I spent 12 years as a birth assistant, lactation consultant, and CBE trainer in The Bradley Method and Birthing From Within, and ran LaLeche League meetings with a passion for supporting women who have become Moms. Currently, I’m a Certified Birth Doula for all births regardless of where and how you deliver. I’m also a Bereavement Doula® helping families struggling with grief and loss, as well as an Adoption & Surrogacy Doula and Certified Lactation Educator.
In addition to my Doula training, I have 32+ years in the trenches on my own journey as a Mama – Parenting since 1992. I am Mom Of 18 (yes – 18 kids!). I’ve written the blog – Mom’s Running It since 2011, am a published author of a self-help memoir in 2016, and host of the Becoming Parents Podcast since May of 2017.
I am a Speaker and have 15+ years of experience in the foster care sector as both a parent and a trainer. I have received targeted training on topics such as crisis intervention, drug & alcohol addiction, surviving trauma, and suicide prevention, which has equipped me with a solid understanding of how to serve others experiencing trauma.
On December 1, 2022, I was the first doula in Nevada to be a Medicaid Provider. This has significantly altered the trajectory of my business and clientele in amazing ways. I am also the only Tricare Provider in Washoe County.
Personally, I’ve experienced infertility up to IVF and 3 miscarriages – one of which was twins at 16 weeks, as well as 1 hospital birth and 3 home births with midwives – two of which were water births. I breastfed 7 children, including 3 of my adopted babies – for 11 years in total, relactating for 2 of those adopted babies. I have a huge blended family and have suffered the loss of an adult son. I’m also married to an amazing man in Reno, NV, where we live full-time in our renovated RV, a runner, minimalist, and healthy lifestyle enthusiast.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:
Doula Coop Medicaid Liaison & Executive Assistant, helping doulas go through the process to become Medicaid providers.
Doula Certification Advisor for the Nevada Certification Board on their Curriculum and Continuing Education committee.
Vice President of the Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition, beginning Jan 1, 2023.
The Podcast:
Becoming Parents is in the top 5% of the world and shares stories about infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, labor and delivery, bottle feeding, breastfeeding & relactation, self-care after birth, sex to get pregnant and after kids, birth options, to medicate or not to medicate, adoption, midwife vs hospital, the struggles, surprises, joys and exhaustion, and – holy cow – you’ve become a parent! WHAT NOW?!
Go here to schedule: https://jenntaylor.as.me/becoming-parents
