Kathleen Wilson Doula Profile

 I enthusiastically recommend Kathleen to anyone looking for a doula. She is supportive, kind and genuinely cares about you. There is a reason she attracts so many clients! Kathleen is non-judgemental and supports YOUR decisions. She never tries to push her values for birth onto you, but is full of ideas,options,  suggestions and resources if you need them. Her experience is amazing and really shows. During my pregnancy, she was very available to answer questions and had excellent communication. During my son's birth, she worked very well with hospital staff. I felt that when she was there, there was someone who was really on my side and had my best interests as her priority. She provided emotional support as well as physical support during labor. She provided massage, gave position suggestions, helped to involve my reluctant husband and helped me to navigate the entire process. I am confident my son's birth would not have gone so smoothly had she not been present. With her help, I was able to avoid an epidural and pain medications as I had hoped even though I ended up being induced. I highly recommend Kathleen Wilson, labor enabler! If you have the opportunity to work with Kathleen, take it!!

I would have never had the opportunity to accomplish the wonderful birth experience that I wanted without Kathleen by my side. Not only is she compassionate, intelligent, kind and resourceful, she is tough and kept me focused throughout the entire process of pregnancy through delivery. She was always there and always knew the right thing to say and do no matter how many times the circumstances and plan changed. She is awesome at focusing your thoughts and energy from negative and pain to positive and encouraging. I am so grateful that Kathleen was a part of my journey and helped me to appreciate my experience to the utmost. No matter what type of birthing experience you plan to have, Kathleen is the right doula for you!!

PRICELESS!!!!!  We hired Kathleen to work with our surrogate starting at about 30 weeks gestation.......She was THE most important decision we made for the benefit of our surrogate, and for ourselves.  As birth parents, we live 5 hours away from delivery hospital and surrogate, so Kathleen's role was instrumental in the delivery of our son.  She coordinated so many logistics for us, including which hotel was the closest and best to stay at near the Texas Women's Hospital!  She spent many, many hours with our surrogate, making her feel very comfortable with every aspect of her birth plan.  She also went over the many details in regard to what WE wanted for our newborn,  right down to the brand of soap we preferred for him to be bathed with!  I cannot stress the value and importance of Kathleen enough.  If you are able to pay for a doula, look no further, Kathleen is extremely smart, efficient, and AMAZING at what she does.  We are so grateful.

Sincerely,

Dr. and Mrs. Tan Nguyen

Hiring Kathleen as our doula was the best thing I did for me during my first pregnancy. From the first meeting she made us feel completely comfortable and started the process of guiding us through our planned waterbirth. She gave 1000% in each meeting and was available for phone calls anytime I had questions. My labor lasted 40 hours and I ended up being rushed to the ER to have a c-section. She was by our side every minute and waited at the hospital until our little boy was born. I cannot express how valuable and meaningful her presence was during this stressful delivery. She went above and beyond her commitment to us. For anyone having a baby, no matter what type of birth you want to have, I highly recommend hiring her.

 My birth experience was amazing! I couldn't have done it without Kathleen. She helped me through the whole birth from coming to meet with us before to the birth to after. Her knowledge, experience, and skills made it possible for me to have a natural birth. She is truly amazing and I am so happy I decided to have her as my doula. She played a vital role through the birth when I was ready to give up, she gave me the motivation and belief that I can do it. 

Kathleen helped me achieve my goal -- an unmedicated VBAC.  The best part about her attendance at the labor and delivery was how she observed what was going on and made sure I was aware of what the doctor was planning to do, so I could make my own decision about agreeing to or declining procedures.  She was a coach and encourager, holding my hand and redirecting my thoughts and words (yells!) from the negative (No! I can't!) to the positive (Yes! Open!).  I loved having her there on my side, even though I trusted and liked my OB.  My husband loved her, too.  Thanks Kathleen!

Kathleen, she's amazing. She was my sister's doula when she was pregnant with Reid, her third. From the point that my sister was recovering after giving birth, she began saying that Kathleen was going to be her gift to me. I'll admit, I thought she was crazy at first. I'd be "epiduraling" it up.

Then I got pregnant.
Then I started researching in the few days before I told my sister.
Then Kathleen became my doula.

