Jennifer Tolman CD(DONA) Doula Profile

  It didn’t matter how many birthing books we read. When the first contraction happened, everything went out the window. Jennifer was our lifesaver. From the very start of our pregnancy, not just labor, Jennifer was there coaching, nurturing, and encouraging us. Not only was she our doula, but also a friend we turned to when the first few weeks of parenting seemed so frightening. During labor she took care of not only me, but my husband and entire family. Without her as my advocate, my doula, my un-medicated hospital birth would not have been possible.

  Regardless of what kind of birth you plan on having, I think very women should have a doula like Jennifer there to care for them. We picked Jennifer, and every time we think about the day our son was born, we are so grateful she was there.

Jennifer was amazing!  We had an exceptionally long induced, natural labor of over 36 hours that ended in a c-section (baby was 10lbs, 6oz and definitely did not want to come out!).  Jennifer was there supporting us every step of the way.  From the moment she arrived, she immediately calmed me and my husband and really showed us how to relax through the natural labor process.  She kept up her energy and encouragement throughout the long labor, always working to find ways to labor that were comfortable and effective.  She supported us all the way through the c-section, even being present at the surgery.  Her interaction with the nurses and midwives was very professional and collaborative - she was an invaluable team member. Jennifer is very knowledgeable and was able to explain everything that was happening and help us frame our choices with our goals in mind.  She was also very supportive and available throughout our pregnancy and always available to answer questions when we needed her.  We could not have made it through our labor and delivery without her and will not consider having another child without her there again!  

Jennifer was super down-to-earth and chill.  We were thankful because we wanted a doula to assist us but not take my husband's place in the birth process. Jennifer checked in on us periodically as my due date approached.  On labor day, she guided us through contactions over the phone. When we arrived at the hospital, she placed a warm rice bag on my back and used counter pressure  to ease my back labor.  It helped....A LOT. Althought I thought I would be able to do the birth naturally, I finally decided to get an epidural.  Jennifer never judged me.  She was supportive of my decisions for my birth.  She provided us with information throughout the process that helped us make the best decisions for our daughter.  I can't tell you how much we appreciate Jennifer.  She really offered us a sense of calmness in the midst of our chaotic labor.  I never expected it to progress that quickly.  I was fully dilated and pushed for three hours, but the midwife finally advised that we should have a C-section.  Our daughter's heart rate was apparently dropping everytime I had a contraction and she would not descend into the pelvis.  We decided that the C-section was the best thing for the health and safety of my daughter and myself.  Jennifer was able to be in the room with us during the C-section.  She stayed with me while my husband went over to be with my daughter after she was born.  She was such a blessing.  I can't tell you again how thankful we were that Jennifer was there.  My husband said he would have paid Jennifer three times the amount she charged.   The labor progressed really quickly and was more stressful than I imagined.  It was so nice to have Jennifer there to help us through the process.  We plan on hiring her for our next birth too.  Let's hope for a VBAC this time!

 Where do I even begin? 

At the beginning of my second pregnancy I decided that I wanted a more peaceful birth. I wanted to be in control. Very early on, I decided I wanted a doula. After talking with several doulas I felt a good connection with Jennifer. While I had just met her, I felt like I had known her my whole life and could see her being a part of my birthing team. 

At first, I was unsure on a few aspects of my potential birth. I really wanted to go naturally with no drugs but wasn't sure if I could handle it. Jennifer supported me 100%. I really liked that. I eventually decided that I wanted to go natural. At the time I didn't feel like my current doctor would have been supportive of that. My doctor wasn't really supportive of much and didn't take care of my high risk pregnancy like she should have. I decided to change doctors and got recommendations from Jennifer. She knew a little more about how I wanted to give birth and I ended up finding the BEST doctor.

All through my pregnancy she gave me valuable information and helped me overcome the fear I had. By the time I was ready to give birth I wasn't afraid at all. She helped me with issues that arose during my pregnancy and was always available to answer any questions I had.

I had the most wonderful, natural birth. It was perfect! She helped me relax and told me I was doing great. She helped my husband as well. He was unsure of the whole process. My first birth was very different so he wasn't sure what to expect. 

I really don't know how else to say it other than, I don't think I could have done it so wonderfully without Jennifer. She's an angel in disguise and I thank my lucky stars that I found her! 

