Jana  Smolenski  Photo

Jana Smolenski

Birth Instincts

Claremont, CA Service range 50 miles

http://www.birthinstincts.com

Birth Fee

$1500 to $2500

Birth Fee

$1500 to $2500


Birth Doula Experience

7 years and 40 births attended


Doula Training

  • New Beginnings Doula Training, October 2016

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 0 to 4

Attends hospital births? Some Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Any Home Birth


College Education

BA/BS

MA/MS


Special Services Offered

  • Acupressure
  • Aromatherapy
  • Baby sign language education
  • Baby-led weaning
  • Babywearing education
  • Childbirth education services
  • Cloth diapering education
  • Elimination communication education
  • Lactation consultant/counselor services
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Miscarriage support
  • Parenting consulting
  • Photography - Birth
  • Surrogates and intended parents
  • TENS units rental
  • Therapist or counselor
  • Vaginal steam/peristeam services
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • German

Fee Details

My birth doula service currently starts at $1,500. My birth photography service starts at $1,500. My doula and photography package starts at $2,000. My all-inclusive doula+photography+childbirth education package starts at $2,250. I honor low-budget or POC clients on a case-by-case basis by offering sliding scale fees.

Service Area

Claremont, CA Service range 50 miles

Client Testimonials for Jana Smolenski

Post a testimonial for Jana Smolenski

Brittany R.

11/1/2021

I am very appreciative of Jana for being my doula and photagrapher.  During the prenatal visit she educated us on many things we didn't know.  She was so supportive during labor.  Postpartum she was open to help and advice with any questions I had because of her experience as a mama.  I'll forever cherish the memories captured.

Jess Mouwes

9/10/2021

After my first baby was born via c section I was determined to have a VBAC ( vaginal delivery after cesarean) for my second - Jana understood exactly how important this was for me. I had a long labor, Jana was there the entire time, supporting me and my husband in so many different ways. After many hours of labor and pushing it looked like the baby wasn’t in an optimal position and couldn’t come out. Jana had the idea to try a few exercises to get her to move and not long after my baby was born! Having Jana on your birth team is priceless and I would choose her again in a heartbeat! She’ll forever be a big part of my daughter’s birth story and I am so grateful for that.

Renee

11/12/2020

Jana,

 You were everything we needed and so much more to be able to make bringing our precious girl into this world at such a time so beautiful and bright for us. You helped me accomplish something that I will forever be greatful for. You were such a staple of support for not just me but for Frank as well. Not to mention the wealth of knowledge you carry and shared with us. thank you for reminding me of my strength and for taking us on so last minute! I will always Thank God for you???? I'm still in absolute awe of that day.

Nickie Kluge

1/17/2020

As first-time parents, Jana gave us the tools and confidence going into our birth and in our first days of parenthood. She helped us prepare for the hospital birth we envisioned, equipped with evidence-based research to navigate hospital protocols. Throughout our long labor, Jana was a calming resource and advocate for us in working with the hospital team, helping to translate what was unfolding and what our options were during our birth. Having her there simply gave us the space to relax in knowing that she was there if and when we needed extra support. In the days after the birth, Jana was there to help us process our experience and support us with a variety of questions we had from breastfeeding challenges to hormonal changes. We were so fortunate to benefit from Jana’s years of experience as a doula and as an experienced mother!

Rita Widjaja

7/8/2019

I can’t express how thankful my husband and I are to have Jana as our doula. My husband was originally doubtful about spending the extra money for a doula but was so impressed with Jana that he told me “she was worth her weight in gold” lol.

From our first initial consultation, Jana provided a wealth of information and lent me books to read.  Due to some complications, my Drs recommended inducing me early and Jana was flexible in being there for us. During my labor which was 4 weeks early, Jana helped a through the excruciating back labor. She braided my hair, gave me back pressure and helped my husband in supporting me. She also had aromatherapy and candles. Because of Jana we were able to have the best birth experience possible.

Andrea Rodriguez

6/25/2019

Jana is amazing! It’s nerve wracking meeting anybody at first especially when talking about personal issues and bodily function while pregnant. She genuinely cares and makes you feel comfortable and at ease. To this day I am still bummed we don’t talk regularly like we did when I was pregnant. Guess that means I got to have another baby! But seriously, my fiancé and I were like we would love for her to be one of our friends. Jana also photographed the birth and I would not have had it any other way. She captured the most pure innocent and happy moments in our lives welcoming our baby girl Hazel and holding her. Reveling in all the love and happiness brought forth from birth. She is very knowledgeable and explains everything to you (even if you don’t get it the first few times) ;) . The handouts that she gives along with the little folder help tremendously, I was so nervous about having my first baby and birth and she put me at ease and reassured me that we got this. She knew when was the right moment to go to our birth center and deliver the baby. Almost as if she had tuned in with me and my body. We got there and I labored mostly at home until Jana said now it’s time to go and we got there just in time. We love you Jana!!! Thank you for everything! I highly recommend having Jana not only as your doula but as your photographer. 

