Kate Rollins CD(DONA)
Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Educator, Childbirth Educator, Encapsulation Specialist
My Doula Journey~
I became interested in Doula work after the hospital birth of my daughter in 2006. I researched childbirth and the different experiences a woman can have for her optimal birth experience, and also reflected on my own current path that was headed towards a career in nursing. I decided that I would love nothing more than to assist other women as they become mothers and to help them reach their goal for what they desire for their birth.
I trained as a doula in the summer of 2008 as I was pregnant with my second child and preparing for my own birth. I am happy to report that my second birth went much more along the lines of what I'd always dreamed I could have! I am also very passionate about my work with postpartum mothers, as I feel that this is a special time in a woman's journey into motherhood, and in the life of a changing family. I have breastfeeding experience and training and many years as a nanny of newborns, infants and toddlers so I can assist in helping new parents sort out some of their parenting choices and help them find the path that fits their family. I can also help new siblings ease into their new role in the family.
I am also expecting my third baby in March, and my first as a single mother. I look forward to working with other single mothers in the future as I'm sure this experience will help me grow in more ways than i realize.
I also have experience helping mothers with the following: Hypnosis for Birth, Placentophagy, Cloth Diapering, Twins, Tandem Nursing, Co Sleeping, Homemade Baby Food, Breastfeeding the Special Needs Baby, Babywearing, Weight Loss Surgery, Bedrest, Preeclampsia, Breech Presentation, Couples Conceiving with IVF, Relinquishing Mothers, Single parents, Teen Mothers, TOLAC/VBAC
I became interested in Doula work after the hospital birth of my daughter in 2006. I researched childbirth and the different experiences a woman can have for her optimal birth experience, and also reflected on my own current path that was headed towards a career in nursing. I decided that I would love nothing more than to assist other women as they become mothers and to help them reach their goal for what they desire for their birth.
I trained as a doula in the summer of 2008 as I was pregnant with my second child and preparing for my own birth. I am happy to report that my second birth went much more along the lines of what I'd always dreamed I could have! I am also very passionate about my work with postpartum mothers, as I feel that this is a special time in a woman's journey into motherhood, and in the life of a changing family. I have breastfeeding experience and training and many years as a nanny of newborns, infants and toddlers so I can assist in helping new parents sort out some of their parenting choices and help them find the path that fits their family. I can also help new siblings ease into their new role in the family.
I am also expecting my third baby in March, and my first as a single mother. I look forward to working with other single mothers in the future as I'm sure this experience will help me grow in more ways than i realize.
I also have experience helping mothers with the following: Hypnosis for Birth, Placentophagy, Cloth Diapering, Twins, Tandem Nursing, Co Sleeping, Homemade Baby Food, Breastfeeding the Special Needs Baby, Babywearing, Weight Loss Surgery, Bedrest, Preeclampsia, Breech Presentation, Couples Conceiving with IVF, Relinquishing Mothers, Single parents, Teen Mothers, TOLAC/VBAC
Trainings and Certifications~
Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation (June 2008)
DONA approved Postpartum Doula Training (July 2008)
DONA approved Labor Support Course for Birth Doulas (September 2008)
Placenta Encapsulation for Birth Professionals with Big Belly Services (November 2009)
Advanced Doula Training- "When a Baby Dies" (February 2011)
REACHE Conference (March 2011)
DONA Certification (April 2011)
Kate also contributes to ParentingSquad.com as an "Ask the Expert". Click to read her post "Do I need a Birth Plan?"
DONA approved Postpartum Doula Training (July 2008)
DONA approved Labor Support Course for Birth Doulas (September 2008)
Placenta Encapsulation for Birth Professionals with Big Belly Services (November 2009)
Advanced Doula Training- "When a Baby Dies" (February 2011)
REACHE Conference (March 2011)
DONA Certification (April 2011)
Kate also contributes to ParentingSquad.com as an "Ask the Expert". Click to read her post "Do I need a Birth Plan?"
