Ali G

8/15/2023

Teresa is an angel : ) My husband and I are so grateful she was put in our path and helped us during our pregnancy and delivery. Her years of wisdom and countless births she has aided in brought us a lot of comfort in going to her as a resource for information alongside our OBGYN. She is incredibly knowledgeable, kind, empathetic, easy to work with, dependable, and helpful. We're grateful to have had her by our side through this journey of birthing our first child. I cannot recommend her enough.

Adrienne M

3/1/2023

Teresa is absolutely wonderful! She helped our family with postpartum services during the night so that we could catch up on sleep, and I highly recommend her. She is reliable, trustworthy, and very good at what she does. I could go to bed and truly get quality sleep knowing that my baby was in good hands and that Teresa would safely care for him throughout the night. We really had the best experience we could ask for with a sleep doula and will certainly use Teresa's help in the future if there are any more additions to the family!

AH

2/10/2023

What an amazing person.  I cannot begin to say what a blessing it has been having Teresa in our lives.   She is always so kind, helpful, patient, and loving.  I honestly don't know what I would do without her.   

Ashley Archer

2/9/2023

Teresa is an amazing and loving person. There is a reason that her nickname is Mother Teresa. She watched my colicky baby when I didn't trust anyone else to. She has helped us on and off for the past two years. She has the most giving personality and truly loves caring for little ones. I can't say enough nice things about Teresa! 

Manisawn Krejci

12/12/2021

Teresa is such a kind and loving person. She came highly recommended from friends that hired her before and the moment we met her we knew our newborn son (born January 2019) would be in great hands. She was so good with him. She is extremely knowledgeable and was able to calm our nerves and answer our questions or concerns. I highly recommend Teresa for an extra set of hands or a much needed break away from the house or overnight help.

I hired Teresa again for my second baby in November 2021. She is still the same sweet, gentle soul who has the magic touch with babies. I would recommend her over and over and over again. It makes me want a third baby (????) knowing I can hire her again and my baby would receive the same loving and expert care.

Sarah Young

6/19/2020

I can't say enough good things about Teresa. My husband and I really wanted a natural delivery (as much as possible) but didn't even know if we should hire a doula or not. We ultimately decided to knowing we'd have more support through the process. We can both say now that we can't imagine not having had Teresa as our doula through it all. We had interviewed  several doulas but felt like Teresa's experience and the way she already made us feel cared for won us over. She also came to us HIGHLY RECOMMENDED feom other people I had asked. She went ABOVE AND BEYOND for us. She went the extra mile to provide us materials prepping for labor as I wanted to be as prepared as possible. She was available for every text and phone call. During labor she gave us valuable insight and care that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten if we were on our own at the birthing center. She provided tools that helped ease labor and helped support my husband and I through the unknown.  If you're deciding whether or not to get a doula, it's worth it for sure and Teresa definitely won't steer you wrong!!!! Would love to use her again!!!!!!

Megan Osmundsen

7/28/2019

We were lucky enough to hire Teresa for overnights after the birth of our daughter, Lydia.  As a first time mom, I had so many questions about newborn care and breastfeeding.  Teresa is so knowledgeable and patient.  My husband and I learned so much from her.  Also, it was so wonderful being able to have some uninterupted sleep at night because we knew Teresa was there to take amazing care of our baby.  Mark and I will definately hire her again for our second baby.  We wish every mom could have Teresa as their Postpartum Doula.  

Teresa is the BEST!!!!  