 We are so happy we found Jennifer!   Our first baby was born healthy via c-section after a long and traumatic labor with no Doula support.  When we found out I was pregnant with our 2nd baby we had already done research and knew we wanted (needed really) to have a Doula for a TOLAC/VBAC birth.  Jennifer was easy to talk to and always there to answer questions.  She helped me through the fear and emotions that came with facing labor and delivery again.  When I went into labor she came to our house to help me through contractions until we decided it was time to go to the hospital.  After laboring at home for several hours, going to the hospital, being sent home for not being dialated enough, then back to the hospital, more laboring, pushing, and finally another c-section Jennifer stayed with us for 35 hours straight!  It was an all weekend long labor and she was there to support us the whole time.  I would have never expected this out of a Doula, but am forever grateful to Jennifer that she did stay with us.  She brought so much comfort and peace to the whole situation and truly did want what my husband and I felt was right for us.  If you are on the fence about getting a Doula...do it!  And if you are in the OKC area please interview Jennifer for your Doula.  She brings experience, peace, and a positive attitude to the uncertainty of labor and delivery.  

Jennifer Tolman is amazing.  I could not be happier with my doula experience!

After the medical fiasco that was my first birth- I wanted something different with my second.  I e-mailed Jennifer, in which she responded immediately and then followed-up with me a few days later.  We met and I learned more in that hour consultation about pregnancy and birth than I had learned from both of my OB's combined. 

Jennifer made herself available to me for the remainder of my pregnancy.  She consistently checked in and helped me navigate an entire month of painful, nightly contractions. When my husband and I made the decision to induce, she talked me through that decision without judgement or pressure.

The day we induced, I had my birthplan in place and had wanted to go without pain medication.  Jennifer guided me through the painful Pitocin contractions,  being calm and gentle as she coached, and then being firm when I was losing my focus and my mind .  I had never been in so much pain, and she never left my side and she never lost patience.  She was also on top of everything that was going on in the hospital room, (machines, positions, stages of labor, ect.)

When I couldn't stay on top of them anymore, I asked for an epidural.  I thought I had been a wimp, but she kept encouraging and coaching.  Looking back, I am amazed at how much she kept up with.  She made sure the medical staff was following my plan for delivery and breastfeeding; I was too overcome with emotion to even think about that.  After our daughter was born, Jennifer stayed with us and helped me with breastfeeding and just calming down in general.  She's also checked up on me several times since we left the hospital.

Jennifer brought such knowledge, experience, patience and peace to my pregnancy and delivery.  I am beyond thankful!

When my wife told me she wanted to get a doula, I asked "What the heck is a doula?"  I am glad I agreed to a doula.  As a military family living 1500 miles from friends and family, we were wondering who/ where we could leave our oldest son when the time came.  My wife went into labor early and the one lady we trusted to watch our son was on vacation in another state.  Without Jennifer, we would have been absolutely lost.  She was a life saver.  I was able to take care of our son during the long hours of labor and Jen watched him during the emergency C-section.  My motto for any father is "Don't be a dope, get a Doula."  Thank you Jen, you have an amazing gift, were always very professional and understanding. 

When I got pregnant with my second child I realized very fast that I did not want a induced medicated birth again. I started searching for a doula online and found Jennifer. The first contact with her was very positive and I liked her right away. She gave me the confidence that I would not repeat my almost traumatic birth experience. She was very supportive throughout the whole pregnancy. She was informing me when I asked and kept her distance so I could make my own decision.
The days leading up to the birth I could contact her day and night with my concerns, I could not have dreamed of anyone more supportive during these 9 long days of going overdue.
During the whole birth, that lasted 24 hours, Jennifer was very allert and calming and gave me exactly what I needed. Space when I needed it and support when I wanted it. My husband and I were very surprised that someone could stay so awake for so long!
I could not have found a better doula for me. It was a very challenging labor and she was by my side the whole time.
If I would still live in the area, there would be no doubt about it that she would be assisting me with all my next births.
I think about the birth of my second son a lot, and she takes a very special place in that memory. The only thing I regret is not taking a picture of her with our newborn baby.

 From the very beginning I was so impressed with Jennifer.  When my husband and I decided to hire a doula for the birth of our first child, I thought the main purpose would be for help and support during labor.  Little did I know, Jennifer would be such a help all along the way!  She is very knowledgeable about all things pregnancy, and was always willing to answer any quesiton that came up.  It was extremely reassuring to know that I had someone I could call.  During labor, and an unusually long "delivery," Jennifer was by our side offering hands-on techniques that helped progress labor, and most importantly was a constant encouragement!  I look back and have nothing but great memories of our daughter's birth. I would highly recommend Jennifer to anyone considering a doula.  

