Karla is an incredible doula and person. She was the only postpartum doula we interviewed, because after meeting her we knew she was The One! When Karla first came over after my baby was born, we were still resting in bed most of the time and I still felt like I was on another planet. She was so gentle and understanding, giving me the space to process my birth with her. Then she helped me figure out side-lying nursing (the BEST position, still my favorite a year later, and so useful for someone recovering from childbirth) and while my baby and I dozed, she whipped up several delicious and nourishing snacks using things that were already in my pantry! Over the next few weeks, Karla worked with us about once a week as we grew into new parenthood. She showed me how to bathe my newborn and give her a massage, how to use our baby wrap (she's an expert in babywearing!), and even just held the baby for a little while so I could take a shower or a nap by myself. As I continued to recover and feel stronger, we went on walks. It was really wonderful to learn from someone so knowledgable, who is a seasoned mother herself and has also held literally hundreds of babies. She shared stories about her own experiences when I asked, but never gave the impression that there was a "right" way to do anything when it comes to parenting. Overall the message I got from her was that I already know how to be a mother and can trust my own instincts. It's hard to put into words how much this affected me during those first tender weeks of motherhood, but it's stuck with me ever since. Karla is an absolute gem, and I can't recommend her highly enough! read more

Karla is the most amazing doula I have ever encountered. She wasn't sitting and observing her client while in labor, full hands on deck changing positions and collaborating with the nurses to have an amazing vaginal birth. She encouraged, guided and praised both mom and dad. She never once discouraged her client or went against what the nurses and midwives suggested. We all worked as a team to have a safe and equitable birth. Thank you Karla! read more

Bree and Karla were the first doulas we ever met and from the moment we met them we knew wanted to go with them and cancelled any other appointments made. We instantly felt at ease with them, their warm informal and fun energy made all the difference during my final weeks of pregnancy & delivery. As this was my first baby I had so many questions. Bree and Karla were great at answering all of them in a quick manner& lending me additional resources. At 39 weeks pregnant I took a fall and broke my foot which made this an extra hard challenge for me and I was very worried about not being able to deliver naturally. My birth plan had stipulated to have the least amount of medical interventions as possible and here I was freaking out that none of that would be possible anymore. Both Bree and Karla were so positive and encouraging and said that I would still be able to do it - and with their help- I was. I truly don't think I would have been able to give birth they way I wanted to had it not been for them. So here's a quick overview of went down. On sat night around 11 pm I started having contractions which kept getting closer and closer and more painful so after texting with Bree at 4 am we decided to go to Cedars. They checked me - and I was only 1 cm dilated. How discouraging! So we went back home where BOTH Bree and Karla were waiting for us. That's when the pain started to get worse. From that point B &K stepped in and were like angels. They massaged me , put on aroma therapy helped with the counting and guided me through the breathing and hellish contractions. Most of the time I couldn't speak cos of the pain so I would often just point at things like the fan for air or or make a hand motion for a sip of water; it was crazy I was going from hot to cold to hot to cold in a matter of seconds. All throughout this Bree and Karla just kept their calm made me smile with their warm and funny personalities and assured me I was doing great. The home labor lasted until about 3 pm when suddenly my water broke and we knew we had to go to to the hospital as I had tested positive for GBS. Once we got to the hospital i was told I was 4 cm dilated but the pain continued to intensify so I did decide at that point to have a walking epidural . After that everything slowed down a lot. We had to wait until about 1 am to start with the final pushing stage of labor. All this time during the waiting period I kept saying to the girls: "Doesn't on of you need to go home? Don't you usually work in shifts?" But they insisted that they BOTH wanted to be there as they knew how much extra TLC I needed with my broken foot situation. I finally delivered my baby boy at 2 15 am and and Bree and Karla were there by my side holding my legs down as I was bearing down , pushing on my back for a total of 40 minutes . Their encouragement made it go by quickly, I'm sure of it. They took pictures , made me laugh in between contractions and were the positive energy in the room when we had a mean nurse during an earlier shift. They were simply put, amazing. What I was most impressed with was that they BOTH stayed until the very end - Bree had been up since 4 am and never left my side. When they first came to the house when I was at 1 cm I thought maybe they would leave as I was not dilated far enough -but they stayed and helped my labor progress with all their comfort techniques. I cannot recommend Bree and Karla enough. Please feel free to ask them for my number if you need a reference. I truly hope everyone can have as great an experience as I had ( with a broken foot nonetheless) with my birth- I know this experience was largely due to Bree and Karla's expertise and positive energy. read more

