What is a Doula?

To me, J Penelope, a doula is is an individual who stands in the gap and provides emotional, physical, and spiritual support to people and families during significant times in life. These times can include pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum, illness, unexpected tragedy and death. 

The significant times mentioned are often accompanied by intense angst, grief, and fear of the unknown. These times are often accompanied by the need or desire for intercession. This intercession can be advocating on behalf of an individual or family with medical professionals, fervent prayer, or handling day-to-day activities because the physical and emotional capacity of the individual is best applied to healing or other tasks and more often than not the capability given the situation is just not there. This is where the doula steps in. The doula is the voice for the weary, the general for the battle, and the faithful companion in times of joy and trouble that ensures your desires are honored and upheld. 

A doula client relationship is predicated on a deep understanding of your needs and your unwavering confidence and trust in my commitment, ability and dedication to put you first in all ways even against opposition from your loved ones. This trust and understanding is crucial to allowing your soul the space to fight and heal knowing I have your back with certainty. I offer doula services on a case-by-case basis, let's chat and see if this service may be of benefit to you.

Birth Doula Services

Bringing forth life is a sacred experience and the ultimate privilege of wombmanhood. My first priority is the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of you and your little one. I approach the birth journey as a spiritual process that culminates with the sacred ceremony of birth.  My scope and role as a birth doula is to hold space and advocate for the mother’s needs and desires during the pregnancy and delivery process.  My priority is the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of the mother and baby while supporting the birthing team in honoring the mother.

The goal is to create an atmosphere of support for you and the birthing team that honors your desires and family customs. I  work intimately with you to craft customized family centered experiences that begin at the initial consultation and accompany you on your journey.  As your dedicated partner I walk with you through the process and provide advocacy based on your communicated wishes. I understand the importance of advocacy each time you go to the hospital, I am with you during the labor and delivery process, not just active labor. 

The scope and role of the doula is to hold space and advocate for the mother’s needs and desires. A doula does not discourage the mother from her choices. A doula always respects & facilitates those choices. I do not have an agenda. It’s your birth.

I do not perform medical tasks such as fetal heart monitoring, vaginal exams or perineal support. I cannot make decisions for you. I will help you in getting the information from your midwife/doctor and nurses so that you are able to make informed decisions. I champion those decisions while you focus on bringing your baby into this world safely, in the best atmosphere possible. 

The spirit realm is often misunderstood, dismissed, or even romanticized. It is real, it is serious and it is all pervading, much like "air" it is necessary to our survival. The spirit realm is everywhere though it can not be touched and it is felt though it often cannot be accurately explained in words. As sensory intense as the 3-D world is we only tend to focus on the five senses: sight, hearing, taste smell and touch, and even with these, we may not be conscious of the true depths of their purpose or capability.  Many have glimmers of their possibilities and some have such intense experiences it strikes a fear that causes them to avoid their abilities or they seek help from practitioners ignorant in spiritual things and are misdiagnosed or labeled with an affliction.

For those who dare to question and explore that notion in their gut, I am here. For those seeking support in exploring knowledge outside their cultural traditions, I am here. I was raised in a Christian home so the basis of much of my "spiritual" understanding was rooted in Bible, albeit from a religious perspective, not an esoteric basis.  Though I still operate in biblically based principles I have studied many world religions and "non-traditional" practices seeking truth and  inner-standing of my experiences and abilities. I have learned that all contain a piece to the mystery of truth and the more pieces I gather the closer I come to wholeness and complete alignment. I have learned that spirituality cannot be contained in dogma and you must be able to evolve your beliefs as you are confronted with more pieces of truth. I have learned that "truth" exists within context and what is "true" is subject to knowledge and spiritual maturity and is ever evolving. 

My calling is to walk with individuals on their path of truth with the inner-standing that evey path is perfect and you have the right to change course! If you need a travel partner on your spiritual journey who can offer sage advice rooted in experience, knowledge and divinely guided knowing I may be the right travel companion for this portion of your journey. Some I walk with for moments, many for seasons, others for years and a selective few for lifetimes. Let's chat.

Service Descriptions

Initial Consult

The Initial Consultation is a beautiful opportunity for us to learn. The Initial Consultation allows me to learn about your concerns, lifestyle, values and wellness goals. The Initial Consultation allows you to learn how non-traditional approaches such as Ayurveda, energy healing, positive thinking, herbs and practices can assist you in achieving your goals and holistic alignment.

