Ann Shea-McCloughan

9/28/2024

My wife and I have a dear friend who officiated our wedding- warm, Midwestern, full of light, trustworthy- and the first time we met Kassie, we instantly were reminded of this friend. As queer first time parents, we were eager to have a teammate with us for the birth of our son that had seen it all- and Kassie is that teammate. Kassie did not end up attending the emergency c-section that saved the life of my child- but she was there in the postpartum period, and we didn't hesitate about working with her again for the birth of our daughter. 

And what a birth it was- my wife was in labor for 66 hours from induction to birth, through a failed epidural and 2 hours of pushing, 3 days of not being allowed to eat, and probably close to 30 separate medical team members cycling through the room. We stayed in touch with Kassie throughout the early parts of labor and when contractions became real, she was there in a flash.

The thing that we didn't fully realize before living it was that with a gentle induction, you are alone in a room, no medical team, for hours on end. With Kassie in the mix, my wife had a coach to work through different labor tools and positions. If Kassie hadn't been there, I'm not sure the labor would have ended successfully in a VBAC.

Kassie took care of my wife when I was tapped out, and took care of me when I wasn't taking care of myself. She translated information tossed at us from the medical team and advocated for my wife's needs when necessary. She blended into the background in moments of connection and joy (surreptitiously taking beautiful photos of me holding my baby for the first time) and stepped into the foreground when the situation called for it. She holds a special place in our hearts and memories of the birth of our daughter. I would recommend Kassie to anyone who feels like they need a knowledgeable, realistic, hopeful teammate for the life-changing event of birth.

Clare Nelson-Johnson

9/7/2024

Kassie really was born to do this work. I cannot say enough good things about Kassie and the vital role she played in my entire birth experience. Kassie’s energy is warm, nonjudgemental, open and inviting. Kassie was supportive of whatever our hopes and birth intentions were. We delivered at Evanston Hospital & she had worked with several of the nurses already. Kassie advocated for us during labor, creating the exact environment we didn’t know we wanted, she came prepared with birthing balls, massage tools, honey sticks, tea lights, an awesome playlist! She washed my faced & helped me brush my teeth (& tried to help w/ my hair, next time I'll let her do cute frenchbraids or something) right before pushing started. She helped my husband & I make decisions during labor and gratefully, because of Kassie, we had already talked through different scenarios that could happen so we were prepared. She was supportive & strong (literally cheering me on & also doing hip squeeze after hip squeeze). Kassie made me feel comfortable & calm during times where I was my most vulnerable. Kassie wasn’t just there for me during labor, she also served as an INCREDIBLE support reasuring/affiring my husband as well. Throughout pregnancy I asked Kassie any question (no matter how graphic or embarrassing) & it would be met with a prompt, understanding, caring & knowledgable reply. Kassie isn’t just an absolutely amazing doula she is also just one of the most amazing people, truly. We seriously love her. Kassie has been there since day 1 and I imagine she will be in our lives and the life of our babe for quite some time. If (and hopefully when) we have another baby, you bet Kassie we’ll be getting the team back together for round 2! We are forever grateful to Kassie and the person she is and the role she played in birth of our beautiful babe. 

Agnes

5/28/2024

Kassie is a true professional and supported us through all stages of the birth of our second child, from prenatal to postpartum. What impressed me about Kassie is it's clear she can adapt her skills to the support whatever birth goals you might have - whether it's for an unmedicated delivery or just to feel like you owned your decisions during the birth process. We delivered at Prentice and our midwife and nurse had both worked with her many times before, and she knew her way around the facilities and supplies. She made the delivery room feel cozy and intimate and anticipated my needs. My labor felt active when I wanted it to be active and peaceful when I needed to shut the world out for a minute. Kassie was an incredible guide and I will be recommending her to anyone who is looking for a doula.

Bianca Whitson

5/20/2024

Kassie is truly incredible!! I knew within the first few minutes of our interview that she was the perfect fit. Kassie brings so much kindness, compassion, knowledge, direction, and energy every step of the way. She is incredibly responsive and supportive leading up to birth, during labor and delivery, and post partum as well. I can 100% say she made our birth experience the best possible experience, way better than I could have ever imagined. As a first time mom, I was nervous going into labor and delivery not knowing how I would do but Kassie's presence completely eased any worries my husband and I had. She helped ensure we had everything we needed in the space and truly made it feel so safe and welcoming. Kassie worked incredibly well as a partner with our nurses and doctors and her presence had such a positive impact on them as well. We could feel everyone's energy shift when they walked into the room and even had nurses and doctors comment on how much they loved how Kassie setup our space and that they could tell we were a really great team all working together. Kassie was super knowledgeable and helpful as we were brought different options for how to proceed and helped remind us of what each option meant and advocated to give us time to decide. She also helped with communication with our care providers and our families all through labor and delivery, which helped us stay calm and focused. Her support went well beyond delivery as she also continuously checked in on us and offered support post partum through texts, calls, and a home visit. I highly recommend Kassie to anyone looking to work with a doula! I myself knew very little about doulas until I had a few friends recommend looking into doula support based on their own positive experiences and now I can't even imagine giving birth without Kassie's support. My husband and I can't thank her enough for all she did to make the birth of our baby girl such a safe and positive experience. She is the best!

Ellen Miller

3/7/2024

I don’t even know where to start, because there is SO MUCH to say about our experience with Kassie. Right off the bat, Kassie’s warm demeanor and caring attitude were so comforting. She was more than willing to answer any and all questions my husband and I had about her services (and the birth process, in general). Kassie made me feel so confident and empowered about my body and my capability to grow, birth and take care of a human. She was consistently checking in with my husband and I about how we were feeling, mentally and physically. Kassie does an incredible job of letting her clients lead and advocate for their own preferences, while also providing her knowledge and experience in a way that helps ensure we’re making the best decisions for *our* family. Throughout my entire labor and delivery process, Kassie was by our side and she made sure we had everything we needed before she left the hospital (and upon our return home). I will sing Kassie’s praises to anyone who will listen, and I wholeheartedly recommend her services to any and everyone.