Karla is absolutely amazing! She helped me get my dream VBAC. She was the perfect personality match for me and my family. Supportive, knowledgeable, calm and warm. She helped ease my mind about many of my worries, sent us information, spent time with my family and I talking and helping us come up with a plan and focus on how I wanted my labor and birth to be. During my labor, she came just when I needed her and the feel of the room changed to calm. She walked in and gently rubbed my back during a contraction. It felt like a warm fuzzy blanket and helped me focus my mind. At the hospital, she was wonderful. Best double hip squeeze in town! Worked wonderfully with the nurses and doctor. After my epidural, she helped make sure I was comfortable and my body was opening, and held one of my legs during pushing. Talking and helping focus my mind. She even took pictures of me pulling my baby out and I will forever hold those close to my heart. I couldn't have done it without her support! read more

My best recommendation to any pregnant woman these days is to get a doula. For me, my perfect match was Karla. We couldn't be more different on first glance, but Karla seamlessly fit into my world. She gave me space, wasn't pushy, and simply strived to understand me. It was refreshing. I went into my birth so empowered with knowledge and emotionally ready. When it came time for labor, Karla showed up in a big way. She was so comforting, she helped me through pain I know I couldn't get through on my own, and she isn't afraid to get right on your level and get down and dirty. She's incredibly patient and empathetic the whole way through while also being a bulldog (willing to fight for you and stand with you through thick and thin.) She is incredibly experienced, respected by the medical community and fellow doulas (I did my homework!). I could not recommend Karla more. She is amazing!!! read more

We met Karla and instantly fell in love. I knew I wanted a doula for my son's birth because during my daughter's birth a few years earlier I had a bad experience with a nurse at the hospital who wasn't trusting any instincts I had during a very natural childbirth. She kept insisting on hooking me to the monitor and confining me in one position which was exacerbating the pain. Then when my daughter was crowning, the nurse forced me to hold back and not push -- although my body was doing its job and it felt like a bowling ball was coming out! This experience left me frustrated about the hospital setting not trusting the instincts of women and mothers, who have been giving birth for a million years with no monitors and just our vaginas! Well this second birthing experience was completely different, thanks to my doula. Karla not only listened very carefully to all your fears -- she also has a special talent to help you reconnect with your inner, innate motherhood, which feels so reassuring and empowering. I had many fears with our second pregnancy because I felt more frail in my body than I did during my first. Karla gave me strength and the confidence I was lacking in this pregnancy. Anytime I had a doubt or question during an ultrasound or issues that came up with baby she gave me peace and serenity which tamed my worry. We had encountered some issues during ultrasounds as the doctors were concerned about the size of my son's kidneys, which added a lot of extra stress on me and my husband. Karla's presence really filled us with what we were lacking ourselves -- a calming and relaxed soul. She is like a cozy mama with kindness all over her face. I always lacked a reassuring feeling of motherhood with my own mother and Karla in some ways became more than a doula for me. Hard to just put into words to give her justice. During the birth I remember feeling like Karla was giving me exactly what I needed. A way to get through the breathing (being one of my biggest fears). Karla was simply with me, helping me get over the waves of pain as if they were this ritualistic pattern, and there we were, like lions roaring in the wild. The hospital setting disappeared. All the while my husband knew exactly what to do to help relieve the contraction pains and we were all four in sync, a perfect little mythical dance, with baby also doing his part and perhaps nature too and the womb contracting and it became a very spiritual spiral dance! It was so much more pleasant. It's all in the details and her magic touch made all the difference in the world. Simply sharing all this with her and trusting what we wanted as a family to happen and having it all unravel magically the way it did with Karla truly was a blessing. I had false labor for a week so we had many moments when we didn't know whether it was it -- or not, and I couldn't remember what the contractions felt like. I was extra anxious because our hospital was a bit far, but Karla told me it was my body practicing and to save my energy for the birth. I really trusted her and I feel we truly reaped the benefits of that as a family. Another moment that struck me too was when before the actual birth, me and my husband were stressed and needed to reconnect as a couple. I don't know whether Karla knew it but she said something to us which stayed with me: "Instead of focusing on the baby, go walk on the beach and have fun!" We had the best time of our lives just enjoying ourselves and not thinking about baby for once! It was so refreshing, and exactly what we needed before Antoine came into our lives and forever changed us and our family! Maybe he even needed us to reconnect before coming out. I remember laughing a lot and now that I look back he is the happiest baby. It was the best advice I could wish for and looking back I realize this kind of care that Karla puts in everything is what makes a difference. A true master because she follows her heart and is so genuine we always felt in the most caring hands. In his own words, here are my husband's thoughts on the matter: "To all the guys out there, I've got one thing to say about deciding to have Karla be a part of our childbirth experience: Best Decison Ever!" read more