Lindsey Heinz

9/21/2018

We hired Theresa after the birth of our first son. I wasn’t sure what exactly I’d need, but, being a first-time parent, I wanted to ensure that I had support in place (particularly since we don’t have family in town). I’m so glad we made the decision to hire her! Fortunately, we were blessed with a very easy baby, so I didn’t end up needing as much help as I’d anticipated. But one of the many great things about Theresa is that she’s there to help you with what you need. She helped with so many things at the house so that I could just focus on snuggling my son. And on days where I needed a little “me time,” she was so sweet with him and I felt comfortable taking a break for myself to get other things done. It was such a nice balance. And my husband and I wouldn’t have eaten a home-cooked meal in those early weeks if it wasn’t for a Theresa! I also soooo appreciated her expertise and guidance. To be clear, she never once pressed a view or opinion on me by any means, but I often asked for her opinion on things because I trust her judgment, and she always had such sound advice. More than that, she helped me trust my gut instincts as a new mother, and she was such an encouragement to me as I found my own way. I am forever grateful for her kindness, support, and love during this most precious time. If you’re considering hiring her, do. She will love your child, respect you and your home, and she as a natural EQ that can’t be taught. I feel blessed to have met her.

Beth Hoffman

6/26/2018

Teresa Marshall was the birth doula for our newborn son and we could not have managed labor without her! During pregnancy, Teresa made a home visit to ensure she could find our house if we wanted to labor at home before going to the birth center. She also made a visit to our midwife's office to review our birth plan and she loaned us lots of reading material to prepare us for labor.

During labor, Teresa reached into her bag of tricks and gave us everything we needed: she played music and diffused essential oils to match what the room needed (serenity, energy, etc.), she filled bathtubs and provided extra towels, she gave endless massages and suggested positions for labor, and she even drove to our house to retrieve our birth ball (we needed a taller one than the birth center could provide). Through it all, Teresa provided invaluable support and encouragement during an extensive labor.

After labor, Teresa made a home visit, gave us swaddling and breastfeeding tips, loaned us a mamaRoo, and wrote a heartwarming birth story for our son. We could not have asked for a more capable or caring birth doula, and we wholeheartedly recommend her services!

5 stars! Will hire again!

Erika Tsutsui

12/27/2017

Being a first timer to pregnancy and with family being on the other side of the world, we decided to hire Teresa to help with my pregnancy. From the moment my husband and I met Teresa, we knew she was the one for us. She was kind, gentle, helpful, very willing to work with us, and very knowledgeable about the whole process. She was available via text and phone at any time of the day. One night, I had a scare and was unsure of what to do, but Teresa managed to give me some simple strategies to calm me down. During my delivery, she was there EVERY step of the way. She was a source of calm and wisdom when I was in pain and unsure of what to do next. I was so thankful of the many tools that she had in her trusty bag, especially her electric blanket (that was a life saver). You know when someone is there just for business, but I can assure you that Teresa is not one of those people - she was genuinely there to help and I couldn't have asked for a better doula. Thank you once again, Teresa - I couldn't have done this without you!

Alyssa Vitez

11/26/2017

I cannot thank Teresa enough for everything she has done for our family. She was a pleasure to work with and she cared for our son like he was her own. The nights were always easier when she was there! ??

Molly Warner

6/8/2017

I can't say too many good things about Teresa. She is just the kindest, most thoughtful person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She truly made us feel totally supported and cared for, even though she takes on so many things, you would never know it. This birth experience was entirely different than with our first and I certainly would attribute it to her being apart of it!

Cara Cowan

4/13/2017

No words could truly describe the incredible support that Teresa gave to me and my familiy after the birth of our second child.  Our baby was a challenge; crying most of the day and up a lot of the night. This coupled with a very busy exhausing almost 2 year old boy and a very hardwork and busy husband made me feel like I was drowning. When I first called Teresa she returned my call very quickly. I honestly cannot remember what exactly she said to me on our first phone call, but I can remember the calmness and confidence in her voice that reasurred me that it would be ok. She began helping our family during the overnight hours that week. She was truly amazing. She would talk to me when she arrived to not only get a game plan for the night ahead, but to also check-in with me emotionally; it was exactly what I needed. Teresa also helped with our housework when she wasn't needing to care for our baby. It was a huge relief to have that extra help and the extra time during the day. And most importantly she cared for our daughter in the most loving and caring way. She worked hard to help my daughter get the best sleep possible which allowed me to finally sleep and begin feeling whole again. We are so so lucky to have had Teresa's help and we would highly reccomend her to anyone needing post-partum support.

