Serene Pregnancy

As a midwife, I try to stay up on who is practicing massage in our community as I recommend that my client’s get massage regularly. When Jen began to practice massage after the birth of her last child, I wanted to experience her work before I could refer her — I’m extremely particular about who I send my client’s to (I am a former massage therapist).
I booked an hour with Jen and was totally blown away. She listened intently as I talked about what has been happening to my body and my goals for the session. I rarely am able to check out and go off into that trancelike place with other therapists I’ve seen locally, due to the atmosphere or how talkative they are, or how abrupt their touch is — Jen created the space that I could really sink deep into my session. That was worth it’s weight in gold. Her bodywork is very thorough and flowing — her touch was not abrupt, but extremely nurturing. Her pressure was perfect throughout the entire massage and her flow was very organized, not choppy, which is one of my biggest criticisms of many of the therapists I’ve seen.
The best part of my session with Jen was that she accessed and relieved a spot on my shoulder that has been a chronic issue for years. She wasn’t afraid to get in there and address the issue, but without that overworked feeling that you often get from undertrained therapists. I did not wake up sore the next day and still felt the positive effects of the work that was done — that is a sign of a very well-​trained massage therapist.
I have and will continue to refer my clients to Jen for massage and will continue to see her myself. I am beyond thrilled to have her as part of the birth community!

I saw Jen for a massage yesterday and for the first time in weeks I woke up this morning without the chronic shoulder pain that has been a daily occurrence. I was going to write a glowing review anyway, just for the massage, but the lack of pain is such a wonderful bonus.
For review of the massage: First of all the setting was lovely. The music was at an appropriate volume, and I loved how she checked in with me about everything in the beginning — music, temp, etc…
Her technique was perfect for me and her touch was very grounding. She listened to my verbal needs, and also listened to how my body would respond.
I will absolutely be booking another massage with her in the near future.

We were lucky enough to sort of stumble upon Jen through the Babi book that’s full of birthing and labor support around the Bay Area.
It’s really hard to put into words how amazing Jen was during our home birth and throughout our pregnancy. She was incredibly responsive over phone, email and text – plus didn’t mind when I woke her up at 6am to say… I’m in labor!
During the birth she knew exactly how to help me through each contraction, taught my husband how to do the pressure reliving hip squeeze and assured me along the way. Plus, she ensured I kept eating and drinking… both super important!
If you are looking for a doula in the Bay Area, book her as quick as you can… you’ll be super thankful to have her as part of your birth team.

Recently I enjoyed a six week series of Hypnobirthing with Jen at Blossom Birth, Palo Alto. I felt uncertain about series because my knowledge of this form of relaxation and motivational technique was limited. Each week, Jen would walk the class through a series of exercises to demonstrate the soothing and mind changing effects that can be had when we change our scope of thought through repetition, controlled breathing and practice. Being an individual that has struggled with anxiety and issues when faced with life transitions this tool have been a value in my everyday life. Since pregnancy and birth is an occurrence that can be overwhelming having someone to teach you skills to cope invaluable. Thank you!

I was lucky enough to have Jen on my birthing team for my totally natural (VBAC) delivery of a giant 9-​lb baby after 4.5 days of labor. She had all kinds of helpful stuff in her bag of tricks (after that long, you need all the tricks you can get), and a huge supportive smile when I felt like I’d never get that baby out. Jen’s warmth and cheerful support were HUGE factors in being able to realize my dream of having a totally natural birth.

Jen was an amazing source of support and knowledge throughout my later pregnancy and childbirth. She helped guide me through the process with great compassion and confidence, which was so reassuring as it was my first child. Jen’s just a natural at this because she’s a very knowledgeable and understanding person. I plan to work with her during later births!

I knew Jen was the perfect fit for me when she said she had delivered at home (as I was planning to do) with my midwife. I told her up front that I wasn’t interested in supplements or accupuncture and that I might not be able to breastfeed, and she communicated that she was interested in supporting me however I needed it.
I didn’t have a doula with my first child, and I wasn’t quite sure that it was going to be worth the cost with a home birth. I was already going to have a midwife, second midwife, birth photography, my husband, and my mother at the birth. What would Jen do? She was amazing though, and I thought she was well worth the money spent. She took notes on the birth, refreshed a cold cloth, massaged my lower back (and gave me a massage in my third trimester!), brought a tens machine, and urged me to drink and eat. She freed up my husband to focus on nothing but holding my hand and whispering supportive things as I made it through transition.
After the birth she came by and gave me a chance to talk and talk and talk, honestly, about what the experience had been like so far. She wasn’t just a doula, she was a friend, and I really needed that.