Follow up/Counseling Session

A Follow Up/Counseling session is to discuss your triumphs and any challenges you may be experiencing as a result in implementing recommendations from the initial consultation. We will discuss any discoveries and epiphanies that have revealed themselves and how to use them to fine tune your path. These sessions are also ideal to work through acute situations or unpack the day or an event.

In-depth Calibration Sessions

In-depth calibration sessions are similar to spiritual cleanses. I refer to these sessions as calibrations because you are always divine. However, life experiences can cause you to deviate from this knowing inhibiting your ability to operate as your highest self. In-depth calibration sessions take a close look at these experiences and help you reframe your experience from a place of power.

Spiritual Cleanse

Spiritual cleanses get rid of energy cooties and attachments. Have you ever went in a room and it felt dense or heavy? Met someone and got an uneasy feeling? Perhaps you have days when you just feel off. Spiritual cleanses can be performed to raise the frequency in a space or within your being. This can be done through sound, herbs, prayer/mantra, five elements, or a combination of each. In some cases assistance may be offered.

Spiritual House Cleanse

A spiritual house cleanse rids your space of unwanted energies and entities that may have unknowingly been invited to reside or sent to disrupt peace and harmony in a space. A spiritual house cleanse requires a consultation and analysis of a space to obtain an understanding of what is happening, why it's happening and how it's happening. It requires educating occupants and ascertaining their willingness to release and clear the space of objects or beings that may be at the root of the disturbance or assist in coming to a cohabitation agreement. This process may take several visits and I reserve the right to refuse providing this service.

Personal Practice Development

Each person should have a personal practice that is aligned with their personal values and spiritual protocol. During these sessions we take a deep dive into your cultural, familial and personal customs, values and beliefs to curate a unique practice that honors all that you are and how you want to show up in the world. 

Situation Sachets

Situation sachets are sachets filled with various items such as herbs, crystals and spiritually significant objects intentioned for specific purposes. The sachets can be carried on your person, placed in specific environments or used in a variety of ways.

Most calls I receive, whether personal or professional, someone is seeking advice, assistance or a solution. The knowledge and skills I have gained required a considerable investment of time, effort, tears, and money...check my epic. The universe requires a commerce of exchange to maintain balance, thus I require compensation as a return on my investment. 

There is an energetic toll that must be paid in the spirit realm and the prices can be steep. While there is a correlation between the spirit realm and physical realm the cost of exchange is not always tangible yet the exchange is always paid in full. If you know you know, if you don't....you'll learn. 

Below are a few services I offer, this is not an exhaustive list. 

I only do work if divinely instructed, therefore I may not be able to do work for you. I feel it is important to lead with this to set your expectations. 

Ayurveda Counseling

Initial Ayurvedic Consultation

Ayurvedic  Follow-up

Herbal Preparation

Basti Treatment

Doula Services- case-by-case basis Let's Chat

Pre-natal 

Partum

Post-partum

Placenta ceremony

Unexpected Events

Transitioning from the Physical (death)

Spiritual Counseling

Initial Spiritual Consultation

General Spiritual Counseling

In-depth Calibration Sessions/

Spiritual Cleanse-Assisted

Spiritual House Cleanse

Spiritual Bath -herbs only

Talisman

Altar Set-up

Altar Consultation

I invited J to a baseball game to hang out after getting acquainted with her through the SBA Emerging Leaders program that we were both participating in. I had no idea that I would be leaving the Redbirds Stadium that night with a totally different mindset. Needless to say, my life would never be the same. Armed with my EGGolution program sheet and my "egg," I was well on my way to a more fulfilling life. Today after starting about a year and a half ago, I continue to have a routine practice of rising early to pray, read Scriptures, proclaim my affirmations, and meditate. J is truly a God-send and walking in her purpose." 

Sheri Neely / CEO / The Neely Agency, LLC

"After a failed marriage and the death of my son, I hosted a “My Sister’s Keeper” luncheon, realizing that I was not the only person in the world hurting and grieving. J Penelope was able to craft a message for my audience that combined her body of expertise with their immediate needs. Her delivery was exemplary. By combining humor, examples, and an informal, but highly focused presentation J Penelope demonstrated her command of communication principles and gave the audience immediately useful take-aways. 

You won't be disappointed! I would highly recommend J as a speaker/presenter." 

J. Machelle Pugh-Smith / CEO / Milestone, LLC