| Maggie Jennings, CD(DONA), LCCE
First and foremost, I am the mother of two beautiful children. I am blessed to work from home, so I am able to spend my days with them, and I love watching them grow and change on a daily basis.
It is actually my children who took me along the path of providing doula and birth services. Their very different births (the first being full-term & unmedicated and the second being a 6-week premature cesarean birth) led me to do a lot of research on childbirth, and as a result I often became the "go-to" among my friends for information. When I came across the role of a birth doula in my research, I felt like I had struck gold! Providing support for mothers & their partners is a role that I am passionate about, and I am excited to help others fulfill their desired birth experiences.
Providing additional birth services came naturally. I love teaching, and the role of childbirth educator is one that I was eager to take up. My classes are FUN! Furthermore, I teach Dancin' Mamas prenatal & postnatal dance classes in Poway which is a great exercise tool for both pregnant moms and mom & baby! These additional services are the perfect complement to my doula role, and I am so happy to be able to provide them.
Training
I am professionally trained and certified as a birth doula by DONA International. I am a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and a member of Lamaze International. I am also a certified Dancing for Birth™ instructor, trained by DfB founder Stephanie Larson.
My View on Birth
I am an advocate of the Lamaze philosophy of "normal birth" (listed below). However, that being said, I recognize that every mother must reach her own conclusions about how she forsees her birth experience, because each mother has different values, goals, and past experiences. I will do everything in my power to help you achieve the birth that you desire.
Lamaze's View of Birth
- Birth is normal, natural and healthy.
- The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
- Women's inner wisdom guides them through birth.
- Women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.
- Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.
- Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers, and hospitals.
- Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health, and to trust their inner wisdom.
Professional & Educational Experience
I received my B.S. in Animal Science from UCDavis, anticipating a career as an Outreach Educator in the zoo environment. Shortly after the birth of my first child, however, I realized that staying at (& working from) home was my path. Being a "people-person," I became involved in a local non-profit organization assisting quadriplegic individuals. I also decided to continue my education by pursuing a certificate in Web Design at Mt. San Jacinto College. At long last, I found my calling in helping other mothers. Today, I am a birth doula, childbirth educator, prenatal & postnatal dance class instructor, and web designer & developer.
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