Joysoul Doula
My Doula Story
Though I only grew up in a house of 4 with my mother, I feel like I was always a doula really. I am the eldest of 8 siblings. I was always mom’s biggest helper, learning to cook, clean, supervise children, and become aware of my mother’s emotional well-being at a very young age. I come from a line of very strong women. I decided to become a doula because as I matured, I began to understand the importance and significance of mother/child bonding and connection and its impact on individuals, to families, to the larger society. I began to see with my own eyes how much of an effect our connections or lack thereof really can have on our well-being and quality of life. More than this, I see the opportunity to build upon this mother/child connection, bond and relationship before, during, and after pregnancy. Learning about the disproportionality of care for women of color in childbirth and the loss of sacredness in the process, just strengthened the impetus to answer this calling.
The first birth I ever attended was one of my younger sister’s; Jalyssa’s birth. I was 14 years old, I didn’t really know what to do but I just stood beside my mom and tried to rub her back and process what was happening. I was not afraid or grossed out. I remember when my sister came splashing out into the world, so very quickly. I immediately started crying, it was like an energy that you just couldn’t explain. I remembered feeling like it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Until this day, I haven’t witnessed anything more beautiful and sacred than birth. At that time, I never expected that I would be standing bedside for other women in the years to come.
Being a doula, holding this intention of sacredness in the process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum--to me is a necessary function of this life. We are all here in some way to be shepherds of new life, whether it be through creations, inspiration, support or encouragement of any kind. I am elated and honored to be called to do this work. I hope that my heart is felt in this work and I hope to just be a reflection of the strength, beauty, commitment, and growth that I have received from moms all over.
My Doula Personality
My doula-personality style. I typically have a calm demeanor and a gentle tone. I’m naturally inquisitive, I like to ask questions so people can reach their own conclusions. I’m pretty intuitive, good at reading energy and noticing when there may be something deeper. I’m a lover, I’m naturally inclined to be concerned about people’s well-being. I enjoy emotional intimacy with friends and loved ones, I actually require it, even though it’s not always easy. I will push clients to go deeper into emotional blockages if it comes up. I do my best to be non-judgmental about decisions mom’s make for their families and be celebratory! My extended family, who are people I have met in my community work, call me the quiet storm. I am small but mighty. I see myself as a piece of the whole, a part of a larger village, and I believe wholeheartedly in collective healing and utilizing community resources and the larger village.
More About Me…
In my other work, I am an adjunct professor at SCCC, I teach Sociology. I am also a consultant for Miracle on Craig Street, where I do fundraising, grant writing, and community building. I’m a yoga instructor and I love to incorporate that into my doula work. My life joys include movement, growing food, writing, reading, organizing, solitude, finding house projects, learning and sharing with others and spending time with my family and lover Raeshelle.
Why is having a doula important?
Having the presence and support of a doula has shown to lower the need and use of pain medication, induction, c-sections and shorter labor. Moms with doulas have higher percentages of vaginal births, their baby’s have higher apgar scores, they have increased breastfeeding success, and have fewer perceived negative birth experiences. A doula can help to provide physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support for moms during and after pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy can come with many lifestyle changes in conjunction with all the changes that are already happening with the body, hormones, and emotions.
A doula is trained to help and educate the new or experienced mom and provide resources to cope, manage, and transition with these new changes. Every time a baby is born, a new mother is re-born. A doula is also able to help mom after birth, as moms experience their new life and their new addition to their family. There are so many adjustments for moms to make after the baby is here, the doula can help to put in place supports to make sure that mom has continuous care for the best possible outcome.
A doula is not a midwife and cannot provide clinical support, we do not take the place of an OBGYN or midwife, we are a part of this team and likely spend more time with the mother than other professionals on the birth team. Doulas can be used for home births, hospital births and birth center births.
Pregnancy - A doula can help educate moms on the changes mom and baby are going through in pregnancy. These include but are not limited to: the babies growth, physical changes with mom, hormonal and emotional changes. Additionally doulas can support with physical exercise, movement, meditation, nutritional education, and troubleshooting physical, emotional, spiritual discomfort and challenges with pregnancy. The doula can also provide advocacy for moms if needed to make sure all birth preferences and the birth experience is what the mom envisions.
