Teresa Marshall Doula Profile

I hired Teresa upon recommendation from the Kansas City Fitmom classes instructor, and was happy to find someone who would help me with my attempt to VBAC.  I was initially very uncertain about my ability to VBAC as my initial c-section had left a "bad taste" in me for the whole experience of having a baby.  I knew I didn't want to repeat the same experience, and at least wanted to try to do a VBAC.  I had a bad experience with my first epidural and was unsure about what to do for pain medication the second time.  I didn't want the pain of natural childbirth, but my experience with the epidural was enough for me to understand that the epidural was not a magic wand.  So, I attempted a fully natural birth, and even the morning at the hospital while having contractions, I was unsure I could do it.  Teresa was the 'magic wand' for me that no epidural could ever be.  She knew what to do and when to do it.  I wasn't sure if having a doula would mean that I'd have things pushed on me that I didn't want to do - but it was the opposite of that.  She was attentive to what I needed when I need it and seemed to know me better than I did.  She supported me and made me believe it was possible.  I was in complete shock when I delivered a healthy baby boy after about 5 hours of labor with no medical interventions, not even a Tylenol.  It was an amazing life experience that I feel so blessed and lucky to have had, it defies words. 

I also hired Teresa for post partum help with my baby and 4 year son.  Even though my recovery from birth was extremely quick and easy, it was nice to have an extra set of hands as we all adjusted to having a new baby in the house.  I would highly recommend her for this time as well so that you can get some sleep, recover and transition into your new normal routines.

When my Doctors rejected my natural birth plan outright, Teresa was there to encourage us to fire them! Her help & guidance were invaluable as we didn't realize how integral the Dr. is in a hospital birth. She came with us to a Dr. appointment with our new (and awesome) Doctors, plus she met my nervous mother during a home visit. I felt very comfortable with Teresa every step of the way. She is very maternal--like a mama bear protecting her cubs! My birth did not go at all as planned; Teresa stayed with me for over 27 hours of hard labor.  Several times near the end, the Drs were talking about a c-section & my family told her she was welcome to go home to get some sleep. Teresa had no interest in going home as she wanted to see the birth of my daughter! She stayed by my side, encouraging me to stay strong (and keep rejecting the c-section), all the while answering medical questions for my mom and husband.  Eventually, I was able to push my baby out with Teresa there whispering encouragement in my ear.  When threatened with a c-section, we were all very emotional. Teresa was able to help keep me calm, offering objective advice that didn't come from a place of panic. You don't realize how important this is when no one can think straight because of emotions running high. If we decide to have another baby, we are most definitely hiring Teresa again. You will not regret having her by your side for the birth of your baby. :) 

Teresa was the difference-maker in the birth of our first child. We successfully welcomed our daughter into the world through an unmedicated natural experience, which was really important to us. From the beginning, we knew she was a good fit for us. The following list highlights the many reasons we would highly recommend Teresa as a birth doula :

• limits the number of births she attends every month, which increases the likelihood that she will personally attend your birth instead of needing a back-up
• welcomed our phone calls, texts, and emails throughout the pregnancy process
• proactively met our midwife before our delivery
• visited the hospital with us before our delivery
• provided resources (articles, videos, books) per our request
• encouraged us to make our own decisions throughout the birth process
• was a perfect balance of professional and personal
• followed up with phone calls, texts, and a visit after we were home from the hospital

Teresa is down-to-earth and easy to be around. She enhances the birth experience and empowers women to have exactly the kind of birth they envision for themselves.

Teresa played an integral role in helping me achieve a natural birth with our first child. I decided to work with a doula about a month before my son was born. I contacted Teresa per a friend's recommendation and knew right away that we would make a great team. Shortly after, I met her face to face to review my birth plan, and she shared valuable information that I had not come across in my birth research. A week later, Teresa accompanied me to my doctor's appointment, where we reviewed the birth plan with my doctor. I couldn't believe she was willing to come with me to this appointment. She truly is dedicated to her work. And then a few weeks later, she came out to our house where she met my husband and my Mom. A few days later, my water broke, and I called Teresa to share the news. She kept me very calm. Teresa came out to our house where we labored for a few hours peacefully before heading to the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, she was there every step where we tried several different labor positions and provided me never ending words of encouragement. She also was a great team leader, helping to guide my husband and Mom to keep me focused and trying different relaxation techniques. She also worked really well with the hospital labor nurse. Teresa did a good job helping me believe in myself and to trust my body. She made me feel safe and know that everything was going to be fine. She was a great advocate, respecting our birth plan and making sure everyone else did too. I am filled with immense gratitude for Teresa. She was there for me and helped me accomplish my goals. I don’t think I could have done it without her. And to top it off, Teresa wrote me a beautiful birth story, capturing all the little details that you lose sight of in the moment. I am forever grateful for Teresa, and I know my husband and Mom feel the same way. If we decide to have another child down the road, I’d like for Teresa to be by my side once again.

