Website: www.katherinecparker.webs.com Phone: (319) 400-9976 Type of Practice: Solo practice Clients per Month: 1 to 2 Birth Doula Experience: 3 years and 29 births attended Area of practice: Iowa City, IA Travel range: 50 miles Travel comments/restrictions: Languages spoken: English, some German
Birth Doula Certifications
DONA (DONA International)
College Education
MA/MS
Specialized training or previous experience:
Teens
Over 40
Families conceiving with ART and IVF
VBAC
Home Birth
Multiples
Relinquishing mothers
Postpartum mood disorders
High risk
Single parents
Cesarean birth
Waterbirth
Special services available:
Infant massage education
Acupressure and/or acupuncture in labor
Cloth diapering education
Parenting consulting
Elimination communication education
Babywearing education
Baby-led weaning
Reduced rates for military members/spouses
Reduced rates for women considering adoption
Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
Relevant volunteer or advocacy work: I am a founding member of Iowa City Doulas. We have a strong commitment to providing prenatal and labor support for ANY women in the Iowa City area who desire it. I love working with couples, but I also really enjoy working with single mamas and their support team.
Attends hospital births? All Hospitals I have an excellent working relationship with the UIHC nurses, midwives, and OBs, and it is truly a pleasure to work with the staff there. I am familiar with Mercy Iowa City and its policies and procedures and have attended births at area community hospitals too. I am happy to help you prepare for birth no matter which hospital you are using. Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers Attends home births? Any Home Birth I attend both home and hospital births. My second son was born at home, and it is a wonderful place to give birth too! I can help out with siblings during birth and clean-up afterwards, whatever you need.
Birth doula fee: $100 to $550 Fee details: I am open to bartering, payment plans, and working for a reduced fee if you face financial barriers to having the birth you desire.
I will be taking a leave of absence from doula work as I am starting a nurse-midwifery program in school. I am not currently accepting clients.
Client Testimonials for Katherine Parker Bryden
Anita Morrill
I began interviewing doulas before I became pregnant with my second son. I wanted someone with whom both my husband and myself could connect, and it seemed Katherine fit at the very first phone call. I also wanted someone with experience with VBACs, and she had recently helped an acquantaince of mine succeed in her VBAC.
Throughout my pregnancy, she was available by email and phone, and was flexible in scheduling appointments since I was driving 2 hours to Iowa City to meet her when I had my appointments at the hospital there. She had a knack for providing the perfect advice to my questions and comments, and I felt like she was a mix of a sister and a counselor and a birth expert. I felt like she addressed me as a whole person, not just as a pregnant lady, and she provided constant encouragement for my Master's Thesis as well as my birth goals. She also provided timely and appropriately focused books, video links, and even focus images that helped me mentally prepare for my VBAC.
Going into labor, I wasn't the least bit concerned about dealing with hospital staff, remembering birth positions, or having to articulate my wishes and needs while giving birth. I felt absolutely confident and relaxed that Katherine and I were on the same page in regards to my goals. She was attentive and quick to respond during labor. My son was born by drug-free VBAC in just 10 hours, exceeding all of my own expectations for my birth experience, thanks in large part to Katherine!
I began interviewing doulas before I became pregnant with my second son. I wanted someone with whom both my husband and myself could connect, and it seemed Katherine fit at the very first phone call. I also wanted someone with experience with VBACs, and she had recently helped an acquantaince of mine succeed in her VBAC.
Throughout my pregnancy, she was available by email and phone, and was flexible in scheduling appointments since I was driving 2 hours to Iowa City to meet her when I had my appointments at the hospital there. She had a knack for providing the perfect advice to my questions and comments, and I felt like she was a mix of a sister and a counselor and a birth expert. I felt like she addressed me as a whole person, not just as a pregnant lady, and she provided constant encouragement for my Master's Thesis as well as my birth goals. She also provided timely and appropriately focused books, video links, and even focus images that helped me mentally prepare for my VBAC.
Going into labor, I wasn't the least bit concerned about dealing with hospital staff, remembering birth positions, or having to articulate my wishes and needs while giving birth. I felt absolutely confident and relaxed that Katherine and I were on the same page in regards to my goals. She was attentive and quick to respond during labor. My son was born by drug-free VBAC in just 10 hours, exceeding all of my own expectations for my birth experience, thanks in large part to Katherine!