Birth - During birth, a doula plays the role of the birth coach. We are a part of the larger birth team and provide a critical role as we likely spend the most time with mom outside of the immediate family present. We are there to provide comfort, encouragement, and support for the mom in labor. We are there to affirm the birthing mother and provide insight, perspective, and a good ear for listening.
Postpartum - A doula can spend just as much time and energy with mom after birth than we can before and during birth. Postpartum is one of the biggest changes in a woman’s life. It is an abundant time filled with joy and blessings. It is also a very delicate time for moms and families. There is healing happening, new routines being forged, and so much learning taking place. In the midst of it all, life still keeps going. Doulas are here to help moms postpartum feel held and connected during this time. Doulas can also help with breastfeeding, finding a lactation consultant, attending doctors visits, limited house chores and connecting mom with larger supports.
Pricing ( A La Carte)
Pregnancy or Postpartum Visits By Appt: $50/1-1.5 hour(s)
Birth: $650
Yoga Session - $25/1 hour virtual or in person session (for doula clients only)
***$15/per class for two or more classes/weekly
Doula Packages
Doula Package for New Moms: The doula package for new moms is aimed towards empowering new moms to feel comfortable, secure and confident in their new role of motherhood. This includes 1 weekly pregnancy visit for 1-1.5 hours starting at 4 weeks until labor. The birth and 1 weekly postpartum visit for up to 3 months is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 50 weeks supported by a doula + birth) $2900
Doula Package for All Moms : This doula package is aimed towards all moms who are looking for some additional support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum! This package can also be a good option for moms who are already further along in their pregnancy and seeking a doula. This package includes 1 weekly pregnancy visit for 1-1.5 hours starting at 24 weeks. The birth and 1 weekly postpartum visit for up to 3 months is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 30 sessions supported by a doula + birth) $1900
Mainly Birth - The Mainly Birth doula package is designed for moms who are just looking for support to get through the birth of their baby. This package is good for moms and families who may have other circumstances that are preventing more frequent doula support. This is also a good option for families who have a lot of experience, support, and confidence necessary to require minimal doula support for pregnancy and postpartum. This package provides basic doula support during prenatal, birth and/or postpartum, but less frequently than most of the other packages.The doula will provide more education, information, and resources for mom and the family, instead of providing in-depth emotional and physical support. This package is not recommended for first time moms. This includes 8 weekly visits for 1-1.5 hours to be used during and/or after pregnancy. The baby’s birth is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 8 sessions supported by a doula + birth) $1000
Postpartum Me Please - The Postpartum Me Please doula package is just right for families who are looking for postpartum support only. This package can be secured during or after pregnancy. This package is ideal for families who may have had previous challenges postpartum, or may not have as much support postpartum as a previous birth or during pregnancy, and/or families who are currently seeking postpartum support. This includes 3 mos of weekly visits for 1-1.5 hours to be used after pregnancy (12 sessions). Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding postpartum, breastfeeding, love and fun! (A total of 3 mos supported by a doula + birth) $550
Consultation $30
A Consultation is typically an hour long appointment with the expecting family and doula. This appointment is designed for the family to get any additional information necessary for making their decision, to ask questions, and also share their current and previous medical history and details regarding pregnancy. To book a consultation with Rosa Rivera, you can click on this link.
We aim to work with families and our priority is providing doula services to families who are ready and seeking support. To fulfill this mission, we provide various payment options for families. In all options a down payment is required to begin services and secure the contract. Payment will be detailed in the consultation appointment.
