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"When I found out I was pregnant with my second child, my happiness was overshadowed by my fear of repeating my first labor experience. I really questioned whether I could handle another natural birth. This is why I reached out to Cat and it truly could not have been a better choice.
From our first meeting on, she really took the time to understand me and what I needed to overcome my anxiety regarding the birth process. When the big day came and labor progressed more quickly than anticipated, she was the voice of calm that helped us bring our child safely into this world. I am so grateful that Cat was a part of this journey. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be one of the first people I’ll call if I’m crazy enough to go for number 3." - Kelli Velez |
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"This might sound like hyperbole, but it's the god's honest truth: I'm not quite sure what we would have done without Cat. To say our birth didn't follow our "plan" is an understatement. As our baby girl was making her own plan known to us, Cat's calm and present demeanor helped to guide us through some muddy waters. She kept us dialed in and informed of our options with her obvious knowledge and experience. When things didn't go as planned, she made the impossible seem possible and helped to lead the way. In a world where there seems to be so many complicated maternity decisions, choosing Cat was the easy choice for my family." – David Velez |
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Rachael and Connery, third time parents:
"Cat was absoultely amazing! I started my search for a Doula when we found out my husband would not be in town for the birth of our 3rd child. I met a couple and there was just no connection, but when I met Cat I felt like I was just catching up with an old friend. She definitely eased my mind and made me more comfortable with the fact that my husband would not physically be there. When we had our first couple "official" meetings it was comfortable and even though it was my 3rd child she had great information to help refresh me and the information she provided for my support was amazing too. Some information we had never gotten before with the first 2 births so it was helpful. And very thorough for my mother who was physically attending my birth and my hubsband would be there via Skype on the Ipad. Cat was on top of making sure they both had her contact info and all the information we talked about at the meetings. 
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Once we hit 40 weeks she helped me remember that baby would come when ready and was available whenever I needed her. When contractions started she was so helpful, sending me positions (with photos), I could get in to help me get through them a little easier and reminding me to breathe. It was a different experience laboring alone without my husband, but having Cat on the other end of the phone was great! She met me and my mom at my house and once we arrived at the hospital she was with me while my mom got my husband on the ipad.
With my husband talking me through contractions on the Ipad and Cat helping me with the physical touch, it calmed me and kept me focused on my breathing. When we welcomed our baby girl, it was just as if Cat was part of the family and I'm glad she could share that moment with us. She always had my needs and wants covered first and foremost. I really don't know what I would have done without her there, she was truly the perfect addition to our birth team. I would highly recommend Cat to everyone! |
Gina, second time parent:
Gina wrote an entire blog post about my work as her doula on her blog. Please click on this link to read Gina's testimonial of my work in her blog post.
http://www.mybrokenfiat.com/blog/the-doula-hula <--- Click!
Andrea and Dave, first time parents:
"Having Cat as our doula was the best decision we could have made! I was already 37 weeks pregnant when we decided to hire a doula, and I am so thankful that we found her. This was our first pregnancy, and we needed all the help and guidance as we wanted to have a natural birth. We made a great connection at our first meeting and decided to hire her that same evening.
After meeting with her, we knew she was the one that would help make this process less overwhelming. We had such a strong connection, and already felt so comfortable being ourselvelves and being candid; there was no question that she was the one.
Cat's knowledge, experience, skills, and personality make her an amazing and outstanding doula. Her dedication and passion for the birth process helped us feel empowered and confident going into our daughter's birth day.
Not only does she support Moms, she also supports Dads, which is absolutely crucial in the whole birth process, leading up to delivery day, and even post partum. She educated both of us on how to manage pre labor symptoms, and gave my husband the tools he needed to help me cope with the process. As any Mom knows, having support is critical in getting through pregnancy, especially the latter part when your baby could make its appearance at any moment. Having Cat at our side, available no matter what time we needed her, helped both of us tremendously. She was our life line, which I believe is so important to have, especially when it is your first child.
The process of having a baby is both exciting and terrifying at the same time, and I can honestly say that Cat instilled confidence in both of us and put our fears aside. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, Cat, for helping both of us bring our beautiful daughter into this world. It was a long awaited journey, and we thank God for helping us find you."
"Having Cat as our doula was the best decision we could have made! I was already 37 weeks pregnant when we decided to hire a doula, and I am so thankful that we found her. This was our first pregnancy, and we needed all the help and guidance as we wanted to have a natural birth. We made a great connection at our first meeting and decided to hire her that same evening.
