Your Birth. Your Baby. Your Way.

Every Mother has a birth story. Let’s elevate yours.

Bellies, Boobs, Babies & Bliss

Personalized Doula Support, Lactation Consulting & Professional Birth Photography
Est. 2002

Wherever this journey takes you, whatever birth story your baby writes,
as your Doula I am dedicated to providing Families with unwavering support, evidence based guidance, detailed childbirth education, advocacy, informed consent, empowerment, and the loving care they deserve. No other day in your life will compare to that transformative moment when you meet your sweet baby…

Together we will make it magical, however it all unfolds.

How can I support you?

  • Birth Doula

    Your Birth. Your Baby.
    Your Way.

    Click Here

  • Lactation Support

    Begin your Breastfeeding journey with ease

    Click Here

  • Postpartum Doula

    Support & Guidance
    for your new chapter

    Click Here

  • Photography

    Capturing moments of bliss

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 “Birth is an opportunity to transcend. To rise above what we are accustomed to, reach deeper inside ourselves than we are familiar with, and to see not only what we are truly made of, but the strength we can access in and through birth.” -Marcie Macari

Your birth story, told through my lens

Meet Jessica.

doula, home birth, nocatee, ponte vedra beach, Florida, shearwater, newborn, breastfeeding support, Beachwalk, Shearwater, St Augustine, Midwife, birth photography, vbac, pregnancy, st johns county, jacksonville doula, Jax doula, birth support

“22 years ago I was invited to attend my first birth as a Doula. The experience lit a fire within me and changed the course of my career. Today I am honored to walk with the journey with families as they embark on this miraculous new chapter:
meeting their baby.

JESSICA GILLAN
Birth & Postpartum Doula
Certified Lactation Counselor
Certified Midwife Assistant
Maternity & Birth Photographer
HypnoBirthing Certified Childbirth Educator
Newborn Care Specialist
Spinning Babies Trained
VBAC Certified
CPR/First Aid & NRP certified


#YourNocateeDoula

 With gentle comfort measures relaxing your body, light bites of nourishing foods to maintain your energy, soft music playing in the background, candles on, lights off:
Mothers will welcome their baby in upmost peace, tranquillity
…and bliss.

Looking for a local Midwife, OBGYN,
Pediatrician, Chiropractor?

praise from previous families

  • "The level of support and care Jessica gave both of us throughout the whole pregnancy, birth and postpartum was immaculate. To know I had someone other than my busy OB's to ask for advice and help was comforting and took a lot of stress off both of our shoulders. Jessica was a great addition to our birthing plan & so happy she was available to help us. If we do have a 2nd I hope she is available again!"

    Chrystle & Michael, Jacksonville FL

  • "I chose to have an unmedicated hospital birth and could not have done it without Jessica! She was present and engaged throughout my entire pregnancy. She made sure my birth plan was detailed and essentially was a project manager at the hospital making sure everything that I wanted occurred."

    Allie & Trent, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

  • "I ended up having a beautiful 5 hr labor and the home birth I always wanted. During our prenatal visits we discussed our goals and we met every single one of them! It was amazing. Jessica also made sure I’m set for a successful postpartum with proper hydration, food, breastfeeding guidance. And her photos are beautiful! I loved my maternity and birth photos! These are the memories I will cherish forever!"

    Elena & Shane, Ponte Vedra FL

  • "I couldn’t recommend Jessica more! She is truly passionate in helping families achieve their birth goals and is a wealth of information. During my sons delivery, her presence was exactly what my husband and I wanted, and supported us in ways we didn’t know we needed."

    Hannah & Ryan, Jacksonville FL

  • "She has an air of warmth circling around her and having her at our son’s birth brought a kind of love and care that’s indescribable. She is always prepared. I also love that she takes copious notes and personalized our 2VBAC homebirth experience."