We met with her monthly. She calmed my irrational fears (what was I going to wear during labor or should I to donate the cord blood) and covered everything in full detail with us. It was like we were her only client. She spent hours with us if that was what we needed. And we never seemed like a hassle. During labor, even though she was 25 weeks pregnant, she was a solid rock. She had to be tired, exhausted even, and hungry and just getting worn down. She counter pressured my back when I was in positions that were so uncomfortable. And then she showed Matt how to duplicate what she was doing. Even during pushing, which lasted 3-4 hours, she was there at my leg with pressure helping me along (with my sister, my mom, and my hubs as well). She'd sit down in between, but stayed right next to me.
She walked me through options and outcomes when something new was thrown our way. She was patient with me. She told me I could when I said I can't. Bot not only was she telling me, she was making me believe. Her words were what I needed.  My birth did not go how I had envisioned, but through my work with Kathleen prior to and during my birth, I still felt empowered in the decisions I was making to bring my beautiful son into the world. 

Kathleen is a rock star. She not only coached me (and my sister in her labor) but she has coached our family. I think I can speak for us all when I say she is such a blessing and has really guided us all. We love her for what she has provided us.

I don’t know what I would have done without my doula Kathleen. I was heartbroken at 36 weeks to learn that my baby was stubborn and refused to turn from her frank breech position. I had two choices; get a cesarean or home birth. I chose to give up my wonderful birth center with midwives that I trusted and switch to a new midwife (recommended by Kathleen) and a home birth. I was bound and determined not to get cut open! My husband and I loved the new midwife and quickly embraced the home birth idea.
Kathleen was the perfect companion for my 36+hour home birth. From recommending the birth photographer, to giving me water when she knew I needed it, to back massages, to calming down the midwives; Kathleen did it ALL! She knew when to be by my side, and when to leave. She kept everyone in-line, and kept everyone optimistic in spite of the length of my labor. I had an amazing water breech home birth, and my baby, Heidi, is a joy. The birth was so exotic, in fact, that a full page picture has been published in Midwifery Today (summer issue 2011). I know for a FACT that without Kathleen I could not have had such a magical drug-free, intervention-free birth.

Kathleen is a wonderful doula who truly loves what she does. I wanted a doula for the birth of my first child to assist me in my attempt to have as natural and intervention-free a labor as possible. My husband, however, was very skeptical and was not sure that the extra expense of hiring a doula was worth it. My labor turned out to be very challenging and lasted almost 24 hours. Kathleen was there with us throughout the difficult labor, and I was able to avoid what the doctor thought was an imminent c-section due to my baby's poor position in the birth canal. My husband and I are convinced that it was Kathleen's suggestions for positional changes during labor that helped our baby move into the right position for birth so that I could avoid the c-section. Kathleen was a calming presence in the delivery room, and she deftly handled dealing with my doctor, who is a very skilled and knowledgeable doctor but who was less than 100% supportive of my natural birth plan.  She also has a great sense of humor, which really helped keep things light during a hard labor!!  Kathleen is a wonderful person and a skilled doula who is extremely passionate about what she does. We appreciate everything she did for us, and she even made my skeptical husband a true believer in the power of a good doula!

Words cannot fully express my gratitude for all Kathleen has done for us over the past few months.  I had known that my midwives would make every effort to be with us throughout our labor, but something in the back of my mind kept pushing me to hire a doula so that I knew for sure I would have an experienced woman by my side. As it turned out, my midwife was tied up with another birth for the majority of my labor and my husband and I are eternally grateful that Kathleen was there with us. She truly has a passion for what she does and it shows in every visit we had with her leading up to the birth and during my labor.  She really became a part of the family and even after our son was born she continues to visit and be a part of our lives.  She has great suggestions and advice regarding all my newborn questions, but I think the most important thing is she is always available to support me in any of my postpartum fears, anxieties, joys, and milestones. She really has a gift for making you feel like you are her only client and it warms my heart to see how much she genuinely loves my son. I will never be able to thank her enough, but I hope she knows how much we cherish her being a part of our little miracle.

Having Kathleen as our doula was an amazing experience. I met her at the BIRTH fair and planned our meeting right away. My husband was reluctant at first to having a doula but told me if I needed to have one that he would go for it. Through all the prenatal visits and throughout my birth, Kathleen changed his mind! He has told me he will be the one demanding to have Kathleen at our other births. I only wish I would have had Kathleen at my first birth.

She met with us every month throughout my pregnancy to help plan and prepare for the birth of my daughter. She worked with us to create a birth plan so that all our wants and wishes could be fulfilled. This also helped us learned more about each other so that by the time the birth came it felt like I had a close friend there supporting me.

