Kyndal May, CD(DONA), LCCE, Birth Doula Trainer Doula Profile

Kyndal was such a special and helpful addition to our birth. We knew we wanted to use her as soon as we found out we were pregnant, as we would be attempting a Vbac and knew her experience and expertise would be crucial to our success. Kyndal took the time to meet with us on multiple occasions to discuss our upcoming birth, answer questions, and provide the support we needed to feel well prepared in advance. I love her emphasis on striving for a "Satisfying Birth Experience."Kyndal was a key element in assisting me in overcoming some of the emotional obstacles that I was dealing with from our previous birth that resulted in a c-section. I don't think I would have ever attempted to pursue a Vbac without her support and extensive knowledge in the area, not to mention the time she took to generously share that with me and listen to my concerns. Once in labor and all through the birth, Kyndal was intuitive and worked diligently as a quiet and supportive partner in our birth. She was able to provide sound advice and guidance in getting me comfortable and progressing my labor and knew what to say to keep Trevor and I motivated when the going got tough :) We went on to have a successful Vbac at St. Lukes Downtown and couldn't be happier with the results. We're so glad we chose her and can't imagine our natual birthing experience without her. Doula's are special women indeed, and Kyndal May is an expert in her field. Boise is so blessed to have her, and so were we <3

Kyndal was everything I could ask for and more. For weeks after the birth, I kept thinking, “I am so glad Kyndal was there. I could not have done it without her.” She was everything I needed. She said and did all the right things at all the right times. She took care of so many things, but I’ll just highlight a few. She helped get me into various positions and kept reminding me to relax my shoulders and embrace each contraction. She really helped me through the contractions by reminding me to use the visualization techniques I had developed in her class. She included my husband, reminding him how to do the double-hip squeeze (which we had learned in class) and showing him where to stand and sit so I could lean on him in the most comfortable way. She encouraged me to take advantage of the big tub in our birthing suite, which is not something I initially wanted, but which felt divine and helped so much. It was as if she knew me better than I knew myself. She took care of a thousand small details too, like making sure I had food and water and making sure there were cool, wet washcloths available. She even made sure my husband got breaks to go eat.

When I entered transition and thought I couldn’t take one more second of the immense pressure, she really helped me work through it. And when it came time to push, she even helped me through that – hers was the voice I listened to. She was an amazing guide during our birth. I felt like she held my hand the whole way. Our birth wasn’t perfect as we didn’t get the OB/GYN we had seen for months and my labor started with my water breaking rather than the contractions I was expecting, but Kyndal being there is one of the main reasons that I have such a positive feeling about my birth. Her presence alone was calm and reassuring. Her assistance was invaluable. I have such respect and admiration for her and I will be forever grateful.
 

Kyndal attended the birth of our most recent daughter as our doula. She is just amazing as a doula and it was such a blessing for us to have her there with us. Just having her in the room with us gave us such added confidence. She has a way of helping people feel confident and has a positive and calming presence. She thought of everything and was just exactly what we needed to help us have an even more wonderful and beautiful birth experience. She came to our house and to the birthing center with us, took pictures for us that have been really nice to have, heated up heat packs for me, helped me in and out of the birthing tub, got me water, encouraged me, and did all of the behind the scenes work so that I could just relax and not have to worry about anything - much of which I probably don't even know about. At one point as I was pushing in the birthing tub, my back was cold and my husband started pouring warm water over it, which felt so good. Later he told me it had been Kyndal's idea. He was so happy to have her there with us and says we definitely need her there with us next time we have a baby too. It was so nice to have Kyndal there with her added wisdom and experience. She is a wonderful doula and I would highly reccommend her to anyone - her presence during your labor and the birth of your baby will be invaluable!

