Casey W.

11/1/2024

Simply put, Katharine is the best. We interviewed several doulas and feel incredibly fortunate we made such a good decision selecting her. Here are a few highlights:

·        Fun birth: I was absolutely terrified of delivery, but I actually had *fun* while delivering my baby because of Katharine. I felt so prepared because of the birth plan she helped me create. My birth experience was better than I could have ever imagined.

·        Minimal tearing: She prepared me for birth and helped me push in various positions, resulting in very minimal tearing. I barely needed an ibuprofen after birth.

·        Avoidance of C section: When I arrived at the hospital, my uterus was “doing something funky” according to the admitting physician, and Katharine’s good advice helped my labor progress and avoid a C section.

·        Breastfeeding guidance/IBCLC: My baby and I had a rocky start to breastfeeding due to structural issues in my baby’s mouth. With Katharine’s help as an IBCLC, I was able to exclusively breastfeed without using any formula. I have returned to work and have not experienced a dip in my milk supply because of the feeding plan she helped me develop.

·        Caring for baby: Katharine came to our home after birth several times and taught us how to be parents (feeding, pumping, milk storage, avoidance of bottle preference, diaper rash, baths, nail cutting, baby wearing, managing a tear duct infection, organizing our baby supplies, and so much more). She gave us so many practical tips and tricks that we didn’t learn in the hospital or at prenatal classes, and she demonstrated everything on our baby.

I am so lucky she was part of my birth and postpartum experience.

Amanda Goldring

6/25/2024

Katharine was absolutly amazing to work with and would 1000% recommend her! From our very first meeting, Katharine was so helpful at providing resources and evidence with any questions or concerns we would have.  This was our first birth, so were brand new to it all, and Katharine was there for us every step of the way.  Between helping us with labor positions, providing evidence based practice to some issues that came up with our provider, and really helping us be an advocate for ourselves the entire pregnancy and eventually with labor.  Throuhgout my pregnancy, Katharine was always available for any questions and concerns, responding right away. Our labor did not go any where close to what we had planned, which was very difficult for my husband and myself, but Katharine was there with us the whole time supporting us.  I had to have a scheduled induction, and Katharine was amazing at providing education with different methods and medical terminology and routes that came our way.  I ended up having a 2.5 day labor with an eventual c-section, and Katharine was there for us the entire time and we couldn't have done it without her.  Even though a c-section was the last thing we wanted, Katharine made us feel comfortable with all of the roadblocks with the end result that ensured us a very healthy baby. Katharine is very knowledgable, supportive, empathetic, compassionate, passionate, caring, personable, the list goes on and on, but she is truly incredible at what she does. We are so happy that we found her and worked with her! 

Rebecca Turner

6/4/2024

Everything about our work with Katharine was wonderful. She was meticulous about providing up-to-date and research-backed information to help me make decisions, and supported any choices I wanted to make. I felt that she immediately aligned with the choices I made and we never felt pressured in one direction or another. Katharine always had resources available and answers backed with research to every question that I had, and always followed up with emailed guides, videos, and written resources to refer back to (invaluable with the mass of information out there on top a brain flooded with hormones and sleep changes). She was a supportive and empowering presence during my unexpected induction and our labor process. Our follow up meeting after our baby was born was extraordinarily helpful to support breast-feeding. Katharine was a warm, knowledgeable, and competent presence in an extremely important part of our life. We could not be more grateful or recommend her enough.

Madeline Lewen

4/2/2024

Katharine was a dream to work with. Her guidance leading up to the birth was wonderful, and her support on the actual day was unmatched. My husband and I both feel we couldn't have done had our baby the way we wanted to without her. Katharine's calm, steady, positive energy was essential for us and her extensive knowledge about everything from birth to lactation advice was beyond helpful. We will absolutely work with her again for our next birth, should we be so lucky! 

Louise Harding

3/19/2024

We worked with Katharine as our doula for our first birth, and I don't think words can describe just how invaluable and supportive she was. I hoped to experience an unmedicated birth and without Katharine's support I don't think that I could have done it, especially considering that labour went for 15 hours, all through the night. Despite surely being exhausted, Katharine was fully dedicated the entire time, from beginning to end, always full of ideas for shifting positions and easing my discomfort, supporting my partner throughout, and acting as an essential protector of our space. A hospital setting isn't always ideal, and we were unlucky to be under the care of a nurse who didn't entirely understand or support our desire for less intervention, and Katharine was able to calmly and diplomatically engage with her in multiple instances that meant neither myself or my partner had to experience that kind of stress in an already highly emotional time. From the very beginning, with every prenatal appointment, Katharine was thorough, kind, warm, and genuine. She's extremely knowledgable and all of her resources have been so helpful for us. It was such a relief to see her again postpartum as well, and I know she's helped set us up to be the most successful new parents that we can be. I loved welcoming her into our new little family.

