Today we’d like to introduce you to JennaRay Rufin.
JennaRay, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became interested in birth work in the fall of 2014. A close friend was pregnant, taking all the birth classes, watching all the documentaries and reading all the books. I naturally became her listening ear and sounding board and ended up at the hospital for the birth of her son. I had no idea what a doula was or that I could become one! I just knew I wanted to help. After the birth of my own son in December 2017 and, a traumatic postpartum period, I knew I needed to be in birth work. After working on myself and my Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS), I began my training and education. First, through Midwife and, Doula trainer, Geri Ryan (DONA International) and then through The Birth Education Center. I plan on becoming a lactation educator as well, but for now, I’m happy with helping people through their birthing journeys and preparing them for the postpartum period ahead. I have an Instagram that I share a lot of raw, hard truths about PMADs and intrusive thoughts and, while it may seem sad or scary, I see a lot of people commenting with how validated they feel.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think it’s been an overall smooth journey. My husband is active duty military, so waiting for him to be home long enough for me to go through all my education at once was the worst part. Once I’m set on something, I usually don’t stop until I get what I want. As a stay at home mom, finding childcare during births (i.e.: 3 am? 2 in the afternoon?) was tricky, but it worked out with a fellow doula. I do realize how privileged I am in this and I do not take it for granted. I just wish I wouldn’t have waited until after I had a baby. SO many wonderful doulas do not have children yet! My advice to other people wanting to start on a similar journey would be, ”don’t wait for fear of invalidation or ‘what ifs’”. If you have the passion, then you’re already ready!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a DONA trained birth doula, I have taken the Birth Education Center Doula Finishing Series, including VBAC for doulas and Breastfeeding for Doulas. I am a volunteer doula with Operation Doula at Naval Medical Center San Diego- Balboa and am also affiliated with Military Birth Resource Network which is dedicated to worldwide continuity of care in the military community.
I believe in inclusivity in birth work. Not everyone who gives birth is a woman. I feel passionate about normalizing inclusive terms, titles and gender-neutral wording when it comes to birth and bodies.
I specialize in and have extensive experience in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and how to cope, heal and overcome scary intrusive thoughts. I just want people to go, “Oh, JennaRay is a great resource for postpartum mental health questions!” I want to be that safe place for birthing people and parents when they have some dark moments or scary intrusive thoughts. We have to normalize postpartum mental health, OCD and intrusive thoughts and its a hill I’m prepared to fight on.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I’m not sure I know how to answer this. I feel as of late, women have been rising up and taking back our power. Without sounding too cheesy or cliche, I feel that now is the time for women or people of minorities to really go for what they’re passionate about. It’s 2019, almost 2020, life is so short, please don’t wait for a sign of validation from others.
Pricing:
- $700, Birth Package
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennarayrufinbirthdoula.com
- Phone: (619) 846-1222
- Email: jennaraydoulayay@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jennaraydoulayay
- Facebook: facebook.com/jennaraydoulayay
Image Credit:
The Birth Education Center, Holly Raines (sunset photo)
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