Meet Your ProDoula

Background/Experience that you think is beneficial to Doula work: I trained and certified as a Bradley Method Childbirth Educator for 4 years, trained and working towards certification with ProDoula, mother of two children with a passion to help women and babies have the best start!

What led you to become a Doula?: Taking childbirth education classes myself, reading and researching all my options while I was pregnant with my first child and realizing how much there is to know and decide and how crucial support and knowledge are ensuring a healthy and happy birth and postpartum experience.

What are some positive comments made about you by other people?:

Her and Kelsey are so knowledgeable, available, helpful and kind! We are thankful for the support, love, and kindness Cloud Nine Birth Service’s has shown to us – both women are so easy to connect with and feel comfortable around and I will look back at my labor and delivery with a smile on my face and a feeling of empowerment! ~Heather DeSimone, 2/13/2018

As a first-time mom, I did a ton of research in trying to find the right fit when it came to hiring a Doula. I felt very comfortable with Kelsey and Tina in our initial consult, and their guidance based on empirical evidence really aligned with my overall mentality. I felt comfortable knowing either of them would be a strong advocate for my birth plan and guide me through any unexpected issues.

Everything about my birth experience seemed to be unexpected, but Kelsey really helped me feel in control through the chaos. She was amazingly flexible, especially given that my son decided to make his appearance a month early. She helped me through hours of back labor (even by phone as she was making her way to the hospital), and the subsequent change to my unmedicated birth plan.

My doctor praised how easy she was to work with – unlike many doulas that have been invasive or critical in her experience. My husband was initially indifferent to the idea of hiring a doula, but he found her presence to be immensely valuable and supportive to him as well.

Overall, there really aren’t adequate words to explain how valuable Kelsey was to my birth experience. She brought a calming and knowledgeable presence to a very stressful situation, and I can’t thank her enough. I would highly recommend her to others! ~Becky Gerambia, 11/24/2017

For our first pregnancy, my husband and I weren’t really sure what to expect. We really trusted our OB practice, but wanted to ensure that our birth experience was a positive one and that we were doing all we could to help bring our little one into this world as comfortably (for her and myself) as possible. I really wanted to feel like we were supported in our hope for a natural birth, while still having the security of medical attention should things not go as planned. When looking for a doula to help support our birth wishes, Kelsey and Cloud Nine were a great fit right from the start.

I went into labor 3 weeks early, and my Type A self was not mentally prepared for that. Kelsey was so great at responding promptly, giving my husband and I time to ourselves, but also arriving to the hospital as we requested. My labor was a whirlwind, but it was perfect. I cannot imagine (and neither can my husband) doing it without Kelsey – she was so patient, calm, and supportive – I think we likely would have accepted pain medication and other medical support if we hadn’t had her there with us. With Kelsey as a part of our team, we knew we were in good hands because she knows birth so well. All in all, we were able to have the birth we’d hoped for and have a precious baby girl who is healthy and happy.

After we were settled back at home, Kelsey was so great when reaching out to my husband and I.  We’re a month out from her delivery date and I still feel like I have someone I can bounce questions off of as a first time mommy.  I cannot recommend Kelsey enough! ~Victoria Donnelly, 11/1/2017

We hired Kelsey to be our birth doula for our first-born. Given we had never had a baby and wanted as natural a birth as possible, we were interested in having a professional there to guide us through the process and help with pain management. From the moment we met Kelsey, we felt comfortable with her. She was so comforting and reassuring about the entire birth process, and helped reduce my anxiety by preparing me fully for what to expect, helping me create a birth plan, and giving me a number of tools to help me manage the labor pain. At the hospital, Kelsey worked very collaboratively with my husband to meet all of my needs, allowing him to take breaks when needed and tag-teaming my care. She was helpful in advocating for me with the doctors, and would repeat information to me when she knew I hadn’t heard. During the pushing phase of labor, she was really helpful in giving me direction and making me feel confident that my body knew what it was doing. I don’t know that I would have made it through this experience as seamlessly without her warmth, steadiness, and confidence in me. The best surprise of all was after it was all said and done, Kelsey texted me pictures of the labor and birth so that I could marvel in the miracle that had just happened. I didn’t even realize she had taken any pictures! Thanks Kelsey! ~Lauren Hoffman, 10/24/2017

