{parent} testimonials

Jamie Friend, Freebirth Mentee

“When I found myself surprisingly pregnant with my third baby, in the middle of a pandemic no less, Kaitlin, who was my doula for my first two births, was one of the first people I turned to to help me navigate this new journey. By this point she had become more than our doula and was now a friend, mentor, and endless source of inspiration and knowledge. When she told me she was planning on having a home birth for her third baby with just herself and her family, I initially thought she was insane. She gave me some resources to read and began to teach me some things she had learned while preparing for her home birth. And then she did it. She birthed her own baby into this world, into her husband’s hands, on her own terms, the way birth was designed.  

After hearing her story, I started to study the resources she gave me and kept learning from her. All through my pregnancy I prepared for my own home birth with support from Kaitlin. She taught me to meditate daily, envision my birth the way I wanted it to go, channel my ancestors, use mantras and affirmations to gather my strength, and encouraged me to believe in myself. 

The morning I started my labor, I messaged Kaitlin. She said the most powerful thing in reply.  She told me to “go get the birth of my dreams.” She reminded me of the tools I had been practicing up to this point and told me again how strong I was – my body was built for this very act. Her voice resonated in my head over the next few hours. I heard all her teachings in my head as I brought my baby earthside. And hours later, he and I worked together to bring him into my hands with my husband and two other children nearby.   

Because of Kaitlin and her support and her teachings, I had the birth of my dreams. My baby and I went to our bed shortly after his birth and woke the next morning to start our new family together. No endless stream of hospital staff interrupting our bonding. No one telling me how I should be mothering. No strangers poking me, not allowing me to rest. Just my husband and children in our home. If a more independent and private birth free of intervention and interruption is what you are looking for, Kaitlin is the person to help guide you through the process. I don’t have enough wonderful words to say how amazing she is or how grateful we are for all she has done for me and my family! We simply love her and recommend her in the highest regard.

Andrea Maglasang-Miller, Birth & Postpartum Client

“Kaitlin was with us before, during, and after the birth of our first daughter. My husband and I had been together for about 16 years without plans on having babies, so our pregnancy a little later in life presented quite a transition. In addition, we had just recently moved to the area so did not have a community of support like we did back home. We had serendipitously met Kaitlin through a friend even before we were pregnant, and found her to be such a support for us throughout this major and most intimate phase of our lives. She helped both me and my husband ease through the transition of becoming new parents mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Leading up to the birth, she spent time getting to know our family dynamics and helping us establish an approach to pregnancy and birth that would best suit us. She had a plethora of resources to share, and is a wealth of information herself. Kaitlin is very nurturing and has a naturally observant nature, which allows her to intuitively respond to our inquiries and meet our needs with great insight and perspective.

During the many hours of my daughter's birth, we were infinitely grateful to have Kaitlin by our side. She was a calming presence throughout the labor, speaking words of wisdom to both my husband and I at moments when we both needed it, providing suggestions and support techniques for comfort. She would gently guide us back to our birth intentions if it seemed we got caught up in the moment, and served as a guiding light for us when we most needed it. Our experience would not have been as fulfilling if Kaitlin had not been with us. She also happened to capture some beautifully candid pictures in the moments my daughter was born, which we didn't even think of taking, but which we will treasure forever.

In the postpartum days, Kaitlin provided immense support to me as a new mama. She knows and can provide the tangible and intangible support that a family - and especially a new mama - needs in those precious postpartum days and weeks. She was a warm set of arms for my daughter so I could do things like (finally!) take a shower, a listening ear to all of my nervous mama questions, a source of knowledge about family and baby resources, among so much more - and was more than anything a familiar comfortable presence in our home to help us settle in as new parents. Looking back on our experience, we truly couldn't have done it without Kaitlin, and we were so blessed to have had her with us through all stages of our experience.”

Jessica McCown, Private Mentoring, Birth & Postpartum Client

"Working with Kaitlin as my doula for my first pregnancy was incredible. The one-on-one meetings we had before labor helped me to become more knowledgeable and confident about pregnancy, labor and what to expect postpartum. She helped to explain all the options I had available for labor so that we could make a birth plan that fits my needs. During labor, Kaitlin was a rockstar. She was so comforting and helped me and my husband with our needs and helped go through labor and stick to my birth plan at home and at the hospital. After my son's birth, I would look forward to our weekly postpartum meetings. She would come over on Thursdays and it was always so pleasant being able to ask her questions and have her help me out with the new baby. She is amazing to work with, so knowledgeable and caring. She truly helped to make my first pregnancy such an amazing experience and exactly what I had wanted."

Catherine N., Postpartum Client

“Kaitlin was my postpartum doula (pre-covid) for the birth of my twins. I was fortunate to have had her guidance and care during my fourth trimester. Kaitlin is informative, organized, assertive (but not aggressive) and compassionate. Kaitlin feels the needs of a new mama & new family and guides accordingly. Kaitlin was also very respectful towards our family lifestyle. We were so fortunate to have had her as my postpartum doula and I strongly recommend her to any mama in need of postpartum care.”

