What is a Bereavement Doula & How One Might Help You | Episode 150 with Jenni Hunt [Part 02]

PodcastGrief

Feb 17

Written By Ashlee Proffitt

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Episode 150

This is part 2 of a 2 part interview with Jenni Hunt – a certified Birth and Bereavement Doula who spends much of her time supporting families facing miscarriage, stillbirth or an adverse prenatal diagnosis as a Birth and Bereavement Doula. Last week we heard Jenni’s story of motherhood, the losses that she has endured, what she has learned from her losses and how she has found healing. We ended our time last week with Jenni sharing with us what led her to become a bereavement doula – a beautiful and tender story that I guarantee will touch your heart. Today we will be talking specifically about her work as a birth and bereavement doula so if you have not listened to part 1 make sure to skip back and listen before diving into part 2.

This week in part 2 Jenni is answering all my questions about Bereavement Doulas – what is a bereavement doula, how can a mom prepare for birth when loss is involved, what are some ways she helps women practically approach their labor & delivery experiences when loss is involved? (Either for current or for a pregnancy after loss.)

We discuss common challenges that she sees, and how women can prepare for those challenges. We also discuss how women grieve and process differently – a very helpful conversation if you have ever wondered if you are grieving “the right way.”

And we end our time together with Jenni giving very helpful and hopeful advice about navigating your medical provider and what to do if you do not feel cared for by your medical team.

If you are currently pregnant and your baby has received a life-limiting diagnosis, this episode will be a very helpful tool in understanding how a bereavement doula might be able to help you throughout the remainder of your pregnancy, your labor and delivery, and especially your time with your precious baby.

If you are in a season of thinking about growing your family again, actively trying to conceive or are currently pregnant after loss this episode is going to be really helpful for you as well as you learn more about how a bereavement doula might serve you in this season. For more free and helpful resources about navigating pregnancy after loss, click here.

And even if neither of those apply to you, this interview is incredibly helpful and again, so wonderfully tender. I am so grateful for Jenni – for her care and compassion towards grieving mothers.

QUESTIONS we discuss IN EPISODE 150

What is a doula?
How is a bereavement doula different from a regular doula?
What has it looked like for her to serve women as a doula alongside with her own grief?
What do you find to be the most helpful for moms as they prepare for birth? What are some ways she helps women practically approach their labor & delivery experiences when loss is involved? (Either for current or past pregnancies)
What common challenges do you see? How can women prepare for these challenges if they don't have access to a doula?
What are the different ways you have seen people grieve?
Do bereavement doula‘s typically work with people that have to have repeat C-sections? If so, what recommendations do you have for someone having a c-section after a traumatic c-section resulting in loss? (how should she prepare, what can she do to make it more calm and peaceful, etc.)
What advice do you have for those who are facing a medical team or practice they are uncomfortable with? How do they know when to advocate for themselves and when to switch practices?
How do I find a bereavement doula?

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Meet Jenni

I am a child of God, wife, and mom of 4 teenage boys. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and am a certified Birth and Bereavement Doula. My time is a mix of homeschooling my youngest sons, working part time as a Client Services Coordinator at a local pregnancy support center, and supporting families facing miscarriage, stillbirth or an adverse prenatal diagnosis as a Birth and Bereavement Doula under the business name Carried Close Doula Services LLC.

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