Backup Doula : In the case of an emergency or unprecedented event, Doula Deshaya Williams will step in to be my backup doula. She will be introduced to all clients during our time together. For more information about Deshaya you can check out her site at www.renewedyouthny.com
My Doula Story
Though I only grew up in a house of 4 with my mother, I feel like I was always a doula really. I am the eldest of 8 siblings. I was always mom’s biggest helper, learning to cook, clean, supervise children, and become aware of my mother’s emotional well-being at a very young age. I come from a line of very strong women. I decided to become a doula because as I matured, I began to understand the importance and significance of mother/child bonding and connection and its impact on individuals, to families, to the larger society. I began to see with my own eyes how much of an effect our connections or lack thereof really can have on our well-being and quality of life. More than this, I see the opportunity to build upon this mother/child connection, bond and relationship before, during, and after pregnancy. Learning about the disproportionality of care for women of color in childbirth and the loss of sacredness in the process, just strengthened the impetus to answer this calling.
The first birth I ever attended was one of my younger sister’s; Jalyssa’s birth. I was 14 years old, I didn’t really know what to do but I just stood beside my mom and tried to rub her back and process what was happening. I was not afraid or grossed out. I remember when my sister came splashing out into the world, so very quickly. I immediately started crying, it was like an energy that you just couldn’t explain. I remembered feeling like it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Until this day, I haven’t witnessed anything more beautiful and sacred than birth. At that time, I never expected that I would be standing bedside for other women in the years to come.
Being a doula, holding this intention of sacredness in the process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum--to me is a necessary function of this life. We are all here in some way to be shepherds of new life, whether it be through creations, inspiration, support or encouragement of any kind. I am elated and honored to be called to do this work. I hope that my heart is felt in this work and I hope to just be a reflection of the strength, beauty, commitment, and growth that I have received from moms all over.
My Doula Personality
My doula-personality style. I typically have a calm demeanor and a gentle tone. I’m naturally inquisitive, I like to ask questions so people can reach their own conclusions. I’m pretty intuitive, good at reading energy and noticing when there may be something deeper. I’m a lover, I’m naturally inclined to be concerned about people’s well-being. I enjoy emotional intimacy with friends and loved ones, I actually require it, even though it’s not always easy. I will push clients to go deeper into emotional blockages if it comes up. I do my best to be non-judgmental about decisions mom’s make for their families and be celebratory! My extended family, who are people I have met in my community work, call me the quiet storm. I am small but mighty. I see myself as a piece of the whole, a part of a larger village, and I believe wholeheartedly in collective healing and utilizing community resources and the larger village.
More About Me…
In my other work, I am an adjunct professor at SCCC, I teach Sociology. I am also a consultant for Miracle on Craig Street, where I do fundraising, grant writing, and community building. I’m a yoga instructor and I love to incorporate that into my doula work. My life joys include movement, growing food, writing, reading, organizing, solitude, finding house projects, learning and sharing with others and spending time with my family and lover Raeshelle.
Why is having a doula important?
Having the presence and support of a doula has shown to lower the need and use of pain medication, induction, c-sections and shorter labor. Moms with doulas have higher percentages of vaginal births, their baby’s have higher apgar scores, they have increased breastfeeding success, and have fewer perceived negative birth experiences. A doula can help to provide physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support for moms during and after pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy can come with many lifestyle changes in conjunction with all the changes that are already happening with the body, hormones, and emotions.
A doula is trained to help and educate the new or experienced mom and provide resources to cope, manage, and transition with these new changes. Every time a baby is born, a new mother is re-born. A doula is also able to help mom after birth, as moms experience their new life and their new addition to their family. There are so many adjustments for moms to make after the baby is here, the doula can help to put in place supports to make sure that mom has continuous care for the best possible outcome.
A doula is not a midwife and cannot provide clinical support, we do not take the place of an OBGYN or midwife, we are a part of this team and likely spend more time with the mother than other professionals on the birth team. Doulas can be used for home births, hospital births and birth center births.
Pregnancy - A doula can help educate moms on the changes mom and baby are going through in pregnancy. These include but are not limited to: the babies growth, physical changes with mom, hormonal and emotional changes. Additionally doulas can support with physical exercise, movement, meditation, nutritional education, and troubleshooting physical, emotional, spiritual discomfort and challenges with pregnancy. The doula can also provide advocacy for moms if needed to make sure all birth preferences and the birth experience is what the mom envisions.
