Katie Rohs Doula Profile

Our daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome and an AV canal defect around week 16 of the pregnancy. It made for a very tumultuous second trimester. We decided to research doulas in the area. My chiropractor recommended the great Penny Simpkin. Due to Penny’s incredibly busy schedule, and my daughter’s medical issues, Penny recommended Katie. She said Katie prefers to work with parents expecting special needs kids. Just hearing that brought my husband and me a bit of comfort, but we honestly did not know what to expect. During our visits, Katie made us feel heard and worthy of her time. It felt like we were spending time with a friend, someone who cares, someone near our age, someone like us. She asked us how we envisioned our daughter’s arrival. All we wanted was to gift our daughter with a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere, meditative, poetic, and the notion we could actually have a smooth, vaginal birth. It was a difficult 21 hour labor. Honestly, my husband was the best coach I could have ever asked for, and Katie was the best coach he could have asked for. She walked us through every stage of birth. She took notes and prepared a timeline of events for us to reflect on. She was there for everything for both of us, in whatever capacity we desired. It was as if she knew, and before we could ask, she was there. Katie was the fairy-godmother we never knew we needed, and looking back, could not imagine going without.

Katie was a great source of support in the birth of our daughter.  My wife had a completely natural birth and undoubtedly Katie's presence eased the both of us through the process.  Katie met with us near our home and offered books and videos for us to borrow.  As Suzanne went into early labor, Katie was available over the phone and via text messages to follow up, answer questions, and offer encouragement.  When it was time for us to transition to the University of Washington (Midwifery Center), Katie met us promptly.  

During the labor process, Katie was a warm presence who offered helpful suggestions for various birthing positions.  More importantly she provided constant support with every wet towel she handed to me (which I placed on my wife's neck and forehead) reassuring the both of us that each contraction we were one step closer to meeting our baby.  When our first child was born Katie even grabbed my camera and took photos for us!

After the birth of our daughter, Katie met with us twice and provided a chronology of our daughter's birth.  I highly recommend Katie as she was a thoughtful and generous presence as we began a new chapter of our life.

When I first met Katie, I was immediately drawn to her warm, calm and compassionate nature. There is a genuine depth to her character, a depth that yearns to embrace the welfare and concerns of those around her, that is priceless. Throughout my entire labor and delivery (which happened to be a medical induction since I have high risk regnancies), Katie was there to help with whatever I needed. She was there to walk the halls with me when the Pitocin drip was first started and she was by my side in an instant to help me endure the more intense contractions. She was also great at anticipating my needs before they were voiced. My husband and I further appreciated how she completely respected our desires and wishes for how we envisioned the birthing process to go. I am incredibly grateful that Katie was able to be a part of the birth of my fourth child. Her soothing presence, and the advice and knowledge she brought with her, were exactly what I needed during my labor and delivery. I would definitely recommend her as a doula to anyone considering her services. You won’t be disappointed with your choice!

I am writing in praise of Katie as a birth doula! She attended the birth of my daughter, and was a tremendous support to both myself and my husband. Although it was my second birth, it was longer than my first (40.25 hours). Anticipating a natural birth, Katie helped me stay focused and coached me through contractions. When the midwife began suggesting medical interventions, Katie helped me find my voice for my wishes and supported me in making the decisions that were best for my birth experience.

Following the birth of both of my children, Katie was one of my primary sources of knowledge, advice and reassurance in all aspects of newborn care. Have her teach you how to swaddle! I highly recommend her as a birth doula!

 

While my husband and I waffled a bit throughout my pregnancy about whether we wanted a doula to help us through our birthing experience, we ultimately decided that Katie was the perfect person with whom to share in our experience.  We were right!

Katie helped both my husband and I stay centered on our goals, helped allieviate my fears and with her questions, gave me the perspective that I needed to stick with our plan of staying at home until my contractions were steady and strong.  Once we arrived at the hospital, Katie reminded us of the many different positions we could try during labor and coached us through the very long process of labor and delivery. However, she knew when my husband and I needed some time to ourselves and gave us space we did not know we needed as well.

Thanks, in part, to Katie's wonderful support, I delivered our son without any medication.  She was my epi-doula! ;)  

Katie was amazing at the birth of our son. Without her thoughtful and valuable advise, I am not sure that the birth would have been as smooth as it was. My wife had a completely natural birth.

She offered helpful suggestions to our birth preferences and provided a DVD of birthing positions when she met with us before the day of delivery. On the day of my son's birth, Katie was giving us advice on what we needed to be talking to the doctors. Later, she came over to our house and comforted my wife as she was undergoing the early stages of active labor. At the hospital, she gave us good advice with comfort positions (and ways to speed up contractions), and as labor progressed, was right by my wife's side, providing comfort. She knew our birth preferences and ensured that we got what we wanted.

I cannot imagine how much more difficult labor would have been without Katie. She is awesome!!!

Katie was a HUGE support through our family's birthing experience. She was there every step of the way, and was so strong. She not only gave great direct support to Tiffany during her 42 HOUR labor, but was also there me as I struggled with how much pain my wife in during labor. Her confidence and calm approach when things get stressful in the labor room are infectious to whoever is in the room. Especially during a long labor such as ours, you need several strong pillars to help keep your bridge from crashing down. Our bridge would have crashed without Katie to help hold it up.

We couldn't give stronger praise to what Katie did for us during our birthing process, and we STRONGLY recommend her anybody searching for top-notch doula.

John and Tiffany