Amy Jessie Photo

Amy Jessie

Balsam & Pine Birthing Services LLC

Lexington, KY Service range 70 miles I am able to provide virtual prenatal meetings for those who live outside of my service range but are birthing within it

http://balsampinebirthing.com

Birth Fee

$2000

Birth Fee

$2000


Birth Doula Experience

4 years and 61 births attended


Birth Doula Certifications

  • DONA International - Certified Birth Doula

Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, January 2020

Type of practice: Partnership with 1 other doula

Clients per month: 3 to 5

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers
Please note that there are no birth centers in Kentucky at this time

Attends home births? Some Home Births
A licensed medical professional (e.g., CPM) must be present


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • Abortion support
  • Acupressure
  • Aromatherapy
  • Babywearing education
  • Cancer patients and survivors
  • Childbirth education services
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Military families support
  • Miscarriage support
  • Reduced rates for women considering adoption
  • Reiki
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Stillbirth and infant loss support
  • Surrogates and intended parents
  • TENS units rental
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Hope's Embrace volunteer since 2020; Kentucky Home Birth Coalition supporter and advocate since 2020

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

Free consultation to be sure we're a good fit! My fee includes remote support through your entire pregnancy, two prenatal visits, being on call 24/7 starting at 38 weeks, and one postpartum visit (typically 3-4 weeks from birth). Fee can be paid in full or divided into payments to suit your budget. I also accept FSA/HSA and can create invoices for insurance reimbursement.

Service Area

Lexington, KY Service range 70 miles I am able to provide virtual prenatal meetings for those who live outside of my service range but are birthing within it

Certifications for Amy Jessie

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Certification

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Client Testimonials for Amy Jessie

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Mary

3/15/2024

Amy supported us during the pregnancy and birth of our second child. From the beginning, she developed an easy rapport with our whole family; she was just as comfortable talking about cars or trading good-natured barbs with my husband as she was talking about birth. This is important because doula work is centered on trusting relationships, and Amy cultivates trust and communicates care in a truly authentic way. And this extends to the nurses and providers with whom she works. It is a great comfort to have someone on your team who already knows the people who are going to be part of your birth experience. 

During birth itself, Amy was prepared with an array of support tools that helped me move through the surges of an unmedicated labor. At the most intense times, she was there with a hip squeeze, a sip of water, a cool washcloth, or just calming encouragement. She stayed with us while our son was in the nursery for a couple of hours, and I appreciated her presence during a time when I was getting anxious to have my baby by my side. 

Reflecting on our collaboration with Amy, her tagline is perfect: "Your birth, your way." I was able to bring my son into the world just the way I wanted thanks in large part to Amy's contributions before and during birth. Amy’s knowledge, passion, and advocacy can help you have the birth you want, too.

Janet

1/20/2024

I had never heard of a doula until I watched an episode of “The Good Doctor”.  I knew at that moment if I ever were to get pregnant that I wanted one.  Even though I wanted a doula I never thought about the importance of having one until I did become pregnant.  I could text Amy about my appointments and ask all kinds of questions during my pregnancy. She reviewed my birth plan in addition to providing me with a TENS machine to help me with the pain during contractions.  There were 2 in home visits in which the one closer to my delivery they showed my husband and I various positions and coping techniques to help with pain during contractions.  She brought my husband breakfast when she came to hospital.  She also provided ambiance to the room with soft lighting.  Amy informed me of my options regarding the Pitocin which was much appreciated.  Amy was a “very big help” as the contractions were getting stronger.  I needed the TENS machine and both her and my husband to push on both side of my hips to help me get through the pain.  I don’t think one person could have done it alone.  Amy helped in telling me about and transitioning me in different positions to help with the birth of my daughter.  After my daughter was born Amy stayed with me while my husband was with our daughter.  It was so nice talking to her.  She also created a photo album of the labor and delivery.  I am so grateful for this since the nurses would not allow my husband to record the birth.  Amy came for an in home visit once I was settled with my new baby girl.  I hate asking for help and she volunteered to help me make ice pads which I greatly appreciated.  If I am blessed with another child I truly hope that Amy will be by our side the next go round.  