Melik Ercanli

1/31/2017

Teresa is a wonderful doula. She was there for both of our boys. The first one was born in December 2014. My wife’s water broke in the middle of the night and I called Teresa to let her know that we were going to the hospital. She got there two minutes after we did. It was a very fast labor and my wife was not able to get epidural. It was very nice to have Teresa there to comfort her and answer her questions while making sure that everything was going the way it was supposed to. Our second boy was born in June 2016. Again, Teresa met us at the hospital right away. We got to spend more time together as the second delivery was not as fast as the first one. She was informative, caring and was there to make our special moment a little bit more memorable by helping us with everything as we have no family members living here. We definitely would have Teresa as a doula again if we were to have another baby, which we are not planning to, but you never know :)

Courtnee Martin

11/17/2016

Teresa is an absolute lifesaver! She worked as a night time/ postpartum doula for us for several months and was incredibly helpful in many ways. Her experience was a welcome relief for us as first time working parents. She was great about following our requests and directions, never trying to force an opinion on us one way or the other but offering guidance when asked. She was incredibly flexible and accomodating with our schedule. My only disappointment is that we've moved and won't be able to use her services again. My husband and I had a very difficult time finding night time help and asked so many people- then we found Teresa and knew it must have been for a reason (leading us to her). If you are considering a postpartum doula; do not even think twice about it. As first time parents, we knew it would be difficult in those first few months but we truly underestimated just how difficult it would be on both of us. The first few months with our son would have been drastically different without Teresa. Not to mention, nothing compares to the sanity, peace of mind and SLEEP you will get.

Malynda Eshleman

7/19/2016

Teresa attended the birth of my second child last month and my husband and I couldn't have been more pleased with the experience. I appreciated her support throughout my last trimester and especially the final weeks leading up to labor and delivery. It was comforting to know I could text her anytime with questions or concerns about how I was feeling or for those times when I wasn't sure if I should go to the hospital. She joined me for one of my last prenatal appointments and I headed into my last days of pregnancy feeling better prepared emotionally and physically for the birthing process this time around than I did with my first. The combo of Teresa and the Research Medical Center midwives proved to be a stellar support team for my labor and delivery — no exaggeration, I had the birth experience I've long dreamed of and thought impossible after my first.

The night I went into labor, Teresa managed to get to the delivery room while I was still in triage. As soon as I arrived, she immediately set about making the room more comfortable (dimmed lights, drawing a bath, essential oils for my nausea, etc.) and assisting me in any way she possible could. She made it clear that my comfort during labor was her number one priority, which was amazing not only for me, but also for my husband who no longer had the pressure of being my sole labor partner. She was prepared for anything — she had a fan and cold wash cloths to cool me during my labor hot flashes, she had soft socks for me to put on when my feet were cold and I had forgotten to pack any, lipbalm and a cold drink of water were ready when I was recovering from vomiting for the hundredth time, just for a few examples. She lent her support to me when I needed it, and backed off when it was clear that I was focused and in my zone.

As far as I'm concerned, Teresa is perfect! She's exceptional at what she does. Highly recommended!

Sarah Lopez

3/13/2016

Teresa was such an asset to have as part of our birth team as we welcomed our second son. We interviewed a couple of doulas and we clicked with Teresa from our first visit. She made herself available to us throughout the pregnancy as needed and provided emotional support to us in the days leading up to the birth. As our due date came and went, she suggested a few different things to try to help get labor started and was a great sounding board for any questions or concerns that we had. When labor finally started, she made herself available as soon as we needed and was a great support throughout the entire process. She provided emotional support to myself and my husband during the labor and delivery as was able to help in so many ways. Her support and prescence with invaluable to us and we are so glad she was with us along the way. She definitely has a passion for what she does and her gentle yet knowledgable personality allow her to help her clients in every step along the way. Thanks so much! -Sarah, Scott (and Landon)

