Testimonial from Maura
November 2024
We feel so lucky that we got to partner with Kassie for our birth experience. From the very first call she was thoughtful, kind and curious to learn about us and what we hope for the birth of our child. She stayed in touch with us throughout the pregnancy and tailored our conversations based on our specific needs and type of birth we planned to have.
For the birth itself, Kassie was absolutely instrumental in shaping it to be a positive and empowering experience. She anticipated my needs and my partners, kept us informed as things progressed, advocated for us and ultimately made it possible to have a safe positive birth. Kassie is a truly amazing doula and professional- we absolutely recommend!
Testimonial from Nick
November 2024
With hindsight, I can’t imagine how anyone can go through the birthing process without a Doula. With that same hindsight, I can’t imagine going through our birth without Kassie.
Her birth classes were really helpful, and as a soon to be dad they gave me a sense of agency that I had not had before.
Kassie knows when to be assertive and kind, and when to fall back and let us have our special moments. She was there for us for every step and genuinely loves doing it. Kassie built up our confidence to handle the day, knowing what to expect helped a lot. When our birth plan suddenly had to change, Kassie’s was simply irreplaceable.
Her sincerity, knowledge, and leadership was vital to us when things got scary. Her joy, affirmation, and support were vital when it came time to celebrate our baby boy.
Stop browsing; book it now.
Testimonial from Sarah
October 2024
I cannot recommend Kassie enough as a doula! From the very beginning, she was amazing, offering a wealth of knowledge and resources that made my experience as a new mom in Chicago so much smoother. Whether it was prenatal massages, pelvic floor care, postpartum mental health support, or breastfeeding advice and resources, she had everything covered.
During labor, Kassie was a calming presence and a source of constant encouragement. Her guidance through the entire process, especially during pushing, was invaluable—I truly don’t think I could’ve had the natural birth I wanted without her support. She was there every step of the way, giving me the confidence and strength I needed.
What really set Kassie apart was how much she cared after the birth, too. She stayed to help us transition into our post-delivery room and checked in frequently afterward, making sure I was doing well physically and emotionally. Her follow-up meant the world to me.
If we decide to have another little one, Kassie will be the first person I call. She was an essential part of our birthing journey, and I’m so grateful for everything she did. I highly recommend her to any expecting parent!
Testimonial from Agnes
February 2024
Kassie is a true professional and supported us through all stages of the birth of our second child, from prenatal to postpartum. What impressed me about Kassie is it's clear she can adapt her skills to the support whatever birth goals you might have - whether it's for an unmedicated delivery or just to feel like you owned your decisions during the birth process. We delivered at Prentice and our midwife and nurse had both worked with her many times before, and she knew her way around the facilities and supplies. She made the delivery room feel cozy and intimate and anticipated my needs. My labor felt active when I wanted it to be active and peaceful when I needed to shut the world out for a minute. Kassie was an incredible guide and I will be recommending her to anyone who is looking for a doula.
Testimonial from Bianca
February 2024
Kassie is truly incredible!! My husband and I are so grateful to have had her support with the birth of our baby girl. I knew within the first few minutes of our interview that she was the perfect fit. Kassie brings so much kindness, compassion, knowledge, direction, and energy every step of the way. She is incredibly responsive and supportive leading up to birth, during labor and delivery, and postpartum as well. I can 100% say she made our birth experience the best possible experience, way better than I could have ever imagined. As a first time mom, I was nervous going into labor and delivery not knowing how I would do but Kassie's presence completely eased any worries my husband and I had. She helped ensure we had everything we needed in the space and truly made it feel so safe and welcoming. Kassie worked incredibly well as a partner with our nurses and doctors and her presence had such a positive impact on them as well. We could feel everyone's energy shift when they walked into the room and even had nurses and doctors comment on how much they loved how Kassie setup our space with dimmed lights, music, LED candles, and fans and that they could tell we were a really great team all working together. Kassie was super knowledgeable and helpful throughout the day as we were brought different options for how to proceed and helped remind us of what each option meant and advocated to give us time to decide. She also helped so much with communication with our care providers and our families all through labor and delivery, which helped us stay calm and focused. Her support went well beyond delivery as she also continuously checked in on us and offered support post partum through texts, calls, and a home visit. I highly recommend Kassie to anyone looking to work with a doula! I myself knew very little about doulas until I had a few friends recommend looking into doula support for my first birth based on their own positive experiences and now I can't even imagine giving birth without Kassie's support. My husband and I can't thank her enough for all she did to make the birth of our baby girl such a safe and positive experience. She is the best!