Birth Doula regular rate is $750
Postpartum Doula rate is $30/hour Payments can be made online HERE. Inquire about sliding scale and discounts. |  |
Childbirth Education
 | Complete Childbirth Preparation
A 7-week series covering everything from labor and delivery to newborns and breastfeeding. Designed for couples planning an unmedicated birth in any location, this class isn't to be missed! Private Birth Classes Kate also offers private birth classes as her schedule allows for parents who can't fit a regular class into their schedule, or for mothers who are on bedrest. Email Kate if you are interested! |
Client Testimonials for Kate Rollins CD(DONA)
April 2011
"I really can't fully express what a difference it made for us to have Kate at our birth. I was attempting a VBAC and very much wanted to have the natural birth I had wanted with my first. I started having high blood pressure and low fluid, and the last weeks of my pregnancy were an up and down roller coaster, with another c-section contstantly being discussed. Thankfully I was able to go into labor on my own. Kate met us at the hospital, literally arriving minutes after we did. From the minute she got there she helped put me at ease. She gave me a hot pad for my belly, and just kept bringing out things from her bag that helped me. We felt she was our advocate, contsantly asking for things to help the process and make me more comfortable. She brought the birth tub to the hospital, which I actually labored in for most of the time. Kate was just on the ball the whole time, getting me whatever I needed to make the process easier. Her encouragement helped me to get through the really tough parts of my labor where I felt like I just couldn't do it anymore. I would recommend Kate to anyone, and I know that I was able to have a natural childbirth and this life changing experience because she was part of our team."
Mama A and Baby P
October 2010
"Kate did an incredible job of assessing what I’d need to know to successfully execute my VBAC drug free. I was embarrassed at how little I knew about vaginal delivery. Kate sensitively and respectfully educated me. She explained my body’s pain management abilities. She made me feel so ready to have my baby naturally. When I was in labor, Kate did exactly what I needed and wanted: she distracted me when I was in the bath during early labor; she calmly reminded me how to breathe the pain away; she set up a ball and pillows to make me comfortable when the contractions got worse; she watched gLee with me to take my mind off of the pain; she made me eat (my husband could not); and she settled me comfortably into the car to get to the hospital.
At the hospital, my dear husband just didn’t know what to say and do. Kate did. She advocated my needs to the nursing staff. She reassured and comforted me. I progressed from 3 cm to 10 cm naturally in one hour at the hospital, undoubtedly because I was so comfortable in the atmosphere Kate set up for me. Every time I said I couldn’t do it, Kate said that I could and I believed her. There was a complication during the pushing and the room had nearly a dozen people in it, nervously bustling about. Without Kate, I would have panicked. She was so calm and so confident. I was able to do my work birthing because of my clear state of mind, which was clearly due to Kate’s positive and confident manner. I really believe that without Kate, I would have had to get drugs. There’s no way that hospital staff or my husband could have offered me the support that Kate did. After the baby was born, Kate ooh’d and aah’d my gorgeous baby and also helped me breastfeed successfully for the first time ever! I highly recommend Kate Rollins for your doula!"
~Mama K and Baby K
July 2010
"My experience with Kate Rollins as my doula during the birth of my son on 7/5/2010 was wonderful! She reduced the stress over the whole process of labor allowing me to have a much better experience than I would have had without her there. She also was helping me cope the WHOLE time during my labor, I dont even remember her leaving my side to use the bathroom. She also helped me be able to follow my birth plan by "reminding" the doctors of my wishes and pushing them to allow me to do things such as labor in the bath tub and have liguids instead of just ice chips which made my labor so much better as it was a long labor and not being able to relax in the tub or get some extra calories through liguids would have made it an even harder labor.
