Karen Roberts ManaDoula

Karen is the supportive and knowledgeable person you need by your side as you go through pregnancy, birth and beyond. As a mama pregnant with my third baby who was unhappy with my first two births (first was a traumatic vaginal birth with complications and second was a cesarean) I was looking for someone to help me have a successful vbac. Karen was that someone. Karen is responsive and easy to get ahold of. She also is very open and respectful of your desires and wishes, not trying to push an agenda but also showing all of your options and providing information based on evidence. Karen directed me to several resources which were extremely helpful for me to continue to educate myself further on my own.  She is very positive and encouraging and will help keep you in the right mindset. When I had negative thoughts, she turned them into positive ones. When fear or concern crept in, she gave me the pep talk I needed. When I questioned myself if I could really accomplish what I had set out to do, Karen gently steered me right back to the path of what I really wanted.  Even though I was an experienced mama having my thrid baby, Karen still proved to be invaluable and she was an intergral part of having a postive birth experience. This was my third baby but first time having a doula and it made such a difference! If you are looking for a doula, or even considering the idea of working with one, hire Karen immediately!! You will be so glad you did!

Words cannot express how grateful I am for Karen. She is the BEES KNEES! :) Seriously, this is one compassionate, caring, insightful, fierce, get it DONE kind of lady. Karen was with me for the birth of my first baby in November 2019 (and will be with me for all future babies if I have anything to say about it). I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone having a baby (hospital or elsewhere).I didn't know too much about doulas before I got pregnant. After reading about them, I thought "that sounds like a good idea"- I had NO IDEA how detrimental she would be to helping me have the amazing birth experience that I had. Throughout the pregnancy, Karen was available to answer questions and give support. When she gave information, it was based on evidence. If I had a question that she didn't know the answer to, she would help me find it. She was (and still is) and amazing resource. When it was time to have the baby, she was the first call I made. I called her when I woke up dripping fluid at 4AM and she picked up the phone. When Karen knew I was close to my due date, she never missed one of my calls. I truly knew I could depend on her to be available. Karen has an amazing, sweet attitude. She was calm and collected- which helped me to stay calm. She was extremely attentive and present to help me through each contraction. Karen helped me breath through contractions and position my body in ways that would ease the intensity. She would offer suggestions, but always encouraged me to trust my instincts and listen to my body. I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible, and I was able to do that without fear - because I knew that Karen was watching and monitoring me, that she has done this before many times, and that she would get me to the birth center in time if it was at all possible.When it came time to push, she gave me helpful feedback to teach me how to get the baby down. She helped me get the baby latched to the breast as soon as possible. Then she held my hands as I got my stitches. I'm telling you... This woman was on her hands and knees with me in the delivery room. She goes above and BEYOND for her mamas. It's not just a job to her, She really is passionate about what she does and she is IN IT with you. I can't fully explain the confidence that gave me though out the birth. Even though my mom and my husband were there- they had no idea what the heck was going on. It was a huge relief not just for me, but for them too, to have Karen there. Since I had never had a baby before, having an experienced professional (she is DONA certified. I'm not gonna have just anyone with me in the delivery room) able to say "this is what might happen next" and "you're doing great" and "this is totally normal" made me feel like I could really have this baby, and do it well. I could trust Karen's wisdom, knowledge, and experience. I could also trust that she was dead set on doing what was best for me and helping me have the birth experience I wanted. She did just that and more.Karen also did postpartum work with us. She taught us ways to help the baby when he got gassy. She helped facilitate breast feeding after my milk came in. She helped my husband and I transition into parenthood by gIving suggestions based on her experience, but also through practical things like helping us do the laundry or watching the baby so we could take a nap. I still call her and ask for her advice when something comes up that I'm unsure about. She has seen a baby come out of me- if that's not a bonding experience I don't know what is.If you have any doubts about hiring Karen- DO IT! You will be setting yourself up for success! There is no one better to have by your side in the delivery room.

We had a traumatic birth with prolonged labor and a careless midwife- Karen provided the most incredible care, the care my wife and baby needed. She hardly left my wife's side for days, and she is the true epitome of dedication- not only to her community but to her clients/mommas. She left a huge mark with me and we will absolutely use her for baby #2.

I cannot believe how lucky we were to have Karen as our doula. Her support and guidance were so incredibly crucial to us in all phases of prenatal, birth and postpartum. She was my anchor throughout my hospital birth, keeping me calm and reassured and helping us advocate for the plans we wanted as much as was possible. I had a 3 day induction process and Karen was there solidly throughout, bringing my partner coffee etc, and keeping notes of everything going on for us. She helped me get my baby to breastfeed right after delivery, which was so awesome since I don't think I was coherent or energized enough to even try it myself. There's simply not enough space to fully describe how wonderful she was for us!