Testimonial from Julia
January 2024
My husband and I took Kassie’s class at Intuit as first time parents. We took away so much information from the course about pregnancy, giving birth, and postpartum. Kassie is compassionate, knowledgeable, and made us feel absolutely comfortable to ask our questions in class. I highly recommend it to all expecting parents.
Testimonial from Andrew
December 2023
don’t even know where to begin.
Kassie was recommended to us by our couples therapist and was everything we needed and then some. A true nurturer and warm presence, Kassie really held our hands and guided us through the entire pregnancy and birth process. We appreciated immediately how Kassie made the whole experience very real and human. It was, from the start, a safe space to ask questions, get honest and evidence based answers and we always left feeling more empowered and better prepared.
As the partner to the birthing person I really appreciated the detailed list of helpful items for labor, delivery, and postpartum. We needed every single thing and we’re so so grateful to have them during recovery! I learned how to best show up and support my wife during her labor and delivery and am so beyond thankful for all of Kassie’s wonderful insights and preparation help. At one point in the delivery our Doctor literally said “oooooh I love that I’m going to use that with my patients”!
The delivery was beautiful, Kassie made the room calm and tranquil with candles and music. The entire thing was honestly just perfect. My wife, Kassie, the medical staff were laughing between pushes and the energy in the room was palpable. Just the best experience that surpassed our wildest hopes. We were scared before we met with Kassie but walked into the hospital ready, and excited to implement everything we’d learned en route to meeting our daughter.
We were so thankful to have lactation support once our daughter was born as this was a major source of anxiety for my wife. Within 5 minutes of being born my daughter was latched on my wife’s breast with Kassie’s help. Kassie hung back after we were in the recovery room to support and provide answers to the multitudes of questions. It really just felt like we had a third parent to help get us started in the hospital.
We also really appreciated the postpartum check ins! Kassie came to our house to see how everything was going and how we were settling in. We reviewed a lot of the postpartum material that we covered with her in the birthing class (we opted in for it and I can’t recommend it enough). We are forever bonded to Kassie Leachman and are forever grateful to her!
If you are reading this- set up an appointment. There is not one area in which my wife and I felt let down!
Testimonial from Ellen
December 2023
I don’t even know where to start, because there is SO MUCH to say about our experience with Kassie. My husband and I were referred to Kassie by our couples therapist, so we already knew she was going to be wonderful. That said, we could have *never* anticipated how perfect of an experience we would have, with her help and guidance! Right off the bat, Kassie’s warm demeanor and caring attitude were so comforting. She was more than willing to answer any and all questions my husband and I had about her services (and the birth process, in general). One of the things we love and appreciate most about Kassie is how much she celebrates pregnancy and the process. Kassie made me feel so confident and empowered about my body and my capability to grow, birth and take care of a human. She was consistently checking in with my husband and I about how we were feeling, mentally and physically. I was very nervous about breastfeeding, and Kassie was so wonderful coaching me through those concerns and offering tools and resources to help us in that area. **Cannot recommend enough to take the 4-week birthing class that Kassie offers - my goodness, the things we learned!!!** Kassie does an incredible job of letting her clients lead and advocate for their own preferences, while also providing her knowledge and experience in a way that helps ensure we’re making the best decisions for *our* family. There were many times in the delivery room where the midwife would tell me something, and I would immediately look at Kassie for confirmation or input. (side note: the doctors were seriously taking notes on some of Kassie’s analogies and ideas during my labor!) Throughout my entire labor and delivery process, Kassie was by our side and she made sure we had everything we needed before she left the hospital (and upon our return home). I will sing Kassie’s praises to anyone who will listen, and I wholeheartedly recommend her services to any and everyone. My husband and I “joke” that we are stopping at one baby because of how surreally perfect this entire process has been, but if we ever do decide on a round two, I will be enlisting Kassie IMMEDIATELY. We love you, Kassie!
Testimonial from Marlee
November 2023
Kassie was the perfect doula! She helped us from preparing what to expect during labor, the actual laboring process, and delivery. She was an extremely helpful resource to have all the way through. When we first spoke with her, we immediately felt like Kassie both saw and heard what we needed. From that moment, she was always honest, kind, and supportive for every hurdle we went through. During labor, we had a few surprising moments that we could not have handled without Kassie by our side. Looking back on even the little things she did during labor and delivery, we are so grateful to have had her expertise and bedside manner to help us get through the hardest and best day of our lives. We can't imagine what our process would have been like if Kassie hadn't been a part of it. We've already told everyone we know that you not only need a doula when you give birth, but you truly need Kassie!