My baby was turned a little the wrong way which caused back pain and she was educated and knew some positions I could labor in to help him turn the right way. She also made sure the others in the room with me like my aunt and husband were ok and comfortable as my husband has a hard time in hospital settings and passes out alot, she made sure doctors were sensitive to his situation when it came to pulling out medical equipment and even had a special IV cover to cover up the IV in my hand to make the experience enjoyable not only for me but for my family as well.
The cost I paid was WELL WORTH having her there! I would not change anything or ask for her to do anything different if I had the choice, she did her best to meet my wishes and make me comfortable. She was very understanding and compassionate and sensitive to my needs. I plan on having another child soon here and I will be calling her again to be my doula for that birth as well.
I have absolutely no complaints about Kate, She was just wonderful!"
~Mama N and baby J
May 2010
"We went into the pregnancy thinking about going for a natural childbirth. Though my husband needed a little convincing, he knew we would be at a birth center before I had decided the same thing. He needed a little more convincing to have a doula be a part of our birth, but after I conveyed how important it was to me that I felt that he had someone to support me through the process, and someone who had been through this before to support me, he was willing to go along with the idea. Now that we've been through the birth, my husband has said "even knowing what it is she does, and how she does it, I don't think I could have done her job; it was really very helpful to have her there." I am equally happy that Kate was there to help me through a natural birth. She was upbeat and talkative with me when I needed it, and was quiet and right on top of what I needed when it changed. She had a lot of suggestions to offer to help me get through a lengthy labor after a long prelabor, and did a great job of going with the flow when I either went with her ideas, or just said no. She helped me find a rhythm that go me through labor, when I had difficulty finding that coping mechanism, and was a familiar face there the whole step of the way, exactly where I needed her to be.
After the birth, Kate was an invaluable resource for breastfeeding troubles we had. She stuck with us for a long time, and even after she suggested we see someone with more knowledge (we ended up working with an occupational therapist and physical therapist on the issue), she was very supportive and positive about the whole effort to make breastfeeding work in a way that was best for both mom and baby. The moral support has been invaluable!
If we have a second child (which is not something we're thinking about with a seven week old in the house), I will certainly be calling Kate back!"
~ Mom T and Baby D
April 2010
"My doula introduced me to Kate, I was only at 37 weeks and with my first. My original doula was heading out of town for a few days and we wanted to be on the safe side because I was full term at that point. I had a slow leak in my bag of waters for a 2 and a half days. Kate was very knowledgeable and had lots of advice for me to help start my contractions naturally. My husband call Kate to come to our home when my labor really picked up. She showed up very quickly and jumped right in helping me both physically and emotionally-she was such a godsend! I didn't know what to do with myself, my body felt out of control. Kate was very reassuring and compassionate to my state of mind she was able to provide me with comfort. I got really scared at one point and Kate knew just what to say to ease my mind, she kept reassuring me that this was normal and natural and everything was as it should be. I also think it's nice to be with someone who actually has given birth and has first hand experience. Kate had ton's of great ideas of things I could do to help my labor progress and distract me. She also knew right where to push on my back; this was so relieving. She guided my husband and showed him places to push and rub on me. Kate had a great breathing technique that was different then we had originally practiced but worked like a charm. I ended up pushing for 6 hours and 10 minutes-from 3:30am until 9:40 am it was very intense.
Kate never left my side, she held my hand and supported me through the entire night. Kate has a natural nurturing and loving energy yet is very strong and confident. Even though my labor came early and Kate was not part of my original plan, I felt so comfortable with her and was definitely in great hands. I'm so happy Kate was with me for my birth. Kate has an amazing talent for what she does and I highly recommend her."
~ Mom C and Baby J
November 2009
“I am so thankful that I found Kate when I did, up until then I had little confidence about the birth and was terrified! She was so supportive during my pregnancy, I could call or email her with questions and concerns. Then when it came time for the birth, she was FANTASTIC. She helped us over in the phone in the early stage and then was right there at the house when real labor set in. Kate is so knowledgeable and helped us to streamline the entire process (which can be long and exhausting). It seemed like labor and birth took about 2 days, and Kate was there the whole time. Always helpful, asking questions to the hospital staff, and supportive to me and my family in so many different ways. I wouldn't want to go have a birth without her! My baby is now three months old and I still call her for help."
