Debra  Kuchlbauer Photo

Debra Kuchlbauer

DoulaDebra.com

Ortonville, MI Service range 50 miles

https://douladebra.com

Birth Fee

$1000 to $1300

Birth Fee

$1000 to $1300


Birth Doula Experience

3 years and 22 births attended


Birth Doula Certifications

  • Lifespan Doulas - Certified Birth Doula

Doula Training

  • Lifespan Doulas, January 2020

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1 to 3

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Some Home Births
Will not attend births without a midwife.


College Education

AA/AS


Special Services Offered

  • Aromatherapy
  • Baby-led weaning
  • Lactation consultant/counselor services
  • Military families support
  • Photography - Birth
  • Reduced rates for women considering adoption
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

I have received VBAC certification and am currently in continuing training as a doula who specializes in the unique needs of mamas desiring a vaginal birth after a cesarean birth.

Languages Spoken

  • English

Service Area

Ortonville, MI Service range 50 miles

Certifications for Debra Kuchlbauer

Click a certification thumbnail to view the full size image.

Certification

Learn more about evaluating doula certifications, an important part of the interview process.

Report any issues or concerns with certification images.

Client Testimonials for Debra Kuchlbauer

Post a testimonial for Debra Kuchlbauer

Megan Bell

3/22/2024

We were so blessed to have Debra as our doula! As I was reflecting on my birth experience, I pulled up a conversation that Debra and I had months before in a prenatal meeting, where she asked for a couple of words to describe my vision for this birth. I was so shocked to realize that right after the birth, the doctor used that exact word to describe the delivery. I truly think Debra worked her magic in big and small ways to facilitate this. Debra took care to set up a great delivery room environment with music and lighting, and adjusted the energy and conversation in the room as needed from joyful and light, to focused and quiet. She has such a vast experience with laboring women, as well as an incredible intuition, which resulted in her carefully reading me and always seeming to suggest just the right thing exactly when I needed it. As an anxious person, I had a ton of questions about labor/ birth - Debra has such a wealth of knowledge that she was able to answer a ton, but she also knew when to flip a question back at me, allowing me to get more firmly rooted in my own intuition and embodied experience. With an unexpected early delivery and some unavoidable hiccups to my initial birth plan, she kept me grounded and ensured I had the space, time, and information to make informed decisions. I am so grateful that Debra is doing this work, she has a true God-given gift that she is sharing with families.

Noelle McKinley

6/21/2023

Debra is the best! Truly from the moment we first talked all the way through to my postpartum appointment with her I felt like I had the best and undivided love and care. From the start She cares deeply for the mom and family. She checks in, educates, listens and encourages throughout the whole journey of pregnancy/postpartum. I hired her because I felt like I needed someone to be on “my side” as an advocate for me when it came time for a hospital birth. At 30 weeks the hospital let go of all midwives so I had a decision to make; Switch care or be seen by an OB doctor, I switched to a birth center and she was right there encouraging me the whole way.

 


Our prenatal appointment were excellent. She spent time with us, talked through everything and listened to my personal needs for my journey. I felt seen and loved by Debra the whole time.

During labor she really shined. She cared for me in a way I didn’t know I needed. This was my fourth, so I have done laboring before, however she knew all the moves to try she kept me trying things. My active labor went quick and I believe a lot of that had to do with her knowledge and tools she had with contractions and what to do. She watched my body and gave perfect counter pressure when needed. I had a beautiful, unmediated vaginal birth

I needed a doula this time around for mental and emotional support and Debra was who I needed. I can confidently say she is the best! She will advocate for you, she believes in the women’s body to birth a baby. She takes a natural holistic approach. To top it all off she’s the kindest lady you’ll ever meet.

Debra, I’m so thankful for you and how our lives crossed. You will forever hold a place in my heart. 

Lauren Murray

5/21/2023

My doula was the beacon of light that guided me to an incredible VBAC birth, following a traumatic C-section. Despite being told by doctors that I would need another surgery due to my pregnancies being only 13 months apart, she provided unwavering support and showed me that a VBAC was possible. Throughout my intense 18-hour labor, she lifted me up and stood by my side, offering continuous encouragement. With her guidance, I achieved a natural VBAC without medication, an experience that I will forever cherish. Her kindness and nurturing presence in the delivery room made her feel like a second mother to me. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to any expecting mother seeking a knowledgeable, supportive, and empowering doula. I am immensely grateful for her role in my journey and will undoubtedly choose her again for future pregnancies.