 James and I first met Kyndal at her Confident Birthing class in 2010, her class came highly recommended by a couple of our close friends and by the Babyplace Midwives.  From the beginning we loved the way that Kyndal spoke about the process of labor and birth.  Throughout this whole event Kyndal was so kind and helpful, she was amazing when it came to reassuring us about what was happening.  Her wisdom and the peace that surrounds her gave me strength.  During the entire 37 hours of labor we were taken care of.  While we were still laboring at home Kyndal was attending another birth and sent over to us her "backup" doula Sheila Taylor, we had never met Sheila but from the moment she walked into our home I felt peace.  Sheila was a great asset to our little labor team, she was attentive, knowledgable and seamlessly meshed with the rhythm and routine my husband and I were in.  After arriving at the Birth Center Kyndal was able to join us once again and even when at times things seemed a little hairy she was calm and very present.  She really helped me to feel strong, confident and at ease with what my body and baby were doing.  I had full confidence in the way my body was created, and Kyndal reminded me of that along the way.  She supported my husband and took care of what he needed as well.  This amazing experience was in so many ways enhanced by the presence of my doulas and I would not do this again without them!

We first met Kyndal May in early 2007 while attending her Confident Birthing class.  Kyndal's warmth and extensive knowledge/experience really impressed us.  We really wanted a natural birth experience (our first), and Kyndal was extremely helpful to us at every level of our learning.  When the contractions started two weeks ahead of due date, Kyndal was there for us.  Our birth experience was very challenging, and ultimately involved over 40 hours of active labor.  There are not enough characters available in this post for us to adequately share just how much her constant presence, support, and guiding wisdom helped us through perhaps the most difficult night of our lives and into perhaps our greatest joy.  Kyndal worked seamlessly with a team of midwives, and with us, to provide whatever was needed at any given moment (and there were many).  She was a true servant to our birthing process, and always honored our wishes.  Ultimately, we were able to have our daughter naturally, but had it not been for Kyndal and the midwives, we would likely have forfeited our desire for natural childbirth and gone to the hospital. 

We cannot recommend Kyndal more highly to any couple hoping to have someone serve them, their birthing experience ideal, and honor the sacred process.  In the next few days, Kyndal will attend the birth of our second child and we are so grateful and secure knowing that she will be there. 

Greg and Sarah Morris

My husband and I have been blessed by Kyndal’s participation in the births of our two daughters. With her help we went into each birth educated and informed. She helped us make decisions that were best for our family and we were comforted knowing that she would help make sure our choices would be respected. In addition her energy brings such encouraging strength. I believed in myself, my husband believed in me and Kyndal not only believed in me, but also pushed me to continue believing in myself at my very weakest moments. With each friend or family member of mine that is preparing for the birth of one of God’s greatest gifts I always pray that they take the time to educate themselves, ask questions and seek assistance from our dearest Kyndal May.

Andrea was 5 months along when we scheduled a time to meet with Kyndal May.  We had heard great things about her and wanted to see if she would be a good fit for us as "non-traditional" parents.  After talking with her for about 10 minutes, we knew she was the one.  Her openness, expertise, and positive outlook reframed our whole idea of how beautiful this experience could be.  We eagerly signed up for her Confident Birthing class.  Kyndal's knowledge and belief in humanity left us feeling more prepared and excited to share this experience together.  The week of the birth, Kyndal provided unyielding guidance through each stage of labor.  Being ten days overdue, we were becoming more and more nervous.  Her constant presence both on the phone and in person, reassured us that things were progressing as they should.  On the day of the birth, Kyndal devoted an enormous amount of time.  She was with us the night we checked into the hospital, going home only when the process slowed, but then getting up early the next morning to be with us again.  Her calm, secure, reassurance allowed us the space to truly experience the birth like we wouldn't have, had Kyndal not been there.  When we look back at our birth, it was the most powerful, raw, and natural experience of our lives.  We will be forever grateful to Kyndal for the huge part she played in helping to hold sacred the space where we got to experience love and devotion at a whole different realm.  We love you, Kyndal!

