Joy
During her first pregnancy, Joy grappled with a lot of fear regarding childbirth. Thankfully, she crossed paths with a New Creation birth educator who convinced her to take her class. The class was a turning point as it opened Joy's eyes to the incredible process of birth and led her to hiring a doula who helped her work through her anxieties and hopes. Joy’s doula helped her not only to realize she was completely capable of birthing her baby, but that it could be a good and beautiful experience, full of safety and warmth instead of fear. This completely altered Joy’s outlook on birth. With the help of her support team, Joy had a peaceful birth that she looks back on with fondness. Without birth education and a fantastic doula, Joy is confident both her birth experiences would not have been so positive.
Following the birth of her firstborn, Joy could not stop talking about the huge difference that great support made in birth. Her driving passion became to see women be empowered throughout their pregnancies, know their options, be supported in their wishes, and feel unafraid as they prepared for the work of labor. Joy began walking alongside her pregnant friends, helping them navigate the many choices during pregnancy and prepare for their births. She found so much joy and purpose in doing this that it only seemed natural to make it official and become a doula in 2018. She is passionate about informed decision making and helping clients find care providers who share their values. Joy has served families in home births, birth centers, and hospitals and recognizes that birth is incredibly personal and what makes a satisfying birth from one person to the next may be completely different. Because of this, she strives to know and understand her clients and creates a warm and inviting space for the doula-client relationship to blossom.
Joy has been happily married to James since 2012 and is totally smitten with their two boys. She loves baking, The Office, camping, kayaking, and is always up for a good heart-to-heart. She would love to sit with you over a cup of coffee and talk and dream with you about your upcoming birth.
What People Are Saying
I absolutely cannot imagine giving birth without Joy. Even with my supportive husband, she was a godsend. Her knowledge about labor and quiet confidence made me feel comfortable because I knew I was taken care of. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have been able to follow my birth plan without her. My labor was much more intense than I imagined; when I thought I had nothing left to give, Joy was always there reassuring me that I could do it. And I did!
-Lauren
I have hired Joy for the births of two of my children and she has been amazing both times. She has helped me grow my confidence as a mom not just during labor but in life as well. I cannot recommend her enough. She was wonderful to work with from start to finish and helped me navigate pregnancy, appointments, labor, delivery, and postpartum with peace of mind and support. Joy's support has been invaluable and I'm so grateful. I texted her to hire her a second time from the doctor's office!! Even my husband, who was a bit hesitant at first, has truly appreciated the help and peace of mind it gives him. We cannot recommend Joy enough.
-Dorothy
Lotus and Lilac Photography©
I knew from the start that Joy was the perfect match to help us welcome our baby girl into this world. Throughout the whole process she supported not only my wife, but myself too which was refreshing as often it feels like the husband disappears into the background. The whole time it felt as if we were working with another family member which made the preparation and birth even more incredible.
During the birth I was continually impressed with how she knew when her experience, guidance, and leadership were needed. It was as if she knew what needed to be done and how to best help without being prompted. Without Joy's help, our birth experience would not have been nearly as positive as it was.
-Chris
I knew Joy was the perfect doula for us within minutes of meeting her. She brings a presence full of peace + calm + kindness wherever she goes. My husband and I felt an immense sense of relief after finding her. Our prenatal meetings were filled with both intentionality + education as she sought to learn us as a couple and our vision for our birth experience. Labor and delivery was a lifelong fear of mine and I cannot explain how empowered + equipped I felt because of our partnership with Joy. Working with Joy was truly the best investment we made into our birth experience.
-Ellen
I cannot say enough good things about Joy! She was our doula for the births of both of our sons and has been an absolute blessing to our family. I never imagined I would find a doula who my husband and I both connected with so well. She is genuine, kind, and confident, but not overbearing. She took the time to get to know us as we prepared for birth and proved an invaluable resource and friend throughout the process. Joy was an encouraging and steady presence throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She approaches childbirth as the beautiful and vulnerable experience that it is and does an incredible job of knowing your needs and how to best serve them. Joy was exactly what we hoped for in a doula and so much more! The support she provided really did transform our births!
-Anna
Lotus and Lilac Photography©