Birth - During birth, a doula plays the role of the birth coach. We are a part of the larger birth team and provide a critical role as we likely spend the most time with mom outside of the immediate family present. We are there to provide comfort, encouragement, and support for the mom in labor. We are there to affirm the birthing mother and provide insight, perspective, and a good ear for listening.
Postpartum - A doula can spend just as much time and energy with mom after birth than we can before and during birth. Postpartum is one of the biggest changes in a woman’s life. It is an abundant time filled with joy and blessings. It is also a very delicate time for moms and families. There is healing happening, new routines being forged, and so much learning taking place. In the midst of it all, life still keeps going. Doulas are here to help moms postpartum feel held and connected during this time. Doulas can also help with breastfeeding, finding a lactation consultant, attending doctors visits, limited house chores and connecting mom with larger supports.
Pricing ( A La Carte)
Pregnancy or Postpartum Visits By Appt: $50/1-1.5 hour(s)
Birth: $650
Yoga Session - $25/1 hour virtual or in person session (for doula clients only)
***$15/per class for two or more classes/weekly
Doula Packages
Doula Package for New Moms: The doula package for new moms is aimed towards empowering new moms to feel comfortable, secure and confident in their new role of motherhood. This includes 1 weekly pregnancy visit for 1-1.5 hours starting at 4 weeks until labor. The birth and 1 weekly postpartum visit for up to 3 months is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 50 weeks supported by a doula + birth) $2900
Doula Package for All Moms : This doula package is aimed towards all moms who are looking for some additional support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum! This package can also be a good option for moms who are already further along in their pregnancy and seeking a doula. This package includes 1 weekly pregnancy visit for 1-1.5 hours starting at 24 weeks. The birth and 1 weekly postpartum visit for up to 3 months is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 30 sessions supported by a doula + birth) $1900
Mainly Birth - The Mainly Birth doula package is designed for moms who are just looking for support to get through the birth of their baby. This package is good for moms and families who may have other circumstances that are preventing more frequent doula support. This is also a good option for families who have a lot of experience, support, and confidence necessary to require minimal doula support for pregnancy and postpartum. This package provides basic doula support during prenatal, birth and/or postpartum, but less frequently than most of the other packages.The doula will provide more education, information, and resources for mom and the family, instead of providing in-depth emotional and physical support. This package is not recommended for first time moms. This includes 8 weekly visits for 1-1.5 hours to be used during and/or after pregnancy. The baby’s birth is included in this package. Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, love and fun! (A total of 8 sessions supported by a doula + birth) $1000
Postpartum Me Please - The Postpartum Me Please doula package is just right for families who are looking for postpartum support only. This package can be secured during or after pregnancy. This package is ideal for families who may have had previous challenges postpartum, or may not have as much support postpartum as a previous birth or during pregnancy, and/or families who are currently seeking postpartum support. This includes 3 mos of weekly visits for 1-1.5 hours to be used after pregnancy (12 sessions). Clients are expected to be able to call the doula for emergencies and challenges during pregnancy. Support will include yoga, nutritional advice, meditation, emotional support, practical education for mom regarding postpartum, breastfeeding, love and fun! (A total of 3 mos supported by a doula + birth) $550
Consultation $30
A Consultation is typically an hour long appointment with the expecting family and doula. This appointment is designed for the family to get any additional information necessary for making their decision, to ask questions, and also share their current and previous medical history and details regarding pregnancy. To book a consultation with Rosa Rivera, you can click on this link.
We aim to work with families and our priority is providing doula services to families who are ready and seeking support. To fulfill this mission, we provide various payment options for families. In all options a down payment is required to begin services and secure the contract. Payment will be detailed in the consultation appointment.
Backup Doula : In the case of an emergency or unprecedented event, Doula Deshaya Williams will step in to be my backup doula. She will be introduced to all clients during our time together. For more information about Deshaya you can check out her site at www.renewedyouthny.com