Testimonials
"Jen was great!! We were having our first child without any family nearby and having Jen there to support us was so comforting. Her personality is so friendly and upbeat. She is completely open to whatever experience you want to have, she just wants to be there as your support. She presented various viewpoints to any questions we had, not pressuring us toward any certain direction or decision. The night/day of my labor it was such a relief having her there to massage, answer questions, be a backup when my husband wanted to rest, etc. I wouldn't have done things any differently or chosen any other doula!"
--Erin C. (3/09)
"Jen was a fantastic doula to this first-time mom! My husband and I were immediately comfortable with Jen when we met her. She offered valuable information to help us make decisions about the kind of birth we hoped to have, and was supportive of our choices. She was there for me when I went into labor early. I had a VERY long labor and Jen stuck with us all the way through! She helped me to advocate for myself in the hospital. She even came through with emergency breastfeeding help when I was struggling getting started. Jen was an indispensable part of our birth experience and I would recommend her to any friend."
--Karin H. (7/09)
"Jen was a wonderful labor support for my husband and me. We initially hired her for a private childbirth/newborn class and connected with her right away. We decided that having a birth doula would enhance our experience and it did! Jen was a source of reassurance, information, and support. It was a special moment when our baby was born, and we were glad that Jen was there! We highly recommend her."
--Erika D. (9/09)
"Jen is a great doula. My husband was unsure at first, but after our second meeting with her he was glad he didn't have to help me on his own. Jen spent hours with me about what I wanted and what kind of experience I wanted. She was supportive of my birth plan and doesn't let her own opinions get in the way of her job. During my labor she was fantastic; she helped me focus and calmed me down. She is the only reason I didn't get an epidural, if it wasn't for Jen I would have caved and got one for sure... she was my rock during labor and I wouldn't have another baby unless I knew Jen could be there to help me again!"
--Stephanie M. (8/09)
"Jen Camomile is a wonderful doula! I was a first time Mom without family and friends nearby. I didn’t know a thing about birth and pregnancy. Upon the advice of a colleague, I decided to hire a doula to support, educate and prepare myself for the birthing process. The first time I met Jen my husband and I felt instantly comfortable with her... she is down to earth and has a light, joyful spirit. I knew I could count on her just like I would a family member or close friend. Her knowledge and wisdom about pregnancy, the birth process, and caring for a newborn is not only based on her own personal experience but also upon her extensive training as a doula. Jen was flexible, worked around our busy schedules and was always available to answer any questions. Her private childbirth and newborn classes saved us valuable time because she custom tailored them to give us only information we wanted. Her guidance and information helped me feel confident in my ability to have a natural birth. During my labor, Jen used massage to ease my labor pain. It was the only thing that helped me feel better. Her calm, nurturing energy and supportive words were a blessing in the moments when I thought I couldn't push anymore. Thanks to Jen, my birth was an AMAZING experience. I highly recommend her."
--Jennifer F. (8/08)
"Jen was so amazing through my birth with my second son. I had complete back labor the entire time and between her, my midwife, a nurse, and my husband, Jen was the only one who could make the pain go away with her hip squeeze technique. She lasted all night with us and even stuck around during an emergency c-section to wait to see how we did. Having Jen there in the trying times was very calming for everyone and I couldn't say enough good things about her. If you're thinking of using a doula, I wouldn't look any further. I don't think there's anyone that wouldn't like her. Oh, and also, she did everything while being about 8 months pregnant herself. She's the best!"
--Mandy D. (2/08)
"Jennifer was a wonderful addition to have in the delivery room. My husband and I are not originally from California so when we found out that we were expecting we knew we would need help. None of our family would be available. After meeting with Jennifer several times and discussing our birthing plan and expectations she became family to us.
We were both very happy to have Jennifer go through the entire birthing process with us. She shared the most intimate moments of our lives without being intrusive. She was able to effectively communicate with the nurses and doctors and was a powerful advocate of our birthing plan. She was able to ask questions and help us with our decision making. She rarely left my side through 21 hours of labor. She was well trained in different techniques to help ease the pain and was a comfort to us both. She was invaluable as a comfort, source of knowledge and advocate to/for my husband. I was able to focus on what I needed to do because I knew Jennifer was checking and making sure he was hanging in there.
After the birth, she checked on us via phone and a home visit. She answered any questions we had regarding after care. She made herself available to us and was very knowledgeable.
I have enthusiastically recommended Jennifer to my friends who are expecting. We would not have had such a good experience if Jennifer had not been there watching over us and helping us. We plan to have her be our doula for the birth of our future children as well."
--Chris and Tracie B. (12/07)
"If I had to describe Jen in one word, it would be PHENOMENAL!
As a first time mom, I knew that having the support of a doula was critical in order for me to have a natural childbirth experience. From the moment I met Jen, I knew that she was who I wanted on my team!
In preparation for my birth, Jen helped me create a birth plan & taught me childbirth coping skills. She even connected me with a local childbirth educator to learn additional relaxation techniques. Jen did any and everything, short of giving birth to my son, to prepare me for my labor and delivery!
