Meet Jill Reiter

Owner of The After Baby Lady
“I believe that every mother should have knowledgeable, empowering support. When everyone else focuses on your baby, I will focus on you.”
Jill Reiter, Postpartum Doula

I’ve always been a helper.  From a very young age I was helping family with their babies.  In 2009, I returned to the Metro Detroit area of Michigan with my family.   I heard about postpartum doulas from a friend and I knew it was the right career path for me.  I am so grateful to get to work with families in the early days of parenting!  I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I have four awesome kids.  I learn from them everyday.  The greatest lesson of all is to take care of myself, so I can be my best as a mother.  I share this lesson with the mothers I work with as a postpartum doula.  Often I see moms who put themselves last and have little to give.  If you are tired, and overwhelmed in your new role as a mother I want to help you thrive.

I am married to an amazing and supportive husband and together we raise our four children – two girls and two boys.  My family has been fortunate to travel and live in four different locations (including Korea!).  Now we are happily settled now in Shelby Township, Michigan.   I am originally from Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts.  I went on to teach English Language Arts at a great little school in Northern New York until my husband and I welcomed our first child.  I continue to use my background in education by offering in home classes and planning sessions for expecting parents.

I’ve had different levels of support from friends and family after delivering each of my children.  I’ve learned firsthand that when you have more support it’s easier to be at your best.  Looking back, I know what a huge difference support plays in the positive or negative outcomes in the early days of being a mom.  My wish for all new mothers, whether it is their first or fifth child, is that they enjoy the support necessary to truly enjoy and cherish the first few weeks of their child’s life.  I encourage women and the people in their life to create a plan of action to put in place after birth.  This will ease the transition during those incredible first days and weeks of your baby’s life.  I love working with families to help them figure out a plan that works best for them.

My training and certification focuses on evidence-based practices which means that the information I pass on to clients has been researched by professionals.  It is important to me that in my work my clients know I am available to support THEIR choices.  I love my work and so I continually update my knowledge by reading applicable books, taking continuing education classes, and finding what works best for my clients.  In addition, I am trained in Infant and Adult CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross or The American Heart Association (I re-certify often) which is an important skill for anyone working with babies and children.

I am proud to be certified as a postpartum doula by CAPPA (Childbirth and Professional Postpartum Association).   This amazing organization gave new meaning to the words “doula sisters.”  I felt support and love right from the beginning.  I choose to certify with them, and I am so glad I did!  Their customer support is amazing!  I’ve met many of the Directors and leadership in CAPPA and am continuously in awe of their availability and the care at which they treat CAPPA members. 

CAPPA has really helped me grow!  In 2014 I became a member of their Faculty.  Now I am able to share my passion for working with new families with others!  If you would like to become a postpartum doula learn more about upcoming trainings on the Postpartum Doula Training tab.  CAPPA has also given me the opportunity to talk with many amazing people in the birth world as the host of CAPPA Radio.  Listen to a show on blog talk radio. 

I use firsthand experience and passion for mother-baby care to support families through the postpartum period.  Sometimes that is two visits, other times it is 3 months of visits.  I offer in hospital support if your partner needs to be home with older children.  I only work with people if they want my support.  When they are confident, and able to manage on their own, I am happy to move on to the next family.

https://cappa.mykajabi.com/forms/2147995938/