Gratitude

I am grateful to all the families who have given me the priviledge of sharing their journey.  My heart continues to deepen and open through learning from and supporting you.

Karen, my husband and I took a number of classes during my pregnancy ranging from "Hypno-relaxation" to "A-Z of Childbirth" but found your "Birthing From Within" classes the most helpful when it came to practical techniques for guiding us through the labor and birth process.  We also felt like we bonded as a couple and found we could operate as a team more efficiently  through discovering each other's strenths revealed through art processes and couples excercises.  We both gained a lot of confidence as well through your support and knowledge and the support and stories of the other couples in our class.  I would definitely recommend your classes to anyone preparing for the birth of a child -- first, 2nd or 5th!  Thanks so much for your guidance -- it really made a big difference in the birth of our wonderful daughter! ~ Shannon

My baby was breech and Karen had all the resources and information necessary.  I was able to use several of her tools and resources and my baby finally turned!  Karen was an absolute blessing with her comforting words and her encouragement.  She helped me to be prepared for the unexpected and to honor my birth and my son.  She is worth every penny!  I would NEVER go through birth again without a doula and Karen's breadth of knowledge and compassion are a true find.  ~ M. Johnson

Prior to taking the Birthing from Within class with Karen, my husband and I were a bit skeptical about the artistic aspect of the class. We got the feeling from reading the Birthing from Within book that art was a primary focus, which was particularly challenging for my husband and I to see ourselves doing, especially because we are both engineers. ...continues(expand/collapse)

I was initially concerned that my time would not be spent "effectively", and that we may not receive enough practical information about birthing. However, by the time the second class concluded, my fears were relieved. I could see that I was definitely going to receive practical information about the process, and realized that I probably had an advantage by being in a small class that allowed the participants to ask questions and communicate so freely.
The holistic experience of the class helped make our birth a celebrated memory. The class series helped give us the confidence to persevere, and the comfort to realize that we could be content with the birth outcome, no matter how the details played out.
Above everything else, my husband and I appreciated what the class did for US. We believe that we had a strong relationship going into the class, but the class series helped us to learn more about each other, to understand what we each need from the other, and how to cope. These learnings definitely enriched our birthing process, but they also enriched our time together before the birth, and continue to help us grow with each other today. ~ Kristin

We are both so glad we took your class (as second-time parents)!   I feel my husband is more confident in his ability to support me during labor and feels more comfortable about birthing naturally.  The class gave us an opportunity to talk about things we wouldn't have outside of class and brought us closer and more united as a team for this birth.  ~ Staci

We can't say enough about how thrilled we are to have had your support through our pregnancy and labor!  The lessons and wisdom from class really supported us and provided empowerment during a time that was certainly demanding.  Thank you for the gift that you've given us.  ~ Meg & Doug

Karen, you are awesome, you so obviously love what you are doing.  Our class was perfect for me. I got to explore things I had never thought about or considered before; and if I hadn't taken your class, I don't know that I would have been able to experience the birth that I had with so much surrender.  ~ Shila

Karen's relaxed, calm, and supportive (and sometimes humorous) presence made my first childbirth experience especially meaningful to my husband and I. She also relieved some of the pressure on my husband as "the" support person and allowed him to be more fully aware and present upon the arrival of our child.  ~ Leslie

I would like to express my gratitude for creating a comfortable environment for us to open and explore this wonderful process. I valued meeting other parents-to-be, discussing our concerns, getting new perspectives, and having a space in a busy day to do something together with my partner. Thank you for being a guide in our journey! 
~ Nik

I felt that I made my best progress in labor when Karen facilitated my 'going inside myself.' Karen's presence before (in the weeks leading up to) and during labor helped me feel so strong during my birth and after. ~ Carrie

Karen did a wonderful job in the doula role she took on for the birth of my (second) baby. I was very happy with her gentle, calm and relaxing style of guidance. The meditation and pain relief/coping techniques and practices that Karen taught me were very useful during labor. ~ Marika

Karen was lovely and available. I did not get to stay with the patient and her through the birth, but during the time I was there the laboring mother seemed to benefit from Karen's presence and technique. She seemed willing to meet the patient wherever she was, and had useful techniques to offer. ~ a Registered Nurse

Karen has a very grounding presence. She was clearly very knowledgeable in the physical and emotional process of labor and an integral part of (the mother's) support team. I was very impressed. ~ a M.D.