My name is Jessica Nicholson Oates. I grew up in the Lake Country area, moved to Madison, WI for schooling, and then moved back to the area once I started a family. I consider myself to be very optimistic, genuine, and thoughtful. I believe, if I am my true self that it will help others feel comfortable enough to show me their true self. You will always be greeted with a smile, as I have a very positive and have an upbeat attitude. Lastly, I love listening and learning about my clients. This allows me to put personal touches and thought into all that I do for my clients so that they feel special, cared for, and have a positive experience.
I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and love to learn about relationships, families, and especially women’s health. I will list below my education and training. My education is continuous as I actively meet more people and listen to their stories, read more books, and take in any education I can.
I have a history of working with many different families through care taking and as a Family Therapist. My whole life, I have been driven to working with women and kiddos. When I learned all the positive benefits a Birth and Postpartum Doula can have for families and the birth/postpartum experience, I was drawn to it! I feel very passionate about being a Doula by empowering expecting individuals and enhancing the birth experience throughout their postpartum period.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me, I truly believe there is a Doula for every family that wants one. I would love to meet with you to learn all about you! Please keep reading to learn more about Tree of Life...
I love the outdoors, exploring new places, learning new things, staying active, and I consider myself a bubble bath connoisseur. I have made it my life's mission to find the worlds best pizza, Cesar salad, and almond croissants. When I am not busy doing those things you will find me with my family or friends!
"Hate's a strong word" my mom always told me, so my list is small... when people (especially birthing people/parents) are not treated fairly or respectfully.
Photography by Leah Kornish
Education & Training
B.S. In Psychology from Edgewood College
M.S. In Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College
Childbirth Education from Dr. Amy Gilliland (DONA certified)
Birth Doula training from Dr. Amy Gilliland (DONA certified)
Powerful Prenatal Workshop training from Dr. Amy Gilliland (DONA certified)
Prenatal Yoga Level 1 training from Amy Kranz, Ph.D., E-RYT, RPYT & Doula
Spinning Babies trained by Tammy Ryan, AdvCD/BDT (DONA), SpBT
Certified in Acupressure for Birth by “Acupressure for Birth”
Lactation Management for Doula’s by L.E.R (DONA certified)
Breastfeeding Support for Doula’s by Barbara Robertson (DONA certified)
Postpartum Doula Training from Patty Brennan (DONA certified)
Herbs for the Childbearing year by Katia Lemore (Midwife & Herbalist)
VBAC Link Certified
Body Ready Method Certified
Tree of Life LLC. is a business which provides Birth and Postpartum Doula services to people that are expecting a baby or just have welcomed home a new baby. I am located in Delafield, WI but am willing to travel anywhere in a 60 mile radius*. My hope is to build a community of families that can support each other through all the different phases of life. Stay tuned as TOL will be expanding it's services!
*Additional fee after 30 miles, see pricing below.
This package is great for experienced birthers, last minute bookings, previous clients, or families on a budget but still want birth support.
~ 1 Prenatal visit & 1 Postpartum visit in your home.
~ 24/7 availability via phone or email for questions and concerns.
~ On call from 38 to 42 Weeks.
~ Continuous support throughout your labor and delivery.
~ Take pictures, if desired.
~ Support/breaks for "birth partner (s)".
~ Guidance with breastfeeding, if desired.
~ Up to 3 hours initial post delivery support.
*See location pricing below.
This package is great for first time birthers, families wanting a different birth experience, or families that want a deeper connection & education/support.
~ 2-3 Prenatal visits & 2-3 Postpartum visits in your home.
~ 24/7 availability via phone or email for questions and concerns.
~ On call from 38 to 42 Weeks.
~ MotherBoard Birth Planning App.
~ Continuous support throughout your labor and delivery.
~ Take pictures, if desired.
~ Support/breaks for "birth partner (s)".
~ Guidance with breastfeeding, if desired.
~ Up to 3 hours initial post delivery support.
*See location pricing below.
*Clients/birth location within 30 miles of Delafield are included in all above prices. If located 30-60 miles outside Delafield, there is an additional $1/mile.
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"Birth is not only about making babies. It's about making mothers- strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and believe in their inner strength."
Barbara Katz Rothman
I believe that every expecting person is strong, intelligent, and beautiful. Childbirth is one way in which people show their strength and power. Today, many people birth in fear and feeling that they have no options or power. My goal is to help empower individuals to feel confident in their birth options and confident in their bodies and instincts. My hope is that families feel fully supported and cared for throughout their experience, and beginning of new life!