Jennifer is very knowledgeable and caring.  I liked her right away because her personality was exactly what I was looking for in a doula - soft spoken, kind, and patient.

Jennifer was always available and quickly returned any questions I had.  The day of the delivery she stayed in contact often and really put my mind at ease.  During the delivery, her presence made me instantly relaxed and I felt in control.  Idefinitely  needed her and hope to use her again in the future.

Jennifer is someone who has found her niche - her sweet spot. Her passions and her talents converge in the area of assisting women with birth and breastfeeding. When people find their sweet spot, the results are extraordinary and that is certainly the case with Jennifer.
I looked for a doula to help me have a more positive time bringing my second baby into the world. Labor seems to go quickly for me and my first birth was chaotic and somewhat scary. Jennifer listened to my concerns and wishes for the next birth. It was almost like pre-birth counseling. She helped me to articulate what I was wanting in my heart on paper in a birth plan. She met with me and my husband, which was key, because I really wanted him to be more involved this time. When you're in labor, you can't communicate your wants & needs. So, my husband didn't know what I was wanting and feeling. I was hoping she could help me explain that to him and she did! I can't tell you how thankful I am for that!

She went to a couple appts with me & I was able to call and text her whenever I needed to. Many times, she was the one checking on me! I went past my due date and I was dilated to 5 cm and 75% effaced, no regular contractions or broken water. I had to make the difficult decision whether to let them break my water. She helped me decide, not by telling me what to do, but by giving me information and helping me talk it through. Based upon my history of quick labor and my desire to have a more relaxed environment, I decided to let them break my water. Jennifer was there through the whole process. I leaned on her in more ways than one! She was patient and kind when I needed it. She was also firm and encouraging when I needed it. I'm having difficulty putting into words just how happy and pleased I was with the process of bringing my son into the world! She really helped my husband be involved in supporting me and connecting with me and what was going on. 

I was blessed to be given the gift of a doula. Jenny stayed in constant contact with me and always available to answer any questions. By the time it was time to have the baby I was well educated on the birthing process and even though it turned into a medically necessary c-section, she came to the hospital as I asked for her and she made sure baby was latching. Even weeks later, she still checks on us. Jenny is a great person and has gone above and beyond for me and my son. Thank you Jenny for all you’ve done!

My experience with Jennifer was wonderful! This was my 3rd birth and 1st VBAC. She was a wonderful calming presence that added so much to my birth experience. I was able to just focus on what I needed to do and not worry about what was going on around me. She provided wonderful information even during the birthing process that helped us make informed decisions. My birth was a wonderful experience, everything I wanted it to be, and I know that having her there was a huge part of that!

I hired Jennifer Tolman when I was 25 weeks pregnant and it was the best decision I made while pregnant.  I delievered at Lakeside Women's Hospital and was able to have the natural birth that I had planned.  I vaginally delievered a 9 pound 3 ounce baby at 42 weeks pregnant while on pitiocin.  Jennifer used counterpressure to help with my back labor.  I could not have done it without her.  She also answered any questions I had during my pregnancy.  I would recommend her to anyone looking for a doula.  She's fanastic!! :)

We hired Jennifer to help us with our second birth. She was referred to me by a friend and i loved her. She was very nice and not pushy at all. I wanted to go natural with this birth so i thought it would help having someone there to go through it with me, who has done it before. She was very helpful through my whole pregnancy always trying to answer any question i might have and she helped me put together my birth plan. My labor ened up going really fast and she wasnt able to make it before our baby came. She was on the phone with me the whole time i was in labor, and the whole way to the hospital, helping me to breath right and not push. Even tho she wasnt at the birth it was very helpful having her on the phone with me the whole time. I wouldnt of known what to do if she wasnt. I might of had the baby in the car. It was a great experience having Jennifer as our Doula and i would highly reccommend her to any family. I enjoyed working with a doula this time around and would probable do it again if we have another child.

We found Jennifer via her website last September. After meeting with Jennifer and speaking with her at length about our hopes for the birth of our first child, we found that she was knowledgeable, caring, and flexible. The last trait was especially important to us (and played a larger role during the birth) because we wanted a doula who was not set in stone about how a birth should be. We were so happy Jennifer was free for our baby's birth in March! 