Testimonial from Jaclyn
November 2023
Kassie was everything we could have hoped for in a Doula! She is a plethora of knowledge and always had a list of recommendations for us, from what products to buy for postpartum recovery to a recommended packing list. When our baby was breech, Kassie went above and beyond and attended our ECV procedure to flip baby. And when our induction took longer than planned, Kassie was so quick to respond to our questions, pick up the phone, and arrive by our side when the time arrived. She was a huge reason we had such a positive birth experience. Kassie was such a fun person to spend hours with and next time we have a baby, she's the first person we will call!
Testimonial from Megan
November 2023
Kassie has been an amazing doula for us. We found her from a recommendation from a friend out of a place called Family Picnic. Kassie was available to us from the time we signed on with her and still is well after the birth of our little girl who is now 6 weeks old. She has been easily reachable by text and email whenever I have questions or concerns. Even when I didn't know the questions to ask she offered amazing insights and resources. When the time came and my water broke Kassie answered her phone almost immediately even though it was almost midnight. Even though we had talked about everything previously she talked me through what I should do and allowed me to be calm and ready in the moment. In the hospital she was a crucial part of my delivery being as easy and trauma free as it was. My husband is very nervous at hospitals and around blood. I have a blood disorder which made him especially nervous of complications for me. Because of this he struggled with some parts of labor and being there for me in the ways he wished he could have. Kassie was so helpful throughout everything even in helping calm my husband at times. Even now 6 weeks postpartum she still reaches out periodically to check in on me and my baby girl and is totally open to answer any questions I have being a new first time mom. If you are interested in a doula I highly recommend going with Kassie!
Testimonial from Ari
September 2023
Kassie was a wonderful support for my wife and I during the entire process leading up to, during, and after the birth of our first child. She was very comfortable (you can tell that she has experience in different settings with different labor/delivery goals) and reassuring throughout labor and delivery. She was wonderful at checking in and being supportive outside of the actual labor experience, which was really important for us, and good at talking through the experience afterwards. We would certainly recommend working with her!
Testimonial from Kelly
October 2023
Kassie was critical in helping me achieve a positive birth experience. Prior to labor and delivery, her wisdom and support helped me feel as prepared as possible for the arrival of my first child. While in labor, Kassie was there for me every step of the way, and provided more attention than just the medical staff could. She helped me stay focused and helped my husband play an active role in supporting the process with her suggested comfort measures and reassurance along the way. I truly cannot imagine giving birth without a doula, and can’t recommend Kassie enough.
Testimonial from Naomi
September 2023
It is hard to find words to express the role Kassie played in our birth. My husband didn't know what a doula was and didn't understand the benefit, but from our "meet and greet" with Kassie before signing our contract, we knew that she would be vital to creating a positive birth experience-and this was totally true! From before my first contraction, she was a grounding, positive presence and answered all of our questions, providing support during times of uncertainty, and helping us navigate the unexpected. She is responsive, well-educated and informed, collaborative, and goes above and beyond to make sure her clients feel empowered, informed, and not alone during what can be an overwhelming experience. She has continued to be supportive since the birth of our baby-checking in, helping us navigate questions and uncertainty, and providing wonderful resources as needed. We cannot recommend her enough and are forever grateful for the role she played in bringing our daughter into the world.
Testimonial from Lindy
August 2023
Kassie was truly so instrumental in supporting us through what ended up being a very positive pregnancy & birth. From my first conversation with Kassie, I felt comfortable, heard and empowered. As someone who struggles with medical anxiety, having Kassie as a resource throughout each trimester provided me with the knowledge and reassurance I needed on many occasions. She was there to answer questions, share evidence-based information and encourage me along the way as I prepared for my first birth.
When asked about our birth experience, my husband and I tell everyone that we are truly not sure what we would have done without Kassie. And we mean every bit of that. She goes above and beyond. She helped create a calm birthing space, guided me through positioning until it was time to push, helped me make informed decisions along the way, and assisted my husband in supporting me during the entire experience. Having her there as a constant familiar face, to encourage my progress and affirm my abilities made all the difference.
After birth, the first few days postpartum are overwhelming in every way. Once again, I am not sure what we would have done without having Kassie's guidance and support. Honestly, just the feeling of having someone checking in on me and encouraging me through those initial days was so helpful. Not only did she take the time to touch base with us, she also answered my many questions regarding breastfeeding & recovery, provided suggestions and calmed any worries I had as I cared for my newborn.
I cannot recommend Kassie enough. She was everything we'd hoped to have in a doula through physical support, emotional support and SO much more. If you aren't sure whether you want or need a doula, more specifically Kassie as your doula, you do!!!
