Meet the Doulas
Jenn Halligan
Founder & Owner
Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
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Background/Credentials: Manager of Childbirth Education and Doula Services at MercyOne; Count the Kicks Medical Advisory Board; Bachelor’s in Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Education; Master’s in Educational Policy and
Leadership Studies; ICEA certified professional childbirth educator; ICEA certified professional doula; Maternal/Child Health Specialist; ICEA Director of Education; Outpatient Breastfeeding Champion Certification; ICEA International Approved Doula Trainer, postpartum doula training
Areas of Expertise: childbirth education, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, Hypnobirthing terminology, prenatal education, post-partum care, working with
younger and older mothers, high-risk pregnancies, medicated and nonmedicated
births while incorporating skilled comfort measures, child development education, home birth, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), birth photography, perinatal hospice and bereavement, outpatient breastfeeding education, infertility, IVF
Carmelita Balderas
Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Birth Photographer
Background/Credentials: ICEA Certified Professional Birth Doula, 17 years as a CNA (Certified Nurse’s Assistant), 19 years certified in Adult/Child/Infant CPR, 15 years as a certified med tech; trained to keep clients comfortable while providing emotional support.
Areas of Expertise: I am an experienced birth and postpartum doula who can help your birthing experience be a positive transformation and empower you. I offer knowledge, reassurance, and practical assistance during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. I help you and your labor support partner feel confident about your journey and support you in all your desired birth wishes. I also carry my camera to provide priceless memories!
Connect with Carmelita!
doulawhatyoulove.carmelita@gmail.com
Erin Holstrom
Childbirth Educator at MercyOne Des Moines and Birth Doula
Background/Credentials: BA in Elementary Education from University of Northern Iowa with a Reading Minor. MA in Effective Teaching with an emphasis in Curriculum from Drake University. ICEA Certified Professional Birth Doula; ICEA Certified Professional Childbirth Educator
Areas of Expertise: Areas of expertise: I am passionate about providing advocacy, education, support and comfort to moms and their partners. My goal is to provide a calm environment where moms feel safe and empowered to make the best choices for themselves and their newborn in order to make the journey to parenthood an awesome experience! I have one child and I’ve assisted a friend during the births of two of her babies as well. I am familiar with inductions, short and long labors, vaginal (both medicated and non-medicated) and emergency cesarean births. I am eager to continue learning about all things prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum related.
Connect with Erin!
doulawhatyoulove.erin@gmail.com
JoEllen Wesselmann
Childbirth Educator at MercyOne and Birth Doula
Background/Credentials: BA in Education from University of Northern Iowa. Veteran teacher with experience teaching/coaching all ages of students from Preschool to Post-Secondary. ICEA Certified Professional Childbirth Educator and ICEA Certified Professional Birth Doula at MercyOne since 2017, teaching Prenatal series, Sibling, Grandparent, Multiples, and Fast Track classes. American Red Cross certified in First Aid and CPR training.
Areas of Expertise: It is my wish to help moms throughout their laboring and delivery process by providing physical, mental, and emotional support. I have knowledge and teach how to use comfort measures (aromatherapy, massage, lighting, sound, hydrotherapy, breathing techniques, etc.,) along with helping partner to support the mother. I encourage the use of a variety of positions and movement for both medicated and non-medicated births. Every mom, pregnancy, and labor are unique; it is my purpose as your doula to support parents on an incredible life journey and to the ultimate goal of a healthy baby and healthy mom.
Connect with JoEllen!
Back Up Doula Support
In case of an emergency situation where your selected birth doula cannot attend your birth, you would be immediately notified and one of our back-up doulas will connect with you!
Amanda Langmade
Amanda
Puderbaugh
Taylor Greene
Childbirth Educator at MercyOne and Birth Doula