Jessica Swiger Photo

Jessica Swiger

Grace-filled Birth Services

Akron, OH Service range 30 miles

https://msha.ke/gracefilledbirth

Birth Fee

$1100

Birth Fee

$1100


Birth Doula Experience

4 years and 30 births attended


Doula Training

  • Expertrating.com Doula Training, July 2022

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Any Home Birth
.


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • First Aid and CPR

Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

My day job is an Executive Director of a student center that services teen and young moms. Classes I have taken: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Trust Based Relationship Intervention, Preventing and De-escalating Crisis, Cycles of Change, Managing Behaviors, Trauma informed. Doula Course Training: Doula Essentials, Emotional Support, Physical Support, Informational Support, Intrapartum: Labor & Birth, Common Interventions and Obstetric Complications, Prenatal Visit, and Postpartum Doula Care

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

Fees cover: 1. 1 Prenatal Meetings: I will get to know mom and birth partner, complete a Birth Information Questionnaire, discuss any preferences, interventions and provide resources as requested. I will check in on you outside of our official meeting! 2. During Labor: As soon as you desire me to be there I will be there to support you! I can come to your home, if you desire to labor at home or meet you at the hospital. I will provide information on positions to ease pain, help empower you, advocate for your desires, and help make you more comfortable! I also assist in creating an ideal atmosphere ie. music, aromatherapy, birthing affirmation cards 3. Serving you during your immediate postpartum until transferred to post part room. 4. 1 Postpartum Meeting as well as available via phone and text in 3 weeks following birth: I will be present to help you process and discuss your birthing experience, answer questions, check on your mental health and point you to resources if needed!

Service Area

Akron, OH Service range 30 miles

Client Testimonials for Jessica Swiger

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Amanda

9/22/2024

Jessica is the best!! She was there for me every step of the way and answered all of my questions/ gave me tips and just helped in anyway she could through my pregnancy. As birth approached, she checked in often and told me signs to watch for. In early labor, she texted and then called to listen to how I contracted. She always gave great suggestions and really listened to my concerns. When we got to the hospital (summa) she was able to let us in and she knew where everything was and got me anything I needed. She suggested a lot of movements for me to do and encouraged me and just kept a great environment. As things got more intense, she was a rock to hold onto! It makes me emotional to think of her helping me through every contraction and me literally clinging onto her.

Once baby boy was here, she made sure everything was good with us and then went home (which after going through all of that with her, it was weird for her to be leaving me lol) to get some much deserved rest. She was great about checking in on me often in the hospital and when I got home and continued to answer any questions I as a new mom had. She also took some beautiful pictures of me laboring and giving birth that I will forever cherish! 

She is amazing at her job and THE sweetest person. I would recommend her 1000x to anyone giving birth and will definitely plan to use her with any future births of my own!

Lynzie Adams

6/29/2024

Words cannot express how much having Jess as our doula meant to my husband and I.  Initially, we were unsure if having a doula was the right route for us. That changed after our first meeting, we knew that we made a great decision for our family and it was the best way to welcome our baby girl into the world. Going into labor is a wild experience and having an advocate, cheerleader, and friend in the room with you, makes the experience so much more comfortable and calming. Jess genuinely cares, checks in and takes your birth plan and wishes seriously. She puts in the time to know each family and truly gives back to her mamas and community! She loves what she does and it shows in her daily interactions. She's comfortable in the hospital room and serves as a great medium between you and medical staff especially if your delivery doesn't go as planned. Anyone is in wonderful hands with Jess and I will be recommending her to other mamas to be!!

Danielle Marshall

6/29/2024

Working with Jess made me feel much more comfortable with my pregnancy and she gave me tools that made me excited to give birth! Jess was always checking in on me and there to answer any questions I had. Baby girl ended up coming a lot more quickly than expected and we had an accidental home birth. Jess and my husband delivered her on our couch. Jess stayed calm the entire time and told us what to do once we realized what was happening! We are so thankful she helped our girl come safely into the world! She followed us to the hospital after and continued to check in on us and still answered my many new questions! 

Julia Bee

1/16/2024

I cannot imagine doing pregnancy/L&D without Jess. Her check-ins while I was pregnant and constant encouragement were exactly what I needed. She helped me come up with a birth plan, navigated some minor pregnancy issues with me, and was the one I called when I thought I was in labor. As a first time mom, I didn't realize how much I would want someone to meet us at the hospital, help me get where I needed to be, and reassure me that it was all okay. She provided encouragement and practical help through each stage of my labor - for me AND my husbad. My husband needed Jess just as much as me! We have told each other multiple times that we don't know how people do birth without a doula, especially a doula like Jess. It was absolutely worth the investment. We will do it again. Can't wait for her to be there for our future births! 

Alyssa D’Amico

1/15/2024

Jess is the best. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to have a nonmedicated in hospital birth without her support and guidance. Not only was this extremely helpful for me, but she was also able to lead my husband through several positions to make him feel confident and involved during the birth as well.

