In Due Time

Doula Care

Jenn Beiswenger,
Birth & Postpartum Doula

WELCOME to In Due Time Doula Care! 😊

Welcome to In Due Time Doula Care, where we recognise that everything happens for a reason or a season, when it needs to happen,…. in due time. None of us is really in control of our lives, however it behoves us to do our homework so that we can increase the chances for a positive outcome. When it comes to childbirth, our bodies know what to do, but sometimes we don’t really feel like we can trust them, sometimes we need some support along the way. Parenting a newborn can be daunting! It can take a little while, and a little help, to learn the ropes.

I’m Jenn, I’m a Christian birth & postpartum doula, and I want to help you have the best labour, birth and postpartum experience possible,….. in due time. 💗

Want to dive straight into comparing prices? Click here to check out the support packages that I offer.

WHAT IS A DOULA?

Prefer to listen than to read?

Click here to watch the reel!

A doula is someone who supports people through life’s transitions, providing physical, practical, emotional and spiritual support.

A birth doula supports childbearing women through pregnancy, labour & childbirth. She mothers the mother, supporting her through her labour, birth and beyond. A birth doula’s job is to listen to mom, to help provide her with information during her pregnancy, to help her figure out what’s most important to her in labour, birth & postnatally. A doula helps mom develop & implement her birth plan and achieve the support she wants, and helps dad understand what to expect and how to support his wife.

A postpartum or postnatal doula supports new moms, who’ve just had their babies. Postnatally, a doula helps mom process her birth experience, navigate hurdles of early infancy, supports mom’s own recovery and provides an extra pair of hands.

Above all, a doula supports mom: she’ll do what she can to help mom have as positive an experience as possible.

What a doula is NOT is a trained medical practitioner. A doula does not replace a midwife or doctor. A doula does not have any clinical responsibility and does not perform clinical tasks, such as taking blood pressure, doing fetal heart checks or vaginal exams. A doula is also not a traditional birth attendant/companion, someone who supports unassisted births. Doulas support women in hospital, birth centre and midwife-attended homebirths.

A doula supports you in your labour & birth, and/or postpartum, but does not make decisions for you: she is here to empower you to speak up for yourself and to support you on your journey!

 

(Did you know? There is also such a thing as an end-of-life or death doula, who supports people through their final days, as they transition out of this world. I don’t presently provide those services, but they’re out there!)

Ready to explore more? Click here to check out the In Due Time support packages on offer.

WHY A DOULA?

Because hospitals are businesses.

They mean well, but the bottom line is their bottom line: they want their birthing beds to be available to as many birthing women as possible, so once you’re admitted, you’re on the clock, and they will do what they need to do to manage the process and keep it moving.

We want to be able to go with the flow and trust the medical professionals, but when it comes to birth, hospital nurses & doctors may recommend – or strongly encourage – or guilt us into having – interventions that serve their bottom line or protect their behinds more than they benefit the birthing woman.

Don’t get me wrong, nurses and obstetricians are great at what they do, and are invaluable additions to our modern culture! If my baby or I was in serious danger, I would absolutely want the skilled intervention an obstetrician. If I were unwell, I would want the caring support of a nurse. In the vast majority of cases, though, birth is not a pathological event, it is a natural, normal, physiological life process: it belongs in the domain of those who respect it as such.

In a birth centre or homebirth setting, physiological birth is much more likely to be welcomed to unfold in its own time, not according to a strict timeline, and interventions are much less likely to happen. Doulas still play an important role in home and birth centre births because they provide information and support that is different from what midwives offers, and can join the mom earlier in labour, hours before the midwife arrives or the decision is made to go to the birth centre (or hospital).

When we think back to childbirth in western society in days of yore, or in many less- developed communities still today, we envision the woman labouring in the company of other women: her own mom, aunties, sisters, experienced women from her village. We lost that over time, and mothers and babies – and society at large – are paying the hefty price.

This is where doulas come in: we get to know mom during her pregnancy, then support her as trusted, knowledgeable, constant friends – and adavocates, if necessary – during her labour and birth and after baby is born. If mom can (and wants to) have her husband, family member and/or good friend with her during this time, fantastic! -but if those people don’t have much experience with labour & birth or the postpartum period, or if they haven’t got the time to spare, they won’t be able to provide the full support that mom needs; and it isn’t entirely fair to expect them to provide support around something they don’t know a whole lot about.

A birth doula is intimately familiar with natural physiologic birth as well as induction, birthing aids (instruments & drugs), labouring options (positions & alternative therapies) and caesarean sections. She can support births in homes, hospitals & birth centres. Not every woman wants a particular style of birth (e.g. all natural, or medicated, or caesarean): a doula can help mom recognise & prioritise her own values and put them down in writing into a birth plan, then helps her implement her birth wishes and provides the support that she wants & needs.