I went into labor 4 weeks early and Jen was there to answer my 6:00 a.m call! She rushed to my home and labored with me until it was time for me to go to the hospital. Jen knew how important it was for me to labor at home and she managed to get me to the hospital when I was 9cm dilated! She understood my needs with little to no communication and helped relieve my pain by squeezing my hips during contractions. Between Jen & my fiance, I was able to deal with my painful contractions and focus on the fact that my son was on his way. Through it all, Jen even took photos of us! After my son arrived, Jen held him and made sure that we were all okay before she left us. I had challenges breast feeding and Jen came to the rescue again! She connected me with a local lactation consultant who has been extremely helpful.
I am forever grateful for the role Jen played during my labor and delivery. I highly recommend her to any woman who wants an amazing birthing experience with a positive, supportive, knowledgeable, informative, intuitive spirit."
--Danielle L. (4/10)
"Jen Camomile is truly awesome! She went MANY extra miles to help me have the birth experience I wanted!! She was HIGHLY supportive through my whole process of finding care providers, looking for and attending birthing classes, getting supplies for the birth, my labor and delivery, and even after the birth when I had concerns (my baby is now two months old). Before the birth she asked my husband (who attended the birth) and me detailed questions about what we wanted at the birth and how we thought she could best help us. She had many great suggestions for us based on her experience and training. At the birth itself, she was flexible and used some of our pre-planned things, but adapted to what I needed at the time, and I really believe she was able to give me the type of support I most needed during the labor and after.
I know Jen works well attending deliveries in the hospital, but I wanted and had a home delivery. For most of the labor, Jen was the only professional there, arriving FAR earlier than the midwives and staying longer. She was very reassuring and supportive both during labor and after as I (a first time mom) got to know my baby boy, take care of him in his first hours, and learn how to nurse him.
I HIGHLY recommend Jen for anyone looking for help and support with the birth of their child."
--Anna C. (12/09)
"'What the heck is a doula?!' Was my response when my wife suggested we hire one to assist us in our plan for a natural childbirth. I agreed since she had done extensive research about birth, hospital interventions, and how critical it was to bond with our baby immediately after delivery. Jen was the first and last doula we interviewed. My wife and I instantly felt comfortable with Jen. It was her passion assured us that she would assist in any situation that should arise. On the big day my wife was completely calm because Jen had helped to prepare us. I needed some reassurance. I called Jen to tell her that we thought this was it. Jen coached me in how to keep my wife comfortable and said to call her when we felt we needed her. 2 short hours later my wife started feeling like she needed to push. I called Jen immediately! She said to meet her in front of the hospital ASAP. We got to the hospital and Jen was out front with a wheelchair and a smile. She knew exactly where to go and what to do. As soon as she got us up to labor and delivery, she offered to move my car or stay with my wife while I moved it. This is just one example of a detail that a doula can help with to ensure that my laboring wife would be completely supported every minute either by me or by her. We were able to have the completely natural labor and delivery because Jen was there to help us carefully consider each of the MANY interventions that was offered. We were never bullied to comply because we knew (thanks to Jen) exactly what the hospital was going to do when we got there. My wife tells the story of our experience often and always says that I was such a great coach. She says that she really didn't pay attention to anyone else. Funnily enough, I was only telling her what Jen was telling me. I was a great coach because I had a great coach. My wife may have been the one to decide we needed a doula, but Jen ended up being just as much a support for me as she was to my wife."
--Pedro L. (10/09)
"I knew that having a doula would be vitally important to having a natural birth at a hospital. I spoke to many doulas to make my choice and Jen Camomile was by far the right choice for me. Her personality and candor made me fall in love with her from the start. I knew she would treat the hospital staff with respect all while making sure I got exactly what I wanted.
Let me start by saying that I was considered high risk by my hospital because I have Factor V Liden - a blood clotting disorder that could cut off nutrients to the baby. Jen not only took me as her client but researched and educated herself on the process of being pregnant and having this disorder. She was such a support system to me sending me web links and information. I was so impressed with her willingness to learn and help.
On December 5, I labored at home for 5 hours with my husband and we called Jen to come in at the end. She was the one that got me through my transition because I literally had it on the way to the hospital in the car. She was right there with me holding my hand and massaging my back. I couldn't have done that without her. Her words of encouragement and support truly kept me sane.
We got to the hospital at 10 cm and I was barely able to speak. She was the one that told the hospital staff that I would prefer a mid-wife. I am so glad she did because my delivery was 'text book natural". She was right by my side with my husband to help me push my little boy into this world. She kept me cool and calm and I am so grateful for her hard work. My birth story is one that I'll never forget and she made it so much more beautiful by being there."
--Erica G. (12/09)
"I would highly recomend Jen as a Birth Doula. She was a great support for my husband and I at the birth of our third child. Her positive energy, extensive knowledge and experience were a great comfort to us and she helped to make our third and last birth our best. Jen is passionate about what she does and went out of her way to provide us with information and feedback that was relative to our situation and birth wishes. I had a previous tramatic birth experience and she helped me work through many of my fears so that I could give birth to my son with confidence."
--Karen R. (10/09)