After meeting with her, we knew she was the one that would help make this process less overwhelming. We had such a strong connection, and already felt so comfortable being ourselvelves and being candid; there was no question that she was the one.
Cat's knowledge, experience, skills, and personality make her an amazing and outstanding doula. Her dedication and passion for the birth process helped us feel empowered and confident going into our daughter's birth day.
Not only does she support Moms, she also supports Dads, which is absolutely crucial in the whole birth process, leading up to delivery day, and even post partum. She educated both of us on how to manage pre labor symptoms, and gave my husband the tools he needed to help me cope with the process. As any Mom knows, having support is critical in getting through pregnancy, especially the latter part when your baby could make its appearance at any moment. Having Cat at our side, available no matter what time we needed her, helped both of us tremendously. She was our life line, which I believe is so important to have, especially when it is your first child.
The process of having a baby is both exciting and terrifying at the same time, and I can honestly say that Cat instilled confidence in both of us and put our fears aside. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, Cat, for helping both of us bring our beautiful daughter into this world. It was a long awaited journey, and we thank God for helping us find you."
Colleen and Joe, first time parents:
"Hiring Cat LaPlante to be our doula was the best decision my wife and I could have made for our natural childbirth. She was knowledgeable, caring, and professional from our very first meeting. Cat maintained the perfect balance of support and distance during the second half of Colleen's pregnancy, through a very long labor, and until a few days after the baby was born and her job was technically finished.
Cat mentored us through one of the most difficult deliveries I've ever heard of- 53 hours total. We'd planned to go all-natural, and after 36 hrs of labor, we called for an epidural. She guided us through every step of the delivery, supporting all of our decisions and helping us have the labor experience my wife had wished for. Cat was our advocate, our information, and our lifeline for over 40 hours of intense labor and delivery. Cat showed a tremendous level of dedication, and helped us maintain poise and clarity when we were exhausted.
Professionally, Cat LaPlante went far above and beyond what my wife and I expected from a doula. My wife Colleen and I also developed a friendship with Cat that came very naturally. She's very easy to get along with, and was able to have the most calming effect on us both prior to, and during, the labor and delivery.
The birth of our first child was an incredible and rewarding experience, and Cat LaPlante did an absolutely phenomenal job as our doula, mentor, and friend."
"Hiring Cat LaPlante to be our doula was the best decision my wife and I could have made for our natural childbirth. She was knowledgeable, caring, and professional from our very first meeting. Cat maintained the perfect balance of support and distance during the second half of Colleen's pregnancy, through a very long labor, and until a few days after the baby was born and her job was technically finished.
Cat mentored us through one of the most difficult deliveries I've ever heard of- 53 hours total. We'd planned to go all-natural, and after 36 hrs of labor, we called for an epidural. She guided us through every step of the delivery, supporting all of our decisions and helping us have the labor experience my wife had wished for. Cat was our advocate, our information, and our lifeline for over 40 hours of intense labor and delivery. Cat showed a tremendous level of dedication, and helped us maintain poise and clarity when we were exhausted.
Professionally, Cat LaPlante went far above and beyond what my wife and I expected from a doula. My wife Colleen and I also developed a friendship with Cat that came very naturally. She's very easy to get along with, and was able to have the most calming effect on us both prior to, and during, the labor and delivery.
The birth of our first child was an incredible and rewarding experience, and Cat LaPlante did an absolutely phenomenal job as our doula, mentor, and friend."
Maria and Micah, first time parents:
"The services that Cat provided was worth every single penny and more. Being my first child, I was unaware of what I was about to endure, I knew I was going to need someone in addition to husband to help support my desire to obtain a unmedicated natural birth. Even my husband agreed that no amount of prior education and advice from others/ books compare to what Cat did for us.
I interviewed several other doulas and what set Cat apart was her undeniable love for the birthing process and commitment to provide support to women/families in their desired birth pain. I appreciated Cat's ability to provide a wealth of information in a calming tone on many questions I had and even some that I hadn't thought of, including providing me with examples of resources to look into, making me aware of al the options available to me. She eased any concerns I may have had about my birth and responded to my text and emails in short order.
