Karen Trudeau Doula Profile

We had a wonderful experience with Karen as our doula. We had taken the Bradley Method classes, but still wanted to have the security of an extra support person on hand, as this was our first birth. This turned out to be a very fortunate decision, as my wife's labor was long and difficult. She had expressed her desire to have a natural childbirth ahead of time, so when she began talking abou wanting an epidural, it was very difficult to try to persuade her to keep going without it. Karen was right there with me as we tried to encourage my wife, and I definitely appreciated having a second voice echoing what I was telling her. I would've felt abandoned by the hospital staff if not for Karen's presence in the room with us.

As we made the tough decision to eventually go with Pitocin and an epidural after laboring for quite a while, Karen was great to talk to about our options, and we all were on the same page. And when we reached the point where a c-section was clearly the best way forward, it was again great to have Karen there agreeing with us that it was the best choice.

After the c-section delivery, I went with our baby to the NICU, while Karen was waiting back in the room to be with my wife. She had even gathered up our belongings for transfer to our recovery room. Karen stayed with us until that evening -- which made it about 36 hours since she had first arrived at the hospita -- at which point she still took some convincing to go home and rest. Karen stayed in touch by phone and text and visited us in the hospital over the following days, helping get my wife off to what turned out to be a very successful start to breastfeeding.

When she paid a followup visit to us once we were back home, it felt very nice to sit and talk to her with our daughter there in our arms, knowing Karen was a huge part the birth. We plan on referring all our friends expecting children to Karen, and give her our highest recommendation.

Karen was amazing.  My birth experience wouldn't have been the same without her.  She went above and beyond for both me and my husband before, during and after labor.

She is supportive of your birth, regardless of what that means for you.  She took the time to get to know my specific situation, helped me decide what kind of labor I wanted, and ensured that my husband and I were both comfortable with her prior to the big day. 

I had a higher-risk pregnancy and wanted an all-natural labor in a hospital, and she did everything she could to be supportive of that.  She gave me the information I needed to help me and my husband make the best decisions possible, was fantastic with the hospital staff during the labor (they even complmented her on how awesome she was!), and was there to help with anything and everything.  She was a great emotional support and made the most intense parts of labor more bearable.  Regardless of the type of labor, she'll be there for you.  If you have a scheduled c-section, an epidural, an all-natural birth, etc. 

I was at the hospital in labor for 30 hours and she was there the entire time with us, even a few hours afterwards to ensure that we were comfortable. 

If we have more children, Karen will definitely be there.  My husband says he'll buy a plane ticket for her if we end up moving out of the area and having a baby in another part of the country.  It would be well worth it!

I had always known I wanted a natural birth, coming from a large family my mother was my inspiration for this natural birth choice… I wanted to be somewhat of a hippy when it came to birth with all the books that I had read, I wanted no drugs and minimal interference by doctors, I had chosen a birth center to have my baby, and ideally I wanted a water birth. I thought having a Doula would help me achieve what I had wanted…
Karen was a huge help in both the birth and pregnancy. From the beginning she was a wealth of knowledge and was always there in what ever support I needed for my pregnancy both emotionally, physically and even spiritually she uplifted me. Any questions or things I had wanted to know she would always help or point me in the right direction. And when we got to the end for the birth Karen supported me even more, I had a long 68 hour labor if it had not been for Karen’s support I am not sure how I would have survived those long days of labor. I am not sure how my husband would have survived either, she not only supported me but she supported him too. Sadly I did not have a natural birth but I still had a healthy baby boy, Ivan 10 lbs 15oz 22 ½ inches long by c- section in a hospital. Having Karen there to explain what I had been through to the doctors and comfort me because I had not been able to have my natural birth was so reassuring for me. Even though my experience was a rough one, Karen being there still makes it a good memory and I am so thankful she was there. I would recommend her as a Doula ANYTIME.
~Christina Emery
 

Karen is a wonderful doula and we we're so glad to have her with us during the pregnancy, labor, and birth of both of our children. If you're considering a doula- we would say it's absolutely worth it and Karen will be a tremendous support for you.

We had very enjoyable pregnancies and had every reason to believe that our birth experiences would be as enjoyable and rewarding. However, as anyone would tell you childbirth is anything but predictable. Karen was very prompt, knowledgeable, emotionally present, dedicated, and capable. She gave us all the time we needed every time we needed her. Throughout my labor and birth she maintained a level head, was always cheerful and willing, and helped us so much by providing different perspectives at every step of the process. My husband was especially thankful for her support as it made a tremendous difference in his confidence and peace that I was in good hands. 

Throughout our experience, Karen became more than just our doula - she became our friend. Karen's care helped us make our birth experiences positive, rich, and healthy. We are confident having her made all the difference. 

~Nancy

I had Karen Trudeau for two of my birth experiences, and both times she proved to be an amazing asset.  The first time I told her that my goal was to go natural, and I really wanted her to help me through the process. My labor was long and exhausting at 22 hrs, I know that I would not have been able to make it to the end "naturally" if it weren't for Karen. Her soft, encouraging voice, her knowledge and coaching techniques, and just her calming presence kept me going...kept me in control.  The second birth was a bit of a different experience. I had called Karen before and asked her if she would still want to come and help me if I told her I was "open" to using the epidural this time. Her response was refreshing as she assured me that no matter what I decided to do she would be there to back me up-in other words I felt no pressure from her that she had certain expectations as to how my labor should go. With another long labor, Karen coached me, distracted me from the pain, and kept reminding me that this was a "marathon." After certain interventions that were needed, I decided to get the epidural, Karen was 100% supportive from the moment I made my decision. She was still incredibly helpful during the rest of the labor. Between rubbing my feet for hours, holding my hand at every push, and cheering me on at the "crowning" I felt safe, and at peace with her by my side. I strongly recommend Karen Trudeau, she is an excellent doula, but even more she is an amazing person!