katy

3/10/2016

I decided that I wanted a doula present for the birth of my first baby as I was going to try for an unmedicated birth.  When my partner and I met Teresa we knew right away that we wanted her to be our doula!  She has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a very kind and gentle nature.  I had a well thought out birth plan, but when things didn't happen quite like I had planned (like most things in life!), Teresa made me feel OK with that.  She was an amazing support during labor, not only to me but also to my partner and mom.  She was by my side helping me through labor right when I needed her to be.  It is evident that Teresa has had experience with all different kinds of births, and was able to help me through the intense parts of labor with pain management and relaxation techniques.  After our beautiful baby girl entered the world, we had some difficulty with breastfeeding and weight gain.  Teresa had some great resources available to help us through that time as well!  If you are looking for the support of a doula through the magical journey of childbirth, Teresa is an amazing one!  She truly has found her calling.

Katy and Brady

Shannon Neal

1/20/2016

I really don't know where to start when it comes to Teresa! She is all around a wonderful person and a pleasure to be around!  When I first met her I instantly felt comfortable and knew I would be in good hands! She just has a warm and caring personality. I could tell she truly loves her job! I was going for my VBAC and she instantly gave me  references of other VBAC mams she's helped! And I had also mentioned her name on ICAN of  Kansas City Facebook page. No surprise,everyone had great things to say about her.

I choose to deliver in Kansas City which is a 2 hour for us and still felt very close to Teresa we met up a couple of time before the birth and she even attended a doctors appointment with me. she was very quick to  respond to any questions I had. I had a week prodromal  labor Teresa kept me calm and gave me a lot of helpful recommendation. Then the big day came I gave Teresa very short notice that I would be heading to the hospital and she was right there with me texting me the whole 2 hour drive making sure everything was going smoothly. As soon as she got to the hospital she knew exactly what to do to help me with the pain. She had brought some essential oils with her that smelled wonderful and helped me relax and stay calm. I had a lot of back labor so Teresa had me on my heads and knees and on an exercising ball swaying back-and-forth. While she was messaging my lower back with black pepper oil. It truly felt amazing! I made my contractions feel like nothing. she made sure I was staying well hydrated she even offered me honey to gave me a little  Energy! She was so well prepared and she just knows exactly what to do and when to do it She helped me rock my VBAC. Couldn't have done it without her! Truly amazing doula!!

Janel Stelter-Embry

10/26/2015

After overhearing a fellow mom rave about Teresa many months ago, I asked for her name and number and stored it away for over a year. About halfway through the pregnancy of my second son, I contacted and subsequently hired Teresa as a postpartum doula to start a couple weeks after his birth in June. I knew I'd need more help this time and didn't want to depend solely on family (my parents are helpful but older). It was, hands down, the BEST decision I could have made.

Teresa came to the house 20 hours/weeks for roughly two and a half months. She helped my family transition from four (including my step-son) to five. After a difficult labor (natural but very long with significant blood loss), I needed rest to recover and build my strength. I was winded and dizzy just walking across the room for a few weeks. Having her here to help with my toddler at moments and the newborn at others was invaluable. I couldn't have felt more comfortable with her in our house and caring for our toddler and new addiion in her loving arms. The boys adored her.

I'm thankful for her help and advice, and the peace she brought to our home. I recommend Teresa without hesitation!

Amanda DeVaul-Fetters

10/18/2015

I had twins in June and my husband was leaving for 6 weeks (work related trip - he couldn't get out of it). Before he left we knew I'd need help at night. I was hesitant because like many new mothers I was nervous to have a stranger in my home caring for my children while I slept. I scheduled a phone interview with Teresa and LOVED her. We had the same views on birth, she affirmed my desire to go into labor on my own with my twins, etc. After that we scheduled an in-person interview, and Teresa was even better than she was on the phone!

