Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Rowe.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi there! My name is Jenny Rowe, Founder of Divine Timing Doula Services. My story begins as an educator for Harford County Public Schools. I taught kindergarten for 10 years and absolutely loved my career. I am a mom to three sons, the youngest born in 2020. While on maternity leave, I decided to resign from teaching and see where my next journey takes me. I planned on returning to teaching after things settled back to normal, until I quickly begin my new business! In 2021, I suffered my second miscarriage. Shortly after, I spiraled into postpartum depression and anxiety. I was able to find an excellent perinatal focused mental health therapist. Through therapy, I explained the joy I had in supporting new moms in the community, at my school, anywhere I could. I enjoyed meeting the new babies; but really found excitement in providing one on one comfort postpartum. If moms wanted support with feeding or infant care, I’d stop by or send a quick video with tips. I’ve always found this to be an important part of my life since having my own children. I suffered with mental health for so many years. My postpartum periods were a struggle.
After sharing my passion with my therapist, she planted the seed explaining the role of a postpartum doula. After that therapy session, I began my search for further education. I quickly became an entrepreneur and I am so proud and grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I share my journey with other business owners, the struggle is real. The phrase often used is “It is so hard!” This is simply put, but entrepreneurs can empathize. A struggle I had in the beginning was getting my name and services out in the community. I created free birth and postpartum workshops. I visited businesses the old fashioned way of door to door, introducing myself, leaving some cookies and business cards, and having great conversations. Along the way, I received so much encouragement from other business owners. I also met with other birth workers in the community over coffee to learn and learn some more. The current struggle I face is my company is in a growth stretch. I am starting to outsource tasks and it is scary financially to start getting professional assistance. I am accepting this importance because they are the experts as well as I do not enjoy doing the tasks myself. I have a social content creator and manager, designer, and business management solutions representative to help make the business more automated. My current goal is to work “on” the business, not “in” the business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Divine Timing Doula Services is an all ecompasing maternal (and parental) service. The company provides countless services throughout pregnancy, labor and birth, postpartum, and even when parents return to work. During pregnancy, DTDS provides several in home prenatal visits. During these visits, I provide one on one education on labor, birth prep, birth positions, breastfeeding/pumping, infant care, and so much more. At every visit, the first part is education and the second part is hands on work. This includes teaching their partner how to provide physical relief for the mom through positions and massage. It could also include setting up the home for the postpartum period (such as opening up and setting up all of those necessary baby shower gifts and putting other gifts not needed right away in storage.) When the mother begins labor, I join the mom and begin setting the mood in the hospital room or home depending on her wishes (music, aromatherapy, etc.) I get to work physically by providing pain releiving positions as well as helping the baby descend on his/her own. Yes, we can move the pelvis different ways to help baby descend! After birth, I stay as long as needed to continue to provide support and hands on education for feeding, care, etc.
Postpartum doula care looks a little different. I typically provide night care where I first chat with the mom and/or partner. During the discussion, I am often looking for areas of ignorance, no fault of their own. For example, maybe they share that they do not know why their baby is crying so often at night. His feeding needs are met. I’ll inquire if they burp him after every feed, and usually they mention that they haven’t. I’ll then teach and show the different types of newborn cries and different ways to burp. After we talk, mom and partner get to go to bed and have a full nights rest! During the night, I provide care for the newborn as well as detailed on notes on his preferences in order to help the parents. Something that I also provide is in home organization during the nights when the baby is asleep. This is an included service that parents appreciate. I’ll organize the pantry with bins and labels, for example. Another service that is included is sleep preparation. I’ll begin setting a strong foundation for healthy sleep (and longer stretches!)
Another service DTDS provides is nanny matchmaking! So many families have a hard time finding high quality nanny care. I bring vetted nannies that I would trust with my own children onto my team. They are then recommended to families to interview and I am so glad I can help the parents from pregnancy all they way through early childhood.
My company is very passionate, empathetic, and knowledgeable. We are great listeners and never judge or provide unwanted advice. I love this!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Reaching out to fellow business owners in the same field made a huge impact for me. One in particular has been amazing. She is very supportive and even helps me with education during labor if I am unsure of something medically. She has told me, “I see something in you.” Her mentorship has helped me keep going and I appreciate she has the same goal as I have: to help mommies in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.divinetimingdoulaservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen.divinetimingdoula/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinetiming.doulaservices
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jendivinetimingdoula
