We are so happy that Katie was our doula! This was my first baby and prior to delivery Katie and I met a couple of times and also texted periodically to discuss pregnancy and plans for labor. When I went into labor Katie came to my house before we all transferred to the birth center. Throughout the whole process she was extremely attentive and in tune with what I needed. When I would feel stressed or overwhelmed she was consistently reassuring and encouraging. Once delivery was over and baby and I were home she offered to review all the events of labor in more detail with me if I wanted – My baby had shoulder dystocia and I was also transferred to the hospital due to post-delivery hemorrhaging. It was wonderful learning in more detail what was going on because I was too distracted in the moment to pay attention. In addition Katie helped us with postpartum care and gave us some tips and tricks with our baby that we still utalize today and she is a wonderful sleeper 🙂 thank you Katie! We love you!
Rebecca, Mom
I am so thankful that we had Katie’s support for our second child. I had been quarantined at home with our toddler for 7 months while my husband worked full time from home (and did I mention we lived in a 2 room apartment!) so was worried that the stress of the pandemic and lack of sleep would rob me of the joy those precious early baby months.
Katie was extremely professional and knowledgeable, we had overnight support 5 nights a week and she was always on time, was wonderful soothing the baby, and helping with dishes and laundry. She had great recommendations for products and techniques for our very gassy (and loud) baby, you could tell that she truly loves what she does.
If you are not sure if you need postpartum doula support I would encourage you to try Katie for at least a couple of weeks. It may feel like a big investment but it makes a world of difference. The best advice I received in becoming a mother was “taking care of mama IS taking care of baby” and with Katie I felt truly cared for.
Heather, Mom
I had a c-section for my first birth and strongly believed I shouldn’t have had one. So for my second pregnancy, I was looking for help. One of my friends recommended Katie Bachand and Candace Barber. Now I am writing after having had a successful VBAC and can’t thank them both enough!
Katie and Candace have helped me get the exact birth experience I wanted for my first child but didn’t get. They both understood what I wanted out of my birth and learnt about me and my family and how my job and home situation was. They taught me practical tips that I could apply without changing my current lifestyle drastically. They took the time to talk to me about everything I wanted their advice about. They have far exceeded whatever is listed on their contract in every possible way!
Both Katie and Candace are constantly keeping themselves up to date and learning as technology and science evolves. Both bring a long track record of successful birth stories and I am fortunate that mine is a part of that list.
Katie doesn’t treat this as a job but as her calling. Even if she cannot help out with something, she either finds out or finds the best person who can help. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and network that only comes by doing this so passionately.
Candace’s warm demeanor and nonjudgmental attitude is very reassuring. She is hands on and helped me cope with massage and counter pressure during the labor. After the birth, she taught me among other things how to do a Sitz bath.
I am going to be handing out their contact to every pregnant friend of mine!
Rasika, Mom
Katie was a life-saver for us! Several days per week, she provided nighttime care for the first four months we navigated life with our newborn twin boys. We completely trusted Katie in our home and with our boys. She also taught us valuable parenting tips around feeding, cleaning bottles, swaddling, sleeping positions, and more. The space she provided for us to get restorative sleep (that saved our mental and physical health!) was invaluable. And it was so easy to sleep with her there, knowing our babies were in good hands. We are forever grateful for all the help Katie brought into our home.
Malia, Mom
She is AMAZING! You have to have her! She is so knowledgeable and an advocate for all.
Laura, Mom
After the birth, many of the hospital staff sought me out to tell me how respectful Katie had been, some even referring to her as the ‘perfect doula.’
Inga, Mom
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our whole family appreciates all your help. You are truly an angel sent from above. Your attention, compassion and knowledge were exactly what was needed to deliver our baby all natural.
Kim, Mom
She had good knowledge of the process, which worked well with the RN’s needs. She was so supportive, I forgot that she wasn’t a family member.
Maureen, RN
Katie presents information, empowers women to make decisions that best align with their maternal instincts and then fully commits to her client in support…Katie helped make my birth beautiful and memorable. It’s hard not to consider her family and I think of her as my son’s Fairy God Mother.
Inga, Mom
The noninvasive natural birth of my daughter was everything I had planned thanks to you Katie! Your knowledgeable and nurturing guidance with all aspects from the birth plan, assisting my husband with his role, to nursing the baby was exceptional. You went above and beyond our expectations considering we had doula 7 years prior for the birth of our son…Many thanks!
Sheila & Paul, Mom & Dad
We couldn’t have done it without you. I didn’t feel useless at all. You are the best.
Jose, Dad
You were wonderful! Patient, caring and encouraging.
Kirsten, Midwife
Katie was a constant positive supportive presence during labor and delivery and helped us reach our goal of a healthy birth and positive experience.
Kimberly, Mom
Thank you SO much for your guidance and expertise. Due to all our pre-labor conversations, I had full confidence during labor that if I wanted to delivery our baby via vaginal delivery that you would help me to do so… that helped me to push myself to try and go long as I could without medication. [My partner] and I are definite that if you hadn’t been there having me do the different positions, I would not have delivered vaginally. There were also many subtle cues and things you did that also really helped me…. For example, you simply rocking back and forth to help me do the same and open up my pelvic area and manage pain…. and helping us manage things with the medical staff… to helping to reduce the fever caused by epidural so that they wouldn’t give me antibiotics…There were so many that I can’t name them all. What you did helped my husband and I through our first birth. Our birth experience was so much more positive than I had ever imagined. Family and friends have been asking about how having a birth doula helped us and I have been telling them that if it wasn’t for you, we would have had a c-section which we really didn’t want, amongst other things… having a truly positive experience… and the photos you took were the icing on the cake… they are precious as I look at them now.
Jen, Mom
Thank you very much for your help before, during and after the arrival of our new little son! We really appreciate your hands-on help and advice, your prayers, and your manner or doing business, which is very professional. It has been a great help and pleasure to have your services!
D & S, Mom & Dad
Thanks so much for your patience as well as for your guidance during the last few weeks of my pregnancy and postpartum. My only regret is not finding you sooner! I don’t know if I’ll go through pregnancy again, but if I do, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Mom
You made our birth experience so special! You were such a blessing and my labor was exactly how I wanted it to be. You truly have a gifting and the love of God shines all over you! Thank you.
K & C, Mom & Dad
For the birth of my third child, I decided to do it naturally, without medication. I did plenty of research and as my due date approached, I felt confident and excited about the birth. Part of the reason that I was feeling so positive was because I was working with Katie Bachand as my doula. Any time I had a question, Katie was right there with many different answers. I called on her many times in the weeks before and she was always so excited and ready to help. I could tell that she was very interested in doing whatever she could to ensure that I had adequate information to make this birth the best that it could be.
When the day arrived, Katie was indispensable. I was not able to concentrate on all the details during labor and Katie was right there supporting me and taking notes on everything that was happening. She was also very supportive of my husband, encouraging him to try different relief measures and giving him confidence that he was helping me immensely. She was also able to take wonderful pictures of things he and I were too busy to worry about.
Katie was also so helpful in explaining things that the nurses were saying that I was too distracted to understand. She was very intuitive in knowing when I needed clarification and made sure I was very clear on what was going on around me. Katie understands that being informed and included in decisions is one of the best ways to have the best birth experience possible.
As well as being a tremendous support and source of information, another priceless gift she gave us was a full birth story with all the details, even some I had forgotten. I have l looked at it many times since the birth and am so pleased that it helps me remember what an incredible, awesome day that was.
D & V, Mom & Dad