We decided to hire her as a night nanny. She came to our home 3x/week. She completely saved my sanity. The twins and I slept better when she was here. She would bring them into my room for me to nurse, and then she would take them away to get them back to sleep. Often, we'd have great conversation in the middle of the night while I nursed. I truly miss those talks we had!

I always woke up refreshed and with happy, freshly diapered babies. I trust Teresa with the care of my children 100%. I have no concerns with her ability to care for twins (or singletons!) at all. I wish we could still have her help us with nights, honestly.

I've also texted Teresa with some general postpartum questions and she hasn't hesitated to respond. She is such a valuable resource, friendly,  accommodating, flexible with her hours (she started coming from 10pm-6am and switched to 12-6) and overall a great woman who has a genuine love for babies.

If we decide to have another baby, there is no doubt in my mind that I would ask Teresa to be our doula and help with night time care after the baby is born. I highly recommend Teresa!! Having her help us at night was one of the best postpartum decisions I made.

Alexa Cohen

10/9/2015

Teresa helped us through the roughest part of postpartum transition. She was very knowledgable and competent, the baby never cried with her and she helped us learn how to put him down so that he slept on his own. We would use her again in a heartbeat!

Darin Coash

8/26/2015

My wife and I were new parents of twins this past January. We hired Teresa for postpartum support and overnight care for the twins. My wife had a c-section and was not very mobile. Needless to say we were exhausted plus we were worried about doing things "right". Teresa reassured us and helped build our confidence as time went on, not to mention providing us with much needed sleep!  Also Teresa provided nursing support especially during times when the milk supply was challenging. Very shortly after Teresa started we felt a sense of trust with her and knew we could leave her alone with our angels. I could tell that she really cared for the twins and her passion for caring for new moms and babies comes thru. I highly recommend Teresa and hope she will still have some time to look after our babies from time to time ??

mary helgeson

8/15/2015

Teresa drove for over 45 minutes to my house to be with me while I labored at home. She made me feel confident and relaxed. She helped me manage my pain with the roboza all while following me around as I walked through my contractions. She helped time my contractions, helped me pack my hospital bag. She helped my husband keep calm and focused.

My mom was flying in that night at 11:30 and we were anxious about the timing of it all. My contractions were all over the place and although I was a 7 when I got to the hospital it was about another 9 hours until my little man was ready to meet the world. My husband was anxious because our kids were at the neighbors house and my moms flight kept getting delayed. Without a second thought Teresa offered to go pick my mom up and drive her to our house and help get the kids settled. which wasn't close to the hospital or the airport for the record. My poor mom ended up having to wait till 2:30 am before my husband could finally get her. I wouldn't let either of them leave. Teresa insisted not leaving me alone. Even though it had already been over 12 hours since the start. She was an absolute warrior the entire time! I felt she had the energy to keep us all going! Teresa is a joyful, hardworking  person and no matter what you need you won't have to ask for it she's there and ready with out being over bearing one bit!! She wrote a beautiful birth story for our son. I can't read it with out crying!

So regardless of what kind of birth you want Teresa will support you 110%. She will anticipate what you need with out being over bearing or stepping on anyways toes. She will help with anything you need help with! She's knowledgable with all things related to pregnancy, labor, mama and baby alike. Rest assure you're in good hands with Teresa!!! We absolutely love her!!!! :):)

Deirdre Wood

6/28/2015

Peace of mind and practical support is what Teresa brought to our family during pregnancy, labor, and afterwards. Teresa was our doula for both of our homebirth babies.  The first was a real test of endurance, over 30 hours, and Teresa was rock-solid,  comforting us with essential oils, knowledgeable touch, useful suggestions, empowering encouragement, practical help around the house, and a constant presence that makes you understand the need for experienced women at the beside of a birthing mama. She even took precious pictures and helped us preserve our birth stories forever.