During our birth Kathleen really was our ROCK! Kathleen came to our house and helped me labor through my beginning contractions just like we had planned. I had a very fast birth. Once we decided to go to the hospital I went through transition very fast; within minutes. Kathleen rode with me in the car while my husband drove 95 mph down the highway. She helped me breathe through each and every contraction helping me not to push. She was very calm and in control the whole ride. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I wouldn’t have been able to do with without her!

After arriving at the hospital she was right by my side while I pushed my daughter out! She was there to help assist my husband in every aspect of my aftercare; from taking video shots to feeding me juice and yogurt. It was a very intense birth but it was EVERYTHING I wanted it to be, because of Kathleen. I was so happy with my experience and I sit here thinking about how great my next birth will be with Kathleen.

Our experience with Kathleen  Wilson was completely rewarding. It was everything I expected it to be and more. She was supportive and attentive to me. I think that best thing about our experience with Kathleen was how much she helped my husband. She modeled to him how to help me through the birth process and he was so grateful for her presence at the birth of our second son. I would highly recommend Kathleen as a doula.

Our birth experience was everything we'd hoped for thanks to Kathleen. Her support and availability during our pregnancy was amazing. Knowing that she was willing to discuss any concerns or nervousness my husband or I were feeling throughout my pregnancy really relaxed me and made the experience much more enjoyable. During my labor and birth Kathleen was unbelievable. Her presence in our home during labor was extremely calming and her expertise in counterpressure massage and aromatherapy made my natural labor and delivery possible. Her reassurance during the pushing phase was just the encouragement I needed to bring my baby safely and naturally into this world. Having Kathleen present during our pregnancy, labor, delivery and post partum made our entire birth experience perfect. We are so thankful to have been clients of Kathleen and now to call her a friend. 

My experience in working wih Kathleen as my doula was incrediby positive, transformational and healing for Me. Kathleen is so dedicated and so passionate about the work that she does. She is superbly  talented at guiding her clients to a place of pure clarity about their own perfect birth experience. She is unbiased and extremely honest, stright forward and genuine. While in service of Me as her client she was so exclusively focused on My Care.This was a healing experience for Me to be cared for in such a steadfast way. It has lead to profoundly positive changes in my life. I am happier than I have been in a very long time. I am enjoying my new son so much. I am proud to say that Kathleen has played a huge part in the positive state of my life after pregnancy. I highly recommend her doula services.

I can say, with no doubt, that Kathleen made my non-medicated, hospitalized VBAC happen.

Desperate for a VBAC, we interviewed a handful of doulas.  My husband, whom I fully expected to say "pick whoever you want, honey" said "I think we both know Kathleen is the right doula for you."  She has a very special talent for being supportive of your preferred choices, while preparing you for all possibilities all at the same time.  She absolutely does not judge your choices/decisions; she wants you to have YOUR best birth experience.

Additionally, Kathleen helped me through my VBAC at a hospital that does not have a good reputation for supporting VBACs, or frankly non-medicated births, at all.  This was one of my biggest concerns, and I can honestly say there was not an ounce of tension in my labor and delivery room at any time; she worked calmly and professionally with my nurses and the doctor who delivered my baby.  I received many compliments from my doctor's staff after my daughter's birth and our doctor said she thought our birth did a tremendous service at that hospital, as there had been 'buzz' about it for a few days following.

Please do yourself a favor and request an interview with Kathleen!  You won't be disappointed.

Fantastic experience! Very professional and knowledgable. I couldn't have done it without her!

I first heard about doulas back in college (a friend did a study about the bonding between mother/baby when a doula was involved). Listening to her 15 years ago planted the seed that a doula (whatever that was), was for me. 

I met with Kathleen and new quickly she was the doula for me.  Her vibe is great - calming, reassuring, educational, a listener. I couldn't "sign-up" for her services quickly enough. She educated me on all the decisions of labor/birth/post-partum...things I never thought of.  Kathleen had met my OB (known in the doula community for performing elective c-sections) and was excited to work with her.  Kathleen attended a doctor visit with me -- my doctor seemed surprised since no other doula had ever made an office vist before.  

