About The Happy Mama Place
owner
Meet Jessica Ann
I evolved into a mother and passionate promoter of women’s rights with the birth of my first daughter, Teresa, 15 years ago. I was a terrified young pregnant woman who found herself overwhelmed with fears stemming from horrid television narratives and petrifying accounts of other women’s birthing experiences. Luckily, I was introduced to a doula through my birthing hospital.
Licensed & Certified
Licensed Massage Therapist
Professional Certification in Prenatal, Labor & Postpartum Massage
International Infant Massage Certified Instructor
DONA Certified Birth Doula
Spinning Babies Certified
IPPA Certified Placenta Encapsulator
CPR Certified
Neonatal Resuscitation Certified
International Associate of Infant Massage Certified Instructor
Up-to-date Food Handling Certification
Up-to-date Blood Borne Pathogen Certification
HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator
RYT 200
the first
My Experience
I really didn’t know what to expect during our first prenatal appointment. But what I did learn was all the wonderful ways her knowledge and experience would help me birth my baby the way I envisioned it. The continuous support I received from my doula from the time we met, flowing into labor, extending into postpartum increased my birth experience satisfaction. My birth left me feeling invigorated and empowered. There was Oxytocin just pouring out of me. I got to enjoy the full extent of the Golden Hour with my beautiful 7.2lb, 20.5in baby girl. Having a Doula as part of my birth team
contributed to my memorable birthing experience. It gave me the capacity to remember the details of my labor and having the blanks filled in where needed. Which allows me to share those memories with my daughter.
2012
Certified Birth Doula
As the years passed I didn’t forget my experience and wanted to share it with anyone who wanted to hear. I desired for expecting moms to leave their birth with the same feeling I was left with.
My massage practice began shifting from deep therapeutic massage therapy into specializing in prenatal, induction, and postpartum body work. I soon found myself becoming a certified DONA birth doula in 2012. Having attended over 200 births along with constant continuing education and acquiring additional certifications over the course of 8 years, I felt the support I was providing was missing something.
My massage practice began shifting from deep therapeutic massage therapy into specializing in prenatal, induction, and postpartum body work. I soon found myself becoming a certified DONA birth doula in 2012. Having attended over 200 births along with constant continuing education and acquiring additional certifications over the course of 8 years, I felt the support I was providing was missing something.
It wasn’t until the birth of my second daughter, Korrah, in 2019 during a reflection assignment that I discovered the missing link. I had complete placenta previa. Basically, my placenta was covering my cervix. My vision of birthing my daughter in my gazebo with heat lamps surrounded by untouched snow overlooking the ice covered pond had to be altered. There was no safe way to birth her other than surgery (caesarean).
Instead of planning my home birth, I was planning my surgery. My pregnancy was filled with fear and stress. The day of my surgery was even more stressful. Teresa’s bus never picked her up for school. She needed to come with me. The nurses couldn’t get the IV placed in my vein. I was poked by multiple nurses. I had to be brave because I didn’t want to scare Teresa. The doctor missed the epidural space and hit a nerve which sent pain down my entire leg. During surgery I was so nervous my blood pressure dropped. I asked the assistant anesthesiologist to keep talking to distract me. I didn’t care if he just repeated the alphabet.
Instead of planning my home birth, I was planning my surgery. My pregnancy was filled with fear and stress. The day of my surgery was even more stressful. Teresa’s bus never picked her up for school. She needed to come with me. The nurses couldn’t get the IV placed in my vein. I was poked by multiple nurses. I had to be brave because I didn’t want to scare Teresa. The doctor missed the epidural space and hit a nerve which sent pain down my entire leg. During surgery I was so nervous my blood pressure dropped. I asked the assistant anesthesiologist to keep talking to distract me. I didn’t care if he just repeated the alphabet.
In 2021 I stumbled upon a HypnoBirthing childbirth education course. When reading the syllabus, I felt a strong connection. It encompassed a bunch of my personal beliefs such as the power of the mind and breathing to relax tension. HypnoBirthing takes the fear out of birth by dispelling the myths and misunderstanding surrounding birth. It provides education explaining how the body’s physiological system works, and breathing and relaxation techniques. Since teaching this class, I noticed a huge difference in my clients’ birth satisfaction. Especially with moms who need surgery.
This is how the birth of the physical location of The Happy Mama Place in Plains PA began. Please take the time to browse through the website to see all we offer ranging from Massage for all members of your family, Sensory Classes, Childbirth Education, Workshops, Events, Wellness Services, and Photography.
This is how the birth of the physical location of The Happy Mama Place in Plains PA began. Please take the time to browse through the website to see all we offer ranging from Massage for all members of your family, Sensory Classes, Childbirth Education, Workshops, Events, Wellness Services, and Photography.
Service Areas (included but not limited to): Hazelton, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Clark Summit, Honsedale, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Lewisburg, Stroudsburg, Allentown, Bethlehem and their surrounding counties.
