Happy Families
Birth Stories in Berlin & Beyond
Carissa, mother of 2
I want to write a review about my experience with Keatyn; however, Iām not sure my words will do her justice. After moving to Berlin, I got pregnant and found myself very overwhelmed. Thousands of miles away from my family and closest girlfriends, I was nervous about giving birth in a new city where I didnāt speak the language and with little to no support outside of my husband. AND I didnāt even know what to expect while laboring and delivering a child. I met Keatyn through a Facebook page and immediately liked her energy. We met for a coffee and I knew in that moment that I wanted her by my side during the birth! For the duration of my pregnancy, Keatyn stayed connected! She sent me articles, book/podcast suggestions, recipes, advice, etcā¦if I had a question, she had a solution within minutes! She helped me not to stress about my upcoming birth and really helped me keep my shit together. š
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and I ended up having an āemergencyā c-section at 36 weeks. (I had about three hours noticeā¦and I called Keatyn even before I called my husband!) She arrived and helped me ask all the pertinent questions about the delivery and surgery. She chatted with my nervous wreck of a husband, helped him to relax and get excited about the baby coming so soon! As I was wheeled off to the operating room, she assured me that she would partner with my husband and either come to me or go with the baby, if an emergency arose after the birth. All went well with my surgery and Keatyn was waiting for me in our recovery room. She was an absolute lifesaver! She helped me do skin to skin with the baby and got us nursing for the first time. I then began to feel sick, so she passed the baby off to my husband. She seamlessly got them bonding while helping me as I was sick and throwing up from the anesthesia. Through all the craziness, she had a calm about her and kept everyone calm and relaxed. I felt comfortable āchecking outā and resting knowing she was there supporting my husband and our new baby girl.
Iām not sure that we would have had such a seamless birth experience without Keatyn! She really is an amazing woman and is passionate about supporting women during this wonderful stage! I wasnāt sure I even wanted a doula but found myself completely trusting her judgement and wanting her support throughout my pregnancy, birth and after! I hope for the next baby, we will get to have a natural, vbacā¦and Keatyn will be there helping make it happen!
Ā
Keatyn was able to provide virtual information sessions prior to delivery and, even more importantly, was able to provide us with resources in Berlin that have been invaluable in both my and my sonās health. Keatyn has wonderful energy, knowledge, and compassion for the pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum experience and I am sure would have made a world of difference had she been able to accompany us at the hospital.
Her emotional intelligence and Minnesota nice also helped us calmly navigate challenges which inevitably arise with a newborn. She went above and beyond to show kindness to our first child too ā from sweet (healthy) treats to thoughtful projects. Keatyn is a treasure and itās been a privilege to have her support.
She has a gift with children and babies! My 4-year old absolutely loves her. The whole family really loved her warm personality and calm and positive energy..
Keatyn was a very calming and caring soul during my labour and we are so thankful for her support throughout. She gave practical advice in order to make me (and our whole family) as comfortable and relaxed as possible. During Covid times, our plans were turned upside down and Keatyn was on hand to help us navigate through and adapt to the ever-changing rules and regulations. We couldnāt have got through without her!! š
Keatyn is great for Dads as well! She provided tons of helpful instruction on how I could support my wife during labor and immediately after the birth, and had some great tips for how to hold, feed, and the get the baby to sleep.
Not to mention helping us with some household chores at a time when we were both exhausted. Sheās awesome! I canāt recommend her highly enough.
John, father of 1
You Can Do Doula
Second Pregnancy
Safe Arrival
I canāt recommend enough having Keatyn by your side for the birth of your child. She was supportive, compassionate and knowledgeable during my entire labor. It was an unexpected long and challenging birth and we couldnāt have done it without her. Thanks K! Chris, Valerie and baby Lou
Valerie, mother of 1
Emily, mother of 1
Keatyn is amazing! She is such a positive person and a great addition to a birth team. Sheās knowledgeable and compassionate, filled with resources and experiences, and is a hand to hold or shoulder to cry on. If youāre looking for a doula, sheās your gal.
