About Katie

Trained Birth Doula (DONA International) with Emily Shier

Bachelor of Science Biology & Education, Earlham College

“Congratulations on your pregnancy or a little one you have already welcomed!

I love the intricate details of pregnancy and birth, and am in awe of this remarkable time in life.

There is nothing more fierce or more powerful than someone bringing a child into this world. I believe that every person who would like access to a doula deserves support, regardless of gender identity, income, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Birth can be so lovely, yet is often unpredictable. Sometimes the emotional and physical components of the process can become intense and overwhelming.

All pregnancies and births are hard work, but having consistent and individualized support can help you have a positive birth experience and story.

My doula skills include: empathy, flexibility, and humor. I would be honored to use these to help support you at your birth or offer postpartum support after your baby is born. I look forward to meeting you!"

-Katie

Testimonials:

“Our family had the unique experience of having a baby during the height of the current COVID pandemic.  Although we were deeply saddened that I could only have one support person physically present with me in the delivery room, we were so glad that Katie could still join us via Zoom!  She joined us not long after we arrived at the hospital and was a calming and unwavering presence for hour after hour, even through the wee hours of the morning.  She advocated for us with hospital staff, offered endless suggestions for comfort, and made wonderful conversation to pass the time.  And ultimately, when our birth turned into an unplanned emergency cesarean, I was beyond grateful that she was there to help my husband work through that scary unknown!  Our son and I ended up perfectly fine afterwards, and there is no doubt in my mind that having Katie present (even on Zoom!) made all the difference in the world!" 

  - Kristy J.

“The moment that Katie showed up at our birth, my partner and I both breathed a sigh of relief. This was my first pregnancy, our first baby, and wow. The learning curve is steep.

I knew that I wanted to have a doula early on, but I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Katie listened intently to all of my needs and preferences, but also gave me so much space and grace when I changed my mind or felt completely uncertain about what I wanted. My birth plan for labor and delivery was that I wanted “no strict plan”. I felt completely ambivalent about pain meds/epidural and just wanted to feel empowered to make decisions as they come up. Katie navigated all of this with ease and created an environment where I felt both in charge of what was happening but also supported completely. She was truly an advocate for me. I felt that in every moment of our time together.

Katie also greatly contributed to my partner’s confidence as he supported me in uncharted waters. She modeled different ways to give support during labor and served as a constant for him through the entire journey where an array of medical professionals are involved.

Katie was totally competent in communicating with all the various healthcare providers who float in and out of the room when you have a baby. She worked so well with all of the staff at Meriter Hospital where I delivered. Katie knew what to ask for, when to ask for more information/clarification, and how to put everything into terms that my partner and I understood and felt comfortable with.

Katie’s personality also lends itself so well to this work. My partner and I both truly appreciated how seamlessly she could pivot between the lighthearted and intense moments of labor. It was the balance that we needed.

Even though we had talked about it in advance and I gave her complete permission (and my cellphone password), I didn’t notice during labor and delivery that she was miraculously finding time to take plenty of pictures, documenting our experience in a way that I am now eternally grateful for. I never felt like she was playing photographer because she was attending to all of my needs, but we also ended up with pictures that I cherish of some beautiful moments.

After our kiddo joined the party, Katie made my care, recovery, and rest a priority. One of the first things she did was make a plan for feeding our family. I was delirious and my partner and I were both so deeply in love with and absorbed with our new baby. She took care of us so we could just be.

Katie and I have been in touch several times since our baby was born. She has checked in periodically postpartum, made a visit to our home on our preferred schedule, and made herself available ongoing. When I was working through a challenging situation with breastfeeding, I reached out to Katie and felt immediate relief from her messages of support.

It was a a privilege to have Katie as my advocate. I cannot imagine my birth experience without her support.”

- Val, Pat, and Edie D.