Madeline 'Mads' Jacobs

 

HeldIGicon.jpg
 

Supporting Families and Individuals through Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, Abortion, Sexual Health, and Beyond

A Horizontal Black Ink Brushstroke by Kira Birney

In Person Support In Brooklyn, Manhattan, And Queens + Virtual Support Wherever You Are

 

Cesarean Birth Support

Cesarean births (which I sometimes also call C-Births and Belly Births) are an important tool for safely welcoming babies into the world, and a doula can be a valuable companion for families planning C-births, no matter the reason for the scheduled birth.

I provide support with:

  • Understanding what to expect of the birth and hospital stay

  • Planning and packing for the hospital stay

  • Companionship during the birth for birthing person and other support members when they may be separated

  • Postpartum preparation

  • Preparing the home for a surgical recovery and a new infant(s)

  • Encouragement of physical healing

  • Infant feeding support

C-Birth package includes prenatal planning, in-person support on the day of the birth, in person visit at home on the day of or day after discharge and 1 year of email support.

$800/package

$70/hour add on for additional postpartum support

Sliding scale $525-$650, $45-$60/hour add on

—-

On Call Labor Support

I am not booking on call labor support at this time

 

PosTpartum Support and Planning

Postpartum support is for the whole family, whatever your family looks like. As a postpartum doula I support all parents and caregivers of your new addition (or additions!), which may include family, chosen family, partners, and siblings.

Your family's needs are unique, and in our prenatal postpartum planning session(s) I will get to know you, your preferences, and what areas to anticipate support, so we can co-create a living plan for your first weeks and months postpartum and beyond. 

I provide support with:

  • Meal prep, grocery orders, and meal train setup

  • Light housework and organizing

  • Encouragement of physical healing

  • Protected sleep for all adults in the household, so you can get deep, uninterrupted rest

  • Infant feeding support, including initial consultation and referral to specialists if needed

  • Age appropriate sibling support and attention while integrating a new family member(s)

  • Encouragement, space holding, and listening

  • Affirmation of your parenting choices and your boundaries

In person packages include prenatal planning, in person visits, and 1 year of email support.

Already postpartum? Well jump right into in-person visits!

Packages are for 40, 60, or 90 hours (or more), which comes out to approximately 10, 15, or 22 4-hour shifts, respectively. Not sure how many hours you need? We can look at that together. 

Interested in virtual prenatal planning? Schedule a guide call

$70/hour

Sliding scale $45-$60/hour

GUIDE CALL

A guide call is dedicated space to talk about whatever topic and questions you have.

We begin with a short email intake for you to share any initial questions and information about what you are looking for in preparation for our call. Then we will schedule a 1 hour video or phone call where we will discuss your questions more deeply, uncover more questions, and I will offer resources and information as needed. 

Guide calls can be one-on-one or with a partner, friend, or other involved person. Within 3 days of the call I will email you call notes and a resource guide created just for you.

Example Topics:

  • Choosing a Healthcare Provider

  • Reproductive Health, Sex-Ed, including questions about STI’s and safer sex practices (I cannot diagnose an STI)

  • Abortion Support

  • Preconception Planning and Support

  • Virtual Prenatal Planning for Postpartum

  • Writing a Birth Plan/Preferences

  • Creating a Meal Train

  • Infant Feeding & Care

  • Boundary Setting

  • Pleasure & Kink Exploration

  • Toy Recommendations

  • Post-surgery support planning (for gender affirming care or other)

$90 per 1 hour Guide Call 

$50 for follow up calls on the same topic

Sliding scale $45-$75/call, $25-$45 for followup calls

ABORTION AND MEDICAL VISIT SUPPORT

Did you know that you can bring a companion to doctor visits of any kind? As a companion at appointments I can help ease anxiety of going to the doctor by talking through your visit goals before the appointment, being a grounding presence (or a distraction) while waiting and in the appointment, and taking notes to review and recap after.

I truly love providing this support and make a few appointments per month available for no cost. 

$50 per appointment or procedure

Sliding scale $0-$20

Offering a sliding scale is a function of my values of wealth redistribution and more equitable access to care. I am in the process of building a sliding scale model for my business that balances an accessible rate for those disenfranchised by capitalism and white supremacy, a thriving wage for myself, and community support from those who are able to pay more. 

In the meantime, the Green Bottle image and framework by Alexis J. Cunningfolk is a tool for families to use for reflection.

To inquire about sliding scale for yourself and your family, please use my scheduling link. Sliding scale rates range 15-40% less than base price

 

About Me

Pronouns: Mads/They; Honorific MX.

 

Supporting people has always been my jam. As the oldest of 4 siblings I learned from a young age how to lovingly guide, hold space, and give care. 

I spent many years as an artist and crafter and as a manager of small businesses. I was doing work that I enjoyed, but that didn’t feel like the right path. After the 2016 election I was inspired to find work that would bring good into the world and also align with my interests and values. As soon I set the intention, birthwork entered my sphere through a neighbor planning a home birth. I hadn’t known what a doula was or that I could work in the field of birth without being an OBGYN. I quickly jumped into doula training and the science classes needed to apply to midwifery school (credits from my BFA in painting didn’t transfer!).

I quickly learned that many of the skills and values I would draw from in supporting individuals and families were already within me. My growth as a provider of care has been nurtured and fortified by the varied trainings, workshops, mentorships, relationships, institutional education, and certifications I have 

I have been so nourished by this work, specifically in helping others identify their needs, find their voice, and stay grounded in their experience. 

Read some kind words and testimonials from clients here.

Read about the precautions I take for Covid-19 here.

 

Supporting people has always been my jam. As the oldest of 4 siblings I learned from a young age how to lovingly guide, hold space, and give care. 

 

I have trained for Birth and Postpartum Support with Carriage House Birth and Birdsong Brooklyn, and Abortion and Loss support with Full-Spectrum Doula Circle, and additional Full Spectrum Doula training with Birthing Advocacy Doula Training.

I am a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Nursing from Columbia University, and am currently training to be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Outside of doula work and studying to become a midwife, I am nourished by dancing, crafts (especially costumes), and cuddling with my cats.

—-

Community Support and Reparations

As one part of my commitment to justice and to wealth redistribution, I support groups and individuals who uplift and contribute to the healing, joy, and well-being of Black communities with ongoing monthly giving, direct reparations, and mutual aid. 

Currently Supporting with Ongoing Monthly Contributions:

Black Trans Lives Thrive - a giving circle supporting nonprofits run by and for Black Trans Leaders, supporting a new nonprofit each quarter. Members donate at least $25 each month.

Freedom Side School - a free elementary school being founded in Philadelphia, grounded in abolitionist values for a mixed-age group of children who are directly impacted by mass incarceration.

Sex Workers Outreach Project - a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy

 

In person support in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

Virtual support wherever you are.

For all other inquiries please email
jacobs.madeline@gmail.com