Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Wiggins.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
About 3 years ago, I walked into my friend’s house to bring her food a day or two after she had had her child. She told me her story of birth and I was burdened by the lack of support she felt surrounding her birth. That day, I believed that every women should be supported and carefully prayed over during their birth.
My church had several women pregnant who were believing for a fear free birth experience. After seeing the power of prayer in birth, I started a small online forum where these women could ask for prayer before, during or after their birth. We also had myself and several other prayer intercessors that would go to the birth place and pray over the moms and dads and families. After attending 10 or births, a nurse asked me if I was the doula. I had been supporting the mom, praying over the room, setting the atmosphere and physically supporting her… yet I had no idea what a doula was. After that birth I went home and starting researching. I ask friends if they knew any doulas and yes! I finally found a really sought after doula and asked to meet with her. So we did and I asked all the questions.
During this time, I really prayed and pressed into what God was really doing in this process. I had attended several births and saw how incredible God created life and His strength through women… it inspired His vision of Jesus being invited to the birth room. Believing and praying in a faith filled birth, regardless of the “type” of birth.
As I was learning what a doula was, I realized it was a woman who served women in childbirth. I realized this was my passion and my purpose. I shadowed a few births with my “mentor doula” and kept close contact with her. In May 2017 I went to my certifying training with a well-known Doula organization and began my business.
In 2017 from May to December, I had 5 clients. My goal was 5 and I made that goal, however this year I am on track to double that. I am excited about the women God connects me with. I have so many amazing women who have all different birth plans, but they have one thing they usually do want out of their birth: No fear, faith filled, and believing that the creator that designed their blessing is going to show up for the first birthday! I am here to support these woman and absolutely love what I do!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been hiccups along this journey for sure. I had to start from scratch. The logistics of social media and marketing was difficult. I was so blessed to be able to work with a local creative company to design my logo and website. They took the “hard work” out of it, but building a brand on social media was tricky. I have a clear vision of who. I am and what I am about, but I am also a real person. I love Jesus and I love birth, but I’m also a mom, wife, friend, etc. So I tried to support that on my Facebook and Instagram. I also allowed myself time, but it was hard to be away from births… and work on blogs, web designs, and trainings… but it was worth it.
Please tell us about The Praying Doula.
I am a birth doula. I support women and their partners through the process of birth. I begin meeting with the parents prenatally to go over desired birth options and expectations. I also discuss the normal process of birth and what to except leading into birth and afterwards. Doulas are trained in physical techniques and emotional techniques to help the mother cope with labor pains and changes in labor.
I am a little different, mainly because I also focus on the spiritual aspect of birth. I discuss with both the mother and father the importance of building their spirit in God’s Word and prayer leading into the birth. I am a believer in the power of Holy Spirit and how He brings comfort and strength to the Mother with intercessor prayer. So during the birth I stand in the gap for the laboring mother and pray over various things going on during the birth.
The name The Praying Doula came from a birth photographer actually. She’s had remembered me from two years ago, when I was Just praying over my best friend during her second birth. She asked if I was “that praying doula” and I laughed because that is exactly what I am. The name fits exactly what you get.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is riding on my Father’s motorcycle. He would drive us up and down the country roads and I loved feeling the wind on my face!
Pricing:
- $750 birth doula package
- $900 birth doula w/postpartum package
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theprayingdoula.com
- Phone: 817-715-5179
- Email: jessica@theprayingdoula.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_praying_doula
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theprayingdoula
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