~ Mom E and Baby I
May 2009
“My birth was the most amazing experience and Kate helped make that possible for me. My water broke 3 weeks early and Kate helped me achieve the natural birthing experience I wanted even though I had to use Pitocin to help make the contractions stronger. My husband was so grateful for her help because the birth was tiring for both of us, and she helped me stay focused using the hypnobirthing techniques that my husband and I both learned when my husband needed a break. After my son was born she was there with me after he had to go to the NICU. He was in the NICU for 3 weeks due to feeding issues which made breastfeeding impossible. Through all this, Kate kept encouraging me to not give up and shared all her knowledge with me related to breastfeeding. After a month my son was finally ready to breastfeed so Kate came over to help us. With her help my son was successful and he is still going strong at 3 months. Kate absolutely loves being a doula and it shows in her enthusiasm."
~ Mom K and Baby M
February 2009
“Kate was my savior before, during and after my birth. My husband and I kept meaning to sign up for a class and then never did. Kate came over and talked to the two of us about what to expect and used some techniques to make us feel ready for the birth. When the day came, she was by her phone, ready to go! My labor came on very strong and she was by my side the whole time keeping me calm and helping me breathe. My baby was in distress and I had to have a c-section and then she was immediately admitted into the NICU. While all of my family was there, Kate was the one that saved me from going crazy. I couldn't see my brand new daughter, because the c-section had me planted in bed for at least 6 hours. Everyone went to see the baby, Kate stayed with me. I needed someone and she was there. She is phenomenal and keeps the mom as her number one focus!! While at the hospital, AJ (my daughter) was having a rough time breastfeeding, Kate kept me focused and kept reminding me to hang in there...it is 100% worth it.
After the baby came home from the hospital, I went through the “craziness” of being a new mom. She was ready and willing to answer all of my questions, no matter how silly!! She even hooked me up with a stay-at-home mommy play group. They are now my best friends and my favorite people!! My daughter is almost 7 months old now and still a breastfed baby and has lots of little baby friends, her age. All thanks to Kate!!"
~ Mom T and Baby A
"I really can't fully express what a difference it made for us to have Kate at our birth. I was attempting a VBAC and very much wanted to have the natural birth I had wanted with my first. I started having high blood pressure and low fluid, and the last weeks of my pregnancy were an up and down roller coaster, with another c-section contstantly being discussed. Thankfully I was able to go into labor on my own. Kate met us at the hospital, literally arriving minutes after we did. From the minute she got there she helped put me at ease. She gave me a hot pad for my belly, and just kept bringing out things from her bag that helped me. We felt she was our advocate, contsantly asking for things to help the process and make me more comfortable. She brought the birth tub to the hospital, which I actually labored in for most of the time. Kate was just on the ball the whole time, getting me whatever I needed to make the process easier. Her encouragement helped me to get through the really tough parts of my labor where I felt like I just couldn't do it anymore. I would recommend Kate to anyone, and I know that I was able to have a natural childbirth and this life changing experience because she was part of our team."
Mama A and Baby P
October 2010
"Kate did an incredible job of assessing what I’d need to know to successfully execute my VBAC drug free. I was embarrassed at how little I knew about vaginal delivery. Kate sensitively and respectfully educated me. She explained my body’s pain management abilities. She made me feel so ready to have my baby naturally. When I was in labor, Kate did exactly what I needed and wanted: she distracted me when I was in the bath during early labor; she calmly reminded me how to breathe the pain away; she set up a ball and pillows to make me comfortable when the contractions got worse; she watched gLee with me to take my mind off of the pain; she made me eat (my husband could not); and she settled me comfortably into the car to get to the hospital.