Although I had hoped for a completely natural birth, I had to be induced because of complications and the potential for infection; Jennifer guided us through making the tough decisions asked of us. The labor was extremely difficult because of the pitocin-induced contractions, but Jennifer had a whole arsenal of tricks to help me through it. My husband wanted an active role, and she not only included him but let him take charge when he wanted. If he ran out of ideas of what to do, she was there to guide him in a non-threatening way. When I hit a wall from the pitocin and wanted some pain medication, she did not judge me, but helped me decide what to do and supported my decision. 

From when my waters first started leaking to the birth of our daughter was 37 hours. Jennifer was either on the phone with us (in the beginning) to with us in person, the entire time.  I felt like I was in such good hands, and her presence was so reassuring. I highly recommend Jennifer Tolman and would definitely use her for my next birth!

 My search for a doula started with a number of emails that lead to phone conversations.  From the first time I talked to Jennifer she put me at ease and made me very comfortable talking about what I would like my birth experience to be.  She took what could be an awkward conversation and made me feel excited and comfortable asking questions and seeking information.  She was very involved in my whole pregnancy.  I had a major complication that lead me to be induced four weeks early.  As soon as i knew I'd be induced Jennifer was in contact with us until she came to the hospital.  Having Jennifer attend my labour and birth was the best choice my husband and i made.  When he needed a break during the 41+hour labour she stepped in, with them both there I had a team that really provided the best support i could have imagined.  She showed my husband different ways to help me through labour and as a team the two of them helped me to make choices that needed to be made and comfort me as i needed it.  Her presence and knowledge helped to make my challenging birth experience a very memorable one.   Jennifer is an excellent doula.  I cannot say enough great things about her.  

Jennifer was an absolute blessing to our family and an essential partner in our wonderful birth experience. From the minute that we met with Jennifer, we knew that she would be a great doula. She is extremely calming and encouraging and always provided us with a positive outlook on every situation. Jennifer was extremely well educated in the area of natural childbirth and provided us with educational materials as well as emotional support for whatever challenging situations we faced during the 9 months of our pregnancy. She was avaialble at anytime to answer questions and answered my emails, texts, and phone calls promptly and efficiently.

My labor was induced with my first baby, so I had many questions about natural labor and delivery. Jennifer answered all of my questions in detail and provided me with many possible scenarios and encouragment. When I went into labor, Jennifer checked on me often and made two trips to the hospital with us! She offered information and positive encouragment at every stage of my labor and delivery. The physical support that Jennifer provided me was extremely helpful in allowing my body to relax and allowing labor to progress naturally and with as much comfort as possible. She stayed with us during the entire labor and delivery process as well as after the baby arrived, offering tips and reminders that helped get breastfeeding off to a good start. Overall, Jennifer was a great addition to our pregnancy, labor, and delivery team! We loved getting to know her and are blessed to have made such a wonderful friend in the process!

We recently had our second child by a natural childbirth in the hospital and had a wonderful experience working with Jennifer. If anybody is born to be a doula, that would be her. We had a doula when we had our first child years ago mainly because my husband strongly suggested so. I did not know what a doula was then and was quite skeptical. It turned out to be the best decision we had made for the childbirth experience. I was convinced why a doula was an essential part of childbirth – a “secret” to successful natural childbirth. So, this time around when we found out I was pregnant, there was no doubt in my mind we would not have our baby without a doula. I went online and carefully went through a limited list of doulas in our area. When I came across Jennifer’s website, I knew I found the best doula for us. She was extremely competent and was there for me every step of my pregnancy. The highlight of our doula experience with her was when I delivered our child. It was at night on Saturday and my midwife was not on call that night. As soon as Jennifer arrived at the hospital, she came running to my bedside, held my hand and started to guide me. The obstetrician on call arrived half an hour later. I was having intense contractions and Jennifer’s calming voice was my only focal point. I just closed my eyes and listened to her voice. She kept holding my hand and gave me constant encouragement throughout the childbirth. It gave me strength to bear this most painful process. She was very calm, observant and knew exactly what I needed. When I wanted something but was overwhelmed with pain and could not speak, she advocated for me. She was completely in tune with what I was going through and was attentive to my every need. I never felt alone in the delivery room. She far exceeded our expectation for a doula and we can say without hesitation, it was our best doula experience! I could not have had a natural childbirth without her support.

