Giving birth to a child is a momentous life occasion that can be full of excitement, joy, fear, anxiety, laughter, and anticipation. The entire 9 month experience as well as the months after the arrival of the new family member can introduce new sources of unexpected stress, both positive and negative. Jessica Vogtman, doula, owner and founder of Living Heart Doulas, serves as a skilled source of support to bridge this transition. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. The doula's purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.” When Jessica was expecting her first child, she was fortunate enough to have her good friend Julie Grove as her doula, and she was amazed at the value she received. “It made my delivery so much easier, and then I thought, I want everyone to have this. I want to do this.” Jessica was so grateful to the expertise and support of her doula that she enrolled in the services again for her 2nd child and she started her formal training to become a professional doula. Her work is making a difference and it shows. Nearly 100% of her business comes from referrals from midwives or past clients. She is generous with her expertise and is focusing 2020 toward creating a postpartum community support system for families in Carroll County. “After going home, many families feel under supported or underprepared, and the majority of complications in pregnancy occur postpartum,” Jessica explains. Creating a post-partum community doula service can help support the families that are struggling. She is hoping to pair this support service with a hospital- based doula program.  Jessica opened Living Heart Doulas in 2016. She recalls the many stories she heard from other moms whose experiences unfortunately involved fear, abuse, and lack of support. Jessica’s mission is to be the educational, emotional, and physical support that many expecting moms are hungry for but can’t seem to find in their immediate circle. It has been a rewarding journey. When asked what one thing is that she would have changed if she were to start over from day one, Jessica shares she would have sought out more mentorship from other doulas, but now, she has significant momentum behind her and a busy practice based in Carroll County, MD. She tailors her services to the specific needs and personalities of each client and family. Her calm, easy-going but professional demeanor is the perfect fit for any mom looking for guidance and support both during and after pregnancy. Her initial consultations typically include an in person or phone consultation, where she assesses how the family unit is functioning as a whole with the new baby, and to see where the gaps and needs for support are. Postpartum support shifts are typically scheduled in four hour blocks. Some of the many areas she can assist with include but are not limited to: providing guidance with infant and breastfeeding, providing support with household duties and errands, accompanying mom to visits to the pediatrician, referring a mother or family for therapy or to a lactation specialist, facilitating confident parenting, and ensuring and assisting with optimal parent child bonding and healing.
To find out if a doula is right for you and your family, contact Jessica today at http://www.livingheartdoula.com/ on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/livingheartdoula/ or by phone at (443) 538-4276.
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