At the hospital, my dear husband just didn’t know what to say and do. Kate did. She advocated my needs to the nursing staff. She reassured and comforted me. I progressed from 3 cm to 10 cm naturally in one hour at the hospital, undoubtedly because I was so comfortable in the atmosphere Kate set up for me. Every time I said I couldn’t do it, Kate said that I could and I believed her. There was a complication during the pushing and the room had nearly a dozen people in it, nervously bustling about. Without Kate, I would have panicked. She was so calm and so confident. I was able to do my work birthing because of my clear state of mind, which was clearly due to Kate’s positive and confident manner. I really believe that without Kate, I would have had to get drugs. There’s no way that hospital staff or my husband could have offered me the support that Kate did. After the baby was born, Kate ooh’d and aah’d my gorgeous baby and also helped me breastfeed successfully for the first time ever! I highly recommend Kate Rollins for your doula!"
~Mama K and Baby K
July 2010
"My experience with Kate Rollins as my doula during the birth of my son on 7/5/2010 was wonderful! She reduced the stress over the whole process of labor allowing me to have a much better experience than I would have had without her there. She also was helping me cope the WHOLE time during my labor, I dont even remember her leaving my side to use the bathroom. She also helped me be able to follow my birth plan by "reminding" the doctors of my wishes and pushing them to allow me to do things such as labor in the bath tub and have liguids instead of just ice chips which made my labor so much better as it was a long labor and not being able to relax in the tub or get some extra calories through liguids would have made it an even harder labor.
My baby was turned a little the wrong way which caused back pain and she was educated and knew some positions I could labor in to help him turn the right way. She also made sure the others in the room with me like my aunt and husband were ok and comfortable as my husband has a hard time in hospital settings and passes out alot, she made sure doctors were sensitive to his situation when it came to pulling out medical equipment and even had a special IV cover to cover up the IV in my hand to make the experience enjoyable not only for me but for my family as well.
The cost I paid was WELL WORTH having her there! I would not change anything or ask for her to do anything different if I had the choice, she did her best to meet my wishes and make me comfortable. She was very understanding and compassionate and sensitive to my needs. I plan on having another child soon here and I will be calling her again to be my doula for that birth as well.
I have absolutely no complaints about Kate, She was just wonderful!"
~Mama N and baby J
May 2010
"We went into the pregnancy thinking about going for a natural childbirth. Though my husband needed a little convincing, he knew we would be at a birth center before I had decided the same thing. He needed a little more convincing to have a doula be a part of our birth, but after I conveyed how important it was to me that I felt that he had someone to support me through the process, and someone who had been through this before to support me, he was willing to go along with the idea. Now that we've been through the birth, my husband has said "even knowing what it is she does, and how she does it, I don't think I could have done her job; it was really very helpful to have her there." I am equally happy that Kate was there to help me through a natural birth. She was upbeat and talkative with me when I needed it, and was quiet and right on top of what I needed when it changed. She had a lot of suggestions to offer to help me get through a lengthy labor after a long prelabor, and did a great job of going with the flow when I either went with her ideas, or just said no. She helped me find a rhythm that go me through labor, when I had difficulty finding that coping mechanism, and was a familiar face there the whole step of the way, exactly where I needed her to be.
After the birth, Kate was an invaluable resource for breastfeeding troubles we had. She stuck with us for a long time, and even after she suggested we see someone with more knowledge (we ended up working with an occupational therapist and physical therapist on the issue), she was very supportive and positive about the whole effort to make breastfeeding work in a way that was best for both mom and baby. The moral support has been invaluable!
If we have a second child (which is not something we're thinking about with a seven week old in the house), I will certainly be calling Kate back!"
