triumphant VBA2C!
Katy is such a fantastic human being! I was so fortunate enough to find her late in my pregnancy and coincidentally she had availability, even though she is usually booked out far in advance. She caught herself right up to speed and we met several times leading up to my delivery so she could have a thorough understanding of preferences leading into my VBA2C. I also appreciated that during our meetings, she was an advocate for informed consent, in addition to the belief in a woman’s innate ability to birth her baby. The days leading up to my delivery she… Read more “triumphant VBA2C!”
Support before birth matters!
Katy was my doula, but she wasn’t at my birth (thanks to a certain very behind-schedule baby of mine). This isn’t the typical opener for a doula testimonial, but it feels particularly relevant in the new normal to which we are adjusting. Katy began working with me early in pregnancy, and immediately became our ally. From her, my husband and I gained critical knowledge about what we might encounter in labor (much of it missing from birthing books), the conviction that it is our right to advocate for ourselves, and empathy as I navigated an emotionally difficult pregnancy. Knowledge. I… Read more “Support before birth matters!”
an integrative approach
Katy is one of the most competent and intelligent health and wellness professionals I have ever come across. But more than that, she is human. She is kind, understanding, loving, and supportive in ways that one does not traditionally find in normal “medical” care. Katy takes an integrative approach with great care in nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental issues. I not only recommend her care, I highly encourage everyone to seek her support. If I could give more stars, I… Read more “an integrative approach”
Cassie’s VBAC!
Where do I begin to describe how grateful I am for you. After having a traumatic cesarean birth in April 2020 where I couldn’t even have my doula there, I felt hopeless. When I started to do research on having a successful VBAC, the advice that kept getting iterated was finding a doula that specializes in VBACs. I interviewed a few doulas but there second I met Katy, I knew she was the one. She was with me every step of the way. When I failed my glucose test, she talked me down and figured out a way to avoid… Read more “Cassie’s VBAC!”
warm and compassionate
The long and the short of it is this—Katy is amazing! I’ll be the first to admit that I have exceedingly high standards, and I am rarely impressed by providers I come across. Katy is the exception to that in every way, and I can’t sing her praises highly enough. I was referred to Katy by another doula who was phasing out of her doula/midwifery work, and said that she thought Katy would be a great fit—she couldn’t have been more right! From the first meeting, Katy was warm and compassionate, but also incredibly knowledgeable and frank. She was always… Read more “warm and compassionate”
beautiful and calm
Katy advocated our wants and needs to the hospital staff which was huge for us. She also made us feel comfortable in the hospital. She told me that in the particular hospital we were in ( St. Joe) a lot of nurses and other staff members try to give you lactation consultation and that it can be overwhelming and confusing. Because she mentioned this I felt very prepared when I did experience the barrage of random staff members poking at my nipples and telling me over and over again about “the football hold”. The pain management during contractions was extremely… Read more “beautiful and calm”
allowing space
Katy Gladwin was an excellent doula who I highly recommend to women and families who appreciate the balance of an educated professional who understands medical explanations (she was a pre-med student) while having a kind and compassionate heart who genuinely encourages the most comfortable experience possible. Katy was accessible before, during and after the labor and we felt an instant connection to her. She knew when to probe further when medical professionals made suggestions and when to allow us the space to make our own decisions throughout the labor. I highly valued her presence and would recommend her services to… Read more “allowing space”
feeling in control
Katy is exactly who she presents herself to be, a birth educator and advocate for your own birth empowerment. She is calm, thoughtful and wicked smart. I came to her at 7 months pregnant, full of fear and questions. Each time my husband and I met with her, we grew more informed and more confident. By the time my due date came, we felt unexpectedly ready. We knew we had all the information and felt reassured to have someone to call for support when it was time to deliver our little one. I one hundred percent believe this attributed to… Read more “feeling in control”
without fear of the unknown
Katy suggested that I get a tub room at the hospital, and that made all the difference in the world. I spent all of my time in the tub until it was time to push, and during this time Katy talked casually with my husband and me in between contractions, which was a nice distraction. Once the pushing stage started and I transitioned to the bed, she worked with the midwife offering various positions and movements to make me as comfortable as possible. Knowing that she was there and had experience, as well as my best interest in mind, made… Read more “without fear of the unknown”
doula for our 3rd pregnancy
My husband and I knew we wanted a doula for our 3rd pregnancy. We were planning another natural labor and had used a doula with great success in the past. We were so happy to find Katy. She was warm, calm, grounded and helpful. My previous labors had been long and quite painful and as my pregnancy progressed I grew more fearful. Katy always reminded me that my body was designed to give birth and never let my fear get the better of me. Prior to labor, she responded to my requests for reading material and listened as I complained… Read more “doula for our 3rd pregnancy”
Dude, just hire Katy.