Marlee

1/21/2024

Kassie was the perfect doula! She helped us from preparing what to expect during labor, the actual laboring process, and delivery. She was an extremely helpful resource to have all the way through. When we first spoke with her, we immediately felt like Kassie both saw and heard what we needed. From that moment, she was always honest, kind, and supportive for every hurdle we went through. During labor, we had a few surprising moments that we could not have handled without Kassie by our side. Looking back on even the little things she did during labor and delivery, we are so grateful to have had her expertise and bedside manner to help us get through the hardest and best day of our lives. We can't imagine what our process would have been like if Kassie hadn't been a part of it. We've already told everyone we know that you not only need a doula when you give birth, but you truly need Kassie! 

Jaclyn

1/9/2024

Kassie was everything we could have hoped for in a Doula! She is a plethora of knowledge and always had a list of recommendations for us, from what products to buy for postpartum recovery to a recommended packing list. When our baby was breech, Kassie went above and beyond and attended our ECV procedure to flip baby. And when our induction took longer than planned, Kassie was so quick to respond to our questions, pick up the phone, and arrive by our side when the time arrived. She's was a huge reason we had such a positive birth experience. Kassie was such a fun person to spend hours with and next time we have a baby, she's the first person we will call!

Megan

12/31/2023

Kassie has been an amazing doula for us. We found her from a recommendation from a friend out of a place called Family Picnic. Kassie was available to us from the time we signed on with her and still is well after the birth of our little girl who is now 6 weeks old. She has been easily reachable by text and email whenever I questions or concerns have come up. Even when I didn't know the questions to ask she offered amazing insights and resources. When the time came and my water broke Kassie answered her phone almost immediately even though it was almost midnight. Even though we had talked about everything previously she talked me through what I should do and allowed me to be calm and ready in the moment. In the hospital she was a crucial part of my delivery being as easy and trauma free as it was. My husband is very nervous at hospitals and around blood. I have a blood disorder which made him especially nervous of complications for me. Because of this he struggled with some parts of labor and being there for me in the ways he wished he could have. Kassie was so helpful throughout everything even in helping calm my husband at times. Even now 6 weeks postpartum she still reaches out periodically to check in on me and my baby girl and is totally open to answer any questions I have being a new first time mom. If you are interested in a doula I highly recommend going with Kassie!

Kelly Hogan

11/13/2023

Kassie was critical in helping me achieve a positive birth experience. Prior to labor and delivery, her wisdom and support helped me feel as prepared as possible for the arrival of my first child. While in labor, Kassie was there for me every step of the way, and provided more attention than just the medical staff could. She helped me stay focused and helped my husband play an active role in supporting the process with her suggested comfort measures and reassurance along the way. I truly cannot imagine giving birth without a doula, and can’t recommend Kassie enough.

Naomi Wachs

10/11/2023

It is hard to find words to express the role Kassie played in our birth. My husband didn't know what a doula was and didn't understand the benefit, but from our "meet and greet" with Kassie before signing our contract, we knew that she would be vital to creating a positive birth experience-and this was totally true! From before my first contraction, she was a grounding, positive presence and answered all of our questions, providing support during times of uncertainty, and helping us navigate the unexpected. She is responsive, well-educated and informed, collaborative, and goes above and beyond to make sure her clients feel empowered, informed, and not alone during what can be an overwhelming experience. She has continued to be supportive since the birth of our baby-checking in, helping us navigate questions and uncertainty, and providing wonderful resources as needed. We cannot recommend her enough and are forever grateful for the role she played in bringing our daughter into the world.

Lindy Garnett

10/6/2023

Kassie was truly so instrumental in supporting us through what ended up being a very positive pregnancy & birth. From my first conversation with Kassie, I felt comfortable, heard and empowered. As someone who struggles with medical anxiety, having Kassie as a resource throughout each trimester provided me with the knowledge and reassurance I needed on many occasions. She was there to answer questions, share evidence-based information and encourage me along the way as I prepared for my first birth.

When asked about our birth experience, my husband and I tell everyone that we are truly not sure what we would have done without Kassie. And we mean every bit of that. She goes above and beyond. She helped create a calm birthing space, guided me through positioning until it was time to push, helped me make informed decisions along the way, and assisted my husband in supporting me during the entire experience. Having her there as a constant familiar face, to encourage my progress and affirm my abilities made all the difference.

After birth, the first few days postpartum are overwhelming in every way. Once again, I am not sure what we would have done without having Kassie's guidance and support. Honestly, just the feeling of having someone checking in on me and encouraging me through those initial days was so helpful. Not only did she take the time to touch base with us, she also answered my many questions regarding breastfeeding & recovery, provided suggestions and calmed any worries I had as I cared for my newborn.

I cannot recommend Kassie enough. She was everything we'd hoped to have in a doula through physical support, emotional support and SO much more. If you aren't sure whether you want or need a doula, more specifically Kassie as your doula, you do!!!

Byron Timmel

8/31/2023

The second time around with Kassie was just as memorable an experience for our family as the first. When we found out we were pregnant only 8 months after having our first child—one of our first thoughts were we have to book Kassie! I was relieved to find out she was available and happy to work with our family again. Not only does Kassie provide support and knowledge on birth and the labor process she is an advocate and friend! The second time around we had an induction and the process was completely new and different from our first birth—she was able to guide us and tell us what to expect. She even helped us with some important decisions and made us aware of our rights when it came to a planned delivery. Overall, the experience was great and I appreciate the little details from check-in texts in the following weeks to a beautiful bouquet and card. Plus even a lovely message from Kassie one year later on my daughter’s 1st birthday are all many reasons and more to work with Kassie!

Laura R

8/5/2023

We worked with Kassie since the very beginning of my first pregnancy and honestly I don’t know what I would’ve have done without her knowledge, kindness and wisdom.

From being available via text when I had a question to chatting on the phone when I was nervous about my 20 week ultrasound, to providing us with curated registry suggestions and acid reflux guidance - she was a huge resource and source of support throughout the pregnancy process.

When it came to my labor, Kassie prepared us with wonderful suggestions for birthing classes, and even came by our home in my 3rd trimester to talk through my birth preferences and offer more guidance. She gave me the support and confidence to have an unmedicated labor in a bathtub which I did!!! During labor she decked out the room with LED candles, scented cold towels, and all kind of tricks for breath and pain management. There was a moment I almost went for the epidural and she gently reminded me of my preferences + costs and payoffs of the epidural which allowed me to make a confident and pressure free decision and gave me the strength to keep going!

