"A doula enters the space of a labouring woman and is highly responsive and aware of her needs, moods, changes, and unspoken feelings. She has no need to control or smother. Every pregnant woman should have the benefits of a doula. This person does not detract from the role of the baby's father or co-parent, by the way. It enhances it and leaves him (or her) free to do the very important job of loving the mother."
- Christiane Northrup
Aloha! My name is Jessica Lakey, I’m a Florida native who grew up in Miami. After a five year stop in Hawaii, I relocated to Jacksonville where I have been for eight years. I’ve been a birth doula for over two years. I'm currently in midwifery school and also attend births as a birth assistant at homebirths and a birth center. When I was a little girl, people would ask “What are you going to be when you grow up?” I always stated with excitement, “I’m going to be a baby doctor!" I was obsessed with pregnant bellies, babies, and would read every birth book I could get my hands on. While other girls loved books like “The Babysitters Club”, I had “A Child is Born” in my backpack wherever I went. During my late teen years I attended a few births as a support person and loved it. As I got older, pregnancy and birth became so much a part of who I was that I knew when the time was right, I would work with moms and babies.
I’ve had three totally different birthing experiences, from a hospital birth with an epidural to a homebirth. Each one has been a wonderful learning experience for me. As my children have grown a bit more indepenent, I decided it was time for me to help support women in their own birth choices. I took a local DONA doula training in 2009 and also decided to become a breastfeeding peer counselor for WIC. I'm trained and certified in CPR, and neonatal resuscitation.
I truly enjoy working with all different types of families, and helping support the choices they make during this wonderful time.