She was very thorough in providing resources and checking in on my well-being during my pregnancy.

I would describe Jess as knowledgeable and approachable- very dedicated to this work.

Lauren and Joe Trego

8/9/2023

We can't speak highly enough about Jess and the services she provided throughout the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Jess would reach out during the pregnancy to see how I was feeling and to solidify my birth plan. Her professionalism and commitment was unbelievable as I labored for 36 hours and she never left my side. Jess was there every step of the way to support and be an  advocate for myself and my husband. You can see Jess's passion through her actions and we would 100% recommend her for anyone looking for a doula. She not only became a great friend during the process, but we consider her apart of our family now. Forever grateful! 

Lauren and Joseph Trego

8/7/2023

We can't speak highly enough about Jess! Throughout the pregnancy and delivery she was the ultimate support system for myself and my husband. She took the time to help us develop the birth plan we had in mind and tried to exucute that plan until our son was born. She was in constant communication with me before delivery and weeks after postpartum. Also, to put things in perspective I was in labor for 36 hours and Jess was right by my side the entire time. I would highly recommend Jess's services for anyone looking for support and an advocate. Jess is not only professional but we've also built a friendship for a lifetime. She truly is apart of our family! 

Amelia Suglio

7/12/2023

Jessica is an absolutely amazing doula! This was my first birth and working with her was the best decision we could have made. From the first meeting she provided so much information to us so that we could make educated decisions on what we wanted for our birth plan. She also helped us understand what we should expect for birth which was so helpful since we had never been through it. My husband and I felt so much comfortable entering into the birth experience because of her support, encouragement, and knowledge. She went through our birth plan in detail with us to make it and made sure everyone in the hospital had it and was an amazing advocate for us and our wishes. She provided continuing education and support through my entire pregnancy. She checked in with me regularly to make sure I was doing ok and to ask if I needed anything. She was a constant encouragement through pregnancy and in birth. At the hosptial I felt like I could completely focus on giving birth because I knew she was advocating for me. She was a great supporter and encourager during the labor process and helped my husband better support me in the labor process as well. Knowing that she was communicating with the doctors and nurses and advocating for me made all the difference in my labor and birth experience and I was able to completely relax and not worry about my care or what was going on behind the scenes because I knew she was making sure I was taken care of. She constantly checked in after birth to make sure I was doing okay and continued to support me and encourage me! I cannot imagine giving birth or going through this experience without her!

Elizabeth

6/28/2023

Going into having my first baby, I was a little nervous. It was all new and I had no idea what to expect. I found Jess online off of a website a friend suggested to me. From the initial consultation call, I felt like I had already known Jess forever. She's super friendly and easy to talk to and work with. She made me feel comfortable and, as a first time mom, helped me with all of my questions--big or small. She helped me to do my own research on things, to be completely informed about all of my options and yet allowed me to make my own decision on how I wanted my birth to go, being there with me every step of the way. 

when I went into labor, Jess jumped in the moment I called her. She even was at the hospital before we got there. This helped me to have the confidence I needed to get through my induction, labor and delivery. She helped answer my questions all throughout and supported me, even when I got to the point where I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. 

I highly recommend Jess to anyone who is expecting a baby, whether you're a first time mom or not. A+ service, and now I've also gained a friend. 

Meredith

5/2/2023

Jess was recommended to us by another doula who was planning on being out of town on my due date, and it ended up being a perfect fit!  She was outstanding from the first moment we talked on the phone to our last post-partum check-in.  This was my first birth and, due to UH Portage shutting their birthing center and an insurance change, I had to switch OBs halfway through my pregnancy.  So I decided to look for a doula who could not only be a familiar face in the labor and delivery room, but who could also act as a liaison between myself and the medical team.  

Somehow she did all of that and more!  She met with us beforehand to figure out my goals, hopes, and fears.  And when we were at the hospital she truly advocated for me.  Jess was the one who remembered to ask for a room with a tub, gave the nurses a helping hand to get things done quicker, and made sure that my wishes were met even when I was out of it.  

She also has an amazing attitude!  When I was anxious during labor, she was calm and supportive.  When I was trying to stay distracted she was fun and interesting.  And when our daughter was born, she was just as overjoyed as the rest of us!  

From a practical perspective it was incredibly helpful to have her around.  She walked the halls with me, gave my mom and husband breaks during the 36 hour labor, and took a fantastic set of notes.  At our post-partum visit she gave us a print out of my daughter's birth story!  It had emotional and medical information that we talked about together as she helped me process everything that had happened.

I honestly can't say enough good things about her as a doula! But if you're still on the fence, know that Jess is also an incredible human being.  She's kind, generous, intelligent, honest, open, and good-humored.   Exactly the kind of person you want by your side.  

