Humbly received words of affirmation from past birth and postpartum clients and professionals I’ve worked with.
After a terrible birth experience with my first pregnancy, I knew I wanted to hire a doula for the next one. With her depth of experience working with families and babies, her certification in Body Ready Method, the many connections she has in the pregnancy/birth world and her caring personality, she was just the right person to pair up with for my pregnancy/birth journey. Not only did she help me physically and mentally prepare for the birth, but she introduced me to BRM to help me during the pregnancy too. Another game changer for me was her recommendation to pair up with a doctor she had worked with who would be willing to give me a chance at a vaginal birth after a caesarean birth. After suffering a bladder injury during my caesarean birth, I wanted to avoid surgery if at all possible. JoAnn encouraged me to shoot for a vaginal birth if that’s what I wanted, but working with the right doctor was key. I met the doctor she recommended who I ended up switching to half through my pregnancy and guess what, I was able to vaginally deliver my baby! My post birth healing experience was so much easier than it was before.
~birth client K 2023We engaged Jo Ann when I was about 7 weeks along. Throughout my pregnancy we did a few sessions to discuss the pregnancy, labor, and birth prep… In particular, I loved Jo Ann’s focus on physical alignment for pregnancy and birth! Her certification in the Body Ready Method was very impressive and I enjoyed learning the physiological principles of labor.
Jo Ann also helped me stay motivated in my wish to have an unmedicated birth as a first time mother. Her affirmation and belief in me was so appreciated, especially as my need for an induction became apparent.
When my induction started, Jo Ann visited us in the hospital and helped to set the tone for the birth – she guided me into productive positions, set up meditations, and encouraged my husband in ways to assist me. She really helped us get in the right head space for the labor to come! When labor was underway, she came back to the hospital and her warm presence was exactly what we needed to feel safe and secure. Her quiet confidence was perfect for giving us the space we needed while helping to guide us throughout labor and comfort us as things became more intense. Something I didn’t expect but am soooo thankful for are all the beautiful pictures that Jo Ann took of my husband and I laboring! They are photos we will cherish for a lifetime.
I know I was able to have an unmedicated birth because of Jo Ann’s presence and encouragement. She is an absolute star. We are so grateful for her and our birth experience. Thank you, Jo Ann!!!
~birth client N 2023
Jo Ann worked hard to understand my partner and I as a couple and guided us through the creation of our birth plan.
Though we had a documented plan, we were prepared to make decisions in real time with information as it was presented to us. This realistic approach was important as we faced a birth experience and set of complications that we did not expect.
My labor was a long one (38 hours), and Jo Ann was present for the majority of it in the hospital. She helped to protect the space in our room and keep it feeling safe and calm. When we had to make hard decisions, she talked through them with us and was wholly supportive. She even came to visit in the days following our son’s birth as we navigated a NICU experience — bringing us snacks and offering words of comfort.
~birth client A 2023
She directed me towards a program called Body Ready Method, and in tandem with working with Jo Ann, I felt like this made preparing for birth (physically) and postpartum so much better! The program gave me so many important tools that I’m positive sped up my recovery after birth.
She also helped us through TONS of birthing resources via her resource library, and helped us prepare for our hopeful unmedicated birth.
Our baby also flipped breech at 37 weeks (!) and Jo Ann was THE best support system, in addition to my partner, in that unexpected situation. She even came over and walked me through some poses and exercises to hopefully flip baby. It worked!!
~birth client L 2023
In my 37th week of pregnancy we found out that our baby was in the breech position. We decided to schedule an ECV procedure in my 38th week in hopes of flipping the baby. During the whole week leading up to the procedure at the instruction of Jo Ann, Shawn and I facilitated a regimen of maneuvers to help our baby get in a good position to turn. Because of Jo Ann’s guidance and suggestions, all of the work we did to help loosen up my hips and align the baby paid off and the ECV was successful. Our experience was much less scary and intimidating because of the encouragement and support from Jo Ann, and we are so thankful that our baby got to decide when they wanted to spontaneously be born.
~birth client E 2023
We felt we had so many more tools to help with pain management during laboring. During delivery, the guidance and reassurance Jo Ann provided helped us to have a smooth and healthy delivery of our baby. We felt supported and informed every step of our delivery and helped make it such a special event for both of us.
~birth client K, 2022
Around 20 weeks my anxiety about giving birth started to set in and a friend recommended her to us. Having her support and guidance helped both my husband and I go from feeling unsure and uniformed about the birth process to feeling empowered and confident! The One Strong Mama course she recommended was a huge help in alleviating the aches and pains of pregnancy and also lended itself to a smoother recovery after a very long and tiring birth process.
~birth clienti C, 2022
I decided to hire a doula late in my pregnancy (34ish weeks)…Coming off a c-section with our first child just 15 months prior, I was determined to have a VBAC delivery with our second child. At 36 weeks gestation, we learned baby was breech. Two days later, Jo Ann was at my house with my husband and I working on alignment and positioning to help make room for baby to turn on it’s own…At 37 weeks gestation, baby had successfully flipped on it’s own- hallelujah!
~VBAC birth client T, 2022
She has such a kind, compassionate and loving spirit coupled with extensive knowledge based in science and experience. We don’t know what we don’t know and having a professional there to equip me, empower me and care for me was priceless in my journey to becoming a mother. In addition to her knowledge and expertise, she also recommended multiple resources that helped in various capacities.
~birth client A, 2022
Jo Ann provided my husband and me with exceptional care as our doula. She truly cared about us and my delivery preferences to help me achieve the birth I envisioned for my baby. Being our first child, this was new territory for us, but Jo Ann provided my husband and me with the tools and resources needed to educate us.
