
I had the pleasure of knowing Jeannette as a prenatal yoga instructor and birth doula. I cherish the professional yet relaxed and comfortable support she provided me and my partner. Her perinatal knowledge base is impressive; couple that with a friendly and caring human and you have yourself the perfect doula. She was responsive, reliable, and generous with her time before, during, and after the birth. I couldn't recommend her strongly enough.
-Kara Fitzpatrick
Jeannette was a loving and wise guide throughout the entire birth process. She is a gifted educator who leans on research, her own experiences, and her steady intuition.
Our experience with our first child earlier this year would not have been the same without her! She helped me feel prepared through the prenatal class, and I felt so encouraged and empowered by her presence in the delivery room.
My husband and I are so grateful that we chose Jeannette as our Doula and we can’t recommend her enough!
-Marci Weaver
As a partner and a first time dad in the birthing process I assumed there was little a doula could do for me. Obviously, the majority of the time, attention, stress, care goes to the woman giving birth (as it should). But **** (cuss word of your choosing) I was wrong.
Our birth story was semi-traumatic. (Spoiler alert: everything ended up just fine)
When we were in the midst of that anxiety-inducing few hours of fear, Jeannette was there for us. She was with us for about 20 straight hours, feeding us, holding us, coaching us, encouraging us. In my most fearful moment while I was watching my wife continue to lose blood and the surgeon trying to find the source of bleeding, Jeannette literally held my brand new child and me simultaneously, calming my nervous system, allowing me space to be fearful.
I am not speaking with exaggeration when I say that Jeannette literally changed the course of our birth story in the most beautiful and positive way. I look back on that day and still have fear/anxiety around those moments, but I am also just as easily able to feel the love and care from Jeannette. She was there for me, the partner, the one not giving birth, in a way that I never knew I needed.
You are making a great choice, a beautiful life-changing choice in picking Jeannette as your doula.
With love,
Glenn Weaver
Having Jeannette as my doula for both of my pregnancies was the best thing I could have done for my birth experience. She played the part of my doula, my mother, my sister, and even my husband! If you need counter pressure during a contraction, she is doing counter pressure. If you need someone to speak up when you don’t have the words, Jeannette has the words. If your husband is asleep on the couch and you need someone to talk to, she’s a better listener anyway. Not only will Jeannette plan herself around your birth preferences, but she will completely change direction if you decide to change your mind. She supported my choice to try for a VBAC, she didn’t try to convince me to not get an epidural when I was physically and mentally exhausted, and she encouraged me through my emergency C section. Jeannette is everything you want from your doula and more! I encourage all mama to just give her a call. Talk to her for 10 minutes and i promise it will feel like talking to your best friend!
-Karleigh Smith
I had the privilege of using Jeannette during the pregnancies and births of both my sons. She came very highly recommended from my midwife. I knew after our initial phone interview that she was going to be a priceless asset to my husband and I. She was dedicated to understanding my desires around birth, equipping and empowering me with knowledge, and tenderly caring for me throughout the birthing process. Even when things didn’t go according to my plan, she was steadfast and supported me beautifully - An actual shoulder to cry on!
She was also incredibly valuable to me during the postpartum phase. I attribute a lot of my breastfeeding success to her!
My husband and I are incredibly grateful for Jeannette and her part in our family’s story.
I love Jeannette! She made sure I was comfortable the whole time and asked if I needed anything to eat or drink… I wasn’t even giving birth! I definitely want her at all of our births.
-Stoney Smith