Testimonials

“Jen is a doula rockstar! I am so happy she was my doula during my second son’s birth. Jen goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and is so supportive during pregnancy, labor/delivery and postpartum. Jen will be your biggest cheerleader and coach, to help guide you through it all. I felt like a queen during my entire labor/delivery process because of Jen! She also brings an energetic positive vibe in every situation even when things don’t go as planned. She will be your biggest advocate.”

— Tara U.

“My husband and I are so glad we hired Jenn to be our doula for the birth of our first child this summer. We hired her about halfway through my pregnancy which was so helpful because I had so many questions and concerns about my birth plan to have an all-natural vaginal delivery, but with an OB in a hospital. She was easy to contact every step of the way and always had solid advice that helped me navigate uncertainties as they arose. Her assistance, including resources on hipnobirthing helped me substantially the day I went into labor. The breathing techniques and mantras I’d practiced kept me focused as I experienced back-labor for hours on end. Unfortunately I didn’t end up having the birth I’d wanted b/c my baby had other plans! 20 hours after my water broke I was barely dilated, so I needed to have a C-section. But alas, our son was born perfectly healthy and we couldn’t be happier. Jenn was by our side THE ENTIRE TIME. Literally, she didn’t leave me for a second, even over night. (Very helpful for when my husband needed to get a snack or some air, as he was feeling quite stressed.) Her presence was calming in a situation where without her, I would have felt scared and confused. Her past, personal experiences of 3 very different births, helped her translate things to me while they were happening, which empowered me to make the best decisions in those moments for my baby and myself. After being home for a few weeks she came to check-in, and was very helpful in talking me through some sh*tty feelings about not being able to deliver as I originally planned. She helped me realize what a warrior I was the day of my son’s birth—even gave me a bracelet to remind me. Since then, she’s made herself available for any questions I’ve had with postpartum care, breastfeeding, etc. She is wonderful, spunky, caring, and professional. A gift to have in your corner when you’re about to embark on one of the wildest rides of your life!”

— Melissa L.

“When I walked into Our Birthing Center after hours of early labor, Jennifer had candles lit for intimate and cozy lighting, calming music and our favorite essential oils in the diffusers. It felt sacred and primal. It felt like home. Throughout my labor she stood by me and my husband’s side, offering suggestions and directing as needed to ease my pain during transitions. I believe she truly helped the baby come easier and quicker. Her knowledge about birth, babies, and the woman’s body and her ability to apply holistic pain management techniques is something that inspired awe in us and something she should be proud of! I strongly encourage anyone thinking of hiring a Doula to meet with Jennifer because she will set a bar not many can reach!”

— Kelsey M.

“I attended Jennifer Watt’s Mindful Birth workshop before the birth of my third baby. Jen helped me to find the right mindset after having my daughter only a year and a half earlier. I was scared about bringing a baby home to my little toddler and being a good mom to two babies with different needs. Jen helped me to focus on my conscious breath, how to make it deep and rhythmic, which helped my anxiety immensely. We practiced lots of great postures to help my baby get into optimal birthing position and to alleviate some discomfort in pregnancy and labor. She also helped me to become more mindful of each one of my five senses and to think about how I would use each one to keep myself calm and relaxed through labor and delivery. I have to say, IT WORKED! On July 29th, 2018 I had my baby boy with no medical intervention what so ever! Thank you Jen!”

— Lauren B.

“I took a Mindful Birth workshop with Jen and loved it! She was so helpful in breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and just growing my confidence in listening to my body during labor and delivery. As a first-time mom, I highly recommend this workshop!”

— Jackie O.

“Jen,

Thank you so much for last night’s class! It was so empowering to understand the tools I have at my disposal in my very own body and understand how my husband can effectively support me through labor.

The fear exercise opened up many important conversations for us. Ultimately, I was left feeling unburdened and genuinely excited about giving birth — up until this point I felt nervous and viewed it as a necessary step to get from point A to B. Now, I can’t wait to experience this special moment that will usher in my baby and our family.

Today, I’ve been painting fun watercolors to write affirmations on to hang in our house. I really didn’t think it was possible to feel less anxious at 38 weeks during a global pandemic, but the class brought me and my husband to such a good place. Thank you SO much. ”

— Megan H.

“Hiring Amanda as our doula was by far the best decision we made.

This was our first pregnancy and everything was a learning experience. Especially new and daunting was what labor and delivery would actually be like. Truthfully, my husband and I never considered a doula. At an appointment with my midwife late in my second trimester the question came up: “what are the actual benefits of hiring a doula?” The answer convinced us: “they will be by your side to support you physically and emotionally through labor and delivery”.