We were extremely happy with our experience with Jennifer as our doula.  She was available for questions even before labor began, she checked in with us after dr. visits to see how things were going, and she provided information to us that was helpful in preparing for labor.  She also went to a doctors appointment with me and helped us prepare a birth plan.  I was in labor for nearly 30 hours and Jennifer was with us for almost 24 of those.  She came to our house until my water broke, went to the hospital with us, and helped me labor for nearly 23 hours without medication.  I ended up having to have an epidural because our baby was not quite in the right position and I was not progressing - Jennifer never once made me feel like I was a failure because I got the epidural.  In addition, we actually had to deliver in a c-section room "just in case" because they were concerned that the baby was getting distressed and at our request, Jennifer was present there as well.  She helped both my husband and I stay calm and focused and also made it easier for my husband to be able to go to the nursery and leave me while she stayed with me in the operating room.  She also continued to follow up with us after the birth and has been a great resource for many things from post-partum recovery questions to breastfeeding questions.  Jennifer has never been pushy, made us feel that we were doing something wrong, or made us feel that her way was the only way.  I would highly recommend Jennifer to anyone and hope she's available when we have another one!

Why does a birthing woman need a doula?  There is no simple answer to this question, but it has a lot to do with the kind of human touch and care that someone like Jennifer offers a laboring mom.  I also know that the data shows that women who labor with doulas have shorter labors, significantly less pain, lower c-section rates, and better outcomes. I chose Jennifer because I wanted a very different birth from my first ( a fast, scary, painful labor that ended badly in a c-section that tore my uterus).  I wanted a VBAC.  I decided to birth in a hospital with a midwife and Jennifer by my side.  Many people doubted that I could have a VBAC, but Jennifer always believed in me and reassured me, even when I started to doubt myself.   My second birth was so different from the first.  I actually enjoyed it! Jennifer was excellent, a very valuable resource and a great comfort to me.  She brought with her a sense of calm and serenity that I have seen in very few people in hospital settings.  I had a long, but thanks to Jen's help, not painful labor.  Never once did I feel out-of-control.  She knew exactly what to do to help my body labor and she  was a huge comfort.  There was none of the fear, the panic, or the terror that I might actually die that plagued my first birth.  Instead with Jennifer I felt that my birth was a wonderful and exciting, life-affirming event to be experienced!  After pushing for amost two hours my 8 pound, 11oz, baby boy was born! I'll never forget hearing Jennifer say the sweetest words I'd heard since the birth of my daughter 4 years before- "You are doing it Jaime! You are going to have your VBAC!"  I know, deep in my heart of hearts, had Jennifer not been there things would have been very different.  But because she was there there were tears of joy and laughter in that hospital room from almost everyone around! 

When my husband and I first met with Jennifer we both felt completely at ease with her. My first impression of her was that she was very personable, and I felt as if I could have known her for years. The personal connection I felt with Jennifer was the main reason I asked her to be our birth doula.

Throughout my pregnancy Jennifer provided the perfect level of support as we prepared for the birth. She was very good about assessing my needs and preferences along the way. By the time I went into labor I felt we had communicated with each other very well and I was completely confident in her ability to do everything possible to assist me and my husband have the birth we really wanted. 

As my due date approached Jennifer checked on me more frequently and gave me every assurance I needed so I could feel prepared for the birth and her role in it. When I went into active labor I asked Jennifer to come to our house and she arrived in a timely manner. She was calm and ready to begin assisting me through contractions when she came into our home. Jennifer had some great ideas for how to support me physically during contractions, and her words of encouragement and support during the more difficult moments in the hospital were invaluable. Also, she had great empathy for my husband. During labor, she was able to "read" perfectly when she should pull back and let my husband be more active and when she should step in and offer ideas and encouragement. Her skills for working as a team with me, my husband, and the hospital staff demonstrated her keen instincts and social/emotional intelligence. Following the birth of our son, Jennifer helped me establish breastfeeding, and her postpartum visit provided a wonderful opportunity to review the events of the birth.

Although choosing a doula is a personal decision, I would highly recommend Jennifer based on my experience with her. She was a great match for me and my husband.

Jennifer is such a caring person. Her knowledge about the entire pregnancy, labor and birthing process put my mind at ease. I was able to call her at anytime with questions or concerns throughout my pregnancy. Jennifer is the perfect person to assist with labor.

Jennifer was a very important part of my pregnancy and labor.  My husband and I were very thankful we had her.  She was always available to answer my questions and concerns during my pregnancy anytime of day or night.  She never made me feel like my questions were silly or unimportant, she even came with me to a doctor's appointment to discuss my birth plan with my doctor.  Although my labor went quickly it was very intense and Jennifer was calming when the medical professionals were not.  She taught me how to work with my body during contractions which helped me relax and actually enjoy my labor.  I am so glad that she was by my side.  I really don't think I could have done it without her there.