WELCOME TO
JARON’S HOPE
Companioning Those Facing Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Terminal Diagnosis, or Neonatal Loss
I’m a certified bereavement and postpartum birth professional that provides families with emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy and birthing. As a doula, all I want is to be there for you. How can I help?
WHO I AM
My name is Jessica Fulford, and I am a certified bereavement doula through a program called Stillbirthday Doula. A bereavement doula is a companion who comes alongside a family facing miscarriage, stillbirth, terminal diagnosis, or neonatal loss. I do my best to provide information, choices, and a calming presence. I want to advocate for the grieving and work with medical professionals to provide the safest, most meaningful birth for your precious baby.
Having lost a newborn myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate this difficult time. Hopefully, my experience and willingness to both learn and listen will allow me to companion grieving families well.
"We were given Jessica's card at our 16 week scan after receiving our daughter's terminal diagnosis. We would have had no idea how to navigate our journey if not for Jessica. She was there to talk with us, guide us, make the hard phone calls, and go to doctors' appointments. She never once cast judgment on us, she just stood by us and let us make our choices while praying for us each step of the way. She was one of the greatest blessings to us through everything from the first time we first met, to the time she got to meet our sweet daughter Ada. She was always there to check in with friends and family and communicate what we needed to when we couldn't during delivery. She guided us through our birth plan and was there from the beginning of labor to the end. She is a true God-send and I don't know what we would've done without her! We highly recommend her!"
Paige Branson, Ada's Mama
WHY A BEREAVEMENT DOULA?
-Bereavement doulas offer emotional, physical, and informational support to grieving clients and ensure they welcome baby, say goodbye in their own way, and then begin healing and grieving in the way that seems most appropriate for them.
-A miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or terminal diagnosis is still a birth. The bereavement doula can provide the birthing person ways to stop lactation or provide breastmilk to a local hospital, guidance in choosing celebrations of life, resources for other family members, and even helping those involved recognize the signs of any perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorders and where to seek the appropriate help.
-At birth, the bereavement doula can help facilitate bonding, which is much more complicated when a death is involved.
-The bereavement doula can help facilitate the transition into the season of farewell. She can help create keepsakes, assist with photographs and/or a photographer, help make arrangements for the baby's remains, set up a meal train for the family once they return home, and so much more.
-The bereavement doula can also offer postpartum support in at least one and up to several postpartum visits, including attending the formal farewell, if the family desires.
-Because the bereavement doula supports all birth, providing support for subsequent, live birth pregnancies can also be an extremely validating, healing, meaningful, and joyful experience for the family.
Quotes from an article in Today Magazine regarding bereavement doulas:
*"'I was very thankful to have [the bereavement doula] navigating. I had given birth before. This was a very different experience, obviously. She really helped talk us through the feelings we were feeling, kind of making sense of things.'"
*"That means bereavement doulas comfort them during the labor ad delivery, help them fill out death certificates, assist in making funeral arrangements, help moms when their milk comes in, and coach them on how to react when people ask what happened to the baby."
*"'The research out there has shown what is important to these families is continuity of care. It is the same person who knows your story and your issues. Having access to resources and options is the key.'"
*"'I am here to bridge the gap where birth and death meet. I am here to provide comfort. A bereavement doula,' she said, 'is someone who can translate and help them move forward while they are crumbling.'"