    Hayley & Dr. Vasco, Nocatee FL

  • "Jessica offered pages of knowledge and guidance and it was comforting to know I was not alone in this experience. To be honest I came across her page while looking for a birth photographer, needless to say we received so much more and are very grateful for having the opportunity to share this amazing journey with her."

    Acacia & Steven, Fleming Island FL

  • "Jessica is a great VBAC resource to have during pregnancy, birth and postpartum! She also documents all of these special moments for you with beautiful photos! She’s very knowledgeable, goes above and beyond. You’ll definitely be thanking yourself later! I got my VBAC!"

    Mandy & Addison, Nocatee FL

  • "She felt like a special part of the family to us, and even included our Son and made him feel special throughout our prenatal appointments and after birth with a “Big Brother” party. I can’t stop sharing with others how AMAZING I feel after this birth, and I really do owe it to Jess."

    Bella & Gordon, Jacksonville FL

  • "I cannot put in to words how amazing it was having Jessica as our doula. I interviewed several doulas during my search and I knew Jessica was the perfect fit from our first meeting. "

    Amanda, St Johns FL

  • "Jessica is a great doula. I was so happy for her help during pregnancy, giving birth to my daughter, and postpartum. During delivery she knew where to message me so my pain was more manageable. I also really loved the photography. I'd recommend Jessica to everyone!"

    Laura & Corey, Ft Caroline FL

  • "I am so glad we decided to hire Jessica as our doula. While in our first meeting with her, I knew I wanted her at my birth. It felt like I was getting coffee with a friend, not meeting a stranger. "

    Caitlin & Phil, Jacksonville FL

  • " Jessica is kind, compassionate and thinks of everything! She is extremely knowledgeable and knows exactly how to help make your birth beautiful!"

    Bernice, Nocatee FL

  • "We just had the most amazing home birth experience and we couldn’t have done it without Jessica! She has a very intuitive and healing touch that comes in handy during labor! "

    Jana & Bobby Jacksonville FL

  • "I was so thankful to have Jessica at the birth of our son. Made the experience more calm and enjoyable for my wife and I."

    Dr. William Albiero MD

  • "Jessica was always more than prepared and has a wealth of knowledge. She is supportive of whatever YOUR goals and wishes are and will fight to achieve those for you. Highly recommended!"

    Jessalin & Austin, St Augustine FL

  • "Welcoming our daughter into the world was an amazing and beautiful experience thanks to Jessica!"

    Melissa & Cody

  • "Jessica is truly a birth expert and will do whatever it takes to ensure you achieve whatever goal you set out for yourself. I have had her support for both of my births and I wouldn't have another baby without her by my side!"

    Kaylee, Nocatee FL

  • "Jessica never took the place of my Husband in our birth. We both felt supported and educated; which only made our birth experience better."

    Karin & Chris, St Johns FL

  • "She is a fearsome advocate, and with her in my corner I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about whether my wishes were being respected. My birth story was better than I could have dreamed of. Because of Jessica!"

    Emily, Jacksonville FL

  • "I truly appreciate how Jessica made our birth so special. Helped keep our toddler involved, brought all the details: candles, lights, the food; Jessica was always 5 steps ahead!"

    Jackie & Steven

  • "I get tears in my eyes remembering our sons birth. I still can't believe I did it! Everything I wanted, I got. I know Jessica's support is a huge reason behind that."

    Kristin, Jax Beach FL

  • "Having Jessica as your cheerleader, your guide to navigate new territory, your source of knowledge for questions is invaluable. She won't let you reach delivery with fear. I am grateful she was there to assist our family both times I brought my babies earth side."

    Jatossha, Ocala FL

  • "During my labor, she was consistently pulling what seemed like magic tricks out from her bag. She made a very difficult and tiring experience much more comfortable and totally aligned with our birth plan."

    Kelly & Jake, St Paul MN

  • "Before this experience, I wasn’t sure what the big deal was about having a doula. Now, I am fully a believer that having a doula like Jessica is essential, no matter what kind of birth you have!"

