Testimonial for Jena Ashwill CD(DONA) from Jackeline Castro

Testimonial for Jena Ashwill CD(DONA)

I am incredibly grateful for having had Jena as the doula for my second child's home birth. Her rate was affordable, and included a one on one yoga class. She's very intuitive and spiritual and, being similar, I appreciated those aspects in a doula since I believe birth is a holy experience. With that said, I felt like she very much followed my lead and did not feel she pushed anything (at all!) on me. I also attended a pregnant persons' circle she led at her house where she led a ritual, a meditation, and offered snacks and tea. It was great to commune with other local pregnant persons I would have otherwise not met. I appreciated her committment to our family - in fact, her first visit with us she came right after one of our biggest snow storms. While I am grateful for many aspects of her services that she provided, the most intimately meaningful was the day of the birth and the immediate post partum. The day of the birth, my water had already been broken for over 24 hours and nothing was happening. She came over with the midwife and showed me various movements and poses to do to start labor. They absolutely worked and I went into labor hours later. She was very present during the labor, but in the way I desired, even though that wasn't actively using her for much of it, which to me is a sign of a very good birth supporter because the entire experience is about the birthing parent, not the birth supporter/worker, even if that means they're simply sitting by and holding space. Post partum she made my placenta capsules and made me a beautiful art piece from my placenta. She also made me a foot wash/holy bath mixture + dropped off a yummy, nutrititous meal. 10/10 would recommend! She is sweet, caring, knowledgeable, a space holder, and has the important ability and gift to really support a birthing parent in obtaining the birth experience they want.

-Jackeline Castro

October 30, 2024