I cannot thank her enough when she jumped in and performed counter pressure and massage, encouraged me (when I felt like giving up) and reminded me to focus on breathing and what I wanted. This I believe was the only way I was able to make it through and fullfil my birth without any medication. At the hospital she stood up for wishes and advised my husband to advocate for me when other medical options were available. I am feel so empowered by being able to give birth to my son my way and I owe a lot of that to Cat. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a doula."
"The services that Cat provided was worth every single penny and more. Being my first child, I was unaware of what I was about to endure, I knew I was going to need someone in addition to husband to help support my desire to obtain a unmedicated natural birth. Even my husband agreed that no amount of prior education and advice from others/ books compare to what Cat did for us.
I interviewed several other doulas and what set Cat apart was her undeniable love for the birthing process and commitment to provide support to women/families in their desired birth pain. I appreciated Cat's ability to provide a wealth of information in a calming tone on many questions I had and even some that I hadn't thought of, including providing me with examples of resources to look into, making me aware of al the options available to me. She eased any concerns I may have had about my birth and responded to my text and emails in short order.
I cannot thank her enough when she jumped in and performed counter pressure and massage, encouraged me (when I felt like giving up) and reminded me to focus on breathing and what I wanted. This I believe was the only way I was able to make it through and fullfil my birth without any medication. At the hospital she stood up for wishes and advised my husband to advocate for me when other medical options were available. I am feel so empowered by being able to give birth to my son my way and I owe a lot of that to Cat. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a doula."
Rachael and Kevin, first time parents -
"One of my friends told me recently that "being a doula is not a job, it's a calling." In my experience with Cat, I couldn't agree more.
When I was originally searching for a doula, I spoke with many on the phone. There was an immediate connection with Cat, her relaxed, easygoing demeanor, helpful and informative but not pushy, confident but not overly confident. I wanted a doula that would be sort of like an informed patient advocate, someone who could both help me understand labor better and make good decisions for myself, but also someone who could tell me when I had options that might not be apparent to me based on how things were presented by nurses and doctors.
When I went into labor 2 weeks early, Cat was helpful even before she got to the hospital, by helping me cut through some of the red tape put up by the hospital. During labor, she was incredible, from teaching me breathing exercises on the spot (we didn't have time for the 2nd prenatal appointment, where I would have learned that), to explaining my options at each turn (there are so many decisions to make during labor), to helping me get the baby turned in the last few hours (which was painful but successful).. so many things she did to help me get to what I really wanted - a vaginal delivery. I see many say this and I agree - I truly believe such a successful labor would not have been possible without her help.
No review seems to be able to sum up this experience. My husband and I are eternally grateful."
"One of my friends told me recently that "being a doula is not a job, it's a calling." In my experience with Cat, I couldn't agree more.
When I was originally searching for a doula, I spoke with many on the phone. There was an immediate connection with Cat, her relaxed, easygoing demeanor, helpful and informative but not pushy, confident but not overly confident. I wanted a doula that would be sort of like an informed patient advocate, someone who could both help me understand labor better and make good decisions for myself, but also someone who could tell me when I had options that might not be apparent to me based on how things were presented by nurses and doctors.
When I went into labor 2 weeks early, Cat was helpful even before she got to the hospital, by helping me cut through some of the red tape put up by the hospital. During labor, she was incredible, from teaching me breathing exercises on the spot (we didn't have time for the 2nd prenatal appointment, where I would have learned that), to explaining my options at each turn (there are so many decisions to make during labor), to helping me get the baby turned in the last few hours (which was painful but successful).. so many things she did to help me get to what I really wanted - a vaginal delivery. I see many say this and I agree - I truly believe such a successful labor would not have been possible without her help.
No review seems to be able to sum up this experience. My husband and I are eternally grateful."
Alex and Michael, second time parents:
"Cat was such a tremendous support for me and my husband during my second pregnancy and birth. She was available to answer all my questions and was great about checking in when my hectic life as a pregnant mom with a toddler made me a little MIA.
She was especially great about keeping me in a positive place when I went ten days overdue. She reminded me that my body knew what it was doing and kept me feeling relaxed and ready for my baby's arrival.
Her thoughtful and well researched advice and demonstrations allowed me to successfully labor at home while managing and navigating my contractions for all but 30 minutes of my labor. My husband used many of the techniques Cat had spoken to us about in our conversations to keep me focused and calm throughout my labor. My beautiful son, Miles, was born med free in 3.5 hours and came out in one push.
The experience was nothing short of magical and Cat was such an amazing part of that process. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to have a beautiful and empowering pregnancy and birth experience."
