Meet Jackie
Jackie is a DONA certified doula who has had the privilege of supporting over 60 families during birth and postpartum. As a birth doula, Jackie has worked with families in hospital settings and has supported families through many situations. She loves supporting families through their journey and has a special place for caring for families postpartum.
Jackie is an incredibly experienced postpartum doula and has supported first time and experienced parents, in homes with older siblings, and also with twins and triplets. She has provided both day and overnight care.
Her calm and nurturing presence has helped Jackie provide new babies and their families with comfort and reassurance for over 25 years. She studied early childhood development, holds a BA in early childhood education, worked as a preschool teacher for 10 years and has spent over 8 years as a nanny for two different families prior to becoming a doula. Her desire to support families on their breastfeeding journey led her to become a Certified Lactation Educator. She has brought healthful eating to many families by discussing nutrition and by cooking for them. She worked as a health food caterer for three years and has worked as a personal cook for several families.
Raising and homeschooling her 3 boys was such a joy for Jackie, she became a doula to help pass on this joy to others. Jackie loves meeting and supporting new families and their beautiful babies and feels honored to be integrated into this incredible time with families.
People describe Jackie as a baby whisperer, gentle, patient, knowledgeable, and a warm and incredible person to have in their home.
Jackie spends her free time taking long walks at sunrise, practicing Yoga, reading, swimming, and enjoying time with her family.
Linda
1/2020
“Jackie was my doula after the birth of my daughter. She was such a wonderful and soothing presence during a time when I felt quite overwhelmed and vulnerable, and she brought so much more to our family than I ever could have expected.
Jackie is one of the calmest, most sincere and caring people I have ever met. Her deep knowledge of postpartum care, infants and babies allows her to seamlessly step into another family’s life to offer the support they need, in whatever way makes sense for them.
She is an expert in caring for babies and small children—and new mothers. She has an extra special touch and peaceful presence that soothes babies. Her rare wisdom and brightness of spirit significantly helped ease the joyful yet challenging transition of welcoming a new child into our family while living in a not-so-child-friendly high-rise in downtown Chicago with an active 2 ½ year old son.
Jackie continued working with us even after my need for postpartum care had subsided. I valued her presence and insightful input so very much, and she played many roles as a nanny, helper and friend. Everything I learned from Jackie (from cooking for wellness to effectively interacting with children) has had a lasting impact on my family, and I often think, “What would Jackie do?” when dealing with a sticky situation.
Again, Jackie was such a wonderful help and encouraging force for good. It was a privilege to have her support and help. Every woman deserves and needs a doula, but it will be a very lucky woman indeed who is able to have a doula as skilled, experienced and genuinely kind as Jackie.”