I am honored to support women and their partners as they journey into parenthood. My goal is to help mothers and babies experience the healthiest, most empowering births possible and to assist them in creating successful, joyful breastfeeding relationships.

I am available to help you explore your hopes, expectations and birthing options, to provide information and advocacy at all stages of pregnancy, labor and birth, and to be fully present with you as you navigate the joys and challenges of labor, birth and early breastfeeding. I have supported many families through this wonderful life transition and I would be delighted to do the same for you and your family.

In addition to my work as a doula and lactation counselor, I am also an HIV treatment educator and an instructor of human anatomy and physiology.

Services / Skills

Prenatal consultations; Physical and emotional support during labor and birth, including massage and other comfort measures; Help getting started with breastfeeding; Postpartum home-visits and breastfeeding support.

I am happy to work with mothers birthing at home or hospital, and I speak Spanish.

Education/Experience

BA in Third World Studies, Oberlin College, 2002; DONA Doula Training, 2003; Lactation Counselor Certificate, 2004; Nursing Assistant Certificate, 2005; Introduction to Midwifery, Ancient Arts Midwifery Institute, 2005; Premedical Studies, UW-Madison, 2005-07; Breastfeeding in Mothers and Infants with Special Needs, 2007.

Births attended

As a Doula, 50.

Jody can be reached at 608-661-9315 or jodyepstein@hotmail.com. She will be on maternity leave from May through September 2008.

-- January 12, 2008