Serving Central New Jersey -

Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean

counties and surrounding areas



​At the heart of every positive birth experience is a woman who felt nurtured, respected, and supported. 

This is what we do at Your Best Birth.

Your Best Birth (YBB) is the partnership of Jessica Koester and Dorothy Haines. We are both certified through DONA International as birth doulas and birth doula trainers.  We both have over 15 years experience as certified doulas in Central NJ and have each attended over 225 births.  We limit  the number of clients we take per month and we alternate births in order to offer our clients more of our time and attention. When labor begins, you can be assured that your doula will be available, well-rested and excited to attend your birth.

Contact Us  today to see how we can help you have your best birth!

​Central NJ Doula Services

Are we available for your due date?

Check here and click on Birth Availability


We are professionally trained and each have over 15 years experience

in offering the following types of support 


  Physical Support - We're skilled in various coping techniques including touch/massage, breathing, 

       relaxation, and positioning for comfort and progress.

  Informational Support - As childbirth educators as well as doulas, we're able to provide insight on the

       birth process as well as the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives to many suggested interventions.

  Emotional Support - We recognize that birth is as much a mental process as well as a physical one.  We

       offer plenty of encouragement and reassurance.



 

Contact Us today to see how we can help you have your best birth!

​

​We provide training and support for doulas to enable them to help women have calmer, easier labors so they can enter motherhood with confidence.

The hospitals we work in most frequently are:

  • Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, NJ
  • Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ
  • Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ
  • Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ
  • St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ
  • Our Birthing Center in Morristown, NJ


We are available for both hospital births and homebirths in

Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, and Somerset counties.

       Your Best Birth  Doula Support Includes:
​

  • Phone and email support. We’re always available to listen or offer feedback and suggestions.
  • One pre-birth planning session done in the comfort of your home. We'll explore your priorities, preferences and any potential concerns. You can relax knowing there’s a plan in place.
  • Partner preparation.  During our meeting we will spend time giving your partner practical tips and guidance on how to provide the best possible support during the early stage of labor.
  • Unlimited labor support. When labor intensifies, your doula will be there.  She will meet you at your home or at the hospital when needed.  You will have her undivided professional attention throughout your labor and birth, regardless of its length.
  • Guaranteed back up with the other YBB doula.
  • Use of our extensive collection of labor tools so that you can pack lightly.  We bring music, massage tools, hot packs, fan, rebozo, birth ball, peanut ball, and other items to make you more comfortable.
  • Free TENS unit rental.  There are 30-40% less requests for pain medication in women using TENS. Learn more about TENS for labor.
  • Initial breastfeeding guidance in helping baby to latch during the first hour after birth, so you can get off to a good start.
  • Birth story, a detailed narrative of your birth experience and a much cherished keepsake.
  • Birth photography, pictures taken to capture those first moments with your baby.  No need for your partner to spend time behind the lens of a camera - your doula will capture the moment for you.
  • Options if a cesarean is indicated before the start of labor.  We have three options available for a planned cesarean.  We can provide hospital support before, during (if hospital agrees) and after your cesarean birth, we can provide extra postpartum support in your home.
  • Two post birth visits.  A postpartum visit during your first week home to help you get settled and ease your transition. The second visit will happen with your birth doula four-six weeks following your birth, a great opportunity to process your experience and receive your keepsakes.

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(Additional postpartum support available)