Rob + Nikki Barthelmess, Private Mentorship

“As first-time parents, we had limited knowledge about what to expect as we prepared for childbirth and a baby. When we hired Kaitlin as our birth coach, we were so grateful to have someone as knowledgeable, encouraging, and patient as she is to support us as we embarked on this exciting yet terrifying adventure. Kaitlin listened to our concerns, shared resources and information - including giving us the name of the best OBGYN when we unexpectedly needed to move cities only a couple weeks before the birth and needed a new doctor - and gave us helpful guidance before and after the birth of our daughter. We are so grateful for her help and highly recommend Kaitlin and her services!”

Melissa Reynolds, Birth Client

“Kaitlin was a wonderful birth doula for us when I gave birth to my son at home almost three and a half months ago. She helped my husband and I feel comfortable and confident going into the birth and super supported. Kaitlin and I hit it off immediately; she is warm, very knowledgeable, passionate, and intuitive. During labor, she was a calming, steady presence for both me and my husband. She tirelessly helped me cope and ride the waves of contractions, assuring me every step of the way. When I needed it, she suggested helpful ideas to both mentally and physically shift things, and I can still hear her smart words in my mind when I think about my birth. She was there when I searched for her eyes, and she answered even my most impossible questions during intense labor. She had my back and my heart every step of the way. As our son was born, she whispered beautiful words into the space, which still gives me chills to think about. In the days following, she was a great support, especially in helping my husband and I navigate early postpartum and in breastfeeding. She helped us so much in getting off on the right foot with breastfeeding. We felt cared for, supported, and in excellent hands. I definitely recommend Kaitlin as a doula, educator, and women's health advocate. Her knowledge runs deep, and her contribution to this field is already and will be vast.”

Sofia DiGregorio, Postpartum Client

"My husband made the call to hire Kaitlin for my postpartum experience and I couldn't be more grateful that he hired her. She is unique in what she does and provided me with much needed comfort, guidance and support during my postpartum experience. I only wished I had done it right after birth, but it still made a tremendous difference in my recovery. Kaitlin has a natural sensitivity to being a mother, which was both tremendously inspiring and empowering to me. She is very practical, natural and professional when it comes to the postpartum doula work, which I think can be a very sensitive and complicated time. She just brought ease, love and the companionship I needed as a new mom.

I can't say enough good things about Kaitlin, and hiring her was the best choice for us as a family. She made me feel joyful and hopeful, so that was about the best thing I could ask for after my son came. 

I am sure I am and will be a better mom because of our experience with Kaitlin."

Jamie Friend, Birth Client

"My husband and I had originally planned for the two of us to be the only ones in the delivery room (aside from medical staff), but the more I learned about labor --- interventions in labor that we did and did not want, positions to support labor, and choices we were going to have to make during and after --- we realized having someone there to support us that was part of our team and not part of the facility staff itself could be very helpful. I had a plan of how I would like things to go, as much as possible, and we knew that my husband would not know what to say  or do when the time came (or would be in the mindset to say or do it).... so we agreed to interview doulas.

Kaitlin was the first person who popped up on my Google search and the only interview I scheduled. I knew immediately after meeting her that she was the one. Even then, we weren't completely sure we wanted another person with us on our private moment, but decided to go ahead and do it. And we are beyond thankful that we made that choice!!!

Kaitlin met with us several times before the birth to go over the different decisions we would have to make during the delivery so we'd be prepared and on the same page. During labor, she helped me at my home before we transitioned together to the hospital. She expressed my wishes to the medical staff while I stayed focused on my breath (and my husband definitely would not have known what to do or say with all the "excitement" happening). And she helped to keep me aware of every single thing that was happening after my son was born - because it was a whirlwind.

We have one more visit now that my son is here to chat about motherhood and talk about my birth experience, and I'm looking so forward to that! Kaitlin is no longer a stranger but a part of our little family now. If we go for number two, we would ABSOLUTELY make sure that Kaitlin was with us again.  We could not do it without her. And that is how you know you have the best."

Shannon Mayfield, Birth Client

"Knowing that I wanted to have an all natural birth, I had heard from many sources that I should hire a doula. I'm so glad I found Kaitlin! She met with my husband and I several times prior to the delivery to get to know us and what we wanted during labor and delivery. She helped to ease my worries about labor and recommended several great resources for us. My labor started 10 days late, but Kaitlin was very patient and helped answer my questions every time I thought labor was starting.

After I finally went into labor, Kaitlin was there with us at the hospital and set up a peaceful space for us. She suggested positions to try and helped with comfort techniques. When my contractions got really intense and I wanted to give up, she reminded me why I wanted a natural birth and reassured me that it was almost over. She stayed with us all night while I was in labor. After my baby was born, he unexpectedly had to be taken to the NICU. Kaitlin stayed with me while my husband went to the NICU with our baby. She help pack up my stuff so I could leave the labor room and go see my baby. I don't know what I would have done without her. I'm so grateful that she was with me and I would definitely recommend her to anyone."