My birth was magical and I attribute the confidence and calmness I had leading up to it and during it because of Kassie’s support and presence throughout my pregnancy and birth. She even took photos of the labor and birth that documented moments I would have never seen otherwise.

Post birth Kassie visited us at our home again offering us post partum support and guidance. She has still continued to support me by checking in and providing essential resources as I navigated PPD and PPA and lots of trouble breastfeeding.

She has been right by my side the whole experience. She has gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined. Do yourself a favor and hire her right away. No matter what your circumstances or preferences she will honor you as a birthing person and that’s what matters.

Sara Whaley

8/3/2023

My husband and I cannot recommend Kassie enough as a doula - it was one of, if not the best, decisions we made as we prepared for the birth of our first child. Her calm and supportive demeanor, as well as the wealth of knowledge provided to us pre-, during-, and post-birth were invaluable to us. With her guidance, we were able to feel confident in the decisions that we were making in the delivery room in order to have a smooth birth. Initially, we were hesitant to have yet another person in the delivery room, but Kassie was so much more than "another person" and we felt supported and heard from just the first virtual meeting. Our birth story would not have been possible with Kassie. From personal touches -- setting a calm atmosphere with flameless candles, grabbing my husband a coffee so he could stay in the room with me, and taking pictures as our baby was born and the first few moments together -- to the actual physical and emotional support she provided -- knowledge of positions, comforting techniques, and help with making evidence-based decisions regarding possible interventions -- needless to say, Kassie was an absolute critical team member of our baby's birth that we will be forever grateful for. Her support doesn't stop after the birth either. Kassie made sure to check in frequently on how I was recovering and able to answer any questions I had regarding our new baby.

Emily L.

6/18/2023

Our second birth experience with Kassie was as good as the first. As a doula, she brings a presence of mind and wellspring of birthing knowledge that I found strengthening in my most exhausting moments of labor. But above and beyond this is her intuition about people combined with her desire to care for them that gives her some doula super power. She learned ahead of time what some of my vulnerabilities might be in my weakest moments of labor and utilized the tools she had to bring the best out of me in those moments. My favorite thing is that I didn't walk away from what realistically is the trauma of birthing with the feeling of having been traumatized. That is the best gift a doula could give you. That really just scratches the surface, but suffice it to say, we will seek her out again if we're in the area when #3 is ready to appear.

Leila

5/17/2023

I have nothing but the best things to say about Kassie. She was a wealth of knowledge, positivity, and comfort every step of the way during my pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. She answered any question I had, helped me make a birth plan that I felt great about, and then stepped in and eased my worries when things didn’t go according to plan. She responded to my texts/calls at all hours of the day leading up to labor whenever any issues came up (including a middle of the night trip to the hospital with high blood pressure). I had such a beautiful and positive labor/delivery experience thanks to Kassie and I’m so grateful for her.

Gabriel Gaster

4/20/2023

TLDR; Kassie is the best.

We love Kassie so much and cannot recommend her highly enough! 

Kassie joined us for our second birth. It was a powerful and good experience, and much easier than the first one. We think this is because we made better decisions, with much thanks to Kassie. She brought a rich experience that was very effective in helping us make the right decisions for us. 

She is a great listener and had excellent advice to us in the lead up to birth. She talked us through different exercises and gave specific pointers which really helped in the days leading up to the main day. One of the things that she recommended was an induction method when I was approaching 41 weeks. It brought me closer to where I needed to be, and made everything else go smoother.

On the day of the birth, Kassie was totally present and made a huge difference in lots of ways big and small at the hospital. The hospital itself was quite busy, but Kassie made it so that we always felt like we had a partner with us with a deep intuitive sense of how things go based on an immense amount of real world experience. Kassie would frequently pick up on cues and say the midwives are going to notice this signal and it’s great because we are moving to the next stage! And sure enough, the midwives would show up minutes later, ready for the next steps.

Birth is such a personal experience and Kassie really listened to what was important to us. We think anyone would be lucky to have her as their doula. 

Michelle Engleman

4/19/2023

Kassie is hands-down the most compassionate doula you can find. She exudes light and kindness, and stays calm during any scenario that might come up. Choosing Kassie to be your birth duola is the best investment you can make - she's non-judgmental, compassionate, and supportive through all of the exciting, anxious, and/or challenging moments!

My son is now 1.5 years old, but we STILL talk about how thankful we are that we hired Kassie to be part of our birth team. Throughout pregnancy, Kassie did so much to help us prepare for birth - providing resources, information, referrals to other providers, and a calm presence while validating our concerns. It was really reassuring to know that I'd have continuous support throughout labor, and my husband benefited from having someone help teach him what birth support might look like. If he ever needed to take a break, he was able to know that I was getting the support I needed, too.

When my water broke, I called Kassie first (even before I woke up my husband!) and she was so kind and calming, despite my 3am nervous energy! At the hospital, she helped with position changes, nourishment, emotional support, and being a collaborative partner with the nurses and OBGYN. I ended up having several complications, which made Kassie's presence even more important. She helped keep us calm during scary situations, decoded medical jargon for us, and helped reassure us when birth plans inevitably changed. My husband still tears up thinking about the emotional support he received during really critical parts of the birth.

After the birth, we had a lot to process, so the postpartum visit meant so much to us. Kassie was really generous with her time as we talked through it and she supported us emotionally. We really could not have done it without her.

Elizabeth Johnson

3/31/2023

Kassie worked with me as my birth doula, and it was an amazing, amazing experience. This was my first birth, and I'm an older mother, so having her expertise and guidance was truly life changing. She helped me understand all of the "unknowns" of the birthing process, and knew what questions to ask and how to ask them to ensure a good birthing experience. She also checked in with me multiple times post-birth to ensure I was doing ok, which I greatly appreciated. I would highly recommend Kassie if you are considering working with a doula!

Bridget

3/28/2023

Kassie was an incredible support through our pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Not only is she extremely professional and a well-spoken communicator, but she is the calm, assuring presence we needed to tackle the uncertainty of pregnancy with confidence.