 I had a wonderful postpartum experience with Teresa Marshall. She came to my house, kept me and my new baby company and lifted our spirits with her warm personality and extreme willingness to help. She even got down and dirty and cleaned my bath tub! I would definitely recommend Teresa for any Mom looking for insight and help.

Teresa is amazing.  She helpd us with our twins postpardem & was incredible.  She is devoted, loving & nurturing as well as informative, insightful & hard working.  She truly works hard to please & goes above and beyond what you could ever dream.  It is a real pleasure to have her around.  She is so kind & generous.  I would recommend her to any one!

 Once of the best decisions we made with regard to the birth of our child was hiring Teresa.  We didn't hire her until the third trimester, but she was instantly warm and helpful.  She made herself available for doctor's appts and hospital visits, as well as individual meetings with us.  She had excellent advice on crafting our birth plan, and gave us input on interacting with medical professionals.  Most importantly, however, was Teresa's assistance during our labor and birth.  I honestly do not believe I could have successfully had the natural childbirth I'd dreamed of without her help.  She encouraged a variety of positions and provided other comforting measures during my labor.  Teresa was very encouraging.  She made sure my husband was included, and she asked for things on my behalf (e.g. moving off the fetal monitor for awhile) to the medical staff without being pushy, but still managing to get what we all wanted.   I would recommend her without hesitation.

Teresa was an amazing doula.  My husband and I couldn't have asked for anything better.  She went the extra mile, literally, driving all the way to St. Joseph, over an hour away.  She came and visited several times before the birth to visit with my doctor and support me in my efforts to avoid an induction when my baby decided to go past his due date.  During labor, Teresa's extensive repertoire of counterpressure and labor positions really helped take the edge off the contractions and move things along.  It would have been much harder to have a natural birth without Teresa there giving words of encouragement.  My husband also appreciated her being there to guide us and take the "directing" pressure off him so he could focus his attention on supporting me.  I highly recommend Teresa and hope she is willing to make the long drive again for any future pregnancies!

My birth plan was to have as little medical intervention as possible in the birth of my first child.  After interviewing several doula's that were featured on the Doula's of Greater Kansas City website, my husband and I chose Teresa because she seemed ready to offer personalized support that was enhanced by her training.  We didn't decide to hire a doula until our 8th month and we got the impression from other Doula's that in order to benefit from their services we needed to have taken classes (Bradley method) or have been practicing yoga and meditation for years.  Teresa has extentsive training and proved that time and again by having answers to the many questions we asked.  She helped us write down our birth wishes and made sure that each wish was fulfilled when the big day finally arrived.  Before our birth Teresa visited the hospital with us, asking lots of questions.  She also visited our home before the birth to discuss our birth plan and was in constant contact as we all waited.  My active labor came fast and hard, thanks in part to my water breaking early.  After a morning of intense contractions I opted for epidural pain relief.  Teresa helped get us through an intense labor so that when I did receive the epidural, I did so knowing that I was completely effaced, and 6.5 cm dilated.  My son was born without any additional interventions later that afternoon.  Teresa was an awesome advocate at the hospital, the nurses and our doctor really seemed to respond well to her gentle reminders of our wishes.   She supported me in my decision for pain relief, which helped me have a positive experience even if it wasn't what I'd hoped for.  Teresa has kept in contact and visited us twice and even wrote us a "birth story" documenting our experience.  In short, she's awesome.

I was wonderful working with Teresa during my labor and birth experience.  She came to our house at 1:00 in the morning and was a great support throughout the night and day during my labor for me and my husband.  Her calm, supportive presenced helped me to remain calm and relaxed throughout contractions.  I seriously doubt if I would have been able to have a natural childbirth if it wasn't for the support and comfort measures that Teresa provided.  She made my husband and I feel very comfortable and confident.  Teresa was a great advocate at the hospital and is someone that I felt very comfortable with. She truly cares about the people and babies that she works with and I feel like she is a member of the family now, I look forward to having her there for my next childbirth experience!

Teresa is a wonderful doula. She is professional, but at the same time makes you feel so comfortable- like your mom or best friend would. She is supportive, and knowledgeable without being pushy. She assisted me through my 24 hour labor, and was a great help immediately after birth, and the following weeks. She helped make both my husband and I confident in the birthing process, and caring for a newborn. I hope she can attend all my future births.