Anna Vinas

3/3/2024

As first-time parents and also foreigners, Katharine has been an extraordinary support throughout this journey.

The truth is that having her by our side from before our daughter was born, during childbirth and afterwards has given us a lot of confidence at all times.

He has always been available to us with very useful resources and information ( also she always reply extremely fast ), and her presence has always been impeccable and extraordinary.

Furthermore, the energy it transmits is one of love, calm and positivity so we have always felt that we were in super good hands and we couldn't be better accompanied to be in this very special moment of our lives.

She was very caring not only with me (the mother) but with my husband and with my daughter Léa once she was born.

I will explain Léa once she grows up who was at my side in the most beautiful and wild moment.

We are immensely grateful for everything she has done for us and we will always, ALWAYS remember her.

Thank you Katharine. We already miss you!

Tiffany Tseng

2/4/2024

After interviewing several potential doula candidates, I ended up choosing Katharine as she was professional, reassuring, and was able to answer all my questions in the inital interview. It turned out that she was exactly what I needed through this labor & delivery journey. In the meetings leading up to the big day, she was able to address all concerns and provide a wealth of evidence-based suggestions and resources (which is very important, as my husband and I both work in healthcare). I was not necessarily looking for a non-medicated birth, and she supported me in my all my decisions and did not make me feel overwhelmed at any point.

When the "big day" finally came, I felt empowered with knowledge and was prepared to labor safely at home and deliver at the hospital. Katharine was very responsive and periodically checked in with me during that process. At the hospital, she helped me request resources that can help move the laboring process along that I otherwise wouldn't have known (as we know, most hospitals do not routinely offer resources unless asked), and most importantly, advocated effectively for me when we experienced a staff shift change near the actual delivery moment. She also helped me braid my hair in the delivery room during some downtime, so I felt humanized and more "put together" to tackle the process, which was a small but important gesture. Her presence was reassuring and a calming anchor during a chaotic time.

Thank you for making my labor & delivery experience memorable, empowering, and transformative!

Lauren

12/12/2023

Katharine's support during my pregnancy and birth experience was amazing, and I'm so glad we worked with her. The prenatal sessions were really educational, and functioned as a bit of a therapy session prior to birth for me and my husband which was so helpful. I felt prepared for birth and what to expect at the hospital. As my due date got closer, Katharine was always there to chat about my OB appointments, and give a different perspective on certain interventions, such as induction.

When I went into labor at midnight, we talked at 2 am and my husband was in touch with her during the day. Katharine rushed to the hospital when I reached 10 centimeters unexpectedly quickly, and then worked with the nurses to help me push when the time came. For a couple of hours before pushing, she, my husband and I just hung out and chatted and it's one of my best memories from my baby's birth day!

Would definitely recommened Katharine for first time parents looking to learn and be supported in their pregnancies.

Stacey Rozich and Sam Macon

12/11/2023

As any soon-to-be parents know all too well, there is A LOT of information out there regarding all aspects of the birthing process?. ?People will throw mountains of advice (solicited and unsolicited) your way. Whether it's a friend telling you about the products you must buy or the birthing practices you'd be wrong not to follow, or your parents telling you about "how it was when you were born" the sheer quantity? is enough to make an already very overwhelming experience seem ?insurmountable. And that's before the baby even shows up?! We had the books, the podcasts, we listened to friends and family give advice - my wife even read stuff on Reddit - but nothing made us feel safer, more heard, and better prepared than our sessions with Kath?a?rine. ?Her calm communicat?i?on style and dare I say - excellent vibes - ?a?re no doubt attributable to her previous work as an educator. 
Not only was her knowledge base extremely sound and comprehensive, her comforting energy made the information easy to process and the more challenging topics easy to discuss. We left every session feeling more ?empowered and better prepared. And we haven't even mentioned the actual birth! We really can't imagine what it would have been like without her. ?Regardless of your birth plan, I do not doubt that Katharine will be for you what she was for us - an advocate, a source of knowledge, a comfort, and a friend. So, if you only take ONE piece of unsolicited advice from a parent on the internet may it be this one - Hire Katharine to be your doula. You will be eternally grateful to have her by your side as you welcome your child into the world.