Her extensive experience with the team and environment at Prentice was invaluable. She knew the ins and outs of the facility as well as several team members. Having this familiarity on our side made a huge impact.

Kassie helped guide us through the tactical (e.g. a birth plan document, what to bring to the hospital and how to give our son his first bath) and the intangible (e.g. our mental preparedness for the big day). We particularly appreciated her postpartum debrief; she helped us remember positive moments of our birth story we might have forgotten.

I owe my positive breastfeeding experience in part to Kassie. She helped my son and I kick off our experience in the hospital and helped me set up the pump for the first time. 

All in all, we are deeply grateful for our time with Kassie and couldn't recommend her enough. 

Nicole

3/7/2023

I can’t say enough great things about Kassie. I am so grateful to have had her by our sides during the birth of our second child. Kassie was so present but also left lots of space for my partner and me to go through the labor together. She was an advocate for me but also knew how to elegantly work with the hospital staff, doctors, and nurses. I was induced and she was super focused on using physical movement to help the labor get going. She set up stations for me to move through as my labor intensified. She came with snacks and nourishing drinks. All around, Kassie was such an essential part of the process. Two things, though, really stand out. First, giving birth in a post covid hospital setting, I felt the stress on the healthcare system as compared to my labor and delivery experience with my first child. The response time from nurses to various alarms and pages was much slower. I received absolutely safe care from the hospital. But I was so glad to have Kassie in the room to either reassure me that everything was fine and/or be a litmus test when we needed to really get on the nurses to get in the room. The second stand-out moment was when my partner and I received some very sad news about 5-6 hours into labor. Kassie was so graceful in acknowledging our emotions at that moment, giving us some space to be sad, and helping us figure out how to take a deep breath and keep labor going forward. Working with Kassie was so comfortable, comforting, and fun. She is appropriately proactive and oh-so knowledgeable. I recommend working with Kassie to any family looking for someone to provide emotional and physical support as well as suggestions and information during your labor and delivery process.

Kavita S

2/1/2023

Kassie is amazing! I recommend her to all my friends considering a doula. She was by our side for the birth of my daughter and it was so wonderful to have her on our team. We were between another doula who was older and had more experience, but when we met Kassie her warm demeanor immediately helped us feel at ease and we knew she was the person we wanted to work with. She’s calm, supportive and brought so much positive energy to a very stressful situation. She was very familiar with the hospital, able to help me advocate for my needs and checked in regularly postpartum when everything was a blur and everyone only asked about the baby. My husband really appreciated having her guidance as well. We are so grateful she was on our team as we welcomed our baby into the world!

Crystal Costello

12/12/2022

My wife and I hired Kassie a second time for our second child (we worked with her the first time in June 2021). Our experience the first time was so positive, we knew there was no other doula for us. Kassie is patient, attentive, supportive, and when needed, a fierce advocate in the delivery room. There were events during our first and second birth that would have been challenging to navigate without a doula. If we ever have more children, we'll want Kassie with us, and we would highly recommend her to anyone we know without hesitation (especially people in the LGBTQ community). We're a gay couple and I am non-binary, and we recieved very affirming and knowledgable care from Kassie. 

Kelly Mildfelt

8/21/2022

We hired Kassie for the birth of our first baby and it was the best decision we made. Kassie went above and beyond to support us through every milestone. She was my greatest resource throughout pregnancy - very helpful, passionate, extremely knowledgeable, comforting and supportive! She was also incredibly intuitive — she seemed to know exactly what I needed and when. 

Not only did she make me feel like I was ready for whatever would come, she also helped my husband feel comfortable and prepared. She helped us understand our options, provided evidence-based information, and experiences that she encountered either personally or in her work which truly prepared us. She also did so much to build my confidence, all the while giving my husband the tools he needed to be the best support person possible. We could not have made a better choice in working with her as our birth doula. If you are considering hiring her for your birth journey, don't look any further and do it now! She's quite literally the best. 

Maggie Witmer

8/16/2022

Kassie was phenomenal - from our initial outreach, throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, on delivery day and more. She is a calming presence, takes the time to fully hear you, and asks such thoughtful and helpful questions! Our pregnancy was high-risk and we felt completely comfortable and confident in Kassie’s ability to care for us and our baby. We recommend Kassie wholeheartedly, and truly don’t think we would have had the experience we had without her! 

Christina Pecce

8/9/2022

If you are considering hiring a doula... look no further than Kassie Leachman. Best decision we made. I can't imagine what our labor and delivery would've been like without her. With Kassie's guidance, we were able to create our optimal birth preferences using her expertise so that we were prepared in advance for any possible outcome. She also gave us invaluable reccomendations and referrals for all things third trimester and beyond. When it came to the big day, Kassie was our guardian angel. She was there every step of the way to offer relief and support. She gave wonderful suggestions to my partner to help soothe me and feel 100% part of the experience. And she kept going! Our meetings with her postpartum made us feel so taken care of in those early crazy newborn days. Thanks to Kassie, our baby came to us smoothly in an environment that made us feel so safe and respected. Kassie is a radiant human and one of the warmest souls to grace this earth. The birthing community is so lucky to have her, as are we.

Rowan

8/7/2022

Kassie was such an incredible support before, during, and after the birth of our daughter. She patiently answered all of our questions, put our minds at ease when we had any concerns, and brought an amazing, calm energy to our birth. We had a beautiful, short, natural birth, and I don't think it would have been possible without Kassie; she made us feel safe and cared for. I can't imagine any part of the experience without her! 

Sarah

7/28/2022

Kassie is wonderful!!! You want her as your doula. My husband and I both felt immensely supported by her throughout our pregnancy, labor, and postpartum time. We don't know what we would have done without Kassie. She provided excellent care and is extremely knowledgable. She knew exactly what I needed at different points in labor. She genuinely cares about you, your partner, and your baby. You would be lucky to have Kassie as your doula!!!
 
 
 

Jamie

7/7/2022

We believe our positive birth experience was a direct result of having Kassie as our doula. She was an amazing source of information, support, and reassurance throughout the labor process as well as during my third trimester and postpartum. Her presence was both upbeat and light hearted as well as calming and comforting.

