Testimonial for Jet City Doulas
Pros:
Nearly all of our interactions with Jet City Doulas (both my wife and I) were positive, educational, and supportive.
Katie’s birthing class, Jen’s support as a lactation consultant, the team’s pre- and postnatal visits, and their responsiveness to our many questions were all excellent. Jet City Doulas have deep expertise and experience, and they genuinely care about their clients — they often let conversations run long and researched answers for us when they didn’t know something offhand.
Cons:
The birth went poorly, and there were key moments when our doula (Jen) could have stepped up but didn’t.
Specifically, there was miscommunication around when our doula would arrive at the hospital. Once Jen arrived, she brought a calm and supportive energy but was passive. When my wife felt violated by provider actions, our doula remained hands-off rather than taking a stronger advocacy role. This was deeply traumatic for my wife. To feel violated is one thing, for her doula to not speak up amidst it is worse.
Based on the Penny Simkin videos from Katie’s class, I had expected an active, leadership-style presence. I understand doulas walk a fine line — balancing rapport with hospital staff, advocacy for the birthing person, and professional boundaries — but given Jet City Doulas’ reputation and premium pricing, I had expected a more confident navigation of those dynamics.
Finally, our doula arrived tired. That’s understandable given the work, but again, for a premium service, we expected someone fresh and fully present.
If we could go back, we’d be clearer about our expectations (“Please arrive at the hospital when we do,” “We want you to take a more active role”). Still, I wish our doula had been able to read the room and adjust without needing that direction.
-Carl Marriett
November 01, 2025
Birth Fee: $3750
