gentle transitions
fertility.pregnancy.birth.motherhood.
Welcome!
gentle transitions serves the cities of Champaign, Urbana, and the surrounding areas of east-central IL, providing birth doula services and Fertility Awareness Method education to women.
Doulas aren't just for "hippy moms!" Check out the FAQ page for more information about what a doula could do for you during your birth experience.
Feel free to take a look around, and click the "contact" link if you have any questions or comments.
about gentle transitions:
Women go through transitions throughout their whole life. Fertility, pregnancy, birth and motherhood are all interwoven, and women transition between them all the time. These transitions should be easy, freeing, and gentle.
In the labor process, women go through a literal transition--when they dilate from 8 to 10 centimeters. It's usually the point that most women want to give up, ask for medication if they were doing it naturally, and say that they just can't do it anymore. My goal as a birth doula is to make this transition as gentle as possible.
gentle transitions, for every woman, through fertility, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
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about me:
I'm Jill Rackow, and I live in Champaign with my husband Jason and our adorable boxer, Mojo.
My journey into learning about fertility, pregnancy, birth and mommyhood started a few years ago when my good friend Val let me borrow her book, "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. I was fed up with birth control, and wanted something different. I was amazed at just how miraculous women's bodies are--I just never knew how to listen to it. I started absorbing as much information as I could about women's fertility, which then of course led me to learn about pregnancy, which then led to birth...and here I am now, with a passion for everything women.
I am currently working on my DONA certification, while practicing as a birth doula. I hope to add post-partum doula certification to the mix, as well! I also have a passion for teaching the Fertility Awareness Method, and (finally!) found a way to actually be certified in that, as well.
As my own life transitions into starting a family, I hope to add childbirth education and lactation education to gentle transition's list of services--some things are best learned by experience!
I hope that whatever transition you happen to find yourself in is a gentle one. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
blessings,
Jill
Jeremiah 29:11
gentle transitions currently offers two services for women and their husband/partner:
Birth doulas are typically women who are trained to offer emotional and physical support to other women during pregnancy, labor, and shortly after birth.
After a (free) initial meeting, should you decide to sign a contract, I will meet with you at least once a month up until the time of your birth, support you through your labor and delivery, and then meet with you once post-partum to oooh and aaah over your precious new baby. At our pre-baby visits, we will discuss hopes, fears, wants and needs that you have for your labor and delivery. I will also provide you with any information you request in order to help you make informed decisions about your care. I will not BE your voice, but I will help you find your OWN voice.
I serve the areas of Champaign, IL and Urbana, IL, and all of the surrounding communities in east-central Illinois. If you have a question about whether or not I will be able to serve your location, please contact me!
FAM education
The Fertility Awareness Method is a natural way of observing your body's changes throughout your cycle to determine when you are most fertile. FAM can be used at any point in a woman's fertility. FAM is not tied to a specific religion, and is not taught with reference to religion, unless you so desire.
I provide FAM education to women (and their partners, if they desire) through reading, worksheets, and discussion. After the initial lesson, I will meet with you at least once per month in the three months following to go over your charts and answer any questions you may have.
birth doula FAQ's
what is a doula?
"Doula" is a Greek word meaning "woman caregiver." Today the word is used to describe a trained and experienced labor companion who provides the woman and her partner continuous emotional support, physical comfort and help in gaining information before, during, and after childbirth.
is a doula the same thing as a midwife?
No. Doulas do not practice medicine, or offer any medical advice without the consent of your care provider. Doulas are not trained to respond to any problems that may arise in labor. Doulas also do not deliver babies. In a phrase: doulas coach, midwives catch.
who should hire a doula?
Any pregnant woman, no matter how or where you plan on laboring and delivering can benefit from the support of a doula.
when should I hire a doula?
It is a good idea to start thinking about labor support around your 5th month of pregnancy.
what will a doula do for me?
As your doula, I will meet with you at least once per month before your baby is born. We will discuss your hopes and fears of labor and childbirth. We will also work on creating a birth plan, a post-partum plan, and a newborn plan to help you communicate with your health care providers.
what if I don't want to have a "natural" childbirth?
Doulas work with moms planning any types of birth, even scheduled cesarians. A doula's job is to support a mom going through the transition into childbirth, no matter what way she chooses to do so.
do you participate in home-births?
Currently, there are no certified Nurse-Midwives that practice home birth in Champaign-Urbana.
how much do you charge?
I work with clients based on a sliding scale, so please contact me to inquire about pricing. I firmly believe that any woman who wants a doula should have one, no matter what her financial situation.
FAM FAQ's
what is FAM?
FAM is an abbreviation for the Fertility Awareness Method, a natural way to avoid or achieve pregnancy simply by paying close attention to the way your body works.
who can practice FAM?
Any woman, in any stage of fertility can practice FAM! Even breast-feeding moms can use FAM effectively.
is FAM the rhythm method?
NO. FAM is NOT the rhythm method. The rhythm method is based on the "average" 28 day cycle with ovulation occurring on day 14. Not many women have cycles that are exactly that, all the time. FAM is a way of observing your body's changes to determine when your peak fertility is.
when should I start learning FAM?
FAM can be learned at any stage of life! Please allow at least 3 full cycles of learning about/practicing FAM before using it as your primary means of birth control.
what if I have irregular cycles?
FAM works for women who have cycles of all lengths. By learning to chart your cycles, there is a good chance you may actually figure out WHY your cycles are irregular.
why should I practice FAM?
There are many, many reasons women practice FAM. Here are a few:
There are many, many reasons that women practice FAM, and this list is just a start!
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There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it.
-Sheryl Feldman