Jo, mother of 3
Keatyn is so easy to talk to and someone who is very warm hearted. She supported my husband and I with the birth of our 3rd child. I planned on having a hospital birth and we really wanted to have an advocate, someone who would be our āvoiceā. Having Keatyn there put us at ease and helped us communicate with the hospital staff.
She helped me through some painful contractions and supported my Husband, making sure he ate something.
She is also very knowledgeable on everything baby.
She definitely enhanced our experience, we canāt recommend her highly enough
And I have made a new friend in the process
We looked for a Doula because I was very stressed by the idea of going through my first birth without an experienced person by my side to help make sure my wishes were respected at all times.
Although my partner and I speak German we chose Keatyn because we felt instantly at ease with her. She is very prepared and professional yet has the warmth of a close friend and was a great addition to our birth team.
In the 12 days I was overdue she checked in regularly and was very supportive. On the day before my induction she even sent over a massage therapist to my home to help me relax and prepare.
When I was induced I expected the worst but actuallyāalso thanks to Keatynāeverything went really well. She supported me and my partner throughout the whole birth, not just by helping me breathe and calming me down but also physically. She even brought all kinds of things to the hospital to help however she could.
Even during postpartum she kept checking in regularly and was a shoulder to cry on, very understanding and well connected with other support specialists like a lactation consultant.
Thanks for everything, Keatyn!
Maria, mother of 1
I had them in with my side of my wardrobe but she had the best idea of keeping them away from my stuff and now they live on shelves in the bathroom where we change his nappy anyway. She also added a baby-only wash basket there so all baby-related stuff happens in the one spot. Keatyn did such a great job, I asked her to come back and do the same with my toddlerās clothes.
So now we have all the clothes in order by age with all the small stuff packed away and the larger stuff categorised (swimming/trousers/tops) and stacked separately (by age) so it doesnāt jumble up again. I was dreading this job and now I have a system in place thatās easy to keep going as everything has its own box or shelf or spot. It only took two afternoons ā well worth it considering the mental headspace this has freed up.
Meghan, mother of 2
I had the privilege of having Keatyn by my side for the birth of my second son. We met a few times before the birth so I was very comfortable with how she worked. I really needed her as a birthing doula as my birth was a surprise home birth!
She set up my bed room with my Mother, lit candles and dimmed the lights to make the space beautiful. I was very impressed with her instincts, she squeezed my hips during the contractions which made my contractions more productive and MUCH less painful. (This was my second unmedicated birth so I know:)) She worked with my midwife in a very respectful way and brought an overall sense of confidence and calm to the entire experience. Aside from being an birthing doula, Keaytn has been a great source for information about nutrition, postpartum care and general support. She has become a friend through this process. She is so well suited for a career supporting women and their families. If you are thinking about working with her, I give my highest recommendation.
You will be in loving hands.
Ā
Keatyn is my doula. She came to support my family 6 months ago. Until that point I hadnāt appreciated the immense value doulas can bring to a mother, and to our families.
Keatyn is a very special doula. She tirelessly supported me through a very difficult, and at times traumatic twin pregnancy. This support came in the shape of holding my household together; cooking, grocery shopping, errands, helping take care of my other little girl and generally filling in the many gaps left whilst I was on bed rest. She also supported me with massages, sharing experiences and generally being a friendly sounding board for me during this challenging time.Ā Now Iāve given birth Keatyn is continuing to support my family in much the same way; albeit with 2 new tiny members, who she is superb with.
Keatyn attended my actual twin birth. I credit her with facilitating me to realize elements of the birth story that I wanted. Having her by my side helped empower me to stay strong, breathe and cope without pain meds. Her presence enabled me to trust my body and to labour the way I felt was right. She also took lovely photos as I requested, as well as helping me practically by offering refreshments. She also supported my husband and mother during what was for them also a nerve-wracking time.Ā To conclude, Keatyn is an asset to your birth team, and to any expectant or postpartum mother. I canāt recommend her highly enough.
Louise, mother of 3
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