Having Karla be a part of our pregnancy, labor and birth of our son was one of the best decisions we've ever made. My wife was skeptical about having a doula at first, but after meeting with Karla she quickly became attached to her and all that she was able to offer us in terms of knowledge, confidence, and comfort as first time parents. Karla made us feel prepared for the labor and birth experience. No video and/or pod cast can replace the one-on-one, hands on lessons that she had with us. I will always remember her comforting presence when I was in labor. It was comforting that she was so in tune to everything I was going through and always managed to stay one step ahead of my pain and ease it with her various techniques (which she had also taught to us prior to that day, but having her there just made us feel safer about the whole process). Our first morning waking up at home with our new son was very stressful for me. I was having latching problems and in my anxiety I couldn't remember how to help my son latch properly. Karla came over and saved the day. She helped my son and I get the right latch and showed us various breastfeeding positions to try. Again, nothing can replace that one-on-one help when you need it! I can't say enough wonderful things about Karla. I highly recommend her and should we go for baby #2, she'll be the first call we make! read more

Karla is an absolutely amazing doula. She not only has the knowledge and experience but also the calm and reassuring presence. She assuaged many of my anxieties regarding the birth process, both leading up to it and during the actual event. I feel she was instrumental in the successful birth of my son and can't imagine having done it without her. I would absolutely recommend Karla for anyone looking for a doula and feel so lucky to have been able to work with her. read more

Five stars isn't even enough to describe the awesome services that Bree and Karla provide. I am native to California and was concerned I wouldn't be able to have the birth experience I had always imagined because I was not in PA. Well, The preparation with Bree and Karla was more than I could have ever asked for. They were attentive, understanding, and compassionate to my requests and needs. Not to mention on the days leading up to delivery day, both Karla and Bree checked on me several times a day. Want to talk about feeling cared for...AWESOME!! Karla accompanied me to my birth and she was excellent. Being able to hear her voice when I began to get out of control with my breathing helped me progress quickly and easily. Not to mention, her calm positive vibe in the room was definitely a godsend!! I couldn't have imagined my labor and delivery going any better and I really owe a lot of thanks to Karla and Bree for the amazing preparation. Also, I utilized the placenta encapsulation services from Bree. The pills have been awesome and I look forward to using the tincture in years to come!! Delivery of the product was fast and I have had excellent milk production and no signs of the baby blues. Overall, you can't go wrong by choosing Doula Doula Birth Services. When we start preparing for baby #2 we will definitely be calling them up to help with our future pregnancy!! read more

Karla is fantastic and I highly recommend her!!! Karla was the first doula we met and we knew right away that she would be great to work with. She's easy going and fun and very kind. She was also good at soothing my anxiety about being unprepared as first time parents who were hiring a doula with just a few weeks left before my due date! Oh, and we hadn't taken any birthing classes yet either--luckily, she was also able to provide that service as well! Once I was in labor, everything went smoothly--we experienced the exact benefits of hiring a doula that I have read about--labor progressed steadily; when there were questions or options or issues with medical staff or interventions, Karla kept us informed and aware; she tried to maintain my birth plan even when I wanted to abandon parts of it (suddenly an epidural looked real good); and we gave birth to a healthy baby and had breastfeeding up and running in no time. I cannot overstate the value of having someone at your side who knows what they're doing and with whom you feel extremely comfortable. I immediately felt this level of ease with Karla, which is especially important when you have to be so vulnerable in front of someone. She was a great coach and guide--she was with us the whole time, and I think the birth process would have been very intimidating and just plain crazy without someone experienced. She's also just an enjoyable person--I want to be friends with her. The one critique I have is that she didn't sell her services better! Karla is also a postpartum doula, which is not something I was really aware of but I think would have been extremely beneficial. Neither my husband nor I am from SoCal, and looking back, the extra help and guidance through those early days would have been great. (I get it though, I'm sure she just doesn't want to be pushing services on people.) So glad we had Karla with us! read more

