The Nurturey was born when Jenna and Jess saw the need for support for parents through pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and lactation.
Our vision is for this space to serve as a welcoming and safe place for families to connect and get the support they need to be confident on their parenting journeys.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you have.
We are so glad you are here!
Jenna and Jess
Jenna Erickson CNM, IBCLC
Jenna is a certified nurse-midwife and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She provides lactation services, teaches classes, and serves as a resource for our doulas and doula clients.
A little about me:
I grew up in Redwood Falls and attended college at
the University of Nebraska Lincoln, graduating with a
nursing degree in 2009. After college, I returned to the
area and now live with my husband, Joel and our two
boys, Cohen and Alec on a farm near Balaton, MN.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening, DIY home projects,
yoga, going for walks, and reading.
I worked as an RN in the hospital for 12 years where
I learned a lot about caring for families during labor,
birth and postpartum. It's also what helped me realize that
parents need more support! However, having my own kids
is what really started my passion for this work.
I pursured further training in postpartum care and lactation
and was able to get certified as an IBCLC in 2019. An IBCLC
is an expert in lactation, breast care, and infant feeding and
since we are hard to find in many rural areas, it was
important to me to bring this high quality of lactation care to
Southwest Minnesota. I have furthered my lactation knowledge
by taking additional training in oral function including supporting families through oral restrictions (tongue and lip ties), infant reflexes, and other holistic modalities. My goal is always to help families get to the root of their issues and figure out what will work best for them.
I served as a birth doula alongside Jess for several years. As a doula, I saw my role as being an advocate and resource for the mother and her partner. Your birth is something you'll remember for the rest of your life and my goal is that you can remember it as an empowered and supported experience. I've since transitioned away from doula work but will always remember the amazing families I was privileged to support!
Through doing all this and being so nourished by supporting women and their families, I was called to return to school to become a midwife. I completed my nurse-midwifery education through the University of Cincinnati in the spring of 2023 and am just embarking on this new journey! I continue to be involved at The Nurturey as a lactation consultant and educator.
My passion is for supporting families through pregnancy and the early days of parenthood is a way that is all about meeting your goals and figuring out what works best for you. I know that I will learn just as much from the families I am privileged to work with as they will learn from me. I truly believe that if more women enter motherhood supported and empowered to tune in to themselves and their babies, we will have happier, healthier families and a happier, healthier world.
Jess Dressen,LPN, IBCLC
I was born and raised in Minnesota. I grew up outside of Saint Cloud and moved to Southwest MN (Canby) in 2017.
I am a mama to Clara (11) and Harlan (5). One of my favorite roles is being a mom. Motherhood is what created my passion for childbirth and breastfeeding. It was through this journey that I recognized the extreme need for support not only in pregnancy but in labor, postpartum and breastfeeding. Parenthood is a great transformation in one's life and the support needed to go through the change just isn't there.
I graduated in 2017 with my LPN from Saint Cloud Technical College. Since then, I have pursued my Lactation Counseling
certification through Healthy Children's Project and doula training through DONA. I have also completed a Spinning Babies workshop. I love to learn about anything in the birth world and my knowledge is always increasing and growing.
I trained and completed my clinical hours with Jenna, and recently earned by certification as an IBCLC. I look forward to continuing to support families with all types of feeding challenges.
In my free time I enjoy working out, going for walks, being at the lake, learning new things, reading and spending time with friends and family.
I feel that it is so important to be supported through your journey of becoming a parent and be educated so you are able to make the best decisions for yourself and your baby. I want to help educate and empower pregnant, birthing and postpartum parents so they are prepared and have the best experience possible.
Sarah Nelson, Doula, CLC
Hello! My name is Sarah Nelson and I serve women and families as a trained birth doula. I also work as a midwife assistant, assisting a local midwife at homebirths. My husband and I moved to Marshall three years ago to be close to grandchildren (and their parents), and since then, all six of our adult children have relocated to this wonderful community we call home!
I have had the privilege of training with DONA, Spinning Babies, and HypnoBabies. My birth education also includes being a CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor), completion of birth assistant training, as well as being certified in CPR, and neonatal resuscitation (NRP). So far, my birthing journey has brought me to 30+ births, each unique and amazing in their own way.
My passion is helping parents know their inner strength as they welcome their little ones into the world. It is my hope to bring a calm and loving presence into each woman's birth experience, helping her to have the birth that she wants. I also enjoy helping dads be an integral part of the birthing day, supporting them from showing them comfort techniques to use with their birthing partner, to making sure they have access to food and rest.
When I'm not in the birth world, you can find me spending time with my family, traveling, reading a good book, and most of the time, having a coffee in hand. I look forward to meeting you to see how I can serve you!
The Nurturey is also home to:
Eileen Carlson, CPM, LM