I couldn’t be happier with my doula, Kelsey. She is so passionate about what she does! She met me very close to my home so we could talk about my wishes and birth plan etc. She made it so easy to meet with her (I already has 3 little ones at home so this was much appreciated). She was always a text or phone call away when I had a question or needed to talk. She attended my daughters birth and helped me through the pain that is childbirth. She supported my choices and always gave me helpful information to go on. My husband hurt his back right before I went into labor, so I was extremely grateful to have her by my side, walking the halls and laboring through painful contractions. She was so calm and collected. She even took pictures of my labor and sent them to me. She’s a very talented photographer as well! I will forever cherish those moments. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and I recommended her 100x over! ~Lauren Ciampi, 9/24/2017

My husband and I took the Bradley method class through Kelsey. Kelsey was a great teacher and made learning about birth a lot of fun. She definitely eased my mind and my fears.  Without her wisdom and knowledge, I don’t know if I could have made it through my natural birth! During pregnancy and even after birth, she was always available and quick to answer any questions or concerns I had with being a new mom. I would definitely recommend Kelsey as an instructor and doula for anyone wanting to achieve a natural birth. ~Lexi Harris, 6/4/2017

Kelsey was both my Bradley Method Instructor and my Doula for my first son in 2015. Her instruction in class and help leading up to the birth was amazing! I went into labor feeling as prepared as I possibly could… and then labor started! My son was born very fast and with the complications that arose, my birth plan quickly went out the window.

When Kelsey got to the hospital, my husband and I were in a bit of shock at how quickly everything was progressing, especially for a first birth. She was a wonderful, calming influence- probably more so for my husband since I was in a hormone induced haze! My son was born 2 hours after we arrived at the hospital and had to be taken directly to the NICU. Kelsey stayed, later than she needed to, to make sure I was okay and to check on my husband, who went to be with our son. She also went and spoke with my family and acted as a go between for us after the birth.

Nothing had gone as planned and having my son taken from me was scary and upsetting. Having her there, with her calm demeanor and wealth of information was extremely helpful! She followed up with texts during our NICU stay and came to check on us once we were home. She even answered nursing questions for me in the following months when it was after hours and I was in a panic!

I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a Doula. She is extremely knowledgeable and her friendly smile and calming demeanor are just what you need to help guide you through the challenging and amazing experience that is childbirth. She’s wonderful! ~Samantha Miller, 6/1/2017

As soon as my husband and I met Kelsey we knew she was the right person for us. We had an immediate connection, and she instantly made us feel more calm and peaceful about the birth process. She not only happily answered all of our questions, but she asked us lots of questions too about what we wanted and expected from our doula during the birth so that she could give us exactly what we needed. In addition to our prenatal and post partum visits, Kelsey was always willing to talk on the phone or via text, answering questions and concerns. She was a very peaceful and constant presence during my labor, which helped mitigate the disturbance caused by the nurses coming in and out of the room. She massaged my feet and held my hand. She was soothing and comforting. She was also a much needed force as the baby was coming – holding one leg while my husband held the other! She remained with us for at least an hour after the baby was born to make sure we were all ok, and that we were breastfeeding and bonding comfortably. I could not imagine giving birth, especially in a birth center or hospital, without a doula. Kelsey has an incredibly generous heart and mind. She has an abundance of knowledge not only regarding childbirth but in raising healthy, happy children, and she’s very happy to share what she knows. I feel so much comfort knowing that at any moment if I have a concern I can text Kelsey for a heart to heart or guidance. She’s a truly special person and a devoted and wonderful mother to her two children. I cannot recommend her highly enough! ~Naomi Gerard, 5/31/2017

What an amazing person Kelsey is! So supportive, kind and patient and that is exactly what you need while learning about birth and the actual birth.  Kelsey leaces herself open for questions and discussions without judgement so you will always feel comfortable no matter what. HIGHLY recommend Kelsey to be by your side!  ~Mailyn Hill, 5/22/2017

I cannot say enough good things about our Doula. 🙂 I knew from our first meeting that Kelsey was going to be a great fit on our birth team. Kelsey was warm, inviting, and it felt as though I knew her for years. She answered all my questions and believe me, I had a lot. She is very knowledgeable and you can tell she has a passion for what she does.

I knew I wanted an unmediated birth and with the help of my husband and Kelsey, I was able to achieve this goal. It was not an easy road, but the support and care that Kelsey provided to myself, and to my husband,during the birth of our little girl was phenomenal. She went above and beyond to be there emotionally and physically when we both (my husband and I) needed it the most.

I highly recommend hiring Kelsey as your Doula. We couldn’t have imagined welcoming our baby girl into this world any other way! We will be calling her for our next baby!!! ~Meghan Roth, 4/4/2017

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