~ Mom T and Baby D
April 2010
"My doula introduced me to Kate, I was only at 37 weeks and with my first. My original doula was heading out of town for a few days and we wanted to be on the safe side because I was full term at that point. I had a slow leak in my bag of waters for a 2 and a half days. Kate was very knowledgeable and had lots of advice for me to help start my contractions naturally. My husband call Kate to come to our home when my labor really picked up. She showed up very quickly and jumped right in helping me both physically and emotionally-she was such a godsend! I didn't know what to do with myself, my body felt out of control. Kate was very reassuring and compassionate to my state of mind she was able to provide me with comfort. I got really scared at one point and Kate knew just what to say to ease my mind, she kept reassuring me that this was normal and natural and everything was as it should be. I also think it's nice to be with someone who actually has given birth and has first hand experience. Kate had ton's of great ideas of things I could do to help my labor progress and distract me. She also knew right where to push on my back; this was so relieving. She guided my husband and showed him places to push and rub on me. Kate had a great breathing technique that was different then we had originally practiced but worked like a charm. I ended up pushing for 6 hours and 10 minutes-from 3:30am until 9:40 am it was very intense.
Kate never left my side, she held my hand and supported me through the entire night. Kate has a natural nurturing and loving energy yet is very strong and confident. Even though my labor came early and Kate was not part of my original plan, I felt so comfortable with her and was definitely in great hands. I'm so happy Kate was with me for my birth. Kate has an amazing talent for what she does and I highly recommend her."
~ Mom C and Baby J
November 2009
“I am so thankful that I found Kate when I did, up until then I had little confidence about the birth and was terrified! She was so supportive during my pregnancy, I could call or email her with questions and concerns. Then when it came time for the birth, she was FANTASTIC. She helped us over in the phone in the early stage and then was right there at the house when real labor set in. Kate is so knowledgeable and helped us to streamline the entire process (which can be long and exhausting). It seemed like labor and birth took about 2 days, and Kate was there the whole time. Always helpful, asking questions to the hospital staff, and supportive to me and my family in so many different ways. I wouldn't want to go have a birth without her! My baby is now three months old and I still call her for help."
~ Mom E and Baby I
May 2009
“My birth was the most amazing experience and Kate helped make that possible for me. My water broke 3 weeks early and Kate helped me achieve the natural birthing experience I wanted even though I had to use Pitocin to help make the contractions stronger. My husband was so grateful for her help because the birth was tiring for both of us, and she helped me stay focused using the hypnobirthing techniques that my husband and I both learned when my husband needed a break. After my son was born she was there with me after he had to go to the NICU. He was in the NICU for 3 weeks due to feeding issues which made breastfeeding impossible. Through all this, Kate kept encouraging me to not give up and shared all her knowledge with me related to breastfeeding. After a month my son was finally ready to breastfeed so Kate came over to help us. With her help my son was successful and he is still going strong at 3 months. Kate absolutely loves being a doula and it shows in her enthusiasm."
~ Mom K and Baby M
February 2009
“Kate was my savior before, during and after my birth. My husband and I kept meaning to sign up for a class and then never did. Kate came over and talked to the two of us about what to expect and used some techniques to make us feel ready for the birth. When the day came, she was by her phone, ready to go! My labor came on very strong and she was by my side the whole time keeping me calm and helping me breathe. My baby was in distress and I had to have a c-section and then she was immediately admitted into the NICU. While all of my family was there, Kate was the one that saved me from going crazy. I couldn't see my brand new daughter, because the c-section had me planted in bed for at least 6 hours. Everyone went to see the baby, Kate stayed with me. I needed someone and she was there. She is phenomenal and keeps the mom as her number one focus!! While at the hospital, AJ (my daughter) was having a rough time breastfeeding, Kate kept me focused and kept reminding me to hang in there...it is 100% worth it.
After the baby came home from the hospital, I went through the “craziness” of being a new mom. She was ready and willing to answer all of my questions, no matter how silly!! She even hooked me up with a stay-at-home mommy play group. They are now my best friends and my favorite people!! My daughter is almost 7 months old now and still a breastfed baby and has lots of little baby friends, her age. All thanks to Kate!!"
~ Mom T and Baby A