Kally D

4/30/2023

I knew Jess had to be my doula after the way we clicked during our first meeting (FaceTime). Leading up to my labor, she was always available and was an invaluable resource for all questions and concerns I had. How thorough she was during our in person meeting was such a pleasant surprise. I knew I was in the best hands. She met me and my husband at the hospital and I was relieved to see her. She quickly started methods to help me and remained a calming presence the whole time. I loved hearing her communicate with the medical staff. She was direct but kind and had my best interest in mind. One of the most helpful things during my labor was leaning into her during contractions. After I delivered, Jess spent time recapping how things went and singing my praises. She came to my house a couple days after delivery with lunch for me and my husband which was so appreciated!

I would recommend Jess to anyone considering a doula! If I have another baby, she has to be there!!

Ashley vaughn

4/26/2023

She was an amazing support and helped me through my entire labor and delivery and helped me believe I could get through it even when I thought I couldn't and felt like giving up she got me anything I needed and helped me have a safe and happy delivery 

Mariah Galloway

2/8/2023

She was very responsive, made sure she checked up on me regularly just to see how I was feeling or about doctors appointments. She came as soon as I told her I was being admitted to have the baby instead of when I reached a certain amount of centimeters so she was there the whole time to help make the process quicker. 

Would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for doula services. 

Katina Orlando

2/7/2023

I'm not even really sure where to begin. I found Jess during my second trimester. My pregnancy was difficult, to say the least, and I was nervous that a doula wouldn't want to work with me because of my complications. But Jess was a god send. Even before labor and delivery, she checked up on me, prayed for me, send me amazing resources and learning guides. I really can't thank her enough for all she did for me. 

During labor and delivery was no different. Jess was attentive, positive, empowering and informative. She was by my side every second, and I don't know that I would have gotten through without her. Not only did I find an amazing doula, but I gained an incredible friend and sister. 

If you're looking for a doula, look no further. Jess is perfection. 

Rachel McLaughlin

11/28/2022

I chose Jessica as my doula for my second pregnancy because of her reputation as an empathetic, strong, and kind person. I didn't have a doula for my first pregnancy and birth, but knew once I was pregnant again I would seek one out. I felt confident that Jess would listen to my fears and desires surrounding my labor and delivery, and that she would be a strong and knowledgeable advocate for me in the hospital. Through a long (and even premature) delivery, I experienced all of this to be true of her. 

From the beginning Jess sought to understand me and my pregnancy. We met in person and discussed a range of topics including my history, my hopes, and even my partners feelings about delivery. She answered all of our questions about possibilities during labor and delivery and shared helpful and relevant resources during and after our meeting. She also checked in with me and followed up on issues as they came up during my pregnancy. I felt so supported.

 

As my body started to prepare for labor, Jess was accessible, present, and helped guide my husband and I the whole way. Through labor signs starting and haulting, visits to triage, and a hard (and beautiful) delivery, Jess was by my side or a text away. She is so passionate about the birthing process and has a way with people that is very warm and kind, stays attuned to what is happening, and is bold in moments that an advocate is needed. 

My husband and I were both so grateful for Jess' support and presence! We wholeheartedly recommend her as a doula, and would absolutely choose her again to walk with us through a future labor and delivery. 

Rachel McLaughlin

11/27/2022

I chose Jessica as my doula for my second pregnancy because of her reputation as an empathetic, strong, and kind person. I didn't have a doula for my first pregnancy and birth, but knew once I was pregnant again I would seek one out. I felt confident that Jess would listen to my fears and desires surrounding my labor and delivery, and that she would be a strong and knowledgeable advocate for me in the hospital. Through a long (and even premature) delivery, I experienced all of this to be true of her. 

From the beginning Jess sought to understand me and my pregnancy. We met in person and discussed a range of topics including my history, my hopes, and even my partners feelings about delivery. She answered all of our questions about possibilities during labor and delivery and shared helpful and relevant resources during and after our meeting. She also checked in with me and followed up on issues as they came up during my pregnancy. I felt so supported.

 

As my body started to prepare for labor, Jess was accessible, present, and helped guide my husband and I the whole way. Through labor signs starting and haulting, visits to triage, and a hard (and beautiful) delivery, Jess was by my side or a text away. She is so passionate about the birthing process and has a way with people that is very warm and kind, stays attuned to what is happening, and is bold in moments that an advocate is needed. 

My husband and I were both so grateful for Jess' support and presence! We wholeheartedly recommend her as a doula, and would absolutely choose her again to walk with us through a future labor and delivery. 

Courtney

9/20/2022

Jessica was such a wonderful support for me with both of my births! Both births were different, one was a spontaneous full term labor and the other was a scheduled induction past my due date. She was able to help me both times with setting my mind on what was to come and working through different physical positions to progress labor. Something else I appreciated was how she engaged my husband and give him guidance on how to best support me and be a participant in the birthing process. Jessica actively communicated with the hospital staff on my behalf to help us make informed decisions about the next steps to take as my labors progressed. Her kind heart, knowledge, and empathy was such a relief to have while delivering my children!

Birth Availability for Jessica Swiger

= Available. Calendar last updated: 09-14-2024