Greetings - please note my new business website is
My phone number is the same 707-843-1415
I will soon be changing this site to showcase my encaustic paintings.
Thank you, Jessica Morell
Birth Doula
… committed to providing deeply nourishing, healing & attentive care for pregnant and laboring women…
"Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers -- strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength." Barbara Katz - Rothman
The word “doula” comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “a women who serves.” The doula provides non-medical support, encouragement and labor assistance.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth…
- Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
- Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- Reduces the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and Cesareans
- Reduces a mother’s requests for pain medication and/or epidurals
What doulas are not:
Doulas do not replace the partner or father.
Doulas do not give medical advice or make medical decisions.
I bring my background and education as an educator, my experiences as a mother of three, and my extensive doula training to provide excellent support and coaching. In attending your labor, I will assist you through the emotional, physical and psychological challenges of labor. I will use a variety of comfort and pain relief measures and tools including:
massage * voice coaching/vocalizing * visualization * encouragement to move/stay mobile * loving presence * suggestions for tried and true labor positions * rebozo
I believe absolutely in your ability to have the most healthy and satisfying labor & birth possible.
Free ½ hour - 45-minute consultation at my home office
My doula fee includes:
- 1– 2 hour meeting with mother and partner to go over all aspects of your labor and birth.
- 2 prenatal massages – massage has been clinically proven to nourish the pregnant mother in a variety of ways including increased ability to sleep, less depression and less overall reported pain. Massage is also an excellent way for the mother and doula to get familiar before the rigors of birth
- Attendance at your labor from active labor to 1-2 hours past the birth of your baby. I will stay by your side to assist, comfort and coach you.
- 1 hour home visit one week after the birth to evaluate well-being of mother and baby, offer additional resources if requested and to hear the birth story from the mother’s perspective.
- 1 post-natal massage up to one year after the birth of your baby
Hear me live on 'In Your Right Mind' radio show being interviewed about my work as a doula.
(Home waterbirth baby at 17 minutes)
"Dear Jes, I want to thank you for your kindness, clarity, peacefulness and loving touch at the birth of our baby. When it felt overwhelming or too strong, your ability to meet me there was extraordinary. You helped me, over and over again, to find my center and ride those intense waves. You kept me breathing, singing, moving, mooing/ laughing (!) and most of all kept reminding me I could do it. J. and I are so happy we had you with us, thank you so much." - C.Z. ~ Santa Rosa, Ca
"Every time I look at my beautiful little boy, I am reminded of what an amazing experience it was to give birth and how lucky we were to have Jes there to guide us. Her calm presence of mind, loving touch and soothing approach allowed my husband and me to feel like everything was going to be okay and happen as it should. Her professionalism and consideration earned her a lot of respect with the hospital staff and made our stay in the delivery room relatively stress free, not counting the contractions of course. Jes' prenatal massages also provided a wonderful opportunity to bond with one another, release any fears, and embrace the beauty that is a pregnant body. She creates a comfortable and soothing environment, where you can relax and enjoy being pampered for a little while. Something that is equally important and just as enjoyable postpartum as well. I look forward to my visits with Jes!" - BS ~ Petaluma, CA
"I was so thrilled with Jes's doula service! Jes was there 100% for me. We had only just met, having found her at the last minute, and she felt like a good friend. When I went into labor she came right over and gave great direction. I was able to enjoy myself and relax because she was a force of calm and focus. When my labor got stronger, she was planning a step ahead and we got to the hospital right on time. She was a great part of my team and my husband felt supported by her too. After the birth I had three different hospital staff asking me for her full name and who she was because they felt she did such a wonderful job. She kept things positive and gave such strong encouragement; she worked great with the Kaiser midwife and nurse. I felt very safe." - R.M., Sebastopol, CA
"My family was fortunate enough to meet Jessica at the local birthing center's 'doula meet and greet'. She was still in the process of being certified, and yet conveyed an understanding and ease which instantly appealed to me and my husband. Her background in psychology and holistic approach to the birthing process she described from experience put my mind at ease and I sensed a strong connection beginning to blossom. Her prenatal visits were comfortable and easy going. Since she is also a massage therapist our physical closeness emerged with a prenatal massage paving the way for the physical support I came to rely on during labor. She familiarized herself with mine and my husband's desires for how we wished the experience to unfold and prepared us to be open to the unexpected. She arrived warm hearted during the middle of the night and remained courageous right by my side for the next 16 hours. Her suggestions for movement and pain relief were priceless. She allowed my husband to be fully present and also have brief periods of rest during our long journey. If it weren't for her thoughtfulness to remind us to eat and stay hydrated we would not have been able to endure. Her presence was especially comforting after transferring to the hospital from the birthing center for she reminded me of my inner strength, enabling me to push out my child naturally avoiding any interventions. I will always remember the incredibly overwhelming couple of moments during my last few pushes looking into her eyes and seeing her mirror back my strength. I knew I was nearing the very final stages of labor and felt so very grateful that she was next to me holding my hand as my husband pulled our son towards his first breath. A week postpartum she came to meet our precious baby and listened attentively to my birth story while helping me process the entire experience with the input of her perspective. Jessica's loving presence was an absolutely vital part of the birth of my first son and I will always be thankful for her sweet spirit." - B.F. ~ Santa Rosa, CA
"Jes, We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being an advocate in helping us move through the labor process and helping us reach our goal of a beautiful, natural birth. Your commitment and love for what you do really comes through. Thank you for giving 100% toward a a safe, empowering and unforgettable birth of our little one." ~With gratitude, L & K A. ~ Sebastopol, Ca