Peaceful Beginnings Midwifery
Serving the Greater St. Louis, MO area
I have had two home births with the assistance of a midwife after having a c-section (HBAC). My birth experiences have provided me with strong confidence in the birthing process, sparking my desire to provide support and empowerment during such a powerful yet potentially vulnerable time in our lives.
Before having children, I earned a Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from Illinois State University and worked in the mental health field as a case manager and a crisis counselor In 1995 I began studying herbal medicine and making herbal preparations. Herbal and natural healing modalities are always my first choice for common ailments and discomforts.
My interest in becoming a birth worker began in 2000 and I started attending births as a doula that same year. My education and training in the field of midwifery began in 2005 and was comprised of a traditional apprenticeship with a homebirth midwife, self and group study, and a clinical internship at a free-standing birth center in Texas. I received the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential in 2010.
In addition to the great pleasure it gives me to work with so many amazing families as a midwife, my life is full and busy. I would not have it any other way! When I find time I enjoy gardening, camping, kayaking, and going to see live music. My husband and I have three daughters, two of whom we homeschool, and multiple pets that I also consider part of our family.
Jennifer Konkol, CPM
Barb Hueffmeier
Jen Jester is an experienced doula and midwives’ assistant that has served over 300 St. Louis families over the last 13 years. Jen is currently finishing her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from Midwives College of Utah, and hopes to earn her Certified Professional Midwife credential in 2018. Previously, she served families as a certified childbirth educator for 6 years.
Jen understands that few experiences can be as empowering and rewarding as realizing your body's full potential to bring life into the world. Jen’s clients receive customized care, and are encouraged to make informed decisions based upon their unique labor experience in the hospital, birth center, or home. Jen believes that a birthing family, during the preparation for and process of giving birth, deserve emotional and physical support, guidance, choice, advocacy, and respect.
Jen Jester
4390 Lindell Blvd., Suite D
St. Louis, MO 63108
About the Assistants
I have been serving St. Louis area families with home birth services as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) since 2010. I strive to provide my clients with holistic care tailored to the needs of each individual. I view pregnancy and birth as natural transition times in our lives and believe that homebirth allows for a smoother transition for the whole family. I see my role as someone to provide education, guidance, and encouragement while monitoring health and well being during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. I attempt to provide and encourage clients to seek out evidence based information to use as a tool to make informed decisions that also take into consideration and/or reflects their own personal, religious, and cultural beliefs.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Copyright © 2013 | Peaceful Beginnings Midwifery
About The midwife
OFFICE ADDRESS
Barb's interest in home birth began when she decided to have her youngest of three sons at home over 38 years ago. She didn't pursue her birth passion until 15 years later when she began working as a doula. She was a volunteer doula with the Barnes doula research project, then went on staff there as a doula for several years.
Knowing her passion was for home birth she began assisting several midwives in the area. She has been working in the birth field ever since.
Barb has also been a La Leche League leader for over 40 years and is as passionate about breastfeeding babies as home birth.