Kassie was right there with us through the whole process. She checked in with me in the final weeks of my pregnancy to answer any questions and provided a ton of resources to help us make decisions leading up to labor. Once labor started, she guided us through the process and helped us advocate for ourselves with the hospital staff. Having her there eased the pressure on my partner to know what to do in different circumstances. This allowed him to play a constant emotional support role versus also trying to communicate with hospital staff, help move me in different positions, ask questions, etc.

After hours of laboring, we found out our baby wasn’t in the ideal position for pushing, Kassie had the knowledge and experience to get me into different positions to help move the baby in the correct position for delivery. Had she not been there, the nurses would have been able to help but with much less consistency and individual support which could have resulted in more interventions.

Having a doula made all the difference in our birth experience and Kassie was the perfect fit for us, would 100% recommend working with her!

Max

6/25/2022

As a first time parent, I was riddled with anxiety. Having my mom away from me added to the helpless feeling. I stumbled upon the idea of having a doula for support during birth and I'm glad my husband was supportive.

We interviewed with a few doulas until we decided that Kassie was the best fit for us. It felt just right. We immediately felt that she is passionate about helping parents with the birthing process, bringing her wealth of knowledge and helpful strategies. The best part of it is her flexibility and commitment, which just makes sense because giving birth is unpredictable, almost always never goes as planned. She goes above and beyond; she made our birthing space comfortable and safe, with her calm demeanor. She massaged away the pain during labor until I decided to get the epidural. We are beyond grateful, she made a world of difference in our labor process. It was a huge help that she was in the room with me so my husband was able to go out and eat, he says he knew I was in good hands so he was not worried. Even our nurse said she's different from other doulas who just sits and lets the nurse do all the work. 

Luisa

6/24/2022

My husband and I feel so lucky we found Kassie to be our Doula. She went above and beyond before, during, and after our childbirth experience. Kassie was supportive of our birth wishes and so incredibly comforting during my labor. Our birth story was a roller coaster, but having her by our side was always a positive. We’ll forever be grateful to have had her as our doula and now as a friend as well. 

Kate Behnen

5/7/2022

My husband and I found Kassie through my good friend who had just had a baby and raved about her experience. Since this was our first child, we reached out to Kassie to learn about what doulas provided and to see if we were interested. From the moment we talked to her, I knew we would be in capable hands, and we were hooked! Kassie was so good at explaining everything, going over the birthing process and what to expect of my body AND of her as my doula. And when it was show time, it was no different. I called her at 3AM with what I thought were contractions, and she was ready to roll. When it came to being in labor, Kassie was a true star. She made me and my husband feel so safe and made sure our birth plan was respected and followed, she made wonderful relationships with each of our nurses and my doctor, and she made the birth space comfortable and dare I say it, fun. She was a partner with my husband, and they were my team. She helped me find what type of labor positions were best and found ways to make me feel more at ease. She was the best cheerleader and advocate. And she remained so after the baby was born. I can truly say that Kassie made my birthing experience a positive one, and I cannot recommend her enough. I am so grateful to her for her attention to detail, ability to tailor her services to our needs and wants, and her genuine love for this profession - it makes her an amazing doula, and we were lucky to have her (before and during the labor, and for postpartum checkups as well).

Anna Zarovsky

4/18/2022

There aren’t enough words of expression to describe what an asset Kassie was at our birth. Even before our birth began and we were interviewing doulas to find the right fit, Kassie slid into that feeling for both my spouse and I, seamlessly. It was evident she was a powerhouse of knowledge, gusto for “getting in there,” all while with so much gentleness, attentiveness and care. It was an easy immediate decision to work with Kassie. From there she made herself available to us for questions, thoughts, worries, etc. Kassie was so thoughtful about everything; she brought resources, explained everything in full detail, and even made homemade treats (date balls) as a consideration for a natural method to induce labor. More and more, she naturally reinforced the best decision we made in bringing her on to our team. At the time of my birth, Kassie arrived at the hospital with a funhouse worthy of paraphernalia to make the room more cozy. We really enjoyed Kassie’s company, and loved chatting, laughing, playing games, and she was so helpful with recommendations of movement. Kassie is not shy at all when it comes to this process, and Kassie and my spouse even joined me while I sat on the toilet! It was a special experience to have her there, to be a strong advocate for us and relaying messaging, especially information we wouldn’t have thought of to share to the medical team, to meet our little one, to tend to me as I was having some pretty intense post-birth complications. Kassie’s energy is healing, uplifting, tender. It was energy I didn’t even think I needed. We were also so happy to share a postpartum moment with her; have her re-meet the little one she helped bring into this world and to check on my spouse and I both. We never doubted Kassie’s commitment to both of us, and now the three of us. Kassie is resourceful, communicative, and so much more. We undoubtedly think you need Kassie as part of your birth team!

Andrea Betenia

4/2/2022

Before meeting Kassie I didn’t even know what a doula was or why it was important. I can now say I not only gained a wonderful doula to guide me through my birth but a genuine, warm friend. From the get go I vibed with Kassie—she was organized, polite, believed in evidence-based birth practices, and was clearly very passionate about her work. My labor was a long one, it was supposed to be at home with my midwife practice, doula, and husband. However due to high blood pressure I had to transfer to a hospital and change my birth plan pretty quickly. I had no bag packed, was contracting, and there was a snowstorm outside. Kassie came out to meet me before going to the hospital. The moment she stepped in the door I started to contract and she rushed over to me to give me a hip compress for pain relief. It was amazing. Throughout the birth and even after Kassie has made me feel cared for. Considering the very hands off approach of the hospital midwives during my labor, I would have felt lost without her. She not only guided me through the painful and uncomfortable moments but also the mentally hard ones during and even after birth when I was experiencing doubts and the postpartum blues. I couldn’t recommend her more highly. With Kassie you will get a wonderful professional and a truly authentic friend. 

Melissa

3/29/2022

Hiring Kassie was one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. As first time parents, we had so many questions about what to expect as my due date approached, and Kassie’s knowledge and expertise gave us so much comfort during such an important time in our lives. At the hospital, Kassie was a huge support to me and my husband.  She held my hand during the most difficult moments and was able to interact with hospital staff on our behalf, always taking the time to make sure we felt comfortable with the ever-changing treatment plan. Since our baby was born, Kassie has been an amazing resource and is always available to answer questions that we have about postpartum and caring for a newborn.  We’re thankful and proud that she played such a big role in the birth of our son.