My wife Whitnee and I had our first child in October 2008 at the Baby Place in Meridian, Idaho.  We live two hours away and on more than one occasion, Kyndal opened her home to us.  This was a safe environment in which we learned much about ourselves, our relationship and our ability to see ourselves as parents.  Kyndal gave use space to reassure ourselves, increase our confidence and gain tools for the experience of birth.  Kyndal's ability to share her knowledge allowed Whitnee and I to recognize and understand what it meant to have a positive birth experience.  I can not state enough how impactful the awareness of having a positive birth experience was for me in supporting my wife through our pregnancy and child birthing process. 

During the birth process Kyndal was nurturing and supportive of our needs and desires.  She was able to help both Whitnee and myself make the right decisions and guide us in a physical, mental and emotionally safe and moving way.  It was very evident that Kyndal had been down this road before and in many ways, Whitnee and I believe that she was the best guide for us.  Kyndal was a tremendous, inexhaustible and calm resource.

When the baby turned one year-old Whitnee and I reminisced the long night of her giving birth.  At one point Whitnee described a moment in the pre-dawn hours when candles were lit and the room glowed and rippled in their light.  There were no candles, actually, but I think it a beautiful thing that this is her memory.  I also think in some ways, for Whitnee and for myself, Kyndal May was a big candle with a lot of light.

We look forward to having Kyndal with us during our second child's birth during the Summer of 2010.

We chose to have our baby at The Baby Place, and the midwives highly recommended Kyndal’s Confident Birthing Class. Her class was great and up until about a month before our due date we hadn’t thought much about using a Doula. As we learned more about the birthing process we realized as first time parents, it would be nice to have Kyndal with us. Kyndal is very knowledgeable, caring and comfortable with the birthing process. It was wonderful having her before, during, and after the birth of our baby girl. She also knows her clients well, I felt like she was reading my mind at times. This really helped me voice concerns that I had about giving birth. This also showed me how committed she is to her clients and their needs.
One thing that Kyndal did for us that was unexpected was facilitate a stronger bond between my husband and me. I can’t seem to find the right words to explain how she did this, but by her being there and through our meetings with her, she seemed to bring out the best in our marriage. I am just so grateful for her! This was the most amazing experience we have ever had. And the birth of our daughter was perfect! Kyndal will always be close to our hearts and thought of with love and respect.
 

I highly recommend Kyndal as a doula! She was absolutely amazing for us and I can't imagine our birth without her. We met Kyndal by taking her Confident Birthing childbirth class. Since we were having an out of hospital birth at a birth center with midwives, i wasn't thinking we'd also need or want a doula at first. But at about 37 or 38 weeks my husband thought that HE really wanted a doula to help him. He wanted someone knowledgeable to help him decide when to go into the birth center and for someone to help him help me. What a good decision! Kyndal was indispensable. She is full of knowledge, funny, fun to hang out with and very calm and professional. She brings so much experience and made us feel so pampered and taken care of.
A few moments stand out to me that I especially am glad we had Kyndal as our doula. One was in deep active labor when both Rob and I were in the tub laboring. She was there at our side getting cold cloths for both Rob and I and she seamlessly helped me the few moments Rob needed to take a break and I had to have someone there at my side. She constantly had a glass of water there for me and these small things felt SO big at the moment.
Another was afterwards on the 2 day post partum visit. we had not slept at all the night before and in came Kyndal with advice and help. She was willing to run over and bring us a breast pump I was crying for and also helped me with some nursing techniques that were a godsend!
 

My husband and I were fortunate enough to have Kyndal work with us as our birth doula for the birth of our first child. We also took Kyndal’s wonderful Confident Birthing classes. Kyndal has the perfect combination of knowledge, nurturing, honest motivation and passion for natural childbirth. She was an expert at knowing when to be involved with me, as the birthing mother, and when to stand back and let my husband take the lead. I am sure that the combination of taking Kyndal's class and having her as a birth support contributed directly to my satisfying birth experience.

I am currently pregnant with my second child and only wish she could be my doula again! Alas, she's in Idaho and I'm in Washington...