When I started labor I called Kathleen to give her a status update. She sounded exhausted, but asked me if I wanted her to come to me.  When she met me at the hospital you would never have known she had just attended another client birth 8 hours earlier (I later learned I was the first time she ever attended two births in 1 day, let alone 12 hours). She quickly got me focusing on the task at hand.  We worked on the birth ball (great invention), counterpressure on my back, aromatherapy, breathing exercises and guided relaxation. When I had my first sign of transition I remember telling Kathleen I couldn't do this, her response was that i WAS doing it & would continue to do it to bring that baby down.  

I can't say enough about the constant support Kathleen offered me & my husband.  With her help I was able to have the birth experience I always wanted. Thanks Kathleen, you hold a special place in my heart -- one that can never be matched.   

From my very first conversation with Kathleen, I knew she was the right person to help guide my husband and I through the birth of our second child.  After a very scary and difficult Cesarean birth with our first, we were determined to have a positive birth experience whether we got to have a VBAC or had to have a repeat Cesarean.  Kathleen was not only encouraging and nurturing, but provided so much great information and help from relaxation techniques to breastfeeding support.  She helped us establish a birth plan for both birth scenarios, and made it clear she was there to help us achieve the most positive birth no matter what.  While we did end up having a second Cesarean, Kathleen was with us every step of the way.  We had the best Cesarean birth I believe could ever be possible and will cherish that day for the rest of my life.  She was more than our doula, but truly a friend that we felt genuinely cared about what we were going through.  Having her as part of our birth experience was one of the best decisions we could have made, and we would not hesitate to have her there again!

I recently gave brith to a beautiful baby boy and labored with Doula Kathleen Wlison.  She was awesome!  From the first day we met I knew we would have a great birth experience.  Kathleen was incredibly thorough during our prelabor meetings.  She ensured all my questions were answered and we discussed everything that could possibly happen so I could be prepared and think about any unexpected decisions ahead of time.  I was a few days past my due date and pretty anxious for the baby to come.  Kathleen was great through this: very reassuring and full of great advice and resources.  As far as the birth itself, it was incredible!  It was my second birth and I was determined to labor at home for as long as possible.  She was a rock, encouraging and comforting me throughout my labor.  The labor went pretty fast and when my water broke we rushed to the hospital and I mean RUSHED!  Kathleen talked me out of pushing in the car a few times and after running me down the hospital halls in a wheel chair and into a Labor and Deliver room, we had a baby in 3 minutes.  It was extremely exciting and an incredibly beautiful and empowering experience.  I would highly recommend Kathleen for a first time mom as well as an experienced mother....she is a fabulous person and Doula!

No one ever seems to truly understand the value of a doula until first experiencing a hellish labor and delivery without one. Laboring without a doula is a lonely, directionless, vulnerable and painful endeavor. After interviewing three Houston area doulas, choosing Kathleen was a no-brainer. I was determined to have a second chance and get the birth I wanted. Kathleen protected me. She protected my birth plan, she protected my body, my baby, my choices and my dreams for the birth I wanted. Kathleen has mastered the art of tact when negotiating with hospital staff. She proved that it is possible to get the birth YOU want- even in a hospital setting. Kathleen is priceless.

Kathleen was reccomended to us by our Bradley Method teacher as we were preparing for our first child.  Even before I was pregnant I knew I wanted a doula and try a natural, drug-free birth.  Meeting Kathleen for the first time was like seeing an old friend again, my husband and I instantly felt comfortable with her.  (She and my husband bonded over a shared love of Quentin Tarantino movies.)  During our first meeting she asked us what we wanted and were planning, and never forced her beliefs on us.  We knew we would be having a hospital birth and she was more than happy to accomany us.  Kathleen said and did all the right things to help me during labor.  She was able to get me to refocus during the worst parts.  I know we never could have had a drug-free birth without her loving help.  She is a wonderful, kind person and a first-class doula!