Becca

3/10/2022

We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful doula as Kassie to guide us through the birth of our son. She was exactly what we needed in each moment, profoundly calm, supportive, instructive, and caring. She has a wealth of knowledge (and snacks!) and shares amply. We could not have asked for a better guide when navigating tough choices while giving birth in a hospital. She was an invaluable interlocutor with our doctor and nurses, and a great comfort to us before, during, and after the birth. When we struggled with medical decisions, Kassie stepped in to help, as our translator and advocate. She has our trust and deepest gratitude, and anyone would be lucky to have her by their side during their birth.  

Kelly Krater

3/5/2022

Hiring Kassie as our doula was the best decision I've ever made after (and perhaps tied with) marrying my husband. As a first time mom, Kassie was a reassuring and knowledgeable presence every step of the way. She never made me feel pressured about any aspect of my birth plan, but was always there to talk through decisions and provide resources for us to make the best choice for our family. 

Before hiring a doula, I thought it might be weird having someone else at the hospital with my husband and me, but we could not be more grateful for Kassie's humor, calm, knowledge, and preparedness throughout the birth. She had a stash of thoughtful items (snacks, eye masks, heat packs, gatorade) and strategies to make our time more comfortable and special. Most importantly, very few parts of birth went as planned for us and she was such a helpful resource in navigating that. Despite having an unexpected trauma, my husband and I credit having such a special birth experience to Kassie's care. 

Even after birth, Kassie has beyond helpful in navigating breastfeeding and pumping. Having her to call has saved me many, many hours of frustrated googling. 

In short, Kassie is the best. It seems like she was born to be a doula. Could not recommend her more highly!

S.S.

1/12/2022

Kassie was truly an answer to my anxiety around birth. After going through infertility and IVF, the anxiety surrounding pregnancy and delivery was high for me. I was able to check in with Kassie as things progressed through our pregnancy, and I appreciated her perinatal visits to our home to discuss our concerns. When the big day arrived (scheduled induction), Kassie was on top of everything. My partner has a blood/needle phobia, and Kassie communicated so well with the hospital staff about this. She signaled for when it was time for him to leave the room if an IV was being placed or blood was present. This helped alleviate a lot of concern for me and him.

During the birth, I had some complications. Kassie was there to reassure me when my placenta was retained, the baby was having trouble transitioning, and I needed extra care post delivery. I texted some close friends shortly after and said "I couldn't have done this without Kassie." She never panicked, explained what was going on, and gave me context for all the procedures and interventions. I also appreciate that I never felt judged - she let me make decisions and encouraged me rather than tried to push anything on me.

Kassie's warmth, knowledge, and advocacy was exactly what I needed. I absolutely attribute my lessened postpartum anxiety to her presence during birth. I was unsure of whether a doula was right for us, but now I can say with full confidence that Kassie was a godsend. If we ever consider another child, Kassie will be my first call so I can book her far in advance.

Lisa

1/10/2022

We are so happy we selected Kassie to be our doula. She has a calming and warm presence that was really wonderful not just during the actual labor/delivery but in helping us feel prepared in advance. Importantly, she is a strong advocate and was not afraid to ask the nurses and staff for anything we needed, ask questions, and help us make decisions along the way. Additionally, my husband felt very supported as well, and it was great for him to have another person in the room to consult and work together with to support me during labor/delivery. Kassie is very detail-oriented and responsive, which was very important to us. We would highly recommend her and are very glad she was there to support us!

Kat G

12/8/2021

Let me not bury the lead here ... if you are reading this and debating hiring Kassie as your doula, do it!  She is amazing and was a bright spot in my birth story.

We hired Kassie as our doula kind of late in the game (36 weeks).  I wasn't convinced I 'needed' a doula - as I didn't have a birth plan I felt super strongly about, I just wanted to meet my daughter ASAP with as little pain to her or me as possible.  However, as the weeks ticked by I grew more and more nervous that my body wouldn't know what to do and I started to feel a little panicky, so I decided to call in some reinforcements into the labor process in the form of a doula.  I only interviewed one - and it was Kassie and it was a no-brainer.  

She 'normalized' so many worries I had with her easy demeanor.  You can tell she is incredibly knowledgable, but is able to relate that knowledge in a kind, compassionate, light-hearted way.  She really feels like an old friend - which is exactly who you want holding your leg in one of the biggest moments of your life.  Kassie was a friendly face in my delivery room and was incredibly helpful throughout.  I think that was the biggest thing I underestimated the importance of, the helpfulness BEFORE the pushing process.  Because she had been through many births prior to mine, she anticipated my needs before I even know what I wanted.  This took me pleasantly by surprise - and honestly probably helped my husband quite a bit as well.  

Overall - 10 out of 10, would recommend!  Kassie is wonderful!

Jenny Weintritt

12/1/2021

Kassie stepped in for us in the middle of a tough labor, and she was outstanding. She brought such positive energy into the room at a moment when our birth experience had strayed pretty far from what we had hoped. Kassie offered amazing support for coping with the epidural--she helped me change positions in bed, gave my husband and me eye masks so that we could rest, and kept us encouraged when we were stuck at 9.5 centimeters. She worked really well with our nurses and tactfully made suggestions at the right moment (the peanut ball made everything happen for me, and I am not sure we would have used it without Kassie in the room!) She discreetly took photos for us, including a beautiful one of the sky at the time our son was born. It has become one of our favorites in the collection.

I am so grateful that our original doula chose Kassie as her back up. It was a leap of faith having someone new come in when our original doula was timed out, but we couldn't have picked a better fit ourselves. Her instincts for what support we needed were spot on, and her presence was so kind and positive. With our first doula having left Chicago, we'll go straight to Kassie when it comes time for number two. Thank you, Kassie!

Julie OBrochta

11/8/2021

Hiring Kassie as our birth doula was hands down the best decision we made during the birth of our first baby! Having a doula was invaluable for so many reasons, but Kassie was particularly skilled in these areas:

-Kassie was unwaveringly positive and confident in us. This was so valuable for me leading up to the birth and so helpful during the birth. I truly felt like she believed in me and it gave me the confidence I needed to have a birth without pain medication. There is no way we could have achieved that goal without her!