I feel very lucky to have been able to have Karla at my birth. I hired her late in my pregnancy because I wasn't sure I wanted a doula, and I am so happy I decided to do so! She eased all of my anxiety and was the perfect addition to my birth team. One thing I will always remember is how she *knew* I was thinking of my older daughter (who was asleep in the next room) but of course could not verbalize that, when there was a break in contractions she went and checked on her and came back to tell me she was still sound asleep. It helped me relax knowing that everyone in the room cared about the same things. She was also able to give me some great recommendations postpartum when I was having issues with breastfeeding. I can't recommend her enough! read more

Amazing woman who will care for you and be your advocate all along the way! Couldn't recommend these two ladies more! Thanks Karla & Bree for sharing your passion for birth and babies! read more

I cant say enough great things about Doula Doula's Karl and Bree. They made me feel so comfortable since the first meeting and we really bonded. I felt super relaxed and taken care of the whole pregnancy and they sent me so much information and made me feel well prepared. I wanted an all natural birth, however my baby became breech at 33 weeks. They recommended chiropractors and definitely emotionally supported me through all the complications and changes. Due to the breech, I had to have a c-section and Karla walked me thru the process and calmed me down and prepared me as this was a big change in my "plan". She assisted me to write the perfect birth plan for a c-section. The day of she was such an amazing support for me and my husband and she was the one to go into the room with my little one and she took his pictures and help me with the first latch. I recommend EVERYONE to at least interview Karla and Bree and I guarantee youll fall in love with them like me and my husband did!!! read more

I cannot say enough how valuable it was to have Karla as our doula throughout our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and now postpartum. We hired Karla after interviewing several other doulas in the area. After speaking with Karla on the phone before our in person meeting, I knew that she was the one for us. I immediately felt comfortable with her. Karla met with us for several prenatal sessions, and was available to us via text leading up to labor. Karla was so helpful in assisting us with tips and tricks to attempt to get our breech baby to flip. As it turned out, baby did not flip, and Karla prepared us by walking us through a cesarean and helped us to decide what was important for us to request at the hospital both during labor, delivery, and after with baby. Karla joined us at the hospital and was with us up until the cesarian and after in the recovery room. Karla assisted us with skin to skin and with getting baby to latch immediately. Once we returned home from the hospital, Karla even came by in our first week when we were desperate as new parents for ideas on what we could be doing to help our baby to sleep. I would absolutely recommend hiring Karla, it was worth every penny to have someone on your side who can "translate" all the medical terminology and choices and be a calm in the storm. Karla has a calming presence that is so helpful to have during such a crazy, unknown time in life. I'm so grateful to Karla! read more

I was home with my 5 month old over the holidays and was reminiscing with my mom, who was present at his birth, about what an amazing experience that day was. I feel extremely grateful that my memories of that 24 hours are so positive - of course I was anxious about bringing my first child into the world, but overall what I remember from the experience is feeling excited, empowered and then elated at his arrival. A big part of the reason why was Karla. Like most people who aren't millionaires, my husband and I went back and forth about hiring a doula in the beginning of our pregnancy - should we really spend money on this when there are so many other costs associated with having a baby? For us the answer was a resounding yes. The prenatal visits we had with Karla were immensely more informative than our monthly visits to the OBGYN and the support she provided on the day of our birth was invaluable. Things like bringing my mom and husband Starbucks at 1 am, being on a first name basis with the nurses and doctors at our hospital, giving me a foot massage right before I began pushing (who knew!) were the kind of things I couldn't have predicted I needed beforehand, but now looking back, were so incredibly helpful. And then there was her actual support and coaching while I delivered my baby - he was out in 45 minutes and I felt like a rockstar at the end of it. Throughout the 6 months we worked with her, Karla kept us informed, supported our choices and nurtured our journey. It's a given that whatever happens, you will love your baby, but thanks in large part to Karla, I can say I loved my birth too. read more

