Joy N' Birth Doula Services

April Howton - Owner, Doula

My name is April Joy Howton and I am owner and founder of Joy N Birth. My journey in the childbirth profession started in 2002, with the birth of my son. Going into the birth I thought I knew it all, looking back at the birth, I knew nothing.

Instead of being upset about my birth experience I wanted to educate myself and teach others and prepare them as I was not my first time around. I started my doula certification with CAPPA (Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association, www.cappa.net) it was there that I found my passion for childbirth and education. Through CAPPA, I have become certified as a Labor doula, Lactation Educator, and a Childbirth Educator. I also train for CAPPA in all three of those fields and hold various trainings throughout the southern US. I was on the CAPPA board of Directors for 5 years and continue as their online store manager.

I am blessed to be married to a wonderful man since 2000, and we have seven beautiful children together. After our first son was born we researched water birthing and found our calling in birth. I have personally had four water births and I have assisted in many. In March of 2011, I gave birth to faternal twins. One which was a breech birth.

I am honored to ever be asked to attend ones birth and I hold in high respect the choices my clients make. I am here to answer questions and to serve you.

Chalyn Myers - Doula

I'm a Plain Catholic, work-at-home mother of three, with a fourth on the way. My wonderful husband and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary this past January. I spend my weekdays keeping house and tending children, homeschooling our oldest daughter, and crocheting baby and children's clothes to help support the family. Weekends find me enjoying time off with my husband, attending a Shoals La Leche League meeting, and worshipping with our church family at Our Lady of the Shoals.

I've had a doula with each of our children. In fact, I find a doula to be such an important part of the birth team that my doula found out before my midwife when I got the positive for our youngest daughter! Knowing what a tremendous gift doulas have been to me makes it that much more of an honor for me to serve other mothers in the same way. I believe in the power of knowledge and support. My goal as a doula is to assist each client in learning more about the myriad options available to her throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; to help her choose the options she feels best for her and her baby; and to support her in making those choices a reality.

Jana McAfee - Doula

My name is Jana McAfee. I live in Florence, Al. I have been married to my best friend Chris for 10 years and am blessed to have 2 small children. When I was pregnant with my first child I had a desire to experience natural childbirth, but was quickly encouraged not to do so. Since I did not have a roadmap and was scared of the pain, I decided to get an epidural. All along I felt like I was missing out but just went through the motions. When it came time to push I could not seam to do it right because I could not feel anything. I felt so out of control. My son’s shoulder’s got “stuck” and was vacuumed out. His had to be put on oxygen and I did not get to hold him for 24 hours. When I was pregnant with my 2nd I knew I did not want an epidural but did not think I could do it without help. My friend introduced me to her doula. She was so helpful and was a big support to my husband and me. I was induced at 37 weeks due to having a small pelvis. April saw what I needed and gave me different ways to get through each contraction. Her knowledge was invaluable. She was just what I needed.

I am currently a member of CAPPA and becoming certified. I have been trained by a veteran and have a passion for assisting women in what they want in childbirth. I am ready to serve and empower women with the knowledge and tools that I have so that they may reach deep within and use the strengths that God has given them.

Lou Ann Mitchell - Doula

My name is Lou Ann Mitchell. I am the mother of 4 children. My oldest is Brett age 23 and has just graduated from Lipscomb University. 23 years ago my husband Mike and I adopted Brett from Christian Homes of Abilene. The year before we had adopted Brett I had had a miscarrage after 8 years of infertility. I had gone through many tests, surgeries, and medications to try to become pregnant. When Brett was one year old I lost another child and was told there was a huge percentage I would never carry a child to full term. One year later Mollie was born, a healthy stubborn girl and now at age 20 she is a catcher for Lipscomb University's softball team. I then had a son, Jake, and now at age 18 he is getting ready to graduate from High School and is being recruited by colleges to play basketball, and last but not lease I have a beautiful 15 year old daughter who plays volleyball, basketball, and enjoys show chior. Never tell me I CAN'T do anything. I learned a valuable lesson in waiting for God's own plan! Before I had children I taught Lamaze classes with a good friend and enjoyed every minute of it. My father-in-law was an OB-GYN at Kellar Hospital and I was blessed to work with him part-time when my son was small. I learned so very much from such a patient and loving doctor like our Papa Doc (Dr. Kermit Mitchell) I met April last year and asked her what she did and when she told me, I knew God had answered my prayers. I have always wanted to be a part of nurturing young couples during the birth of their children. I feel God has given me the opportunity be a part of bringing precious souls into the world and I look forward to being the best Doula I can be. I am now a pre-school teacher with Mars Hill Bible School where I teach 2 year olds. I am responsible for 8 little ones each day where I am to love them, teach them to share ( attempt to!), teach them to love God, use the potty, and in our spare time we even learn our ABC's! I am also part owner of WEE SWAP Consignment sale where twice a year we service the Shoals area with the opportunity to buy beautiful clothes, toys, and furniture for their children at a fraction of the cost. My husband Mike is a coach at Mars Hill Bible school and we have been married 32 years. I have been involved in his coaching carreer and have learned from him to even love teenagers! So you see my whole life is surrounded by children and I adore them (my own the most!) and look forward to adding this new aspect of being a Doula to my life.