Jeni Standard, Atlanta Team Lead

"I had seen all the research about how having a doula reduces medical interventions in birth, but was nervous about having another person in the room. Jeni made me feel extremely comfortable, and I felt like I had a great team supporting me in something that I could be awesome at." - Laura Eloyan

Specialties: Lactation, Childbirth Education, Stillbirth Bereavement, Parent/Newborn Support

Jeni, age 3, sits relaxed and full of laughter and warmth. Much like she is today.

Jeni is an herbalist, nutritionista, and friend of the new mama. She is a StillBirthday bereavement and birth doula, and completed her DONA labor doula certification well over a decade ago.

Jeni attends birthdays and serves as the Team Lead in Atlanta. She provides private instruction for childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care both in-person and virtually.
 

Get To Know Jeni

• She dislikes spoons and avoids using them at all costs.

• Her wedding was themed The Great Gatsby and everyone dressed like flappers, gangsters, or some expatriate, beatnik version of themselves.

• She's terrified of canned biscuits and gas grills for the same reason - they will explode when you least expect it!
  

How do you see your role in the birth process? As a doula I am there to journey with, bear witness to support and light the way for parents regardless of the choices they start from or end up making. There are a multitude of influences that bring a person to parenthood, and that impacts their birthing experience. As a doula, I find that it's so important to support from an impartial place. This is such an intimate time and space in a person/couple/family's life. Folks just need support wherever they are, without judgement. It's my job to understand where you start from, keep up with where you go, and support you every step of the way.

Why do you think that doulas are an important part of a birth team? Women have circled around other women in birth and babies at least as long as we've been writing our history down. Recent times have taken birth into the hospitals. Our grandmothers and aunts, replaced by doctors and nurses. The part we left out of the proven model was the circle of experienced, unwavering support.

What is your "birth philosophy"? It's pretty simple really. Birth is diverse, it is as unique as the people that come to it, and the families that come away from it. Birth is transformative and deserves to be honored. Birth is courageous, and so often our first opportunity to fiercely mother. We should be able to look back at the births of our children with pride and joy.

Why did you become a doula? Before getting pregnant, the closest I had been to pregnancy and birth was when my chihuahua had pups (at least a hundred years ago). I always wanted to be a mom, but I never thought about what it would mean to be pregnant and birth someone into the world. So I got pregnant, and realized I had no idea how to do the next part. I'm one of those people that when I find myself up against something I can't run from, I resort to voraciously seeking out information. Thus, you could gauge my most significant life experiences by my bookshelves.

The questions I asked, and the choices I made led me to a home birth, surrounded by people who knew how to hold a space. It was an amazing, heart searing experience. It scared me half to death, and forced me to find places of strength within I did not know existed. I had without question, a birth as I saw fit. What I discovered after was that many, many women do not leave birth more whole, or at least unharmed. It's totally cliche, but I fell in love with birth and knew that I wanted to help.

Why have you remained a doula? Because I love staying awake all night. Nah, I'm kidding! I love many, many things about being a doula, but I have to say my favorite part is standing at the brink with people, and watching them turn into parents in an instant. It is such an honor to me, to have been there and helped navigate the outcome as a team. It's simply where I find my groove.

What would you wish for every woman to possess before having a baby? The confidence to trust her body, and a team of her choosing to help her make decisions from a place of empowerment.

Jeni serves clients who live in Atlanta and Decatur, and the surrounding areas (Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, Chamblee, and Clarkston). An out-of-area travel fee applies if you give birth at a hospital within her zone but live outside of it.

"We had the BEST experience working with The Happiest Doulas! The Birth Boot Camp class was very educational and helped us prepare for the big day and what to expect. Jeni, our instructor, was so knowledgeable and a great resource." - Jennifer R.

Posts by or about Jeni:
7 Tips For Skin Elasticity During Pregnancy And Beyond
Nutrition Tips for Postpartum Thriving

Kalpana Meece

Specialties: Childbirth Education, Postpartum Parent and Newborn Care

Daddy's little girl!
 

Kalpana offers labor support to families in Atlanta, Decatur, and Clarkston. She is a certified labor doula with ProDoula. Kalpana believes in the importance of empowering parents through education and unconditional support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

She is accepting inquiries for birthdays in the areas of Atlanta metro, Sandy Springs, Clarkston, and Decatur.

Get To Know Kalpana

• When she was a baby and toddler, her nickname was Muhammad Ali because of all the “muscles” (ie..rolls) in her arms and her dad's enthusiasm for boxing.

• Kalpana has worked with horses since she was 13 and looks forward to the day when her family can have their own small farm complete with horses, chickens, goats, pigs, and more!

• Kalpana graduated from college, got married, and moved to Atlanta all within and month’s time in 2000.

How do you involve my partner during labor? My role as your doula is not to simply take the place of your partner, but to support the two of you as a team as you work to bring your baby into the world together. We can work to involve your partner as much as you desire. Providing massage, ice chips or water, breathing with you during contractions, and cooling your brow with a cold towel are just a few ways your partner can help. I am there to make this process as smooth and as positive of an experience as possible for both of you. 

How do you feel about the use of pain medication during labor? Whether or not you use pain medication during labor is a very personal decision and one we will discuss during your prenatal visit, but can always revisit during labor as well. Should you decide that you desire an unmedicated birth, I will support you in that goal. If at any point you feel like you need medication to manage your pain, that decision is yours to make. My job is to support your needs and desires, completely free of judgement, and maintain a calm, comforting space for you to labor in. 

What inspired you to become a doula? By the time of my third birth, I was determined to be more "in control" than the previous two by knowing what I wanted and making my wishes and expectations very clear--to myself, my partner, and the care providers. Childbirth is a miracle in and of itself, and every woman deserves the chance to make her birth story her very own. It was then that I realized I could help empower women to educate themselves and support them to create the labor they truly desire. 

What kind of help can you offer after our baby is born? Immediately after your baby is born, I can assist you in getting baby to latch (if you are breastfeeding). However you choose to feed your baby, my goal will be for you to begin bonding with your baby as soon as possible. I am also a trained Postpartum Doula which means that once you are at home with your baby, I can provide invaluable hands-on support. Speeding up your healing, helping with baby care, meal prep, and light household chores are just a few ways I can support you at home. 

Kalpana serves clients who live in the areas of 30060, 30115​, 30076, 30005, and surrounding neighborhoods (Roswell, Marietta, Canton). An out-of-area travel fee will apply if you give birth at a hospital within/around her zone but live outside of it; she holds 3-4 in-person home visits as part of her doula package.