SERVING SOUTHERN MARYLAND ***NOW ACCEPTING TRICARE INSURANCE***
ABOUT ME
Who I Am
Hi, Southern Maryland!
I am JoAnne. I am a wife, mom (of 10), grandmother (to 21), great-grandmother (to 2), and have been a childcare provider for most of those grandchildren. I have provided options counseling to women with unplanned pregnancies, and I volunteer in our church's nursery. I have considerable experience caring for the young, meal planning, housework, event planning, "counseling", and educating pregnant women, time management, and organization. I love serving our community's women, babies, and families.
I live with my husband of 20+ years! We have lived in Southern Maryland for more than 30 years, surrounded by water, with a small-town feel, and close to both DC and Baltimore.
In my "downtime", I sew baby quilts, comfort/encouragement and marriage quilts (with embroidered Bible verses), stuffed memory animals (mostly bears) from a loved one's clothing (or wedding dresses), crochet, scrapbook, garden (both vegetables and flowers), and take care of my newest grandbabies whenever I can. I also really enjoy watching British television shows like Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, and Doctor Who.
At On the Nest Doula Services, I believe that childbirth is a normal, healthy, biological process and that every woman deserves the right to choose how, when, and where she gives birth. I support evidence-based practices and strive to provide individualized care that meets each family's unique needs and preferences.
My Qualifications
Before becoming a doula, I was a volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center in Southern Maryland for 5 years, where I provided gentle support, options counseling, and evidence-based educational information regarding pregnancy and parenting.
I have given birth to four children of my own, attended the births of several of my own grandchildren, attended several births as the birth doula, and have also performed postpartum care for several wonderful clients, including overnight support.
My original doula training was through the International Doula Institute (IDI), and I have been certified as a Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula for more than 3 years. In 2025, I recertified as a Labor Doula with CAPPA. By summer 2026, I will also be recertified with CAPPA as a Postpartum Doula as well. I have supported moms having VBAC. I have done overnight doula support. I am CPR certified..