The postpartum period is no less important than pregnancy and birth: it is a critical time for bonding as well as nourishing – of both bub and mom! Historically, those experienced women surrounded the new mom and were invested in her well-being, providing her with emotional, spiritual and physical support. In the absence of built-in postnatal support, a postpartum doula can provide that much-needed extra pair of skilled hands, be a fount of knowledge, offer an ear and a shoulder for the new mom to lean on.

A doula has lots of experience and tricks in her doula bag to draw on, but her #1 priority is mom:

a doula is there for mom and will support her unfailingly through this challenging,

inspiring,*MIND-BLOWING*, pivotal time in her life. 💗

Are you sold on the benefits of a doula? Click here to check out the In Due Time support options!

WHY A CHRISTIAN 🌿DOULA?

christian doula

As a Christian, I believe in a loving God who oversees everything and loves everyone.

I believe that He has laid out fundamental truths to help us make sense of the world around us, and encourages us to turn to Him for guidance.

As a Christian doula, I support pregnant women and their husbands/partners on their parenting journeys, bringing my faith into our experience in how I treat everyone with compassion. I pray for God’s guidance in my day-to-day life and in my work with families, and I’m happy to pray with parents if they want it but I won’t force it on anyone.

I believe that there are no coincidences, that everything happens as it should, when it should, in due time – that every experience in our lives serves a purpose and that we can, and should, learn from everything, always working towards ameliorating ourselves and becoming the best versions of ourselves.

I believe wholeheartedly in life after death, that children go immediately to the highest, purest level of heaven to be cared for by angel mothers and raised in pure love.

I believe that God loves everyone unconditionally, that everyone deserves His – and our – unconditional love, and that the Lord nevertheless wants us to strive to be our best selves, according to His fundamental truths. As we are only human, we all have our own unique personalities and preferences, which makes certain doulas more suited to certain couples, and why I encourage all expectant parents to interview a few different doulas to find the one that jives the best with their world view.

If you’d like to read a bit more about this, head over to my blog post, On Being a Christian Doula.

Are you interested in exploring the ‘whys’ of inviting a doula into your birth or postpartum space? I’ve got reels on just those topics – click here to check them out!

 

Curious how much a high-quality Christian birth & postpartum doula charges for her services? Click here to find out!

If you’re liking what you’re reading, Doula Jenn B & In Due Time Doula Care may be the doula for you! 🤗 Drop me a line, let’s chat! -If not, no worries; I trust that you will find the doula who’s right for you and I pray that you have a healthy and happy parenting journey. 💗 

SERVICES

Thinking about In Due Time doula support around your upcoming birth?

I offer:

Pregnancy & Birth Support ♥ Birth Planning Support ♥ Sibling Support

Postpartum Support ♥ Infant Massage Education

Click here to learn more!

ABOUT ME

My name is Jenn Beiswenger. I’m the Christian birth & postpartum doula behind In Due Time Doula Care, and I’m passionate about pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing. My mission is to empower expectant moms to have the childbirth experience they want, to support new moms through matrescence and help families navigate the first precious months of bub’s life outside the womb. I will do what I can to help mom own the process of bringing her child(ren) into this world, and to have as positive an experience as possible.♥ 

You can learn more about me on my about page.

Located in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

Serving the greater Toronto area ~ check the service area page for more details

You’ve had lots of opportunities already, but I’m a generous gal and I’m gonna give you another 😉–  click here to check out the support packages that I offer! 

–If you aren’t swayed yet, though, maybe these first-hand client testimonials will move the dial for you? 👇🏻

Testimonials:

