Meet Decatur Doulas

Decatur Doulas are professional women in Atlanta working together to serve birthing families in our city.  Co-directors are Lacy Henderson, CLD and Jenn Purdy, CLD.  We are now known as Lumina Birth. Our new site will be live in mid-August, 2009.

We offer services that include: labor doula support, lactation education & consulting, pregnancy/postpartum fitness, childbirth education, and birth photography. Contact Jenn Purdy (404-964-1319)  or Lacy Henderson (404-388-6107) to be referred to any of the birth professionals listed below.

We are honored to support you through your birth journey!

Meet the Decatur Doulas – Instead of our usual Meet the Doulas, in August we are inviting inquiring couples to meet us at our Lumina Birth Launch Party!  Please join us for a fun, casual atmosphere at the Paste Magazine Office, 619 East College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 at East Decatur Station (next to the Corner Pub) – August 22, 2009 from 7-10pm.  We’ll have goodie bags for the first 25 guest couples, information on partner companies/services, and great door prizes donated by local friends.  All awesome stuff for moms-to-be!  RSVP is appreciated, but not required. You may also contact us for a personal appointment, jenn@luminabirth.com or lacy@luminabirth.com.

Join us to meet several doulas in person and find out more about having a doula at your birth. You can always make an appointment with a one of us to talk more specifically about your birth, whether you attend a Meet the Doulas event or not.
Please RSVP to Jenn Purdy 404-964-1319 or jenn@luminabirth.com or Lacy Henderson, 404-388-6107. Call anytime to let us know you are coming, even the day of!

Jenn Purdy, CLD (CAPPA)

My own birth experiences, which vary greatly from highly medical to natural home water birth, inspired me to do some research on birth. I learned that I could use my experience and knowledge to help other women navigate the birth “world” and empower them to be in charge of their own births..I have been working as a doula since 2003, after being certified through CAPPA. I have been married to Nick since 1996 and homeschool our four children. I have lived in the Decatur, GA area since 1995 (less 4 years in Seattle) and now live in neighboring Avondale Estates, GA. My desire is to help women achieve the birth they want, either at home or in a hospital. I help couples know their options in birth so they can make their best choices and be in charge of their birth and baby. Through massage, encouragement, advocacy and helping Dad love his woman, I foster a peaceful, safe environment in which to give birth. I enjoy taking your photos and video during birth (my clients say they are excellent!), and usually at the same time! I want dad’s to experience the birth and support their woman without having to miss those photos or see the birth of their child on a little screen.

Contact Jenn at 404-964-1319 or jenn@luminabirth.com.

“Our experience with Jenn as our doula for our first born was wonderful. Jenn is truly gifted in this area. She is passionate about birthing and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of having a baby. We believe she has a natural gift in supporting couples in the birthing process. Jenn was very professional and effective. Beyond being efficient and good at what she does, she was genuinely kind and supportive to us, and made us feel confident about the birthing experience. We highly recommend Jenn and the excellent services she provides as a doula.”

~ Paula & Rob

Juliana Finch, PPD certifying (ALACE), CBE (CAPPA) in training
I have been a labor and postpartum doula since 2006, but I’ve been a “birth junkie” for much longer! Since I was very young I have gathered as much information as I could about pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood. I am passionate about helping women have the birth experience they want and about informing parents of their choices. I am also a strong believer that the birth of a mother doesn’t end with the birth of a child, and that everyone could use a little extra support once their baby has arrived. I love helping women discover the power of their own bodies and being a witness to the creation of a new person and new parents. I am currently training with CAPPA to be a childbirth educator and hope to have some classes available soon!  I am currently not taking birth clients due to my travel schedule as a musician.

Rachael Cail, LD (DONA)
I am a 33 year old Atlanta native with a two year old son. I did my training with DONA in October of 2006 and am working on completing my certification process. I am also a pre-nursing student at Georgia State and work part-time. I normally take one client a month. I love working with moms and their families at such a transformative time in their lives, and hope to be able to practice doula work for a long time to come.

Jenny Cochran, LD certifying (CAPPA)

I am the mother of three children and have been a Bradley Childbirth Instructor for 6 years. After consulting with scores of women in labor via telephone, I decided to get the training to be with moms in labor. My experience with educating couples naturally flows into supporting them physically and emotionally through pregnancy and birth. I am working with the other doulas of Decatur Doulas to develop our own childbirth education class and look forward to teaching in Decatur.

Lacy Henderson, CLD (CAPPA)
I am happy to say that I’ve finally found my calling in being a labor doula! Since birthing is a sacred time for mother and father, I am a big proponent of women bringing their precious babies into the world in exactly the way they want. I love working with pregnant mothers, helping them prepare for the birthing process and being there with them through the entire experience. I am a mother of three small children, all of whom were delivered in a hospital without intervention. What an empowering experience it was to formulate a birth plan and stick with it till the end! I am thrilled now to have this unique opportunity to encourage other women that they have the strength within themselves to do it, too.

Amy Ard, Labor Doula

There’s no doubt, giving birth is an empowering and transforming life event.  However, in the months leading up the birth of your child it’s quite possible you find the thought of giving birth overwhelming.  Afterall, television shows and “birth documentaries” make the process seem a little less palatable then back-to-back root canals! When you choose to hire a doula as part of your birth team you take an important step towards pushing negative and unproductive ideas of birth aside so you can claim the birth you want.

I love working with women approaching childbirth as they discover the unique ability they have to bring new life into the world.  I’ll work with you prior to the birth-day so you approach the experience with self-awareness, enthusiasm and joy.  And by no means does this have to be a somber process; there are a lot of things about pregnancy and birth worth laughing about!

During labor, my role as a doula is to stay by your side, keep you physically comfortable and focused and to offer you and your partner practical suggestions to help move labor along safely and effectively. While my skills are especially helpful for women considering unmedicated births I will advocate for every woman to birth the way she feels is best for her and her family.  My job is to assist you in claiming the best birth experience possible without judgment. I’m currently working towards certification with DONA International.  I’ve completed my training workshop and have attended births.  I intend to be fully certified by early 2009.

Rosalee Henry, Post Partum Doula

Dawn Covin, CLE (La Leche League), Healthy Moms® Perinatal Fitness Trainer, CCE
I am a wife and mother of three young children. I worked as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in a Freestanding Birth Center in Washington, DC and later became certified as a Lactation Educator with the La Leche League.

My goal is to pair my passion for and knowledge about breastfeeding with education and training as a Childbirth Educator and Labor Doula to partner with families to provide a comprehensive approach to childbirth and the early weeks that follow. This approach will include equipping the parents to make informed and educated decisions. In a culture that promotes what is convenient, what is best for babies and families often gets lost in the shuffle. My goal is help families become intentional in the parenting journey and to assist them in bringing babies into the world on purpose.

I offer private lactation support services to help resolve breastfeeding issues and help you get off on a good start with your baby. I contract with couples to provide unlimited home visits along with phone/email support for a flat fee of $85, until your breastfeeding issue is resolved.

Also, as a fitness professional, I can provide suggestions on ways to safely remain physically active during pregnancy, pre and post-natal nutritional considerations and post-partum exercise program design.