julie six birth doula lexington ky

about THE BIRTH HAVEN

After 8 years as an independent doula, Julie Six founded The Birth Haven in 2013 as a way to coordinate professional doula services for families across Central Kentucky. Her goals were simple: to be a one stop location for professional doula services, and to offer superior support for families seeking the best birth and postpartum experience possible – as defined by them. This means that no matter what path you take, The Birth Haven doulas are there to support you every step of the way!

Whether you are planning an unmedicated birth, to opt for an epidural, to have a scheduled Cesarean section, to breastfeed, to bottle feed or whether you just don’t know yet, The Birth Haven is right by your side encouraging you along your journey to parenthood and increased confidence! We can’t wait to meet you!

WHY hire A BIRTH doula

01. qualified and experienced

Each doula we work with brings a skill set that can’t be duplicated. We maintain professional accreditation, certification, and training with multiple organizations, including ProDoula, DONA, Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis, Childbirth International and CAPPA. Our doulas are qualified, insured and well-equipped to provide individualized emotional, physical, and informational support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum year. Being a doula is not only a passion for us, it’s our profession.

From pregnancy questions to what to do about swollen ankles to preparing to breastfeed, if you have a question: Just ask! We’re here to help!

02. readily available

We’re on call the moment your contract is signed. With our On Call services, a friendly face – and our amazing team – are just moments away. Although our hope is that all babies are born full term, we also know some will choose or need to come a bit earlier. Feel confident, knowing we’re readily available to you day or night and not just at 38 weeks and beyond!

03. Our team approach is unmatched

It’s a beautiful thing to not have to worry about a back up doula if your doula gets sick or has a family emergency. Since those things do happen, we’ve developed a way to provide you with the best of both worlds. Our team approach allows for our team to be available to you throughout your pregnancy and through phone, and email correspondence. Although only one doula attends your birth, you have the constant assurance that if one doula catches the sniffles, another doula will be right there with you! Rest assured, we are on call as soon as you hire us and will never leave you in a bind not knowing who might show up at your birth. You get to have this birth one time- let us help you make it the best it can possibly be!

04. it’s about you!

Your birth and parenting is not about us - it’s about you! We support any and every type of birth: unmedicated, medicated, planned Cesarean section, twins, home, and hospital. We also support every parenting choice: attachment parenting, scheduled parenting, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and even a combination of it all! No matter what you choose, The Birth Haven doulas will fully support your decisions, your preferences, and your experience

Our Specialties include unmedicated birth, birth assisted by medication (epidural/narcotics/nitrous), inductions, Hypnobabies, The Bradley Method, planned and unplanned Cesareans, VBAC, sleep shaping, sleep training, infants with reflux, multiples, and much more!

Our Team.

Our Team.

MEET OUR TEAM of doulas

Meet Our Doulas
Brittan
Brittan

Postpartum doula/ Night nanny

Gabrielle
Gabrielle

Postpartum doula/ Night nanny

Wynda
Wynda

Birth Doula

Valerie
Valerie

Birth Doula

Mandy
Mandy

Communications coordinator/ Postpartum Doula

Kelly
Kelly

Birth Doula

Andrea
Andrea

Postpartum Doula

Erin
Erin

Postpartum Doula

Jamie
Jamie

Postpartum Doula

Emily
Emily

Birth and Postpartum Doula (Summer births)

Cindy
Cindy

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Tina
Tina

Birth and Postpartum Doula (on leave)

Quinesha
Quinesha

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Aarica
Aarica

Birth and Postpartum Doula (PRN)

Julie
Julie

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Nuriyah
Nuriyah

Birth Doula

TESTIMONIALS

  • "As soon as Julie walked into the room, I felt myself relax."

    “The fact that Julie knew her way around the hospital, knew hospital staff, and seemed at home at St. Joe East made a bigger difference to me than I would have thought. I felt like she "got" us the best nurses and care possible. We have never felt better cared for. Truly. As soon as Julie walked into the room, I felt myself relax. It's not that I gave my power to her, but more that there was a calm presence in a room that was previously filled with fear. Her presence truly changed the dynamic and I was able to stop feeling like I had to make the nurses happy by being low maintenance and agreeable. I was able to refocus on what I wanted for my labor. My partner felt like she truly had support during labor. She felt like Julie was there more for her than me.........I, of course, feel like Julie was there more for me than her, which just means that Julie did an excellent job of supporting both my partner and myself. -Shannon

  • “Hope was a wonderful additional to our team."

    “Saying all of the right things and helping us remember all of the things we had forgotten in our classes. We always know having a doula would be valuable, but never truly knew how much until after the birth. We are so thankful!” -Brittany

  • “I can’t express how grateful we were for Kristin’s support!”

    “My husband was very apprehensive about hiring a doula, he felt it would hinder our ability to be close during birth…at the end of our experience he kept saying “I don’t know how we could have done that without Kristin’s help!” I can’t express how grateful we were for Kristin’s support! Yes, having Kristin present made it possible to spend almost 24 hours laboring naturally and she supported us through an array of challenging interventions that followed. As labor progressed into “high risk” Kristin’s support helped us stick to our birth plan to avoid a C-section. She came with many helpful strategies that made labor more comfortable and made it possible for my husband to stay by my side for 30+ hours.” —Anna

  • “The gentle reminders to relax and the encouragement that I was doing great was exactly what I needed to hear!"

    “Her presence at my sons birth was invaluable. We'll see you for the next one!” -Aly

  • “Having a doula present is far more valuable to the birth experience than having family or friends present."

    “A doula's knowledge of the process and familiarity due to exposure time frames (birth experiences are not spaced years apart) is far superior than the limited experience of a relative or friend. Our doula provided moral support, guidance or options when questions arose, and assistance with comfort tasks like keeping fluids available and relief of discomfort by massaging and aromatherapy. She was a perfect substitute for me (husband) when I had to get away for a short period. I had to leave twice so I could get food and go home to let my dogs out. These two excursions were refreshing as I do not particularly like hospitals and the fresh air while out allowed my mind to recuperate for the remainder of the birthing. This allowed me to fully support my wife through the final hours of her birthing time.” -Bill

OUR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

A Birth Doula

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience that will be remembered throughout life

  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of those in labor

  • Assists the client in preparing for and carrying out plans for birth

  • Stays with the client throughout the labor

  • Provides emotional support and physical comfort measures

  • Facilitates communication between the entire birth team

  • Perceives the doulas role as nurturing the memory of the birth experience as defined by the family

  • Allows the birth partner to participate at his/her comfort level

  • Supports each and every decision made by the client.

  • Does not speak on behalf of the family the doula has been hired to support

  • Does not speak against a provider or give clinical diagnosis or opinions

A Postpartum & Infant Care Doula

  • Recognizes the postpartum year to be a key experience families will remember forever

  • Understands the postpartum body, warning signs after birth, signs of postpartum depression and the general needs of the family unit

  • Assists the family by supporting their parenting goals

  • Is hired based on the need for day or night time support

  • Provides non judgmental support, a listening ear, and a calming presence

  • Helps the family acclimate to this new life

  • Does not speak on the behalf of the family

  • Does not give clinical assessments or diagnose

woman holding newborn baby after giving birth in hospital lexington ky

OUR VISION IS THAT every PREGNANT INDIVIDUAL FEEL cared for WITH COMPASSION, RESPECT, EMPATHY, AND kindness.

Our desire is for parents and families to become stronger, more equipped and ready to face the ups and downs of pregnancy and parenthood walking hand in hand with their doula.