    Samantha, Jax Beach FL

  • "Jessica was calm and positive, a very relaxing presence! She had fantastic massage techniques that helped me relax and alleviated my discomfort. At the birth center, Jessica was very encouraging and supportive of both me and my husband. The birth photos were beautiful and I'll cherish them forever."

    Alycia, St Paul MN

  • "This was our third baby and second time hiring Jessica. My births have been life changing and empowering. Her level of experience and intuitiveness shines through her work. "

    Adam & Ashley, St Augustine FL

  • "Jessica is so amazing at what she does and you can tell how much she loves her job. I would HIGHLY recommend Jessica to anyone looking for a doula! I wouldn't birth again without her."

    Dani & Halston, Orange Park FL

  • "Jessica was our doula for my third birth, our VBA2C. I was unsure if I could accomplish this after a 'failed' VBAC, however, Jessica was instrumental in making my VBA2C happen. I would recommend her to anyone and would use her again if we ever decide to expand our family further!

    Ashley, St Johns FL

  • "During labor Jessica was amazing support, she helped comfort me which made me feel safe during our home birth. Jessica has a plethora of resources she shares to have an amazing pregnancy and birth. I also love my pictures she took of our family."

    Samantha & Ryan, St Augustine FL

  • "As soon as Jess walked through our door she was prepared for everything. She gave my husband a much needed break and allowed for him to rest. She was also in communication with my midwife, which was a great relief. Throughout our homebirth she made sure I was rested, nourished and hydrated."

    Jasmine & Jake, St Johns, FL

  • "Jessica was my doula for both of my births, and we had a great experience both times! She is very knowledgable, supportive, and professional. She advocated for me throughout my pregnancy, and knew exactly what to do to guide me through those crazy pitocin contractions. She also takes beautiful photos, and she supported me postpartum/breastfeeding. Jessica is the reason I will always recommend doulas. We are so grateful to have had her help, both times!"

    Anna & JJ, Orange Park FL

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Doula: a Greek word meaning “Mother the Mother”.
    A Doula is a trained childbirth professional who provides personalized support, guidance, advocacy and evidence based information to expecting families throughout the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period to aid in optimum birth outcomes and more enjoyable birth experiences. If you are desiring a home birth, scheduled C Section birth, induction, unmedicated, a VBAC and everything in between; a Doula will be there to support you. Much like a wedding planner, realtor, trail guide, personal trainer or travel agent; A professional Doula is an experienced prenatal expert who guides Families in obtaining their best individual pregnancy, birthing, postpartum experience.
    Benefits of having Doula Support

    “Published data indicates that one of the most effective tools to improve labor & delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a Doula.” 
    -American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology March, 2014 

  • While a Doula works alongside your Midwife or OB as a member of your birth team; a professional Doula is not your medical provider and do not deliver babies.
    The role of a professional Doula is to offer family centered supportive care, guidance, evidence based childbirth education and advocacy.
    I share an abundance of information with my clients to put them on the best path in meeting their individual birthing goals, desired outcomes and experiences.
    As your Doula I will not impose personal bias, share my birth stories or persuade anyone to follow the same birthing and postpartum decisions I made for my own family.
    Your Birth. Your Baby. Your Way.
    List of Midwives & OB's are listed here

  • While there are some health insurance policies that reimburse for Doula support, I am not “in network” and do not take TriCare or Medicaid. Families can use their FSA card to pay for Doula services. I do offer flexible low payment plans, Trades and Military/Veterans get a significant discount off the Doula package. I also offer discounts and complimentary add ons for repeat families.
    I am happy to tailor an individual payment plan that meets your family’s budget.

  • A Doulas package and pricing should be reflective of their experience level, credentials, education, qualifications and any additional offerings.
    Doula Packages and fees will vary from each local doula. I recommend exploring a few Doulas and see who you feel most comfortable with.

    Pricing and packages are available HERE

  • The full FAQ page is here

Interested in working together?

Let’s build your birth team