Testimonial for Katie Rohs, CD(PALS), LCCE

Our daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome and an AV canal defect around week 16 of the pregnancy. It made for a very tumultuous second trimester. We decided to research doulas in the area. My chiropractor recommended the great Penny Simpkin. Due to Penny’s incredibly busy schedule, and my daughter’s medical issues, Penny recommended Katie. She said Katie prefers to work with parents expecting special needs kids. Just hearing that brought my husband and me a bit of comfort, but we honestly did not know what to expect. During our visits, Katie made us feel heard and worthy of her time. It felt like we were spending time with a friend, someone who cares, someone near our age, someone like us. She asked us how we envisioned our daughter’s arrival. All we wanted was to gift our daughter with a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere, meditative, poetic, and the notion we could actually have a smooth, vaginal birth. It was a difficult 21 hour labor. Honestly, my husband was the best coach I could have ever asked for, and Katie was the best coach he could have asked for. She walked us through every stage of birth. She took notes and prepared a timeline of events for us to reflect on. She was there for everything for both of us, in whatever capacity we desired. It was as if she knew, and before we could ask, she was there. Katie was the fairy-godmother we never knew we needed, and looking back, could not imagine going without.

-Lisa Wasikowski

May 14, 2012