Every mother carries a story.

Having Catherine beside me during my pregnancy and labor was such a gift. She is so knowledgeable and so experienced that I felt very comfortable asking her all the questions that I had, and confident in her answers.

After a pretty traumatic birth with my first baby, I knew I wanted a different experience for my second. I decided to abandon the preconceptions of hospital birth and labor at a birthing center. I credit Catherine’s presence at my home, when labor woke me in the middle of the night, for the successful delivery of my newest baby.

I was very uncertain about the timing and progression of my labor because it came on slow with prodromal labor for days but it was very VERY quick when the time came. She was able to direct me and my husband on the importance of leaving the house when we did. She kept me calm and excited and focused in what could’ve been a scary and uncomfortable situation in the car to the center.

While there, she worked so well with the midwives, advocating for me and what I wanted. And above all, she kept me confident in the ability of my body.

My husband often talks about how wonderful it was to have her there with us. I think it’s something that’s important to state because it is such a private thing between partners to have a third party, on top of doctors and midwives, so close to the situation. Catherine made him feel more comfortable and less fearful as well.

Overall, her energy, kindness, and dedication to mothers and their positive delivery experience is so close to her heart. This is evident in what she brings to a birthing experience. I highly recommend Catherine if you’re thinking about the gift of a doula’s presence during your labor.

— Stephanie