Sarah

9/28/2023

Katharine was essential to what made my birth experience so positive. She has a warm demeanor that instantly put me at ease when I met her. She is extremely knowledgeable and encouraged me to ask questions. She sent me resources via email for everything I asked her, which helped answer all the questions I had and some I didn't know I had. She helped me feel very prepared and positive leading up to my labor, and her presence in the delivery room gave me confidence and strength. I really think she was the reason I immediately said "I want to do it again!" after the delivery of my son. I would 100% choose her as my doula again, and I would (and did) enthusiastically recommend her to any of my friends.

Alyce

9/12/2023

To say that my partner and I are grateful to have had Katharine as part of our birth team would be a huge understatement. She really got to know us as people—our goals, motivations, anxieties—and could anticipate the kind of support we needed (even if we didn't know what that was). Katharine helped us to prepare for and navigate the truly momentous experience of giving birth and the transition to parenthood. Even when the birth plan changed during labor, she supported us through these changes and helped us have the experience we had hoped for. With Katharine's expertise in and passion for lactation, we overcame a rocky start with breastfeeding and now our little bean is successfully latching, transferring milk, and gaining weight on track. Katharine has been indespensible to our journey and we cannot recommend her enough!

Rebecca

8/25/2023

Katharine supported us leading up to and during our birth to help us feel prepared while also being present with the process as it unfolded. She is both a gentle and strong presence, and we felt like she was the perfect fit for us from our first meeting to our last. I cannot imagine what labor and delivery would have been like without her! She tactfully helped guide us and the hospital staff toward our preferred outcomes where possible, and there were crucial moments where she helped us get clarity and space before making decisions. I didn’t realize how much I needed an advocate in the room before hand. I originally hoped a doula would help me manage pain which Katharine definitely did. She also took the mental and emotional load of communicating productively off my shoulders, so I could focus on myself and baby. She was extremely well informed in the medical aspects and hospital practices and helped us decipher what the nurses and doctor might be thinking and what our options were. A lot of my fear leading up to the birth was alleviated through our conversations, resources she provided, and knowing she would be there with us. Despite the long and hard labor I ended up having, I’m so glad we had Katharine there. She was physically and emotionally supportive, both serious and fun as the moment required, and helped us through that transition to becoming parents in every way.

Angie

5/31/2023

I can not overstate how grateful I was to have Katherine Whetzel as my Doula and can not imagine what my birth would have been without her. Katherine worked with me during a very personal and intimate experience, but made me feel comfortable from the very beginning. She was incredibly responsive when I thought I was going into early labor and continuously checked in, then was actively by my side for over 12 hours as I labored in the hospital. She was also a great resource for me and my husband before, during, and after my daughter’s birth. She provided me physical support when coping with contractions; she advocated for my needs to hospital staff in a firm and assertive manner, and she was a knowledgeable sounding board and second opinion when the nurses or doctors recommended particular interventions. Every birthing person deserves a Doula, and I can not recommend Katherine enough.

Chelsea G

11/7/2022

Having Katharine be my birth doula was the best decision I made throughout my entire pregnancy. She really helped me through some tough times, and I am forever grateful that she was by my side. She is extremely knowledgeable and always had tons of resources to share with me to help make my own decisions for my birth. I had a c-section, but having a doula was still MUCH needed for support. My OBGYN tried to talk me out of needing one, but I am so happy that I went with my gut and kept her by my side. I had a very unique experience due to my anatomy and she was able to take so much worry away with her love, knowledge, and expertise. She had an answer for every question I had, and resources for me to follow up on to further her answers. If I ever have another baby, Katharine is the only person I would want to have as my doula. I've always thought of becoming a doula myself, and after having Katharine's support, I am even more sure that I want to becoming one so I could be there for other mamas the way she was for me. Thank you a million times from the bottom of my heart ?? Anyone who gets the opportunity to have Katharine a part of their pregnancy and birth story is beyond blessed. ??

Pia and Tyler Pukatch

10/18/2022

We had such a wonderful experience with Katharine Whetzel.

She is such a baby whisperer, and so sweet and knowledgeable and willing to always jump in and help with anything that needs to be done with either the baby or around the house.

It really is true that it takes a village to raise a baby, and it was just the two of us trying to raise our little guy, which can definitely be challenging, and Katharine was such a Godsend.

She also offers some great package pricing and flexibility.

Highly recommended!!