Jay Schwartz is a full-spectrum doula and herbalist offering holistic care throughout all stages of becoming a parent. To me, full-spectrum means being there for it all – from fertility and conception, through pregnancy loss and birth, miscarriages, and postpartum healing.
My calling as a doula began at age five, when I told my teachers I wanted to grow up to help mommies. Even then, I was instinctively drawn to supporting mothers — holding and rocking babies at synagogue so the mamas in my community could rest, pray, and reconnect with themselves. I am Jewish, and my capacity to hold space spiritually is deeply inspired by my faith and the traditions I grew up in. That instinct grew into a practice. I immersed myself in apprenticeships with two midwives and received my birth doula training through Denver Health Hospital.
In my early twenties, I spent five years working at a camp in the Rocky Mountains, discovering that my calling was centered on herbs and helping women heal naturally. Today my expertise and training is as a community herbalist, specializing in the menstrual cycle. I’ve also been leading song ceremonies and circles for 9+ years, and I weave song into the birth space as another form of holding. I truly believe every birth deserves to be supported with integrity and devotion. I believe in keeping birth well held and, when possible, in the home. I believe women deserve to walk with other women through these thresholds, and that doulas are an essential piece of bringing back the village.
As a doula, I believe in empowering my clients to make informed decisions about their care, while also offering unwavering support and encouragement. I see my role as that of an advocate, anchor, and resource, and I’m committed to helping families have the birth experience that is right for them.
I support you no matter where you plan to give birth; I attend births at the hospital, the birth center, and at home. No matter how your birth unfolds, I am there for you. I have no goal or agenda, other than for you to feel supported and informed. I am looking forward to connecting with you to support your birth journey.