Shandra Tollefson

2/24/2017

Jenell was so phenomenal to work with! My husband and I decided we wanted to find a doula about a month before our due date. Jenell's profile jumped out at me because of her previous work in a health care facility. After a phone and in-person interview, we decided to move forward. Our first prenatal visit was at our home and we talked about how we envisioned the birth of our daughter and chatted through preferences. This was a helpful process as it brought up a number of things I hadn't considered at that point. Jenell and I kept in touch via text as my due date approached. I ended up going into labor a week and a half early. When my water broke, Jenell helpfully told me I could take my time getting to the hospital since I didn't have any contractions at that point. In triage, she reminded me that I wanted to labor in the bathtub which was very helpful as I had omitted that from memory after hearing I was 4cm dilated! Jenell provided comfort as I labored in the tub, offering some peppermint oil when I felt nauseous and helping guide me through the contractions. Her gentle voice was so calming and I know she also put my husband at ease. It was truly a team of three getting through early labor and transition. Because of her, I felt comfortable being in the tub longer, and ended up being fully dilated before my epidural. Jenell helped me understand what would be happening as we transitioned into pushing which made me feel much more at ease and in control. She was such an awesome coach and supporter for both me and my husband during the final stretch. She stayed with us after we got settled with baby and we stayed in touch via text until our post-partum visit a week or two after birth. She brought notes on the birth and we talked through it during our visit. It was so nice to walk through everything again and process the birth together. I highly recommend Jenell ... she's informed, open-minded, calming and helped make our birthing process an amazing one!

Claire Dawson

11/28/2016

We were very glad to have had Jenell working with us for our birth. She put us at ease, but still seemed very professional and prepared for whatever happened. During the actual birth, her guidance was indispensible for making it through contractions and for helping me to relax and let the process happen as much as I could. We ended up with an epidural, and I also appreciated the fact that she supported my decision about that and made it clear that I needed to do what was right for me. She also provided necessary relief for my husband, as my labor started at 8pm and went overnight. Her notes and report about the birth were clear and helpful, too. Overall, we were so glad we worked with her and felt like it made the process much easier for both of us.

Olga Thompson

10/11/2016

Jenell was great! I went into labor in the evening and she answered the phone and tried to calm me down. She came to the hospital shortly after my husband and I arrived and was there up until my baby was born. I had a long 36 hours labor and Jenell was a trooper, she was with me the whole time. I don't know how I would deal with the pain if it wasn't for her hydrotherapy and other position she suggested. I was put on pitocin after about 20 hours of labor and at that point I could not deal with the pain or exhaustion so I asked for epidural. She was never pushy- she was there to offer her help and advice, she was ok with our change of plans. She was also very helpful when I got home from the hospital. She kept checking in on me and giving me some great advice on dealing with postpartum pains and blues. During her postpartum home visit she gave me some great tips on breastfeeding and personal care. She was a great help and I am very glad we used her as a doula!

Amy Flesher

9/19/2016

If you are looking for a doula, I highly recommend Jenell!  Jenell is very knowledgeable and made sure to answer any questions we had before, during and after childbirth.  My labor did not go how I had hoped and Jenell was there to help and support me the whole time- staying at the hospital for over 24 hours straight until my daughter was born!  She took notes and was able to help me process the experience afterwards- something I had no idea I would need but ended up helping me so much.  Jenell has continued to check up on my family since the birth- it is very apparent that she loves what she does, and does it well!

Kendra Mattke

5/2/2016

She was very nice, and available when I needed her before, during and after the birth. She also was very knowledgeable. Great doula!

Sophia W

4/24/2016

Jenell was a joy to work with!  As first time parents, she provided us with very helpful tips on how to prepare both baby and mommy for birth, she offered great help with our birth preference planning, and gave us feedback that prepared us for potential unexpected situations, all during our prenatal visit.  She was an invaluable extra set of hands during labor, and offered really helpful breastfeeding advice during our postpartum visit - not to mention, she was available via text, email and phone for any questions we had, at any time before and after the birth. I will definitely be recommending her to my expecting friends!

Victoria Bizzotto

11/30/2015

My husband and I loved working with Jenell! She was extremely accomodating, professional, very knowledgeable, and also shared her views and knowledge but wasn't "pushy" about doing things exactly the way she thought they should be done or the way she leanred.  This was my worry with a doula, and several others I reached out to prior to being connected with Jenell appeared to be this way. Jenell was constantly available to answer questions and checked in with us frequently (a perfect amount). I couldn't have been happier she was there through labor, it was so difficult and she helped me relax! She helped us learn to how to make informed decisions by asking the doctors the right questions. An absolutely lovely person and a fantastic doula, please at least meet with her if you aren't sure, you will be delighted to work with her!!