Speaking as the birth partner (husband/father), I can say that Karla was invaluable. Beyond being highly knowledgeable of both the technical elements of birth and how to leverage the medical system in our favor, she guided us through the process with a masterful touch. She knew when to be still and hold space, she knew when to remind of us of our intentions going in, she knew when to help us push back against the doctors and nurses who weren't hearing us. She allowed us our experience while also offering a calm, steady, loving hand when we needed it. She was as wonderful in the difficult moments as she was in the moments of profound elation. She oversaw the VBAC my wife and I were hoping for, and I'm proud to say that she will forever be mentioned in the birth story of our second daughter. Yes, you need her, yes, she's, worth the money, yes, she brings more calm and clarity to your birth experience. I don't write reviews but was compelled to do so for the Moms and birth partners who might be shopping around. Karla is it. read more

Team Franke couldn't adore Karla and Doula Doula Birth Services more than we do! From the moment Karla entered our home and beyond, I felt like she was a true advocate, a prompt and connected professional, an up-to-date expert in her field. Someone who cherishes moms, babies, DADS, the process - pregnancy, birth, and all the joys and challenges that follow. Karla's real and in it with your family for the long haul. Plus she's funny and being able to laugh is just a must, right? She left our interview and I said to my husband, I feel like I've known her for years. So we hired her to support us during my pregnancy and the birth of our son. To my labor, Karla brought calm, peace, constancy. She acted in time with my husband and I, made us feel confident, and read the room always. She's the best back rubber, leg massager, rebozo user, ice chip giver, photo taker, and friend in the moment, folks. And, after 22 hours, she helped us welcome our River into the world, a love overwhelming. We recommend Karla with much praise and without hesitation. read more

I can't express how much Karla's energy attributed to our positive birth experience! Four months before the birth of our daughter, I wasn't certain about a lot of things: whether we would try for a natural birth, whether we would hire a doula, etc. We met Karla to interview her, and we knew instantly we would be hiring a doula, and it would definitely be her. Karla keeps the vibe laid back and has a calming energy about her, all the while making you feel confident in what your intuition is telling you, and arming you with information and resources to help further prepare you. She also is very conscious about creating an atmosphere free of judgement. She works with people who birth at home, in hospitals, go natural, or get c-sections. She does not have an agenda with her clients, and is 100% supportive of the birth you envision for yourself. Karla was also always available - we felt so supported by her the whole way, from prenatal, through labor, birth, and even afterward. We even hired Karla for a few postpartum days, which was an immense help. Her calming energy, and again, her way of helping you feel confident in what you are experiencing and how you are feeling were such a lifesaver for me in those first challenging weeks. We LOVE Karla and didn't just get the best doula, but a lifelong friend. We hope she will be able to be a part of our next birth!! read more

My husband and I were expecting our first baby and wanted to have the assistance of a doula to try and have as natural a birth as possible. Bree and Karla struck me as just the amazing superwomen that would be able to help us along this journey. They were so approachable, professional and knowledgable, and truly cared about our concerns and needs. They are also awesome human beings with great senses of humor - which is most necessary when facing such a serious and challenging experience as childbirth. My husband and I always felt nurtured and informed by Bree and Karla to be proactive in our birth experience. They worked wonderfully with our doctor and nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital. Bree worked with me during my 22 hour labor, mostly at home, and the last hours at the hospital. Karla then came in to relieve Bree after working with us all night. This tag team approach was amazing as Karla was able to come in rested and ready to go after Bree was a total warrior all night with us. It was at this time that it was decided I needed a C-section due to duress with the baby and her slowing heart rate. Karla stayed with us throughout the C-section until I was in the recovery room. She helped me share skin to skin time immediately with my baby and make her first latch as I was still groggy from the operation. This was such an imperative time for us to bond with our newborn, and she helped me do this even in my impaired state. Bottom line - every birth experience is unique and personal - and these are just the amazing women that you want to be with you to navigate the challenges and moments of euphoria with. Pick them - you will be so happy you did. We are thrilled to recommend them! read more