As a dad and support person, I was of course excited to help my wife through birth–but, especially as we chose to have a natural birth, I knew I couldn’t offer much more than emotional support. What do I know about giving birth? This is where Katy came in. Katy didn’t take my place as a support system, but rather became another member of our team. She was the one with the knowledge and the confidence to help us all stay calm through the process, which went perfectly. During our prenatal visits, Katy helped us not only by creating a… Read more “Dude, just hire Katy.”
no substitute for a doula
My husband and I had spent months and months reading birthing literature, taking birth classes, formulating a birth plan, and otherwise preparing for the birth of our daughter, but when the time came, there was absolutely no substitute for Katy. We had a plan, but the plan involved me going through “early labor,” and when I skipped straight to the middle part and sped quickly toward transition, my husband was left mentally still trying to follow our “early labor” plan – I think he was in the process of de-ribbing some kale to make me juice when Katy arrived at… Read more “no substitute for a doula”
memory keeper
It’s difficult to summarize the impact of Katy on my birth and postpartum experience. I was scared of almost everything having to do with labor and delivery, and having someone who had been there before (many, many times!) was wonderful. Her calm demeanor, abundance of knowledge, and lending library helped me figure out what I wanted for my birth experience. The meetings with Katy engaged my partner in preparation for birth and post-partum in a way that he would not have been if we didn’t have dedicated time, space, and a guide. I used many of her suggestions during labor… Read more “memory keeper”
integral part
Katy was a wonderful and integral part of our birth experience. From the prenatal meetings, where we discussed our birth preferences, expectations, and feelings about birth, to the birth itself, Katy was a great support for us. What I appreciate most about Katy was her calm demeanor, and nonjudgemental nature. When discussing birth preferences, she was supportive of us and was able to discuss options and pros & cons without pushing us in one particular direction. She was extremely well informed about the hospital staff, policies, and procedures, which really helped us have clear expectations for the birth. During the… Read more “integral part”
environment of a “team”
As first time parents, we recommend not only hiring a doula, but recommend Katy’s services especially. She exhibited a keen sensitivity to [mom’s] needs, but also in keeping dad and the medical staff at the right level of engagement. Katy’s emphasis is on building the environment of a “team” and this really helped take the pressure off mom to the extent possible. We were very satisfied with the experience at all levels.… Read more “environment of a “team””
As a husband…
We hired Katy to be our doula for several reasons. First, I am a swim coach for the university of Michigan and if someone watched a video of someone swimming, I would not let them coach my swimmers afterwards. As a husband, I felt that just because I had watched a video of labor, did not mean I was qualified to “coach” someone though labor. I knew I could provide emotional support but I wanted a professional that had been through it before because labor can change at any minute. With Katy we got just that. Her professionalism and skill… Read more “As a husband…”
able to focus
I don’t think I would’ve had the resolve to do a natural birth without having a doula. First of all the book Katy recommended to me and lent to me at our first meeting, “Natural Hospital Birth”, was exactly what I needed to get in the right frame of mind for having a natural birth. Katy’s support during the whole time leading up to the birth was key for me to be able to do it without an epidural, and all her suggestions were useful in how to make that happen. Mostly just knowing she was there and supporting me… Read more “able to focus”
Fast, yet calm labor
My husband and I were so grateful to have Katy on our birth team. My labor ended up being very fast and not at all what we expected. It was so helpful, especially to my husband, to have Katy on the phone and waiting for us when we got to the hospital. Literally, when we pulled up she was waiting with a wheelchair. She expedited things and helped to get us into a room within minutes. After my son was born, things took a bit of a turn and Katy really helped to create the space we needed to make… Read more “Fast, yet calm labor”
healthy, happy baby
While I really wanted to have a natural childbirth without an epidural or pain medications, I was somewhat uncertain whether I would be actually able to achieve that goal. Katy’s support throughout labor and birth were extremely helpful. I couldn’t imagine giving birth without the support of a doula like Katy. I was able to have a natural childbirth and a healthy, happy baby. Thanks so much.… Read more “healthy, happy baby”
empowered birth
Katy was so encouraging, took the time to get to know me and what would be helpful and supportive to me and my partner before, during and after the birth of our son, and really empowered us to have the birth experience we desired in bringing our son into the world. Katy educated us on what to expect at the hospital, how to cope with labor sensations, empowered my partner to be my birth partner, and just in general cultivated a relationship with us that I will always cherish. Katy was especially supportive after our son was born and supported… Read more “empowered birth”
all three of my births
Katy is phenomenal. She is fact-based and rational, and she was my rock for all three of my births (C-section, VBAC, C-section). She brings confidence and calm to what can sometimes be a chaotic environment – especially hospital births. When we had complications during labor with my first, she was who I looked to for comfort and reassurance. When we had a successful VBAC with my second birth, it was her hand that I held. And when my third birth came a month early with several complications, it was Katy who scrubbed in and watched from outside the OR. She… Read more “all three of my births”