-I never felt any judgement about the way I wanted to go about things or the way I was handling my pregnancy.  From meeting her, I felt like I could talk to Kassie about anything.

-Through our 26 hour birth, Kassie never let on, even the slightest bit, that she was tired, even though she had been at a birth the day before.

-I am amazed with the way she took a leadership role during the times we needed it, but also made plenty of space for my partner and I to bond, and for us to interact with the hospital staff.

-Kassie is a completely enjoyable person to be around. She's positive, warm, and caring. We are so lucky to have found her to be our doula!

Alyssa Russell

10/4/2021

I was hesitant at first about whether we needed a doula but I am so glad we did and that we went with Kassie. I unexpectedly had to be induced at 37 weeks and my husband and I were really anxious and definitely not prepared for the birth. Kassie made sure she'd be there for us despite the short notice and really helped us through the incredibly stressful experience from talking us through various steps of the process, knowing what to do to help with my pain relief first before my epidural and then hours later when pain from my preexisting injuries started worsening from all the bed sitting, guiding me through different laboring positions, and reassuring me I didn't have to do anything I was uncomfortable with. I can't imagine having to go through the experience without her support.

Izabella

10/4/2021

Kassie was recommended to us by Chicago Family Picnic where we took birth education classes.We originally did not plan to have a doula present for the birth of our first baby, but after attending birthing classes felt that it would be helpful to have someone in the room who had a better understanding of labor and delivery process than we did. We interviewed four doulas and ultimately went with Kassie because we loved her down to earth approach, experience, and the range of services she offered before, during, and after the birth. Looking back, hiring a doula and choosing Kassie was definitely the right decision and 100% worth the money spent. Kassie is very approachable, easy to talk to, and definitely knowledgeable. Having her in the hospital with us was a huge help and afterwards several of the nurses commented how great our doula was. Something I did not realize is how much of a difference it would make to have someone available to us for postpartum support. As a first time parent I was mostly worried about giving birth, and did not think much further, but having Kassie's help with breastfeeding and taking care of our newborn in the hours, days, and weeks after the delivery was invaluable and gave me the confidence and peace of mind I otherwise would not have had. Highly recommend!

Michael D

10/3/2021

We originally didn't plan to go with a Doula for the birth of our first child, but changed our minds around week 30. We managed to book Kassie, and that was probably the best decision we made. She provided invaluable assistance and information before, during, and after the birth of our daughter. She helped us prepare for the birth and develop our birth plan to share with doctors and nurses. She shared tips I could use, as the non-birthing partner, to care for mom during and after labor. I was particularly grateful that we had Kassie's assistance in the hospital right after the birth. During the time she spent with us at the hospital, she helped with breastfeeding, and other skills we didn't have experience with. Kassie is very responsive to texts and calls, answering all questions we had within a couple minutes. The day after the birth, the nurses told us how grateful they were that Kassie had been there to help out in the hours after the birth. Kassie's post partum support was also very useful for making sure we were doing things correctly once we got home. Overall, I am extremely glad that we hired Kassie!

Kristin G

9/29/2021

I am so happy I decided to have a doula for my first birth, and I am so grateful that it was Kassie.  I probably never would have hired a doula if it wasn't a requirement with my provider to have one at my home birth and what a mistake that would have been.  My home birth did not go as planned, in that it did not happen at home, and having Kassie through the whole ordeal was so much more essential than I ever could have thought.  She went so far above and beyond what I ever expected from a doula.  She arrived at my home at midnight, after I texted saying that my contractions were getting more intense after my castor oil induction She stayed up the whole night as I had intense contractions between brief periods of sleep.  The following day she kept me rotating between the shower, the tub, the bed, and the ball to keep labor progressing.  I labored like that for 24 hours, still at 4 cm dilation, until I gave up and decided to transfer to a hospital for pitocin and an epidural.  Kassie arrived there with me, walking me through each step of the process.  She slept in the chair beside me until the following day/evening when I was finally dilated enough to push for two hours and give birth.  Labor was so much longer than I expected to be, and Kassie was extremely kind and patient throughout.  She was my advocate in the hospital and even bought some treats for the nurses.  She grabbed my boyfriend a couple meals, and even scoured the hospital for lemons and ear plugs per my request!  I'm not sure what she ate the entire time, or if she did!  She refreshed me after every time I had to push and stayed with us in the hospital after the birth to make sure we were well-situated.  If I have another baby, I will definitely want Kassie there.  I cannot recommend her highly enough!        

Aisha Faridi

9/23/2021

Upon meeting Kassie, I instantly felt a connection. Kassie is personable, empathetic, and extremely thoughtful. I knew from day one of meeting her that we made the right choice to have her support us through labor and delivery. My husband and I are so grateful for Kassie's support and guidance during our prenatal sessions and my extremly long labor and delivery experience. Kassie educated us on what to expect during labor and delivery, so we felt fully prepared going into labor. Due to her education, I was able to thoughtfully discuss delivery options with my doctor and decided not to go through a premature induction. i knew the right questions to ask my doctor and I felt comfortable advocating for myself. When Kassie arrived at the hospital, she set up a calm experience in our labor room, with candles and tulips, which were my late mother's favorite flower. She made a concerted effort to help bring my mom's energy into the room, which I really appreciated. When my labor did not go as planned, Kassie helped calm my nerves, empowered me to advocate for myself, and really took the time to ensure I was comfortable. She helped guide me through pushing and put cold towels on me constantly for 4 hours as I pushed and pushed! She put our minds at ease throughout the whole process. Kassie was very helpful post labor as well, helped us with latching in the hospital and during our postnatal visit, and continued to check in on us in the early days of being parents. Kassie went above and beyond and we highly recommend her for your family!

Al H.

7/28/2021

I cannot say enough good things about Kassie! I had a very positive birth experience and she absolutely made that possible. We are first time parents and my wife and I both felt completely supported by her every step of the way. She spent many hours with us during pregnancy: educating us about birth options, helping us develop our preferences, and ensuring she knew how to best support us. 