Kyndal is a blessing to the natural birthing community and would be a huge asset to any family who wants a supportive, competent doula. (She also gives an amazing pregnancy massage!)
 

My husband and I are both Chiropractors and knew that we wanted to have a natural child birth from day one.  I decided to hire an experienced doula to aid in having a satisfying birth.  My husband supported my wishes but did not think it was necessary.  Kyndal was a wonderful asset during birth.  Kyndal knows a great deal about labor and the birthing process.  She knows how to make the mother more comfortable, as well as, positions and techniques to progress labor.  She worked to encourage my husband and I, and knew when to fade into the background or when to be present for me.  But above all, when we were faced with one of our biggest fears, she was there for us.  During intense labor, we found out our baby was breech and would be born c-section.  We were not prepared for this, but Kyndal was.  She was there to comfort us and provide us with the information we needed.  Needless to say, my husband had a change of heart.  We feel very blessed that Kyndal was a part of the birth of our first born, baby girl, Memphis.

We initially met Kyndal through her extraordinary 10-week "Confident Birthing" class for expectant parents. Her knowledge and passion were such that we could not possibly have taken "no" for an answer when trying to secure her services as our doula. She accepted, and we were positively elated with the entire experience. Kyndal maintains an air of confidence and absolute professionalism while at once demonstrating an amazing compassion. Kyndal was there for the birth of our first child, and if we have it our way she will be there for the birth of all our children.

-Josh, Tori, and now Elliot, Hindson 

Having had a c-section previously, I had not considered a vaginal birth because I was mis-led by my Dr. into thinking it was unsafe. I met Kyndal the week before my surgery; she encouraged me to look into a VBAC, gave me resources for research, and I decided in the span of 2 days to do it. We cancelled the surgery, found a new VBAC-friendly Dr. recommended by Kyndal, and hired her as our doula. Kyndal provided a crash birthing course and her coaching and availability to answer questions before the birth made us much more prepared and confident once the day arrived. My choice to be in a hospital led to various limitations and I had a relatively long and somewhat complicated labor. Kyndal’s ability to adapt to the hospital setting, attention to my physical needs, and emotional support for me and my husband was essential. Our baby was turned OP, but by positioning me in various ways she got her to flip, and facilitated great communication among me, my husband, the nurses, and the Dr. We were able to deliver a healthy baby and have the most incredible and emotional experience of our lives. We couldn’t have done this without Kyndal. The nurses and Dr. were clearly very moved by our teamwork, and all took the time to tell me how impressed they were with Kyndal. One important aspect of her coaching – which is often overlooked I think – is how she facilitated my husband’s involvement in the birth, making it much more rewarding to him; the pressure points she recommended he do were essential in getting me through the pain, and the constant physical effort and attention it required for him to do that for so many hours meant he was right in the trenches with me. Kyndal’s commitment to birth education and to being a doula is truly exceptional. Given the comparison I now have between my two birth experiences, I would not give birth again without a doula and would recommend Kyndal to anyone, in any birth situation, at any time!

When my husband, Zack, and I were first introduced to the idea of a doula we thought that it was unnecessary. We were at a hospital and knew there would be nurses and a doc present-  thinking that was naive as first time parents.  Now we cannot even begin to describe how thankful we were to have Kyndal present at the birth.  No matter how much preparation is done to welcome the baby to the world, you really never know what kind of labor you'll get.  Like Kyndal teaches in her Confident Birthing Class, each birth is unique, you can't know what yours will be like- you simply have to prepare for all possible outcomes. Kyndal is a versatile person and can quickly adapt to a given situation.  This is great because as the couple your emotions are much different than the emotions of the doula during the labor.  Having a professional there who fully understands your desires for the birth is crucial in the moments of intense emotion.  The nurses, doc, and doula are there to do thier jobs; the major difference is that the doula's main goal and focus is helping you have the successful birth you are looking for.  A nurses may not understand your desires or what type of person you are, and they may be preoccupied with charting, helping the doctor, and paying attention to medical equipment.  The doula is the ultimate support system for you and your husband. Kyndal was phenomenal at making Zack and I feel like she was there for us with the sole and complete purpose of the same birth outcome that we desired. Yes, a person absolutely can get through a birth without a doula, but would you get behind the wheel of a car on a busy interstate without ever having been taught how to drive?  Sure, it may seem easy and the basics are all the same, but there are outcomes that you can't control outside of the car and you definitely want to be prepared and taught how to handle those outcomes.

