Kathleen was an amazing doula! I sought her out because I felt out of control with my son’s birth experience and my goal was a VBAC. She has tons of experience with women trying for VBAC and is very knowledgeable. She is a fierce advocate for her clients before, during and after labor. During our prenatal sessions she taught me lifestyle modifications to ensure optimum fetal positioning as well as gave me exercises to work on. When she sensed I wasn’t pleased with my VBAC-supportive OB, she suggested a MFM that her previous clients had thrived under and to whom I switched. She also recommended a chiropractor who kept me in good pelvic alignment (along with my physical therapist) during the pregnancy. Kathleen was always available by phone and we made numerous prenatal visits to her at the Rebel Birth center in Spring. Well, as with my son, I went way past my due date and by 42 weeks I agreed to a membrane sweep. I went into labor and two days later checked into the hospital. I had originally planned to go unmedicated but the contractions proved too intense, then my epidural quickly failed and Kathleen made all the difference in the labor, she held my hands and forced me to breathe through contractions. My daughter, though, went into fetal distress and we had to have an emergency c-section. Kathleen stayed through the surgery and afterwards to make sure I was ok. I felt SO supported and am so grateful for everything she did. In the week or so afterwards she came to visit to followup to see how we were doing and to talk about the birth. She also invited me to participate in the postpartum group at Rebel Birth in Spring, which I attended once I was allowed to drive again. Even though it ended in a c-section, I would absolutely hire her again. Kathleen’s support was essential to having a good birth experience, she helped me cope with contractions, and her input and suggestions helped me form a superstar birth team. Thank you Kathleen, you rock!

I would recommend Kathleen to anyone, but especially other dads. She took the pressure off of me during some intense times in labor and delivery while at the same time supported me as well and made me feel part of the experience and giving me a pillar role where and when I was needed most. Kathleen and I were able to work together to support my wife. I was nervous and so scared for my wife and baby at a few points and Kathleen was the calm that I needed. She reassured me and made sure I was ok. She showed care for me just as she did my wife. Labor and delivery is a highly emotional marathon for the guy as well, seeing your wife go through everything, and knowing that Kathleen is in it with both of us was a huge relief for me. I can’t imagine going through our 28 hour labor without Kathleen.

Also her childbirth classes were great. I highly recommend them to any parents, she knows the science and medical background of all of the hospital treatment options and the pros and cons with each scenario to help us make an informed choice. Having the background of the child birth classes before labor and delivery helped us immensely.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart

This testimonial is long overdue! Kathleen is amazing!! She is very genuine and accepting of others. We hit it off from the beginning even though I tend to be a very private person. We built rapport very rapidly and I felt I would be at ease with her during the delivery. She goes above and beyond the call of duty. She helped me get into an Obgyn practice I wanted even though I was so far along that no one wanted to accept me as a patient because I had moved from another country without my medical records. She worked and worked to find an in to the practice I wanted to get into. She was always honest about my chances to get, but never quit trying. She also made smart suggestions that would make the birth go smoother even if I didn’t get into the practice. Eventually she got me in, but she had already helped me set myself up to have a good experience whether I got into the practice or not. She is great about putting you first. My husband lost his job and we had to delay paying her. Not only was she completely understanding, but she also never pressured us or made us feel guilty. My daughter’s birthday happened to fall on Kathleen’s birthday and she had already had 2 clients give birth that day. She had been at the hospital a day and a half. Nonetheless she came to my room and assisted throughout the birth with whatever we needed: pain management, advice, emotional support, accupressure, getting water, helping with the sibling, etc. up until baby was here and we told her we were in great shape so she could go. She is truly wonderful. If you are thinking about hiring her, do it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. She is a smart strategist and effective communicator who forms strong relationships with others so she is very effective at helping you get the birth experience you want. She definitely puts you first at a time when you may feel vulnerable and overwhelmed. Thank you Kathleen!!! You’re amazing!!

After months of procrastinating educating ourselves about the labor and delivery part of pregnancy, my husband and I finally decided on the recommendation of a friend to hire a Doula. I really did not know much about doula services, but several people in my network recommended Kathleen. Like most first timers, we were stressed out and nervous about labor and delivery; neither of us had a clue what we were doing! The minute we met Kathleen we knew she was the one for us. My husband and I are scientists and enjoy making informed decisions based on science and data. Kathleen’s approach spoke to us because she is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, is well-read in the research and literature, and approaches all of her clients with a completely nonjudgmental attitude. As a team of three we defined our birth plan goals and discussed our fears and reservations. Kathleen educated us about all of the things we didn’t even know we needed to know, allowing us to feel incredibly empowered as we approached our due date. When the big day came, all of my nervousness and fear dissipated the minute I saw Kathleen in our L&D room. I felt a calm and strength I never expected as our team of three got down to business! With her help we met our goals and delivered a healthy baby girl. Kathleen’s confidence, experience, and wealth of knowledge were essential ingredients to us achieving our birth experience goals. I can’t imagine what this experience would have been like without her, and frankly I don’t want to!

Kathleen is simply amazing. She guided us through the whole pregnancy process and explained all of the relevant situations that could have come up. I eventually came to the point that I was 42 weeks pregnant, and my doctor wanted to induce labor. I was able to consult Kathleen about the drugs / medications from a neutral perspective of someone that had seen them in action on a normal basis over the years.

Kathleen was very reassuring that the induction plans were solid, and I was induced at 42 weeks. I had previously chosen to give birth naturally, and I was able to do this with Kathleen’s help. She guided me through the contractions and it made the pain much more manageable. I don’t think I could have tolerated the pain without her.
After delivery I had some complications and she was there for me, my husband and my baby. Her being there for us allowed my husband to come back and see me in recovery, which he wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.

I can not put in words how much her presencce meant to us. It was the best decision that we made to have her be part of our labor and delivery experience.