I wanted my dream birth. One that was natural, in the water, with love all around to welcome our baby into the world.

At 11:30 pm on Tuesday, April 28th I lost my mucus plug and immediately started feeling contractions. From the beginning they were 5-10 minutes apart and came on strong! My due date wasn’t until May 8th and I felt great all day so you could imagine my surprise and disbelief. Unfortunately my contractions, although consistent, took their time speeding up. I labored this way at home Tuesday night and all of Wednesday until finally, 8:30 Thursday morning they were close enough together to take a ride to the birthing center. Once there it was determined I was 5 cm dilated. I was relieved! Unfortunately, after progressing to 7 cm everything slowed back down. My body had it, I was exhausted. Hearing that I was still only 7 cm after hours and hours of hard work... I never felt more discouraged and defeated. A trip to the hospital started to feel inevitable. And I believe it would have been if Amanda wasn’t there.

The physical support was extremely useful. What positions to try, when to change positions, and how to feel more comfortable during contractions; Amanda’s expertise and tools were necessary to help labor progress, especially when my body just had it. Probably best of all, however, were her amazing massages! They provided much needed comfort and relaxation.

When thoughts of frustration and defeat came over me, Amanda’s emotional support was invaluable. Hearing the words “you are strong”, “you are having your baby here, today” are what kept me pushing through until the very end.

The physical and emotional support Amanda provided wasn’t just beneficial to me, it was a help to my husband as well. Shane was extremely involved during the entire process. Amanda demonstrated how he could help me through contractions and make me feel comfortable. It helped Shane to feel confident in the way he supported me, which in turn made me feel safe and connected and has strengthened our bond even more.

After only 20 minutes in the birth phase I held my baby boy in my arms.

I got my dream birth. And I cannot thank Amanda enough.”

— Kimberly M.

“We pulled up and checked in at Morristown Medical Center at 5:01 a.m. and by 5:33 a.m. our beautiful baby girl was born without medical intervention.

If it wasn’t for my team at Avalon Midwives, my incredible cheerleader and doula, Jen Watt with Mindful Birth NJ and the support from my amazing husband none of this would have been a reality. I can’t thank everyone enough for my perfect VBAC BIRTH during this unpredictable COVID-19 storm!

My Mantra
”The power and intensity of my contractions cannot be stronger than me because they come from me.”

— Leimomi G.

“I highly recommend Mindful Birth, particularly the Hypnobirthing class! This class benefitted both myself and my partner. It helped us know what to do to successfully get through labor and birthing as comfortably as possible, and especially helped my partner know how to best support me. Jen & Amanda are the perfect team! I can’t recommend them enough, and highly recommend Mindful Birth if you are exploring having a doula on your birth team. Jen supported myself and my husband well before, during, and after our birth. We loved having Jen on our team and look forward to doing so again! Thank you Mindful Birth!”

— Emily I.

“We attended a HypnoBirthing class with Amanda and Jen in preparation for the birth of our son. In addition to being blown away by the HypnoBirthing course and really feeling more empowered to take on an unmedicated natural birth, we asked them to be our doula for the big day which we had planned on being at Our Birth Center from the start.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, it was understandable to have moments of doubt and worry, but Amanda and Jen relentlessly provided reassurance that the craziness was not going to take away our dream birth. We followed all of the HypnoBirthing practices from the guided relaxations, exercises to release fear, some physical prep for optimal birth position, and boy did it pay off. I went into labor at 9pm on 4/20, headed to the birth center after of hour of feeling intense surges around 3:30am 4/21/20 when we arrived just after 4am I was 9cm dilated, Graham was born within 45 minutes, and we went home only a few hours later. As a first time mom, this birth story was amazing and shocking at the same time. We attribute it all to the preparation in the HypnoBirthing class, Jen’s extra fear release scripts, and Amanda calmly grounding me back to Earth when it got really intense in the end.

At the end of the day, my body knew what to do and I just needed the tools and support to allow it to happen. We will be eternally grateful for all of the support, patience, and love that Amanda and Jen pour into helping families bring their babies into this world peacefully. And in the midst of this crazy pandemic, we still got the birth we dreamed about.

If you are considering an unmedicated, medicated, or even c-section birth we would highly recommend having Amanda and Jen be part of your journey and helping get you into the head space to have your perfect birth experience.”

— Rhea S.