We started out by taking Kyndal's Confident Birthing Class in preparation for our first baby. I had no intention of using a doula at all when we first started the class, mostly because I didn't understand what doulas actually did, and how they were different from midwives. Toward the middle of the class I started to realize what a benefit a doula would be for my husband and I as first time parents. Skpping ahead to the actual birth, Kyndal was everything that my husband and I needed her to be. She listened openly and carefully to what our specific needs were as a couple, observing our personalities and relationship dynamic, in order to give us the best service possible. Her experience, expertise and sensitivity brought calm and reassurance to our birth experience. Speaking specifically to those who might be in limbo about whether or not to hire a doula, we are both so very thankful that we had a doula at the birth and especially thankful that it was Kyndal!

Kyndal May was my doula for the birth of my first child.  I had previously received fertility and prenatal massage from Kyndal and I attended her Confident Birthing class.  I am a single mom.  Kyndal was sensitive to meeting my unique needs as a single mom in both her childbirth class and during my daughter's birth.  She has amazing communication skills, and I always felt 100% comfortable communicating my thoughts, needs, concerns, ideas, etc.  I planned a hospital birth but wanted a natural and peaceful birth.  Unfortunately, labor complications and a very long labor, coupled with poor care from hospital staff ,made my labor much more difficult than I had hoped.  Kyndal's continuous presence, support, knowledge, communication, and care were invaluable.  I simply cannot imagine having gone through my difficult birth experience without her with me.  I have told her that I will forever consider her a huge blessing in my life and my daughter's life.  I consider hiring Kyndal as my doula the absolute best decision I made in preparation for my birth. 

Kyndal May was a "must have" for Jami's pregnancy and birth. Kyndal was an invaluable guide, friend, coach and counselor throughout the birthing process. She provided timely and objective support and education for Jami and I. Her objectivity and thorough research made the information and guidance she provided palatable for our family to accept during our transition. There is no doubt she was the catalyst for the paradigm shift we experienced in our birth plan. I cannot imagine what people do without attending a "Confident Birthing" class like hers. I would have felt vulnerable and ill prepared for any of the unforeseen circumstances that require couples to deviate from their original birth plan. Jami and I were blessed to have her as our doula. Thanks Kyndal.
 

My husband and I began our journey with Kyndal during the later stage of our pregnancy during her Confident Birthing Class.  Kyndal had been my massage therapist for over a year and I new she had a passion for teaching couples about childbirth.  Little did I know that by attending her classes, my husband and I would undergo a major paradigm shift in our understanding of natural childbirth and the value of her constant support and affirmations.  She brought out the best in us both, giving us the confidence and skills we would need to get through the challenges of labor and birth, all along with her steady support, guidance and special attention and care.  Kyndal possesses a wealth of information regarding pregnancy and childbirth, and with her extensive experience as a doula coupled with her dedication, committment and special attention to us, she gave my husband and I the greatest gift ever - the confidence and knowledge all couples deserve while experiencing the greatest moment life has to offer;  the birth of a child.  There are no words to describe how thankful we are to have had Kyndal as our doula, mentor and friend.  Her services are priceless.  Our experience has been greatly enriched by having Kyndal by our side.  She went above and beyond all expectations and her devotion and expertise are unmatched.  Kyndal's greeatest gift is her ability to empower couples and prepare them for this life changing event.  Her teachings as our doula have overlapped into our parenting and we will be forever thankful to her for inspiring us and giving us the tools to be better and stronger  than we ever thought possible. 

