Sarah Davison

4/22/2025

I found Joy during my fifth pregnancy, which was my first home birth. I was nervous and filled with the trouble of desperately wanting a confident birth without having much inner confidence during that pregnancy. Joy has such unassuming tranquility. She became the visible and physical radio signal that "all was well" whenever she met with me over the phone or in person. She was a particular angel for the ways she strategized with me, reassured me, supported my vision and helped flesh out the vague spots, troubleshot my mental blocks, calmed my dramatic sensitivities, etc. Her ability to support the psychological side of a birthing mother is WONDERFUL. I also highly recommend her for her gloriously competent massaging skills and the myriad of ways that she took initiative moment by moment in my birth, to meet me where I was, and offer effective support. Having her at a birth is like having someone read your mind and help you through a maze while you are blindfolded. She carried my dignity through total vulnerability and helped catch the baby before the midwife arrived--without batting an eyelash. She smoothed the work of labor and magnified the joy of birth. Joy truly, truly is 'a mother to the mother'.

Emily Bier

4/19/2025

 I am not new to giving birth. I have had 3 natural deliveries then an early miscarriage and a traumatic pregnancy/2nd trimester emergency c section ending in an infant loss. Going into my 6th pregnancy my care looked extremely different than my first 3 and I knew I needed more support. The trauma of loss and complicated decisions about how to deliver due to the second trimester c section required personalized care and help processing my delivery options.

Enter Joy. After an initial consultation I knew she was the best fit. She helped me sift through my options when I kept swinging back and forth between a RCS vs VBAC. When the decision was made for the RCS she was there to help me think through how to make the delivery as natural as possible in a surgical setting. She wrote up a birth plan so I could advocate for myself before and the day of delivery and helped keep my husband and I calm while we waited to go back to surgery. She encouraged me that I could do this and that this would be redeeming. She encouraged my husband that he could make it through my surgery by my side. While in surgery my husband prayed for me and then Joy asked if she could pray for me as well. In her prayer she asked specifically that our little one would come out healthy and crying and need no NICU time. As she prayed those words my little one was born crying. It was a moment I will never forget!

Joy followed us into recovery to continue giving us support as I nursed for the first time. Then after I arrived home she texted me to check in on me multiple times and came to check in on me in person and to talk through and help me process the experience to make sure I was doing well. I would highly recommend Joy to anyone looking for a doula. He kindness and care were phenomenal in a hospital system that often feels so impersonal. She helped me to feel seen and heard in a setting that wasn't my preference, but that was needed due to the risks.

Valerie Semple

3/18/2025

One night after we put the kids to bed, I felt cramping become consistent so I started to time them. 11:30pm to 12am they became stronger and closer until my water broke at 12:03am. I called my sister and my husband called Joy! Both were there so shortly after. I was in my tub and Joy so sweetly and quietly came in to help me through my contractions. Every contraction that came on, she applied counter pressure. Then Joy suggested I move in a different position, I moved around a few times then decided to go downstairs to the birth pool where I had everything set up. Joy and my sister helped me out of the tub and got me downstairs where I started to transition. Joy so sweetly and lovingly reminded me to moo through the pain and surrender to it, I felt a shift in myself and it became more bearable. Outside of the tub I labored for some time and Joy helped me with counter pressure as I felt my baby move her way down. I knew the time was close to birth my baby so I got up and into the tub when I had a break from the contractions. Joy helped me into the tub and I started to feel the contractions come on stronger, she massaged my shoulders as I felt my baby move its way down and I knew it was time! I started to push, as I pushed, Joy stayed behind me and encouraged me while my husband was on the other side of the pool waiting for our baby to be born. As the contraction started, I pushed the babys head out and I rested, then another contraction came on and I pushed HER body out! My husband caught her and we lifted her up and laid her on my chest! It was truly so amazing! Our daughter was born at 2:11am on the 10th of February and I honestly could not have been so at peace and confident without Joy there! She was so wonderful and peaceful and confident and loving and JOYFUL! She made what could have been a stressful time so peaceful and I’ll forever be so grateful!!! Joy, thank you for how amazing you are and for helping me through!  