Jenn was the best! She really does the most to help women through this special moment. I really appreciated her positive affirmations and guidance in helping induce my labour, and her help with techniques and massages and giving me a birth plan! Jenn really was there and emotionally supported me when it felt so raw and real. She continued to positively guide and help me with contractions and hold my hand through the whole labour. I'm really happy I had her by my side.
Bhavnamum, birth client, Sydney, Australia
I was fortunate enough to have Jenn support me and my children postpartum once a week for 6 weeks. It was so helpful to have her pick up dummies on her way in when I didn’t want to leave the house with the newborn, help me change the beds when I was too sore in the early days, cook some healthy snacks for me and my eldest and support me at a challenging appointment with my baby and helped me get through it. Jenn built up a beautiful bond with my 3 year old son who doesn’t go to people easily and my newborn loved the extra cuddles when I needed to catch up on a few things. I had a doula for my birth but I didn’t know Jenn at the time but I’m sure she would be just as amazing during birth as she was postpartum. I would highly recommend Jenn.
Zaramum, postpartum client, Sydney, Australia
I will forever be grateful to Jenn for all her help with my struggles as a first-time mum. Her presence, kind and loving personality has greatly influenced me to become positive and kind to myself whenever I thought I wasn’t doing enough as a mum. I would highly recommend Jenn! Many many thanks, Jenn!
Jaselmum, postpartum client, Sydney, Australia
Jenn saved me in the most difficult time of my life – my first child was starting kindergarten and I had just given birth to my youngest of 4. I was so overwhelmed and was anxious about how I was supposed to leave my house in the mornings. I was blessed to have Jenn's support. She would walk in the door those mornings and sort out the newborn and toddler while I could focus on the older kids. She would make the most difficult mornings manageable: we would do the school run and she would help me take the younger ones to a playgroup. My kids would ask about her all the time. She is very respectful and very supportive to what makes mum happy. Knowing her personality and character is a big recommendation for doula services. She is a genuine person with a big heart.
Hayatmum, postpartum client, Sydney, Australia
If you are looking for a down-to-earth, highly supportive, no fuss, experienced, and super respectful doula, look no further. Jenn is amazing. She is very caring, loves what she does and is very generous - we got all the support we needed, and more. We had a really good prenatal, birth, and postnatal experience and our baby boy is perfect!
Scarlettmum, birth client, Sydney, Australia
Jenn was wonderful to have as our postpartum doula, and provided me with overnight support which was priceless to have when my partner was away for work. I am very appreciative of her help, guidance, all the advice she gave, and how lovely she was with our baby girl. Violet felt super comfortable with Jenn. Highly recommend her services!!
Ellamum, postpartum client, Sydney, Australia
Jenn was very easy to work with and allowed me to focus on my clinical role as a midwife whilst giving me peace of mind that our woman was supported and cared for in a safe space. We found a nice balance in the birth space where I felt welcomed by herself and the woman, and her maternal energy made me feel at ease. She had everything in her doula bag and we taught each other, as birth workers, some tricks along the way!
Shanaemidwife (public hospital), Sydney, Australia
Jenn was absolutely wonderful! From the minute we met I knew she was so special. She was so caring, loving and supportive throughout the entire journey. I never felt alone and knew she was just a text message away if I ever needed motivation and encouragement when I was in doubt. Although I didn't achieve the VBAC we worked so hard for, I did experience a beautiful birth all thanks to Jenn. She empowered me to make my own decisions and I felt in control the entire time. Her postpartum support was exceptional, lifting me up in the midst of my baby blues and being there for me both emotionally and physically. I cannot thank Jenn enough; my husband, toddler and I highly recommend her!
Theresamum, birth client, Sydney, Australia
We were so grateful to have Jenn as part of our birth team. She is very knowledgeable and has a kind and nurturing presence. She was an invaluable support person during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Jenn helped us achieve our dream water birth at home and was always supportive of our choices. Thank you!
Jess & Andrewmum & dad, birth clients, Sydney, Australia
I was blessed to find Jenn at the start of my pregnancy. I knew that I wanted a support person for both myself and my partner to both advocate for and support us in decision making throughout the pregnancy and delivery of our child. In the case that something didn’t go to plan and I was unable to make decisions for myself I wanted to know there was someone who could assist my partner through the decision making process; who knew my preferences and who my partner was familiar with, trusted and felt safe with. Jenn was all of this and more. Her wealth of knowledge is only surpassed by her caring demeanour. I can’t stress however the benefit of her post natal care; I was very lucky to have access to others who could help with cooking, cleaning, groceries, etc however this isn’t the reality for everyone and Jenn’s willingness to help me in any way possible (not just holding the baby but really getting stuck into the laundry, cooking, grabbing groceries for me…) was amazing. I can’t recommend Jenn more highly.
Katrinamum, birth client, Sydney, Australia
I was unsure about getting a doula as this was my second birth. But I am so glad I did! Jenn was such a great sport for the baby and also my older child. Jenn played so nicely with my four year old that my daughter constantly asks when Jenn will come again. I'm so sad to see her move, as it'll be really hard to find someone like her!
Suzannemum, birth & postpartum client, Sydney, Australia
I can’t thank Jenn enough for all her incredible postpartum support. She was caring, flexible, and always offered a non-judgmental listening ear when I needed it most. My daughter absolutely loved her! Jenn shared thoughtful tips and recommendations, took us on lovely walks, and made me feel truly supported and understood. Her warmth, friendliness, and flexibility made such a difference during those early days. I wholeheartedly recommend Jenn to any new mom looking for genuine, compassionate support. ❤️
Ritumom, postpartum client, Toronto, Canada

Sharing is caring! 😉

✨Speaking of caring by SHARING,….

Gifting a pregnant woman doula support ~ buying the service for her, whether for her birth or postpartum period, or both! ~ would *blow * her * mind*. What a great shower gift!! I’d be thrilled to discuss this further – let’s chat about In Due Time Doula Care vouchers!✨

 

[Contributing money to an expectant mother’s doula fund, whether for birth or postpartum support, leaving her in freedom to choose the doula(s) she jives the best with, is what’s MOST useful to her. As much as I want you to choose me to support her, the decision really ought to be hers to make. 😏

….That being said, please do put my name forward for her to consider! If it’s meant to be, it will be. 😁 (If you happen to give her the exact value of my service package(s), ..that may be a helpful nudge! 😄)]

Doulas: changing the world one family at a time.