My husband and I were blessed to have Kyndal May as our doula for our first child's birth. Her Confident Birthing classes we took before hand did just that...gave us the confidence to birth the way that we wanted to all the while supplying us with the information needed to understand, as best we could never having done this before, what to expect and what we may experience. She was a calm presence to us during the birth being hands on when necessary, giving us suggestions on what might help facilitate labor and delivery while giving us the space we needed as a couple to get the work done, together. Afterwards, she was there checking in, helping us understand better what we were going through postpartum while gently working with us on some difficulties I was having. She helped us to feel empowered during the whole process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum in a way that we would not have felt had we not had her to assist us. She was also able to capture some beautiful, amazing photos of the birth that I, as a birthing mother in a space mentally,emotionally and physically prepared for labor, would not have remembered otherwise. It brings tears of joy to my and my husband's eyes whenever we look at them again, remembering the hard work and satisfaction that went along with our natural childbirth that was more than fulfilling because of Kyndal's guidance, understanding, knowledge and desire to help us have a safe and satisfying birth experience! 

During the first half of my pregnancy, both my husband and I were unsure as to if we needed a doula during our birth.  My husband already had experienced a birth with his first child and felt confident and capable in giving me the support I would need.  But as we got closer to our due date, I started to realize how important that support would be for both of us.  I wanted to be sure that he would be fully supported and present for me and the birth.  So despite his hesitation, we agreed to hire Kyndal May as our doula.  It was one of the best decisions we made for our birth!  Kyndal spent a lot of time with us leading up to the due date in helping clarify our birth plan and understanding how we wanted to utilize her services.  She listened to our needs and desires, and carried that into our birth accurately and with compassion.  During the labor and birth process, Kyndal did a phenomenal job in holding the space for my husband and me.  She was there physically and emotionally when we needed her, yet knew when and how to give us space at the moments when it was most important.  For me, she was like a personal attendant that always seemed to know when I needed a drink of water, some food, the right comfort measure, or the perfect words of encouragement.  And at the times when I was being asked to do something physically that seemed beyond my ability, she had a gentle yet commanding way of guiding me through that was incredibly helpful.  Her knowledge and experience is extensive and is apparent through every element of her work.  But most importantly, my husband and I were able to feel completely connected at every moment and we are incredibly grateful to Kyndal for supporting the space to do this.  I would recommend her without hesitation to any couple expecting a child.  And to top it off, she is an excellent photographer for capturing those precious moments of birth!

Kyndal attended the birth of my son 6 years ago, and I am thoroughly excited that she will assist with my next birth as well.  I have attended her Confident Birthing course twice and have found that the education I received from her was thorough, accurate, and fundamental to my understanding of the experience of childbirth.  Kyndal is warm, professional, extremely competent and knowledgeable, and more than that, she has a deep and intuitive understanding of birth and the course mothers travel on their journey through labor.  I have become a passionate advocate for natural childbirth and I can attribute much of my knowledge and positive experience to Kyndal's tutelage and to the care that I received from her when she served as my doula.  Kyndal is absolutely, unequivocally, a fantastic choice for a doula.  You will not be disappointed.

Kyndal has such a passion for the work she does - it's contagious!  My husband and I felt relatively 'lost' in the early part of our pregnancy prior to meeting Kyndal.  At 5 months pregnant, she was the first doula we interviewed and we hired her immediately.  Upon first meeting Kyndal, her passion, knowledge and ability to inspire purpose and confidence in us was amazing.  We have felt so thankful  that we were able to meet Kyndal and as a result the resources she provided us with gave us the birth experience that we feel we couldn't have had without Kyndal.  Also as part of the doula contract we took her confident birthing class which provides a framework in which we could have the confidence needed to have a natural birth and the experience we ultimately wanted.  Kyndal knows exactly when to be present at the birth and when her help is needed and also when to just let the couple have their space. Kyndal is absolutely outstanding in her level of professionalism and the care she takes with her clients.