Joyful Journey Doula Service
Supporting Your Birth & Postpartum Journey
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About Me
My name is Colleen Lester and I am a certified birth and postpartum doula through DONA. I am passionate about coming alongside families with experienced, caring, non judgemental support during this important time.
I've been married for 33 years and have three adult children and four fur babies. From an early age I have loved everything having to do with babies, pregnancy, birth and supporting new mothers. After raising my children I decided to pursue my dream to become a birth and postpartum doula.
I also volunteer my birth and postpartum doula services for a non profit that rescues women from trafficking, homelessness and addiction.
At this time I am focusing on supporting families during the postpartum period or what is referred to as the 4th Trimester.
I have years of experience including multiples, special needs and single moms.
What is a Doula?
Doula: The Greek word doula means woman caregiver.
We now use the word to describe a trained and experienced labor companion who provides continuous emotional support, physical comfort, and educational information to women and their partner before, during, and just after childbirth.
What a Birth Doula Does
A birth doula:
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance in getting the information needed to make good decisions
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers
Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience
What Birth Doulas Don't Do
A Doula Does Not:
Perform medical tests
Give medical advice or speak to medical staff on your behalf
Influence your choices or give personal opinions
Replace the important role of the partner
What a Postpartum Doula does:
~A postpartum doula comes into a family's home after childbirth to give support according to the needs of the family~
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
laundry, dishes, & light housekeeping
breastfeeding support
light meal preparation
baby care so mom can nap/shower
sibling care
running errands (ie. pick up grocery order)
assist with newborn care
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
listen/support as mom/partner process birth experience
ensure mom/partner is thriving during transition to parenthood
address concerns and worries
INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT
newborn care
general baby health ("is this normal?")
referrals to local resources
(pediatricians, lactation support, etc.)
My Services
What I Do
Postpartum Support
I offer a no obligation meeting to see if I would be a good fit for you and your needs.
If you choose to hire me I will meet with you before baby is born to go over a postpartum plan.
I offer daytime, evening, weekend and limited overnight hours.
My postpartum fee is $25-$40 per hour
I have packages available for a 10% discount
"Giving birth should be your greatest achievement not your greatest fear"
Jane Weideman
"We chose to have a completely unmedicated birth with our 5th baby, so we asked Colleen to be our doula. I couldn't have done it without her and the grace of God! Not only did she bring such a sense of peace and unwavering support, but also, she took such special pictures from a perspective that we've never gotten to capture with just my husband and me in the room.
Thank you so much Colleen!"
Joy
Contact
Offering services in the Phoenix-Metro area.
Please include your email, due date, and the planned location of your birth when you contact me.
(623) 512-1793