So often in pregnancy and labor, you don't know what's normal or what to do or when to do it. Teresa knows, and that allows you to get back to the work and wonder of bringing your baby into the world.

Matt Crawley

4/4/2015

From one dad to another, hire Teresa.

Experience was an important factor for me. Not only is Teresa generally a very compassionate and nice person, it was clear to me that she knows what the hell she's doing. From the small things like getting me a beverage before I even asked and offering me gum after a day of labor, to the comfort measures she used with my wife, she added a considerate touch to so many moments of my wife's labor. When I was weary from a long day of labor and just wanted a mental break from it all, she was a solid and encouraging force for my wife. She didn't impose her will but rather asked informed questions about what we wanted when we looked confused or uncertain about a choice.

But there was something that made spending money on her absolutely worth it in my mind. There was a point late in my wife's long back labor when she got an epidural. After several more hours without progression, the midwife recommended that my wife add a small amount of pitocin. We went into this with a plan for natural birth and the epidural had already felt like a sacrifice; pitocin would be another. So we asked to wait and our midwife let it drop immediately. Teresa asked why we were waiting. So I asked her advice. She let us know there was no reason to wait. She explained that there was increased chance of complication if my wife didn't progress. She was focused on my wife and baby's safety and that made a huge impression on me. Otherwise, the labor might have gone on for more hours with no progress and could have ended in a much worse situation.

If you're considering a doula, I guarantee you won't regret hiring her. And I will not hesitate to hire her again.

Lindsay Perkins

4/2/2015

Teresa helped make the birth of my second child a truly wonderful experience. I had pretty bad back labor with my first child so I sought recommendations for a doula with experience in helping to alleviate this type of labor. Teresa came highly recommended by more than one source. I had back labor again and she helped make it very manageable with counter pressure, a TENS unit, and essential oils. She also helped determine when it was time to head to the birth center using her vast experience with laboring women. She was hugely supportive in getting me through the last surges right before the birth of my son. This birth was truly wonderful and Teresa played a big role in that. I would definitely hire her again if we have more!

Lindsay

Daniel Burbidge

2/8/2015

Teresa was fantastic in creating a calm environment to allow my partner and I to start to get to know our twins after their early arrival in the world.  Her manner was reassuring and based on sound advice and she was clearly very experienced at handling twins.  One of our children has a cleft pallet and requires feeding with a specialist bottle - Teresa learnt along with us to use this bottle and witihin a short space of time was feefing her as well as we were if not better.  I cannot express how thankful I was to have called on her for help.  I will never forget the help she gave us - it was invaluable.

Natalie Bramson

2/4/2015

Hiring Teresa was the best decision we made during my last pregnancy. We did not have a doula for our first birth. Things went well, but we had no idea what we were missing until after the birth of our second daughter. Teresa was not just there for us during the birth, but for every step along the way. She would check in periodically during the pregnancy, and was quick to offer advice and assistance. She made me feel so at ease and assured of myself throughout the birth process. My labor progressed in a third of the time as my first and the best part was that I did not even realize how intense it was progressing until I began to feel the urge to push. She actually needed to help coach me to slow down.

Her skills through the labor were amazing. She made sure that not only I was at ease but my spouse as well. She would step in when needed to give massage or offer suggestions, but would step back to let Joni support me as well.

Teresa has managed to stay in touch and check on us during the weeks after the birth. She has been an invaluable resource. I may just need to have another baby so that I can work with her again!

Erin Mannen

11/25/2014

Teresa was my doula for the birth of my first child.  Teresa was EVERYTHING I wanted in a doula: strong, knowledgeable, quiet, helpful, and extremely reassuring to both my husband and me.  I had a difficult labor (water broke early, contractions wouldn't start without pitocin), but with her support and "doula magic," was able to have a pain-med free experience in the hospital.  She utilized massage, counter-pressure, the rebozo, essential oils, and a variety of labor positions to help turn my stubborn little baby in order to avoid excessive medical intervention.  Her quiet confidence helped me and my husband be assured of what we were doing.  Teresa also took the time to get to know us before the birth experience, sharing coffee and visiting our home.  She holds a very special place in my heart, and I look forward to working with her for subsequent births. Thank you, Teresa!!!