"Cat was such a tremendous support for me and my husband during my second pregnancy and birth. She was available to answer all my questions and was great about checking in when my hectic life as a pregnant mom with a toddler made me a little MIA.
She was especially great about keeping me in a positive place when I went ten days overdue. She reminded me that my body knew what it was doing and kept me feeling relaxed and ready for my baby's arrival.
Her thoughtful and well researched advice and demonstrations allowed me to successfully labor at home while managing and navigating my contractions for all but 30 minutes of my labor. My husband used many of the techniques Cat had spoken to us about in our conversations to keep me focused and calm throughout my labor. My beautiful son, Miles, was born med free in 3.5 hours and came out in one push.
The experience was nothing short of magical and Cat was such an amazing part of that process. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to have a beautiful and empowering pregnancy and birth experience."
Tierney and Ian, first time parents:
"Cat has been amazing through this whole process! She provided a wealth of information and resources. Any questions or concerns that my husband or I had, Cat responded quickly and was able to provide additional resources as needed. Cat was so emotionally supportive throughout my pregnancy. I felt empowered during my pregnancy thanks to her! She worked so well with my husband and my mother and helped them through my labor and pregnancy as well. I highly recommend Cat for anyone looking for an empowering and supportive birth experience! When my husband and I are ready for our second child, we will definitely be hiring Cat again!"
And they did!
Dory and Matt, second time parents:
"This was our second child and our first birth experience was not a good one. We really wanted a natural delivery this time around and started taking Bradley Classes. When a doula was mentioned I was hesitant at first because I didn't know what to expect. However, after meeting Cat for the first time I knew she was the right choice.
Cat was very prepared and thorough. She was a wonderful communicator throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond in looking out for our needs and making sure we were comfortable. I felt very comfortable with Cat and I was surprised with how much she knew about labor and delivery as such a new doula. During all our meetings she was patient and listened to both of our needs as a couple. She was organized and helped us to learn more about the delivery process with all the information she presented.
Without her, our labor would have been very different. She lead the team and set us up for a beautiful delivery. She was a strong advocate for us in the hospital and communicated well with the entire staff. She was able to talk to us at the perfect times and help to remind us of our goals during the labor. Cat was 8 months pregnant during our delivery and it never slowed her down or took away from our experience.
We would highly recommend Cat and she became such a wonderful friend!"
"This was our second child and our first birth experience was not a good one. We really wanted a natural delivery this time around and started taking Bradley Classes. When a doula was mentioned I was hesitant at first because I didn't know what to expect. However, after meeting Cat for the first time I knew she was the right choice.
Cat was very prepared and thorough. She was a wonderful communicator throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond in looking out for our needs and making sure we were comfortable. I felt very comfortable with Cat and I was surprised with how much she knew about labor and delivery as such a new doula. During all our meetings she was patient and listened to both of our needs as a couple. She was organized and helped us to learn more about the delivery process with all the information she presented.
Without her, our labor would have been very different. She lead the team and set us up for a beautiful delivery. She was a strong advocate for us in the hospital and communicated well with the entire staff. She was able to talk to us at the perfect times and help to remind us of our goals during the labor. Cat was 8 months pregnant during our delivery and it never slowed her down or took away from our experience.
We would highly recommend Cat and she became such a wonderful friend!"
Natasha and Matt, second time parents:
"I can't even begin to say enough positive things about my experience with Cat. The day before active labor started I was pretty sure I was in early labor, Cat spent the day texting back and forth with me staying updated with how I was feeling, reminding me to rest, and giving me ideas of things I could try to get things moving more quickly. Once active labor started Cat was by my side the whole time. She was very knowledgable about different methods to try and get baby into a proper position, relieve pain, and stages of labor. She asked me several times to let her know what I needed, and if I wasn't sure what I needed at that moment she made suggestions.
She kept me talking through early contractions, and gave me tools to help me breathe through contractions as they got worse. While in the hospital she helped my husband remember to stand up for my birth plan, and helped explain and weigh pros and cons of anything that wasn't covered in my birth plan. Everything Cat did was helpful, and soothing during contractions, she talked to me in a mannor that helped me know what I needed to do and allowed me to do it even at the height of a contraction.
Even my husband, who wasn't sure we needed a doula, told me that he thinks having Cat present during labor and delivery made a world of difference in our birth experience, and I couldn't agree more!"