Our son's birth did not go as planned. We wanted to go natural but ended up with every intervention possible including a c-section. Though he is healthy and happy, I remained bitter about the experience and felt cheated out of the birth I wanted. We needed to make some changes this time. We switched hospitals, doctors and doulas. Kathleen was everything our first doula was not. We felt instantly connected to her. She understood my feelings about the first birth and knew this birth could help me heal. I began to despair when it seemed we were headed for c-section #2, but Kathleen never gave up hope. Surprisingly, I awoke in labor on our due date. Afraid to get my hopes up, I took my time notifying people and getting ready, but soon we couldn't wait any longer. Labor was hard, fast and painful. Baby was face up, which meant back labor. When we got to the hospital, I was 6 centimeters. Kathleen got there in time to help me through transition with no epidural. Without her, I probably would have given in to the pain. I was not a graceful laborer, but Kathleen, my husband and the doctor patiently encouraged me. 3 hrs and 40 mins after we arrived at the hospital, our beautiful baby girl was born - a non-medicated VBAC - just like we hoped! Kathleen advocated for us, made sure we knew what was going on, and took amazing pictures of our baby's first moments. She stayed until we were settled, called to check in and came for postpartum visits. Later we learned our daughter shares her birthday with a day of personal loss for Kathleen, yet she never let her emotions interfere with her professionalism or the care she gave. She will always have a place in my heart for the role she played in such a significant event in our lives.

Kathleen was very knowledgeable, passionate about pregnancy & birth, a great help to us during the birth, as well as before and after. She was very reliable and a lot of fun to be with too.

I had an easy natural birth experience, and I owe that in part to Kathleen!

We will use Kathleen again in the future as a doula and we definitely recoomend her services to anyone wanting a doula.

Kathleen is an amazing woman! She entered our world for our third baby. I was a crazy mother who called Kathleen when I was BARELY pregnant, not even 10 weeks. I had two previous medicated births, and I knew I needed a head start to have the courage to do it all differently. Kathleen listened to me and my husband so well. She was unbelievably encouraging when I had told her my other birth stories, and how I came to my desire to do it all differently, and find her.

At 20 weeks we found out news that was hard to swallow. Kathleen was a rock in my life with my husband that made me know that I did not have to give up anything that we wanted for our birth of our son. We could do it all while being aware of any health concerns for him. Kathleen did her homework within days of finding out about his check up and had encouraging facts to make me not loose momentum.

She was always available, never too busy, and so supportive. She became my fast friend, and I felt comfort when she was near. She has so much knowledge that makes you feel at such ease, her strong confidence is such a part of who she is.

My amazing hospital birth with my 3rd son would of never been had it not been for Kathleen! He had a kidney disorder, a cord wrapped around his neck, and a true knot...things that I am surely would of lead to this or that concern without Kathleen's strong, calm and knowing presence.

How I wish I could turn back the clock and had Kathleen for my first two births. I recommend her with a shining smile to anyone I know...and have already promised Kathleen to my sister for a perfect baby shower gift (a baby that hasn't yet to be conceived :) 

Kathleen was really incredible!

Meeting with her several times to create a birth plan and help me define my expectations and desires during labor was very helpful.  It also helped her to get to know my likes and dislikes and helped me to bond with her.

During labor, Kathleen was great at reading what I needed.  She gave me space and peace to concentrate when I was doing well, and gave me excellent coaching when I was not doing well!  She was great at creating an atmosphere of calm, even during the chaos of leaving for and arriving at the hospital.  She just radiated peace!  Kathleen was an excellent advocate for me with the hospital staff. When their usual procedures would have distracted me during some difficult contractions, she was great at communicating my be left alone for a few minutes.  My obstetrician said that he would recommend Kathleen to anyone because of how smooth our labor and delivery went.  She was very encouraging during the pushing phase and helped me focus on WHY I was choosing an unmedicated birth when I was convinced that I couldn't do it anymore.  Her reminder that it was for my son was just what I needed when I started to feel overwhelmed.

Kathleen was also been great about checking on me postpartum.  She has come by for a homevisit, given me some "sitz herbs" to help promote healing, and kept in touch by phone.

Overall, Kathleen really helped me create the birth experience that I wanted and I firmly believe that I could not have achieved my goals without her.  I would highly recommend Kathleen to anyone looking for a doula. 

I can say without a shred of doubt that Kathleen is THE doula of doulas. With her calm demeanor, pragmatic advice, and 'earned wisdom' ways, my pregnancy and birth of my 2nd child were in the most capable of  hands. She even won over my skeptical husband and had him fully participating with lightness and joy in the delivery room (which the doula who I hired for the birth of my FIRST child was not able to do).

Without Kathleen, I never would have attempted a natural, drug-free birth. (Note: Kathleen will fully support you either way - epidural OR drug-free). But, I'm so thrilled that I did because it was the most PERFECT birth I could have ever imagined.

Interview a few doulas if you wish. However, I'm confident that you will ultimately choose Kathleen for all the reasons mentioned above. She truly is the doula of doulas.