JoLynne Frauenknecht

11/4/2014

Shortly after the birth of our triplets, my husband, my mom and myself knew we could not survive on the few hours of sleep we were getting caring for them and feeding them every 3 hours. A friend, whom is also a postpartum doula, highly recommended Teresa for her overnight services. I, like many, did not know how I felt about having a "stranger" in my home, taking care of my babies while I slept; i also had reservation about 1 person feeding 3 newborns alone. But from the moment Teresa stepped foot in our house, I felt a sense of comfort and relief. She was never a stranger; she became like "family" almost immediately! She also tackled the daunting task of feeding 3 babies at once without 1 complaint. She actually helped me learn how to do it myself. Our family could not be in better hands, and I trust her whole-heartily with my children. She has offered excellence advice throughout her time with us, and she has made my life easier in so many ways! She has been helping us through a very difficult time with sleep training 3 babies at one time; educating me in essential oils, and just being an all around excellent resource and support for a first time mom. She listens when I have concerns and knows exactly what advice to give. Also, Teresea is very punctual, she takes direction well and is not afraid to take initiative to go above and beyond. I know when I wake up the kitchen is neat and left organized, the bottles and pacifiers will be clean and put away, the laundry will be neatly folded, diapers and wipes will be stocked, and my babies will be clean and happy! Most importantly my babies love their Teresa and I know that I have found a new friend, so I know we made the right choice. We HIGHLY recommend her to anyone that needs postpartum services!

Mika Cohn

7/29/2014

We are first-time parents to twin boys, and when the exhaustion began to take it's toll, we called on Teresa to help take care of our babies a few nights a week so we could get some much needed rest. From the second she walked through the door, she made us feel so comfortable, and we knew our boys were in great hands. They woke up full and happy every morning, and mom and dad woke up refreshed. She is trustrworthy and warm. She is reliable, punctual and extremely flexible. She takes direction well, but also provided us with great tips and advice that, as new parents, was much appreciated. We have already shared Teresa's name with several friends with nothing but the highest recommendation. Thank you, Teresa!

Louis and Mika Cohn

Jenna White

6/12/2014

I'm a first-time mom and had been looking for a doula to assist in my birth, and when I interviewed Teresa I pretty much knew from the get-go that she was the one.  She was super friendly, down to Earth, knowledgable and a big plus to me-- calming! Teresa always answered any questions I had at any time of the day, she recommended books and had lots of resources, too.  When I went into labor she gave great advice and knew exactly what to do.  I am SO grateful and happy that she was my doula and will probably be contacting her whenever I decide to have another child :)

Lauren Abelson

4/4/2014

Teresa was an absolute lifesaver for us! With a baby that didn't like to sleep at all during the night, plus a 2 year old who needed attention all day and no family for 1000 miles, I was struggling. Teresa came highly recommended by both a friend and my birth doula. She provided postpartum doula services starting when my son was just over a week old. The nights she was there, I was able to get some much needed sleep (she brought baby in every 3 hours or so to nurse), which then allowed me to be a better mom to both children during the day.

When you meet Teresa, there is an immediate level of trust. She is calm, yet confident and really knows every trick in the book to help get your little one to sleep. She was also a valuable resource when it comes to lactation concerns. She was flexible in terms of hours, and really just did all she could to help make our lives a little easier during this hectic time.

I can't help but rave about Teresa to anyone I know who is pregnant (including strangers that I just start chatting with at the park!). She  is an absolutely wonderful person all around and would be a great resource to any new or expecting mom.