Jay Trzcinski

4/18/2023

Bringing Debra into our lives for the birth of our second son is one of the best decisions we've ever made. After a failed induction turned C-section for our first son, we knew we had an uphill battle to reach our goal of a successful VBAC. Debra was instrumental in helping us put together a plan and take the right steps before labor to give us the highest probability of success. In our pre-labor meetings she provided incredible guidance and resources to prepare my wife's body and both of our minds for exactly what to expect and how to manage the process. Because of her support, we were both calm and confident in knowing what to say to doctors about unwanted interventions and how to advocate for ourselves and our desired outcome. When the day finally came she made the experience everything we were hoping for and more. She brought items to help make the room feel like a comforting environment, gave quick and insightful input on how to use a different stretch or movement to keep my wife active and working through the labor, and was there to support us with a delicate approach when things got intense.  She even went above and beyond to capture some pretty special moments for our family throughout the day so we could savor those precious memories forever. As a man that was eager to help but just needed guidance, Debra made it really easy for me to be there for my wife in exactly the right ways during labor so I could focus on her instead of thinking about what I should be doing. We were able to reach our goal of a successful vaginal birth and we owe so much of that to having Debra on our team. We are so deeply grateful for everything that she has done for our family and could not possibly give a higher recommendation. She is an absolute blessing to all of the mothers (and fathers) that get to work with her through the beautiful journey of childbirth!

Christina

12/31/2022

My husband and I had a great experience with Debra. She is kind, supportive, and knowledgeable on all things pregnancy and birth! She is a very warm person and she loves what she does.

Debra met with us frequently throughout the pregnancy and often checked in via text or FaceTime. This was my third pregnancy and it was my best pregnancy by far. Debra helped me physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout my pregnancy. She responded quickly to all of our questions with evidence-based information.

Debra supported our birth plan to have a VBA2C in a hospital setting and she was a huge asset and comfort in the delivery room. She helped my husband and me know our rights in the hospital and stand up for ourselves when interventions were offered.  She also helped my husband comfort me throughout labor.

Debra was a supportive doula postpartum, always checking in and providing encouragement. I would recommend Debra to anyone in the area looking for a doula especially if you are a Christ follower!

Cassie B

12/30/2022

A gift from God! I let my Healthcare providers get in my head (your baby is too big, prepare to schedule a c-section...). I switched healthcare providers and found Debra. She helped me heal from the damage the first providers caused. She always answered my calls and texts promptly. She was there for me and restored my faith in myself and my ability to birth my baby. The birth experience was a dream come true for me (natural, pain-free, no tearing, 10 lb baby)! Debra kept me comfortable and the birth progressing. She got my husband involved which was so bonding for us. And she captured the event (with my prior permission) via photo and video. It was so affirming to look through the pictures and to watch the video, it was as blissful as I remembered. I highly recommend Debra!

Kelly Cunningham

12/7/2022

Debra was very supportive during my long labor. I had birth preferences that did not go according to plan and Debra was supportive and respectful throughout the birth of our first son. She provided appropriate coping measures through all my stages of labor and ultimately made a huge difference in my overall opinion of my birth due to her presence. I highly recommend Debra! 

Chris Cunningham

12/7/2022

My wife and I have both discussed on several occasions how grateful we were to have Debra by our side during this process. Debra is kind, compassionate, extremely knowledgeable, and really invested in her soon to be mothers and fathers.

As the father, there was a lot of things out of my control and I certainly had some anxious moments. Debra was always very supportive and answered my questions openly and honestly. We had a very long labor and Debra never wavered in her faith or confidence and that was very comforting to both me and my wife.

I would enthusiastically recommend Debra and we could not imagine having gone through this process without her love and support. 

Jennifer Bergstrom

5/16/2022

Debra was an incredible gift to our birth experience for our first son. I didn't plan to have a doula until Debra contacted me as I was arriving at the hospital. Debra immediately came to join my husband and me to help bring our son into the world. Debra's knowledge, encouragement and peace helped us in ways we didn't know we needed. Debra helped me learn how to handle the birthing process in a way I couldn't have done without her, and helped my husband understand how to provide me with the love and help I needed as my support person. 
I could not recommend Debra enough as a doula and think everyone getting ready for birth, especially if it's your first, should have a doula. 

Katie Cavanaugh

5/11/2022

Debra was my doula for a VBAC in July 2021. We had been in early labor and bedrest since 26 weeks and she walked me through everything, right up until this baby went from wanting to come early to waiting until 42 weeks when I chose to be induced! In addition to my early labor, VBAC and induction, I am disabled with several genetic illnesses. These include hEDS, POTS, MCAS and others. Debra was calm, well practiced in my conditions and worked to keep the room calm, even as the hospital pushed interventions due to my health complications. My husband and I would highly recommend! 

Birth Availability for Debra Kuchlbauer

= Available. Calendar last updated: 01-03-2024