Alison Franks

4/27/2016

Kathy was our doula for the birth of both of our children.  She was incredibly professional, personable, and SO knowledgeable. Both births were very different - the first came after 36 hours of labor, the second came after just 4 hours of labor.  Having Kathy in my corner (and just a phone call away) was such a critical part of my support system through both births.

Prior to the birth of my first child, my husband and I moved to Orlando just 5 weeks before my due date - thousands of miles away from family, friends, and my OB practice.  Finding Kathy, and having her support us through not only preparing for the birth of our first child, but also through the process of navigating a new city, new medical system, new hospital was such a blessing.  Kathy talked me through those 36 long hours of labor, and helped me deliver our first child the way I wanted to - no epidural!   Kathy also acted as our lactation consultant while I struggled with supply and breast feeding. After a lot of work, and tears, and patience, we were able to make breast feeding work for us - that victory I don't think I could have accomplished without Kathy's support as well.

When it came time for baby number two, I knew I had to have Kathy in my corner again.  And she didn't disappoint.  My second labor was fast and furious.  By the time I got to the hospital I was 8cm dilated, and Kathy stayed on the phone with me, talking me through contractions as she drove to meet us for delivery.  She talked me through every step of the labor and delivery again (which was surprisingly disorienting since it happend so fast).  Her knowledge, her patience, her compassion were invaluable.  I could not recommend her more highly, and could not be more grateful that she was our doula!

Brittany Kohl

8/7/2015

My experience with Kathy was wonderful. I have had a bad experience with medications and was planning for a natural birth. We enlisted Kathy's help since this was my first time going through labor, and I wanted someone who could help encourage me through the pain. My labor did not go as planned and after laboring for over 24 hours after my water began to leak, I ended up with the maximum dose of Pitocin to get things moving. Kathy helped me through the pain and then when I was not dilating and needed to have an epidural, she helped me to stay calm. Having her presence and expertise was very comforting when things did not go as planned. We are strong in our faith and Kathy prayed with us through some scary moments during a long labor. I feel God brought her into our lives to help guide us through this once in a lifetime event. Thank you Kathy for being an angel to us the day out sweet baby girl came into this world!

Brittany and Mike

Kayla Dees

7/31/2015

Having Kathy to lean on for advice, information, and support throughout my high risk pregnancy was a relief. She was very knowledgeable and always readily available. When I went into preterm labor at 35 weeks in the middle of the night, she was able to guide  us and settle our anxiety. She remained on the phone during our one hour drive to the hospital as I was having very close and painful contractions. Kathy did an amazing job in making sure my doctors were up to speed on the situation, taking that pressure off my husband. We are grateful for her emotional and spiritual support as well!

Terica Hudson

7/28/2015

Kathy is an excellent Doula! She has the experience to promote and support a wonderful and fulfilling birth experience due to her knowledge, honesty, trustworthiness, and constancy. In addition, Kathy’s ability to communicate with birth/labor and delivery healthcare professionals makes for a transparent birth experience. She is an excellent medical liaison and will ensure (to the best of her ability) that your birth plan is adhered to, that family and friends are involved and aware of your birth course, and that you are “present” during this extraordinary time! Before, during, and after your delivery Kathy is dependable and always available (or will get back to you right away) for questions and/or concerns. Also, because Kathy is a certified and experienced lactation consultant, my son and I now have a stronger and amazing breastfeeding bond!! Kathy greatly contributed to my incredible delivery and I look forward to having her by my side for my second birth!!

Leah Bartos

3/12/2015

I hired Kathy Bradley to be my doula for the birth of both of my children. I met with her in June of 2013 to discuss my delivery options. I told her I wanted a natural, non medicated birth in the hospital. This was my first child and I felt it would be beneficial to have a doula with me and my husband during labor and delivery, especially since I did NOT want an epidural.

I can honestly say that I am SO thankful that I hired Kathy to support me. She was there for me and always responded my calls to answer any questions I had even before I went into labor. Once I thought I was in labor, it was so great to be able to call her and talk about what I was feeling. This way I did not have to call my doctor's office about every little thing.

Kathy coached me through my labor at home which lasted several hours. Then once my contractions were 4-5 minutes apart she advised me to go to the hospital. She met me and my husband there and worked so hard to help me feel comfortable during each of my contractions. She rubbed my back, had me sit in the tub, walk around with my husband, etc. She gave me the confidence that I could make it through labor without an epidural. She helped coach me during delivery as well and I am happy to say that I was able to delivery a beautiful, healthy baby boy! I was in labor for 16 hours and I Never had an epidural or any pain medication. Everything was competely natural! It was the birth I always dreamed about! Kathy stayed and helped me with breastfeeding to ensure the baby was latched properly and feeding well. She also worked with me on breastfeeding after I left the hospital.

I was so satisfied with my experience with Kathy that I hired her again to help me with the birth of my daughter who was born only 15 months after my son. Once again, Kathy helped me every step of the way.  I had another natural birth without an epidural. I highly recommend Kathy Bradley, she is AMAZING!!!

vanessa wojak

2/4/2015

I was initially referred to Kathy via my hypnobirthing instructor. It was a wonderful experience working with Kathy from start to finish, and she was familiar with the hypnobirthing approach I had practiced for several months. This was great as she was able to coach me comfortably through labor utilizing this approach. Kathy has an extensive knowledge of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and breast feeding, and she was able to answer all of the questions I had about birth and babies. As a first time mother, I have a difficult time imagining what my labor and delivery would have been like without her support. My husband agrees 100% as well! Her recommendations of how to labor including positioning, verbal encouragement, and use of techniques such as massage helped to keep me on track to follow through with my wishes for a natural birth. She also assisted me with breastfeeding my baby after delivery, and this was extremely helpful! Kathy is also available via phone for questions, and she responds promptly. I really appreciated this as I labored in the middle of the night and needed her advice at a very early hour. Also, my labor progressed quicker than expected and she made it to Winnie Palmer Hospital right away to assist once I was admitted. I am more than completely satisfied with my experiences with Kathy as a doula, and I would recommend her to anyone looking for someone to advocate for their needs and wants.

Aubrey Engert

2/2/2015

I have known and loved Kathy for 5 years now!  I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing her work with her clients on many occasions on the labor and delivery unit where I work as an RN.  She has an incredible rapport with everyone she takes care of and provides the best collaborative care with other providers and staff.  Her depth of knowledge is almost instinctual and how she sincerely cares for her clients is almost unparalleled.  When I think about Kathy I think about positivity, strength, and a genuine belief in women.  She is not only amazing with pregnant and laboring moms, she takes incredible care of them in the post partum period.  She inspires me to want to take care of women for the rest of my life!! She's honestly and truly one of my favorite birthy people on the planet!

Erin Jenkins, DPT

2/2/2015

Kathy was phenomenal! My husband and I could not have been more impressed with her knowledge and experience. Our little girl just didn't want to come out and my body didn't want to dilate which equated to 40 hours of labor. After an epidural was needed, Cathy was there guiding the process with position changes even throughout the night. I believe she was instrumental in avoiding a C-section. She was supportive, encouraging and knowledgable. I would also highly recommend her education and lactation services which were great as well! When it comes time for number 2, we will certainly be using her services again!