Pregnant? You deserve a doula! My name is Julie Rosen and I am a highly experienced, certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I have supported over 200 couples at their births and have assisted innumerable women with breastfeeding as a Lactation Consultant and La Leche League counselor. I have worked with couples in nearly every local hospital. I am blessed to be mother to two amazing daughters, ages 11 and 8. I gave birth to my second daughter naturally with the assistance of a doula. That experience was extremely satisying and empowering, profoundly affected me and caused me to make the decision to leave my first career, as an attorney, and begin on the path to helping women before, during and after childbirth. What a huge life change, and how blessed I am to have made it.

I have had additional training as a birth doula through participation in several workshops on advanced doula techniques, such as minimizing cesareans through resolving posterior presentation of babies. I have seen these techniques "work" over and over in my practice. I also have taken extra training in massage techniques and acupressure for labor.

I meet with couples up to twice before the birth; once in your home to discuss and plan for your birth wishes and a second time, if desired, to teach a private comprehensive breastfeeding class. I am available for unlimited telephone contact before and after the birth, to answer your questions and provide reassurance. I join you in labor whenever you need me (which is generally at the onset of active labor) and work with you in labor at your home and continue that support at the hospital (if you are not having a homebirth). I provide support in the form of massage, guided imagery, affirmations, encouragement, suggestions for position changes, reassurance and information about what is happening, and assist you in gathering information to make informed decisions. I support whatever a mother chooses for her birth, whether that is to give birth naturally or to utilize pain medication. I stay for a while after the birth to help get breastfeeding off to a good start. I visit you twice more after the birth to further assist with breastfeeding and to help with baby care and comfort techniques (I am certified in Newborn Massage). Again, I am available beyond that time by phone for as long as you have questions. Many clients call me for months beyond the birth to ask questions, most particularly related to breastfeeding, my area of expertise.

I offer a free meet-and-greet so you can decide if I am a good 'fit' for you. Feel free to call me to set up a meeting, and get more information about my services and how I can help you have a safe and joyous birth and breastfeeding experience. I can be reached at 201-837-5910.