A Birth Doula is a person who provides emotional and physical support to a laboring person. As a Birth Doula trained by DONA, I was trained in techniques that are supported by research or evidence-based techniques. Techniques that I use are specific to the laboring person and the labor/delivery but they could include massage, cold/hot therapy, use of a birthing tool, assist with position changes, assist with comfort needs, support birth partner (s), empower parent (s) to speak on their desires, listening, and a lot more. I also help prepare for the birth and postpartum phase. We will discuss these more as we work together.
Research shows that some of the benefits of having a Birth Doula is less likely to need a cesarean birth, less likely to need Pitocin, less likely to need pain medication, and higher rates of a positive birth experience. In general, we provide continuous support to the laboring mother, support the "birth partner (s)", and can enhance the birth experience for baby and laboring person. Please click this link to see research articles that explains the specific findings: DONA article.
Absolutely not. “Birth Partner(s)” all play a VERY important role in the birth of a baby. A Birth Doula’s role is to be flexible with how the laboring person and their birth partner will need support. The role of a Doula can vary family to family and that is perfectly normal. Here are some main areas of how a Doula could differ or add additional support: works together with the birth partner for a team approach to help comfort laboring individual, recognize normal/abnormal signs, assist with comfort techniques and positions, assist with communication, be an unbiased body, if baby/mom were to get separated there will be two of us to stay with each person, take pictures so you can just enjoy the moment, actively listen to expecting person and birth partner, give the birth partner a break, and make sure the birth partner is well supported. My approach is to individualize support and care per family to what their needs and desires.
Yes! I am trained in how to assist a laboring person even if they had an epidural/IV pain medications and how to help even in a cesarean. I believe whether interventions are planned or unplanned it is your birth and I am here to help you. Let’s discuss this more.
The answer is mostly no. I can work in any setting (hospital, birth center, or home), work with any relationship/family type, work with unmedicated or medicated births, work with any religious/spiritual belief system, first time to experienced expecting person, singlets to multiples, different races or cultures, and more. I encourage people to meet with multiple Doulas to make sure that they find the best fit for them. I am not able to support "unassisted childbirth or freebirth", but happy to offer referrals.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: the Complete Guide by Penny Simkin, April Bolding, Ann Keppler, and
Janelle Durham
The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions by Penny
Simkin
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Breastfeeding made simple... by Nancy Mohrbacher & Kathleen Kendal- Tackett
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to Secret Fears of New Moms by Karen Kleiman
DONA International: Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Mama Natural: Pregnancy, gentle parenting, newborn care, and more.
Childbirth connection: Pregnancy and maternity information.
Lamaze International: Pregnancy, birth, and parenthood resource.
Kellymom: Breastfeeding and parenting support.
Postpartum Support International: Postpartum resource.
Moms Mental Health Initiative
On Purpose Psyche Counseling
Lake Country Moms- Wisconsin Facebook Group and Events
Choice Matters Midwife Collective
Essense Family Chiropractic
@tolbirthdoula
Ali Ali Healing Acupuncture
1. Fill out contact form or send me an email.
2. Meet with me for a free 30-45 minute consultation.
3. Verbal agreement to my services.
4. Sign Letter of Agreement
5. Pay down payment.
6. Begin the experience of having a supportive Doula.
Steps to take:
As a first time mom, labor and delivery is one of the scariest unknowns you can think of. All of the what ifs and anxiety of what could happen can overwhelm you. From the second I met with Jessica when I was pregnant, she made me feel heard with what I wanted out of my birth. My husband was on the fence about getting a doula thinking he could support me enough, but when the day came he couldn't have changed his mind fast enough. We will have Jessica at every birth of our little ones. She worked w my husband and the nurses as a team. She supported my choices during labor and got me trying all positions to try to relieve my pain. She was truly amazing and I can't think of what my labor would've been like without her. The nurses are there for you, but don't have your best interest like she does. Even when I got my epidural which I didn't want to have to do, she still had me changing positions every hour or so to keep baby moving down into the cervix. She even took detailed notes of my labor and tons of amazing pictures that we will be able to look back on forever. She set up my room with the most peaceful ambiance too! I truly cannot say enough good things about my experience. She turned what was a really scary and nerve racking unknown into a memorable and amazing labor and delivery process. One that I'll never forget. Thank you so much, Jessica!
~Carly N.
I would love to hear from you! You can reach TOL via the contact form or email at JNicholson@treeoflifebirth.org.
I will typically have a 24 hour response. If I do not respond in 24 hours please forgive me as I may be at a birth, at my "day job", or chasing children around and I will get back to you ASAP.
@TOLbirthdoula