Valerie Semple

3/18/2025

One night after we had put the kids to bed my labor began. 11:30pm to 12am they became stronger and closer until my water broke at 12:03am. I called my sister and my husband called Joy! Both were there so shortly after. I was in my tub and Joy so sweetly and quietly came in to help me through my contractions. Every contraction that came on, she applied counter pressure. Then Joy suggested I move in a different position, I moved around a few times then decided to go downstairs to the birth pool where I had everything set up. Joy and my sister helped me out of the tub and got me downstairs where I started to transition. Joy so sweetly and lovingly reminded me to moo through the pain and surrender to it, I felt a shift in myself and it became more bearable. Outside of the tub I labored for some time and Joy helped me with counter pressure as I felt my baby move her way down. I knew the time was close to birth my baby so I got up and into the tub when I had a break from the contractions. Joy helped me into the tub and I started to feel the contractions come on stronger, she massaged my shoulders as I felt my baby move its way down and I knew it was time! I started to push, as I pushed, Joy stayed behind me and encouraged me while my husband was on the other side of the pool waiting for our baby to be born. As the contraction started, I pushed the babys head out and I rested, then another contraction came on and I pushed HER body out! My husband caught her and we lifted her up and laid her on my chest! It was truly so amazing! Our daughter was born at 2:11am on the 10th of February and I honestly could not have been so at peace and confident without Joy there! She was so wonderful and peaceful and confident and loving and JOYFUL! She made what could have been a stressful time so peaceful and I’ll forever be so grateful!!! Joy, thank you for how amazing you are and for helping me through!  

Alysia Baker

3/18/2025

After my husband and I met with Joy for the first time, I turned to him and asked, “what do you think, are we comfortable with having Joy in our sacred space?” And that’s exactly what your birth is, a sacred and holy time of bringing new life into the world. Who you have on your birth team and who you allow to join you in that endeavor is so very important. 

From the time we begin working with Joy she was nothing but full of joy, excitement, care, and knowledge to help us through our pregnancy and birth. We received regular phone calls and texts to check in on how we were doing physically and emotionally that always gave a sense of comfort and peace in the midst of times filled with questions; offering information and resources to help inform us on topics we wanted input on. 

The weeks leading up to my birth I felt such a sense of peace and relief from anxiety knowing I had Joy in my corner. My labor was over thirty hours and Joy was with us every step of the way. Even when my birth ended up going in a direction I had not hoped for or planned, Joy grieved that loss for me in a deep way and was still able to provide sound council and advocate on my behalf. 

If you are looking for a doula to join your birth team that is full of love, compassion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for your birth and family, I could not recommend Joy enough! 

We are forever grateful she was on our team and part of our daughter’s birth!

Caitlyn

2/20/2025

Joy came recommened to me by some close friends so right off the bat I knew I was going to be able to trust her. As I got to know her, I really felt like she was the perfect presence for my planned homebirth. She was filled with peace and gentleness during all of our interactions and would make the best addition to my birth team! She helped me walk through gestational diabetes and made me feel supported and less alone. During my actual labor, she provided AMAZING counter pressure and was so attentive to my needs. I ended up having a rather traumatic birth and needed to transfer to the hospital. She stayed by my side until my son was born. She was my sounding board for every decision I needed to make and she provided an added layer of peace that I really needed. I can't recommend Joy enough!!

Kim M

2/19/2025

Joy was an invaluable asset to my birthing experience and overall pregnancy journey. In the days leading up to my delivery she often checked in with me to see how I was doing physically and emotionally. She offered solid and practical suggestions when I asked questions or expressed concerns. She talked me through procedures that I didn’t know about and made sure I understood my options. Her support always brought me a lot of peace and comfort. It’s clear her heart’s desire is to selflessly serve and care for mamas during a very precious time! 

My husband and I decided to officially ask Joy to join us for our delivery when we found out I would have to be induced at the hospital at 42 weeks, rather than delivering at the birth center like we planned. We knew that her wisdom, experience, and support would be extremely helpful especially in this unplanned setting. 

When labor finally came for me, Joy jumped right in with a calm yet determined demeanor. Without ever being asked, she supported me through every contraction with counter pressure. Her strong intuition allowed her to take initiative and offer strategic help. She was not only helpful to me but she offered suggestions to my husband in how to best support. Having Joy with us made me feel safe and secure to allow my body to naturally give birth. Before she had come I was highly considering an epidural based on the pain and the setting. Her encouragement and steadiness allowed me the motivation I needed to stick to the hopes and dreams I had for this birth, which she was well aware of. 

I hope to have Joy at every one of my future births and I highly recommend she be apart of yours! I truly believe my postpartum has been a positive experience due to such a peaceful and smooth delivery, which my husband and I both give great credit to our doula, Joy. We really couldn’t have done it without her!