Sarah Dooley

12/1/2023

My experince with Amy was more than I had even hoped for.  I chose to hire a doule to have an extra layer of support in addition to my husband and my midwives, mainly because I wanted professional help with physical discomfort during labor as this was my second birth and I found that I was missing that in my first.  I ended up having a scheduled c-section due to a breech baby who wouldn't budge despite constant spinning babies, chiropractor, and an unsuccessful ECV!  Amy (and her partner Meagan) were so supportive in offering resources, sharing experiences, and helping me create a plan for my unexpected (and quite frankly very scary - I was hoping for an unmedicated vaginal!) birth.  Amy was there on the day with questions to ask that I never would have thought of, and a very comforting presence that I am so glad I had in addition to my wonderful husband and incredible midwife.  Plus she took some amazing photos that we will treasure forever!  I also very much appreciated the postpartum visit (she brought cookies!) - especially as a very busy work from home mama who rarely takes the time to slow down and reflect.  I highly recommed Amy and her partner Meagan and will definitely be reaching out to them again if there is a 3rd in the cards!

Holly

10/5/2023

Amy was my doula at the birth of my first baby earlier this year and she was so wonderful! I had a long early labor and she kept in touch with me the whole time - checking on me, answering questions, and giving suggestions about ways to cope. When we were admitted to the hospital, she came and provided continuous support until our son was born. I had mostly back labor and she provided hours and hours of counter pressure to relieve some of the pain. I also spent several hours in the bath and she helped me use water as pain relief and brought lights and music to create a nice atmosphere. Her steady and gentle support really helped me get through the many hours of labor and calmed me when I felt uncertain. I can't recommend her highly enough. 

Claire Nickell

8/8/2023

Amy should be your number 1 pick, hands down. She will be available, empathetic, hard working, resourceful, quick-minded, compassionate, present, and ever supportive to your every need. She didn't tire to care for me during my labor, even though she arrived at 6am ( I texted her at 5:30) and stayed by my side until the next morning at 9am. And OH how I needed her. I could not have done it without her. She gave me a hope and confidence that I could do my labor naturally, because her knowledge and wisdom was ever constant. And so I did, I stayed so present and focused and loved every bit of my unmedicated labor that she guided me through. Choose her!!! 10 stars 

Jordan T.

3/8/2023

I was so appreciative that Amy was available to be my doula for my first child, even though I procrastinated finding one. She was so flexible with scheduling our meetings so that my husband could join. She is friendly, funny, and kind. Amy is very knowledgable about many different coping methods and techniques and had many recommendations for various services I was interested in. Due to my work schedule and distance I was not able to utilize all of her different classes and education. Knowing that I wanted to deliver without an epidural, I also knew that unplanned procedures can happen so I was happy to hear that Amy had experience with patients that had birth complications and even c-sections. 

I didn't want to use a doula just for help with me coping with pain, but also to help support me and my husband emotionally through this new event in our lives! She did just that. Sadly, I had to be induced during an ice storm but Amy was right there when we needed her. She was able to get food to keep my husband's strength up so he could stay by my side. She helped position me in different laboring positions and use the peanut ball when I was too weak to fight with it. 

I do feel like some of the things I was open to try was robbed from us due being on pitocin but Amy did everything she could for me with the situation we were in. She even took photos so I could look back later. My only note is that she can be a little soft spoken so I did have trouble hearing her encouraging words as I was coming down from contractions, but I know she was there cheering me on! I definitely recommend Amy if you're looking for a support person for your birth.

Tessa R.

10/17/2022

If I had one word to sum up my experience with Amy, it would be marvelous! The moment I met Amy, I know that her calm presence would be exactly what I wanted. Amy brought every bit of knowledge, comfort, care, and compassion into every part of my doula experience.