Rebecca Franzenburg Hess

3/29/2014

We have employed Teresa as a post partum doula, caring for our twins at night.  At first I was apprehensive about having someone come into our home and care for our twins.  I could not be more secure, confident, and happy with our decision to have Teresa help us raise our twins.  She genuinely cares for our family as a whole.  I haven't had a baby in four years, so my baby skills were a bit rusty!  Teresa has been an awesome resource for us; she has offered advice to us on everything from breast feeding, pumping, colic, GERD, to child development.  If I've expressed any fears or worries, Teresa has offered a caring ear to listen and has found a resource to help overcome the concern.  I feel like I'm not alone in trying to nurture our babies.  No matter when I've called or texted Teresa, she has gotten back to me immediately.   She has been incredibly flexible with meeting our changing needs as the babies have grown.  I couldn't think of a better person to help us with our twins, nor would I wish for one.  Her care has brought us great peace of mind.

Natalie, Dirck and Dayton Hoagland

8/6/2012

There are not enough words to describe how wonderful our experience with Teresa was and continues to be.  We hired her on the reccomendation of another friend who worked with her and knew it was the right choice from day one.  Teresa encouraged, educated and inspired me on every step of our journey.  Having a natural, unmedicated  birth was something that was extremely important to my husband and me.  Teresa kept me calm and focused, eliminating any fear of the unknown I might have had.  What's more important , though, was the confidence she instilled in my husband to be by my side helping me welcome our little boy into the world.  On a personal level, Tereas is one of the most loving, selfless, and devoted women I've ever met.  My son is now 4 weeks old and I still know I can go to her with any questions or just for a good chat.  

There is no doubt that we'll hire Teresa for our next delivery and I will reccomend her to everyone I know looking for help making the most incredible day of their life peaceful and full of love.

A. Rubash

8/3/2012

My husband and I are so grateful that Teresa was able to to take care of us through the events surrounding the birth of our first child. We had interviewed half a dozen doulas, and Teresa stood out as someone with wisdom and a variety of experiences; her friendliness and dedication to mothers, families, and babies were evident upon spending mere minutes with her. While we had planned to deliver with midwives at a local birth center, my health and the health of my unborn child dictated that a c-section would be the safest course. We delivered a five week early baby that spent almost two weeks in the NICU. I can't even begin to count the ways in which Teresa helped us through these events. She was always available to answer our questions - before our son's birth about natural methods, after we found out that we were having a very quick c-section (completely unresearched by me!), after surgery, as my son grew in the NICU, and even weeks after, as we figured out what to do with a tiny newborn. Teresa even answered my mom's questions and encouraged her in ways that she could take care of me!

Teresa's easy manner and thoughtfulness showed through in every interaction she had with us. Her knowledge and experience with all types of labor and birth were invaluable and her practicality and common sense were so reassuring as we were encountering all of these changes and new life experiences. I can't recommend Teresa's services enough and would like you to know that when you hire her, you are likely to end up with way more than a doula, you are likely to make a friend. She has made a tangible difference in our lives and the way we were able to have our son.
 

Faine Mende

8/1/2012

 Theresa was our Birth Doula for our second baby and I unreservedly recommend her as a Birth Doula. She was professional, warm and insightful during our time with her. The birth ended up being super fast and she was able to keep me focused on the right things and panic free. Our experience with Theresa was in line with the previous references; she clearly enjoys what she does and is great at it.

Sarah Baker

11/3/2011

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

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

Ashley Foy-Price

9/23/2011

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

Erica Mason

6/14/2011

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

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

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

Amber DiCioccio

5/28/2011

Nicole Gerken

4/28/2011

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

Sarah Hebert

4/4/2011

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

nancy bollier

2/23/2011

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

Jill Goodheart

1/9/2011

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

Tiffany Hale

12/8/2010

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

Cheryl Hasty

11/22/2010

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

Sarah Fleener

11/1/2009

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

Angela Gbekpa

4/29/2009

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