~birth client R, 2022
She not only helped me prepare physically and mentally for the labor and delivery but helped my husband understand how best to support and what to expect throughout the entire process.
~birth client C, 2022
Can’t wait to tell you how beautiful our birth was Thank you so much for all the help and support you provided that helped me achieved this overwhelmingly wonderful dream [of a VBAC].
~ VBAC birth client J 2021
Her presence immediately brings a calm, peaceful, and soothing energy. You feel it the moment you connect with her. Jo Ann took the time to get to know us as individuals and as a couple, which helped her guide us in learning, preparing, and feeling confident in the process and each other. She was never judgemental and brought forward evidence based information that allowed us to make our own educated decisions about pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Her resources were extremely helpful and not overwhelming. In fact we have many of them pinned to our wall in our nursery because we reference them so much. Beyond the helpful meetings we had before she was born (which were all virtual because of Covid and we live in California), Jo Ann was always available to answer questions, provide her input, and simply make us feel more at ease. Doing many things virtually can be difficult, but Jo Ann was still able to make our experience with her meaningful and entirely worthwhile… Jo Ann was with us every step of the way (and that was saying something because it spanned two nights!). She was a resource to my husband as he helped Mom through every surge. While he was protecting Mom’s space, working with the hospital staff, and keeping the room calm and quiet, Jo Ann was able to jump in and provide suggestions, support, and encouragement… She elevated our experience and if we’re blessed with another child, we know we’ll be using her again.
~virtual birth client A 2021
Leading up to birth, Jo Ann provided education and answers on everything a new parent might need to know. I know that the preparation she gave us set me up for the best delivery possible. I was able to deliver my son without medication and have a hospital birth where our preferences were respected and I attribute this in large part to Jo Ann’s help. Despite Covid restrictions, Jo Ann was able to provide virtual guidance to my husband so that he could support me during labor – and she stayed up all night to do so! After our son was born and we were having major challenges with nursing, Jo Ann offered both the helpful guidance and the reassurance and emotional support I needed as a new mom.
~birth client I 2021 supported virtually during COVID restrictions
Both hubby and I repeatedly talked about so many moments that we were so grateful for your input during [the virtual support] labor, delivery and support afterwards. The nurses too had so many kind words to say about your support during the birth…
~ birth client L supported virtually during COVID physical distancing 2020
Jo Ann was one of the best, most confident and helpful doulas I have ever worked with.
~nurse M at Aurora Sinai Hospital 2020
Jo Ann’s sensitivity and calmness in interactions and providing information and instruction were invaluable. I can’t stress how important this was in building our relationship with our baby
~postpartum client father S 2019
I consider Jo Ann’s involvement in my labor as one of the main reasons it was such a success. Having her support was one of the main reasons I felt so confident in my abilities to bring my baby earth side without drugs or interventions.
~birth client A 2019
From the very first time meeting Jo Ann, I knew that her support is exactly what I wanted during my labor. This was my first pregnancy and my husband and I were looking for someone to guide us throughout the labor process and answer questions. Jo Ann provided us with so much information that we felt extremely confident throughout the entire pregnancy, labor and postpartum. During the labor, she guided my husband and my family throughout each moment in how they could help, she clarified what doctors were talking about and helped me make the best decisions for myself and the baby when things got tough. Her warmth and kindness gave the exact comfort we needed.
~birth client S 2019
Jo Ann was calm and a great partner and coach during delivery.
~birth client E 2019
Jo Ann did a wonderful job supporting and encouraging the patient and her family all throughout labor. She was a great addition to our delivery team!!
~nurse KK at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital 2019
I don’t believe I would have been nearly as comfortable or confident without Jo Ann to help me and my partner. She was exactly what we needed.
~birth client S 2019
Jo Ann is very personable towards everyone. Very interested and understanding of what was happening in the hospital with the doctors and nurses.
~birth client D 2019
Jo Ann made me feel so comfortable and confident throughout my labor process. I don’t believe it would’ve gone so well without her with us. Jo Ann has been extremely kind, knowledgeable and professional throughout our experience. Her strength include her relaxed energy, confidence and motherly warmth.
~birth client S 2019
Jo Ann provided lots of support with breastfeeding She helped with positioning myself and my baby, suggested positions we had not yet tried and helped me learn how to properly store breastmilk, clean pump parts. She taught about paced bottle feeding and provided resources (books and community support group) to help me learn more about breastfeeding and gain confidence. Additionally, Jo Ann was available to me when I got mastitis, helped with strategies to encourage my baby to nurse on the affected side and referred me to a lactation consultant for further help.
~postpartum client D 2019
Jo Ann had a very calm, reassuring and knowledgable presence moving us into the role as parents. She was able to reassure my wife and help offer techniques and resources for her. The information and resources she was able to provide us was fantastic. The information was vetted and she was able to elaborate and instruct us further on it.
~birth and postpartum client partner G 2019
Jo Ann loves obtaining new knowledge and furthering her experiences.
~mentor M 2019
Jo Ann is great. We were really impressed wither knowledge and grateful to her by our sides during the first month of our baby’s life.
~birth and postpartum client D 2019
Ms. Bishop grasped the principles of birth doula work immediately: non-judgmental empathy, protecting the space so the laboring brain can get the baby out, and working with the energy of the family and health care team. I have no doubts that Ms. Bishop would be an asset to an organization she would choose to work with, and bring much value and caring to any family choosing to work with her.
~doula trainer A 2019
(414) 301-7729 | joannbishopdoula@gmail.com