For the prenatal visits, she helped explain the benefits of having a doula to my husband, answered every question with supported data and research, and truly helped me believe I could have the birth of my dreams. Any time I reached out, she was ready and willing to answer all of my questions quickly and confidently.

During my birth when I was questioning every moment of whether or not I was going to be able to do it, she comforted me, she empowered me, she calmed my nerves, and affirmed me in every direction! Her soothing voice was exactly what I needed to get through each wave. Without her, I don't think I could have done it. Her presence was exactly what I needed to have the birth of my dreams! She was an excellent advocate for me and helped me to stay firm in what I wanted.

I can not say enough about her and I will recommend her to every expecting mom I know! If I ever become pregnant again, there is no question who I will be calling!

If you are considering hiring a doula, I promise you will not regret choosing Amy! She's an incredible doula, woman, and now friend!

Jessalyn Bridges

4/22/2022

Amy was the most wonderful support before, during, and after the birth of our sweet baby. She has a calm about her that I knew would help me to get through the natural labor I so desperately wanted.

Even though my labor was quick and in the middle of a snowstorm, Amy made it in time and I can still remember her voice telling me that I can do this, that I AM doing it, and my body was made for this.

Not only is she an awesome, knowledgeable, doula, she’s also just a good, genuine person.

I would choose Amy to be our doula again in a heartbeat and I definitely will be calling her for the next baby!

Katie Levesque

3/6/2022

Amy was an amazing addition to my labor team. My partner and I felt so much more comfortable with the whole process by having her there . She did a wonderful job at helping us create a birth plan and talk through all of the options prior to our due date, and was able to provide us with a lot of helpful information while  we created our plan. At the hospital, Amy was hugely supportive. She helped us fully understand our options when the medical team was not always being clear about them. She stuck with us during more than twelve hours of labor and made sure my husband and I got all the support we needed. Her calm demeanor and caring demeanor helped to keep me and my husband calm and comfortable. I highly recommend Amy as a doula and would hire her again for our next baby in an instant. 

Mary Grace Brewer

2/17/2022

I am so thankful for Amy’s presence during the birth of my second baby. Going for a VBAC, I wasn’t exactly sure of what to expect since I had never experienced labor before. My water broke on Christmas  morning and contractions got painful fast. When Amy met us at the hospital, she did such an amazing job at creating an ambiance in our room. She set up Christmas lights, gave me essential oils, music, and I used the tens unit she provided. This all created such a calming atmosphere that helped me push through the pain tremendously. She was there to give me massages, help me try out different positions, and just keep my spirits lifted when I didn’t think I could handle the pain anymore. During the end of my labor, the situation got scary very fast and Amy was there to keep my husband and I calm. We honestly don’t know what we would have done without her. If we were to have any more children, we would choose Amy as our doula over and over again.

Mary R

11/29/2021

Amy was a compassionate, knowledgeable and essential part of my birth team. My birth didn't go as planned and my husband and I were able to cope because of her support. She was available throughout my pregnancy and after with an abundance of resources and as someone willing to listen. She stayed at the hospital for most of my induction and I can't imagine not having her with us. If you are looking for a non-judgmental, supportive and kind doula, Amy is for you. I would highly recommend working with her and will work with her again if I have another child.

Caitlin B.

11/15/2021

Working with Amy leading up to and during the birth of our first was an absolute dream. From our initial conversation, she made me feel empowered and informed and did a wonderful job of making sure my partner felt just as informed. At the hospital, she stepped right in to making the birth environment exactly what I'd envisioned, and kept me focused even when I had to be induced. I could have never achieved the unmedicated birth I wanted without her support

Sara

8/18/2021

Amy was a fantastic doula. She fully supported my decisions, freely shared resources and information, and has a warm and caring personality. She was exactly who I needed to help me navigate my pregnancy and delivery. She understood my concerns and helped me be a stronger advocate for my own well-being. Above all, she listened to me and I am so thankful she was beside me. I can't recommend her enough!

Birth Availability for Amy Jessie

= Available. Calendar last updated: 03-24-2024