Karen Roberts was instrumental in my last pregnancy and birth. I have known her for 24 years and she has always loved supporting and assisting women through their pregnancies and birthing experience. As long as I have known her she has made it her life long passion to learn and grow in her role as a coach to expectant mothers. She is a calm and loving presence and she enjoys helping women bring their babies into this world. I highly recommend her and the services she can provide!

I would like to leave this review for Karen because she has been really helpful. I am a first time mom, struggling with breastfeeding issues. I met a lactation consultant only one time in the hospital on the date I was discharged home. I would say the lactation consultant that the hospital provided me, gave me very general suggestions, and it was a very brief encounter. I was hoping to learn more about breast feeding. I tried to watch youtube, read from the internet, but still not helping. I had NO breastmilk at that time. Few days later, my nipple started hurting so bad with a crack with some blood from the nipple every time my child tried to latch on. I seek for help, and I found Karen.She replied my message/call very quickly. Despite her busy schedule, she was already soooo helpful over the phone providing wonderful instructions. A day later, she came to my house and she was very professional. During COVID19 pandemic, she washed her hands, maintain all hygiene, and wear masks all the time. I was so impressed with her characteristics. She was so calm, helpful, knowledgable. Finally, she was able to have my child latch on and taught me many positions for breastfeeding. I've never been more grateful. THANK YOU again for your wonderful help!!

Without Karen, I couldn't have achieved my dream, unmedicated birth. The moment Karen entered the delivery room, I felt an immediate sense of peace. She was so reassuring, encouraging, and proactive. When my contractions were getting intense, but I wasn't fully dilated, she knew how to position my body to slow them down and make the intensity more manageable. She made sure my bladder was empty- Something I would've assumed the nurses would've been on top of. I had a very quick labor, and I think the nurses at one point may have underestimated how soon baby was coming. Karen was on top of alerting them when things were progressing quickly. I felt extremely hot and sweaty throughout my whole labor, and my back felt like it was on fire. She worked with my husband seamlessly as a team while they fed me ice chips and laid cold compresses on my back, neck, and forehead. My whole birthing experience was all that I could've asked for because of Karen. Karen has as assertive, yet warm and kind presence about her that made me feel confident I was in good hands. She was extremely focused and in tune to my body and what I needed, but also knew when to step back and allow the nurses and doctors to jump in. When I had any doubts or insecurities in my mind, she calmed my thoughts. I cannot say enough good things about Karen. She cares about you just as she would if you were a daughter, sister, or niece.

MEN!! If you or your partner are on the fence about getting a doula, Karen is the exact person that you need. She is one of the sweetest and most genuine/gentle person you will ever meet and coming from a guys perspective she is someone you maybe didn't think that YOU NEED! Karen is a hero she is able to read what a women needs while going through contractions that she can't even talk through. She was a huge part in making our birth experience (at home) one of the best experiences of my life. I don't know how else to put it other than she was perfect! Highly highly recommend , worth EVERY PENNY !

Our pregnancy journey was anything but easy. From the very beginning we had unfortunate challenges and we just learned to roll with the punches. When I first talked with Karen she gave us the most peaceful kind of support and I instantly felt comfortable with her. Since we had a difficult time at the beginning of our pregnancy, we were convinced a hospital was our safest place even though I always dreamt of a water birth. Once things smoothed out in our pregnancy, Covid 19 flared up and brought with it new worries. The hospitals now felt like the WORSE place to be and I felt more anxiety about being there than anywhere. So at 36 weeks, we ditched our OB and hospital to hire a midwife at a birth center. Karen offered us such important and unbiased support through all of our decisions. Being first timers with opinionated parents, it was great having an advocate that just let us work through our choices. She was always easy to get ahold of in anyway whether it be text, call or physical meetings. When I went into labor she was always in touch and came to our house as soon as we asked her to. Luckily for me, our labor went FAST but she was ready for the long haul. She helped us make the call to get to the birth center sooner than later and we are so relieved because we almost had an accidental home birth as quickly as I progressed. She was an amazing part of our birth team. Present when needed and stepped aside and took beautiful, inconspicuous photos (that I love looking at) when she wasn't needed.We are so grateful for Karen and her calmness during all the chaos we've been through from the beginning to the end. Our birth story was nothing short of incredible and we are still in awe of the whole experience. Thank you Karen, for everything.

I highly recommend Karen and am so glad I had her as my doula! Even I had met her last minute in only a week before my delivery, but she still was able to make sure my dream of a natural vbac birth would come true. Definitely not recommending getting a doula last minute, but if your case becomes like mine and you end up finding you'll need one, then she is the one for you. She is very highly knowledgeable and was by my side the entire time helping me through the labor. With her support and encouragement and God's will, I was able to have my dream come true of a natural, unmedicated vbac. Definitely recommend this awesome doula! -Nina