Emily Finley, Birth Client

"Kaitlin is fantastic! Because our insurance wouldn't cover a birthing center, we decided to find a doula to have an unmedicated birth in the hospital. We found her through a google search while still living across the country. Kaitlin helped us so much with the transition to southern California--finding doctors, a pediatrician, etc.

On labor day, she was awesome. Since we didn't have any friends or family out here, having her support was wonderful. It is tough going through with a natural labor in a hospital setting, and Kaitlin provided the comfort that I needed (and the support that my husband desperately needed!) and also exuded to the hospital staff that we were serious about not having medication. Our prenatal and postpartum visits were a great chance to chat and just decompress. Not only was she professional, but she was also a great person to enjoy a conversation with. I'm so glad that we found her!"

Michaela W.-G., Birth Client

"A thought came to me one day almost 7.5 months pregnant with my second baby: 'I need to hire a doula.'  It was the farthest thing from my thoughts but I did some Google research and found Kaitlin. My first baby and I haven't left each other's side for 2.5 years and I knew it was going to be so hard for her to not be with me while I was giving birth to her brother, as well as at the hospital. The next best thing was my husband. With that in mind, I needed someone to support me while my husband was caring for our daughter. Well, let's just say once I called Kaitlin and explained my long thought out story and process for why I needed her, without any hesitation, Kaitlin, being a mom of two herself, totally jumped on board and supported me in every way possible! I really wanted to also do a non-medicated birth, which was very nerve wracking for me as I didn't with my first, and again, every time we met, Kaitlin provided me with nothing but information, answered all my questions and provided a tremendous amount of support. She made me feel like a super hero :). When it became game time, she was right there just how I envisioned it, everything went perfectly, and I reached every goal I had for my birth. I owe it all to her. ♥"

Melanie M., Birth & Postpartum Client

"I can’t even imagine what my first pregnancy would have been like if I did not have the support of Kaitlin during and after I had my son. She is such a wealth of information. After just one meeting with Kaitlin, my fiancé and I felt more prepared and knowledgeable than we did after taking a four-week course at the hospital. I had an incredibly long induction and Kaitlin stayed by my side the whole time. She brought such a sense of calm to our room and made sure that I was 100% comfortable with every decision I had to make, always letting me know what my options were. After having my son, she made it possible for me to take the time to really relax and connect with him, making sure I was fully equipped with all the necessary tools. I am forever grateful to her for making my first pregnancy and the first few weeks with my son as special and as comfortable as she did."

Erin H., Postpartum Client

"Kaitlin is amazing. She was able to help keep my one-year-old occupied so I could devote time to breastfeeding my little guy. Kaitlin assisted with numerous things from folding laundry, helping the newly potty trained toddler get to the potty in time to being a listening ear while I dealt with postpartum anxiety. As a third-time mom I thought I would have it all down, yet when I struggled, Kaitlin was there as a professional and friend to assist us. She helped our family tremendously in making the transition to a family of five. I really don’t know how I would have done it without her."

Christine P., Postpartum Client

"After the sudden death of my mother just before the birth of my second child, Kaitlin reached out to me and offered support. When I learned of her postpartum doula services, I knew this would be beneficial to me. I was very much impressed with Kaitlin’s professionalism and initiative as she assisted with various household tasks such as folding my baby’s laundry, dishes, heating up lunch for my toddler, and even making sure my cup of coffee was always hot. I had no idea how much her services would mean to me in those first weeks after my baby’s arrival. The emotional support she provided as I mourned the loss of my mother while elated with the arrival of our little girl allowed me to be present and assisted me in avoiding that feeling of isolation when you’re breastfeeding your newborn around the clock. Kaitlin was also available by text message or a phone call if I needed a word of encouragement. I highly recommend her postpartum services."

{colleague} testimonials

Amber Churn, Doula Business Owner

“As a new doula, I was given excellent advice from Kaitlin to grow my business. She shared with me successful strategies to help me reach my client and training goals. Kaitlin was very informative, thorough, and friendly I felt more confident as a new business owner when meeting with Kaitlin. I am so thankful to her for looking at my website and giving me tips in acquiring more clients from a digital marketing point of view. She even helped me navigate different client situations that training really does not cover. Kaitlin is your one-stop-shop for mentorship and strategy! I am highly recommending anyone who wants to grow their doula business to Kaitlin

Christopher Hanneke, Former Editor at The Vista

"Kaitlin is a tremendous leader for many reasons. For one, she knows how to delegate without ever coming across as too pushy, thus making it easy to carry out tasks she assigns. On top of that, she is a leader by example. She works hard at every task she ever faces and, as a staff member, it is impossible to not respect that drive and give your own best effort as a result. I can honestly say that I am only comfortable stepping in to fill her position because she prepared me with every tool I could ever need, and that is a testament to her natural ability to be a leader and a teacher."

Kyle Strickland, OurHive

"Kaitlin Coghill is a highly experienced writer and editor. Recently, her expert writing skills helped me evolve my family-oriented brand's online presence with a perfectly balanced set of blog entries. As long as it is Kaitlin wielding the pen, I look forward to working with her."