J Wong

2/22/2019

We were expecting our first child and I knew I wanted a natural childbirth experience. Both my husband and I agreed that we would be more comfortable with having a doula present, who could help us navigate through these unchartered waters. After researching and speaking with many doulas, we decided to go with Jana. She was extremely professional, organized, knowledgeable, and most importantly, listened to what we wanted and even asked us questions that made us think about aspects of the birth we had not considered. At our first visit, she gave us a very comprehensive overview of what to expect and how to best prepare for the big day. When my contractions started, we were in constant communication via text and phone. She immediately recognized that the baby was not in a favorable position and was causing me immense pain. She suggested exercises and positions to try and get baby to turn. At the hospital, Jana worked very well with our nurse and was our advocate and spokesperson when we needed her to be. She was prepared with snacks (juice can only go so far) and other comfort items like a vaporizer with essential oils. Throughout the almost 12 hours at the hospital, Jana struck a balance between knowing when to step in and suggest positions to my husband and I, when to back off and let me do my thing, and when to push me to drink or rest. Having someone we trusted there to help guide us was invaluable, especially in allowing my husband time to get food or rest. Without Jana, I wouldn't have had the natural childbirth experience I wanted. The week after my son was born, Jana followed up to check in on us and also stopped by for a visit. It was re-assuring to have her there to answer any questions and be a resource for us first time parents. 

I strongly recommend her doula services and she will be my first call if we decide to add to our family! 

Melissa Sipma

2/3/2019

Jana was an amazing doula and definitely made my whole pregnancy and birth much easier. She made herself available whenever I had questions and would make scheduled visits to our home to make sure I was doing well, and also giving me so much helpful information on what to expect in the coming months. On the day I went into labor (pretty early in the morning), Jana made the very early and somewhat distant drive to our hospital and was there through the whole delivery. She also took the very first pictures of our family which I treasure. I would highly recommend Jana to anyone looking for a doula or thinking about hiring a doula and wanting more information on what a doula does and how they assist you during your pregnancy and birth.

Rebecca Torres

1/31/2019

From the moment we found out we were pregnant we began discussing if we wanted a doula to be present at the birth of our second child. My first birth was long and hard with very little emotional support. After weighing the pros and cons we decided to look for a doula who would meet our specific needs for the type of birth we were planning. I am so thankful we found Jana! She was everything we were looking for. Laid back but also professional and knew how to cover all the bases prior to labor so we were on the same page. She provided several useful resources for us leading up to birth and was very reachable as the labor quickly approached. During my labor she wasnt overbearing which was one of my initial hesitations to finding a doula. She offered wise suggestions and support during the most critical moments of my birth. Overall I am very greatful for her service and would recommend her to anyone nearing their due date.

Karen Rose Corcoran

12/17/2018

I have been blessed to not only have Jana present for the birth of my first child, but also for my second. We are a pro hospital, pro epidural couple, but after 2 births I would never think of having a child without Jana there my my side. Her bedside manner is spot on and she excels at navigating labor with confidense and a no nonsense attitude.

My first was 5 weeks early my water broke at 9pm, by 12pm we knew she would be delivered that day and before long we had Jana was there to reassure us that even though things were not going as planned that did not mean everything was not going to be okay. Labor was long and Jana stayed the whole time. Keeping us calm, braiding my hair, taking my husband out for 'errands' when he was stressing me out, along with the more traditional tasks of helping me cope with the discomforts and pains of labor. When my duaghter was born Jana was my guide to her progeress, her first cheerleader and all of the amazing photos I have from that day came from her.

During my second preganacy Jana had been gentally advising me to find a new OB as I did not like the one I had, I never did. I went into labor naturally early in the morning the day before my due date. I called Jana after I was given an unasked for membrane swap and sent to the hospital early on. Jana reminded us we could go home. which is what we should have done. The nurse talked us into staying saying the baby would be here any moment. Any moment ended up being 12 long hours. Jana arrived and helped put off pressure for a waterbreak and petocin.  When my OB arrived in person we gave in, however the epidural did not seem to give much pain relief. I was in pain, angry, confused and just could not understand why things were the way they were. Jana was with me the whole time as my guide, coach and advocate, when my husband was strugging to cope with seeing me in pain. She was a litteral godsend for both my pregnancies and labors.

Birth Availability for Jana Smolenski

= Available. Calendar last updated: 09-27-2023