Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The seeds were planted early in my childhood that eventually led to my journey of becoming a midwife. My mother was a Lamaze instructor and taught childbirth classes in our home, which inspired my infatuation around pregnancy and childbirth at a young age. As the eldest of four siblings and 16 grandchildren, I was surrounded by babies, which helped to normalize the birthing process. When my husband and I decided to start our own family, we were eager to learn all we could about pregnancy and childbirth. We enthusiastically read books and took childbirth classes to prepare. I was thrilled to have unmedicated births supported by a wonderful doula, and we welcomed our boys into the world in 2004 and 2006.
After working in various creative and administrative positions, I wanted a change and was determined to pursue a more fulfilling career. My own birthing experiences inspired me to become a doula. I gained extensive experience supporting births in homes, birth centers, and hospitals throughout the greater Los Angeles area. As time went on my passion for supporting birthing families deepened and I furthered my training, education and commitment by answering the call to become a midwife. I dedicated years of study and apprenticeship, while refining my skills and development and graduated from the National Midwifery Institute. I earned the credential of Certified Professional Midwife from the North American Registry of Midwives, and I am a Licensed Midwife by the Medical Board of California. I’ve had the honor of supporting hundreds of families on their birthing journeys.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The life of a midwife requires flexibility, complete dedication, and a passion for the work that we do. My unpredictable schedule can lead to missing events like holidays and family gatherings. I am blessed to have wonderful support from my family and friends and I’m grateful to be a part of an amazing community of birth workers and midwives that provide invaluable support to one another.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Labor of Love L.A.?
I provide compassionate midwifery care throughout the greater Los Angeles area and the surrounding communities. Birth is a sacred experience and a transformational process. It’s important for clients to feel comfortable, relaxed and safe. I am committed to providing a peaceful and nurturing environment for families throughout their journey and provide evidence-based information with an emphasis on body autonomy and individualized care.
I am passionate about prenatal education, so I include a comprehensive in-person prenatal preparation class in my midwifery package. I believe in the saying “Knowledge is power.” The more informed clients are, the more calm and relaxed they feel, which supports the flow of oxytocin in the birth space. This class is unique by utilizing the midwifery model of care. It combines four classes into one class and includes: childbirth education, lactation, newborn care, and postpartum care. The class has been very successful, ensuring that birthing families are throughly prepared and leading to smoother labors and increased birth satisfaction.
Services I offer include:
Prenatal Care * Home Birth * Postpartum Care * Well-Person and Gynecology Care * Monitrice * Birth Doula Support * Prenatal Education Classes * Placenta Encapsulation
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Every client, every pregnancy, and every birth is unique. I continue to learn and grow and I know that will never change. What a beautiful gift.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laboroflovela.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laboroflovela/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laboroflovela
Image Credits
Personal image and the first additional photo by Stacey Blackwell
4th additional image by Stephanie Entin