I was induced at 40 weeks and Kassie met us at the hospital in the middle of the night. My induction took almost 12 hours; Kassie helped me use the restroom, got me snacks and water, put cold washcloths on my face and neck, and just generally kept us company. When I decided to get an epidural she was nothing but supportive and positive. After the epidural, Kassie helped me get into a position on my knees in the hospital bed that helped bring the baby down and get me from 5cm to 10cm in just over an hour. Then it was Kassie who went running to get the midwife when I felt like the baby was coming. She physically supported my while I pushed, and then took the most beautiful photographs of my family once he arrived (with permission of course). Kassie helped the baby latch immediately. She then walked us all to the recovery room, and only then, over 20 hours later did she head out. 

Once we were home, Kassie followed up with us regularly offering support (and super delicious homemade snacks) and answering our frantic new parent questions. Importantly, we never felt judged or pressured by her to make a particular choice - Kassie always supported and advocated fiercely for our choices.  I am so unbelievably grateful for her presence throughout the whole process. 

Kassie is also just so very kind and personable! She was an absolute delight to have in the birthing room, which ended up being filled with laughter and joy for the vast majority of the time. I recommend her without hesitation to any growing family!! 

Cameron Lacy

6/9/2021

My partner and I hired Kassie for our first birth. I was reluctant to hire a doula , so when I decided that I actually wanted one at our birth I was so happy to have found kassie among everyone I interviewed. Right away in our intake interview Kassie made me feel at ease. She let me share openly so I could process not only hiring her but all the changes that were happening to me, my body, relationship, and everything that was to come. Birth is this unknown that we spend so much time preparing for, and everyone processes differently. I can tell you hands down Kassie will meet you exactly where you are. She created space for me, my partner, and my daughter. I was in early labor for about a month and kassie constantly checked in on me! She wanted me to know she was here no matter what may happen or when! Due to medical issues I ended up having to be induced. Kassie met me and my partner at the hospital. When we saw Kassie in the waiting area our nerves eased and it was like a friend who has been through all of this before was meeting us and showing us the ropes. During my birth she constantly explained things and made us feel empowered and informed. My birth was the most beautiful experience of my life, and I am so thankful she was by my side. Not only did Kassie support me and my partner in prenatal and birth- but in postnatal as well. My daughter had to be rushed to the NICU and was there for the first four days of her life, and Kassie was always a call or text away. checking in on us, supporting us, grieving with us, and advising us. She eased my anxieties more than once and continues to influence me and my confidence in motherhood to this day. I can not recommend her services and skill enough. From her heart to her resources she is here for you and yours through and through. She will 100% be hired again if I have another baby and referred to all of my birthing buddies. 

Haley Culig

5/4/2021

As first time parents, my husband and I were so thankful and grateful to have Kassie by our side in the final weeks before our son's arrival and during a long and somewhat complicated delivery. Kassie is warm, calm and sensible, and particularly in time of covid restrictions, she was such an important part of our support system. She put both of us at ease immediately during our prenatal sessions. She helped us put together a wonderful birth preferences document, offering us resources for science backed decisions and helping us feel like we knew our options. She was able to offer advice without ever pushing a particular agenda - for instance, I knew I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, but planned on an epidural once we did head to the hospital. She helped me understand the options and was happy to provide appropriate support. When our birth plan did not go as smoothly as we'd hoped, Kassie was a source of calm, encouragement and advocacy for us both. She made sure we had time to process next steps and make the right decision for us as each point, including helping me process and accept that a c-section would be the safest and best option for us after a long labor. It gave me a lot of peace to know that my husband had another person to help support him and help make sense of the many things that were going on in the hospital as the nurses and doctors were primarily focused on me and the baby. After 24 hours in the hospital, Kassie still went above and beyond, coming back after after my c-section to check on us and get us settled in for our first night as a family of three, assisting with breastfeeding, and just making sure we were doing ok. Kassie is a wonderful professional (so easy to communicate with, great resources, delicious goodies for those last few weeks and such cute branding :) ), but more than that, is someone who has found her calling. For all these reasons and more, we'd wholeheartedly recommend Kassie. 

Ashley

1/24/2021

Kassie was wonderful! My husband and I were very happy to have worked with her for the birth of our baby boy born in November 2020. She was open minded and encouraging and helped give me the confidence to labor at home as long as possible and go through labor and delivery at the hospital with very little medical intervention. 

Katie K.

11/18/2020

My husband and I both feel Kassie played an absolute essential part in our birth experience. My labor was progressing very slowly before her arrival. Kassie guided me through different movements and exercises that I feel rapidly moved my labor along. Had I not been gently assisted by Kassie to get into the uncomfortable but necessary positions she recommended, I'm not sure how my labor would have turned out. She played a vital role in helping me have the birth experience I truly wanted. Kassie went above and beyond to make me feel cared for prior to my birth, during and after. I cannot recommond her enough!

Emily L.

10/1/2020

To say my husband and I were satisfied with Kassie's services would be an understatement. From her professionalism to her grace and patience, Kassie's role in my labor and delivery proved invaluable. While we had long been interested in having a doula, we didn't book her until I was 36 weeks along. She was prompt in her response and coordinated our initial conversations quickly. Fast forward to 40 weeks and 4 days: my water broke without being in active labor. Once admitted, I texted Kassie around midnight, asking her to come help me cope with contractions while my husband got some rest. She came and was immediately, from that point on for the next thirteen hours until our son was born, 100% at my side. She fanned me, set up stations for different labor positions, assisted my husband in how to help me, provided snacks, gave encouragement, took my lead by listening to me but also offered ideas as I managed the pain, coached my breathing, and allowed my husband to stop and get something to eat or go to the bathroom when contractions were much closer. Once our son was born (which happened without mediscal intervention, as I had hoped all along), Kassie stuck around for several hours afterwards, making sure we were okay before she left (to ANOTHER client, who gave birth later that night). One of my favorite things was that I was able to ask her afterwards: "Okay, what was happening when my eyes were closed there?" and "When exactly was my transition? How long did I actually push?" I felt like I could immediately process what just happened, laughing and crying at it all, even as I still think back to the whole experience and catch myself in awe at all that labor was and how much support Kassie was by my side. She has continued to provide postpartum support, answering questions about breastfeeding, hemorrhoids(!), baby growth, and the like over both text and phone calls. She's made a grocery run for us. She also makes some killer granola and cocoa date balls.