Testimonial from Laura
June 2023
We worked with Kassie since the very beginning of my first pregnancy and honestly I don’t know what I would’ve have done without her knowledge, kindness and wisdom. I’m an anxious person who hates medical stuff so it was such a relief to have a support system in my corner that guided me gently through a process that was pretty scary for me at first.
We had a really unique situation- a move across the country halfway through my pregnancy. We were having trouble finding a provider in Chicago who would take me on after 20 weeks. Kassie assured us we would find support and even offered a list of incredible hospitals and birthing centers. One of her suggestions were the midwives at Swedish which worked with our insurance and accepted me as a patient!! I couldn’t have been happier with my midwive or this hospital.
From being available via text when I had a question to chatting on the phone when I was nervous about my 20 week ultrasound, to providing us with curated registry suggestions and acid reflux guidance - she was a huge resource and source of support throughout the pregnancy process.
When it came to my labor, Kassie prepared us with wonderful suggestions for birthing classes, and even came by our home in my 3rd trimester to talk through my birth preferences and offer more guidance. She gave me the support and confidence to have an unmedicated labor in a bathtub which I did!!! During labor she decked out the room with LED candles, scented cold towels, and all kind of tricks for breath and pain management. There was a moment I almost went for the epidural and she gently reminded me of my preferences + costs and payoffs of the epidural which allowed me to make a confident and pressure free decision and gave me the strength to keep going!
My birth was magical and I attribute the confidence and calmness I had leading up to it and during it because of Kassie’s support and presence throughout my pregnancy and birth. She even took photos of the labor and birth that documented moments I would have never seen otherwise.
Post birth Kassie visited us at our home again offering us post partum support and guidance. She has still continued to support me by checking in and providing essential resources as I navigated PPD and PPA and lots of trouble breastfeeding.
She has been right by my side the whole experience. She has gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined. Do yourself a favor and hire her right away. No matter what your circumstances or preferences she will honor you as a birthing person and that’s what matters.
Testimonial from Sara
June 2023
My husband and I cannot recommend Kassie enough as a doula - it was one of, if not the best, decisions we made as we prepared for the birth of our first child. Her calm and supportive demeanor, as well as the wealth of knowledge provided to us pre-, during-, and post-birth were invaluable to us. With her guidance, we were able to feel confident in the decisions that we were making in the delivery room in order to have a smooth birth. Initially, we were hesitant to have yet another person in the delivery room, but Kassie was so much more than "another person" and we felt supported and heard from just the first virtual meeting. Our birth story would not have been possible with Kassie. From personal touches -- setting a calm atmosphere with flameless candles, grabbing my husband a coffee so he could stay in the room with me, and taking pictures as our baby was born and the first few moments together -- to the actual physical and emotional support she provided -- knowledge of positions, comforting techniques, and help with making evidence-based decisions regarding possible interventions -- needless to say, Kassie was an absolute critical team member of our baby's birth that we will be forever grateful for. Her support doesn't stop after the birth either. Kassie made sure to check in frequently on how I was recovering and able to answer any questions I had regarding our new baby.
Testimonial from Courtney
June 2023
Kassie was truly a godsend throughout my entire pregnancy and birth! She helped keep me at ease and was always available when I had any questions. We couldn’t imagine not having her during the labor and delivery of our son, she was such an asset for us!
Testimonial from Leila
February 2023
I have nothing but the best things to say about Kassie. She was a wealth of knowledge, positivity, and comfort every step of the way during my pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. She answered any question I had, helped me make a birth plan that I felt great about, and then stepped in and eased my worries when things didn’t go according to plan. She responded to my texts/calls at all hours of the day leading up to labor whenever any issues came up (including a middle of the night trip to the hospital with high blood pressure). I had such a beautiful and positive labor/delivery experience thanks to Kassie and I’m so grateful for her.
Testimonial from Sarah
February 2023
I can’t say this enough, if you’re pregnant book Kassie as your doula!!! My husband and I weren’t sure if we needed a doula and after speaking to a friend who had one we decided to consider it. After speaking to my OBGYN about our interest in having one, she recommended Kassie. She said that Kassie was the best there is and she was absolutely right. My pre, during, and post labor experience was great and it had almost all of it to do with having Kassie by my side.
During our pre labor sessions, she gave us a ton of information on how the process of labor usually goes. She took the time to listen to our questions and explained with patience. As we got closer to my due date, she was always available and checked in with me to see how I was doing. I didn’t want to get induced and wanted the least amount of intervention as possible, so she provided a ton of resources to help get things going naturally.
My water broke at 39 weeks and as soon as it happened Kassie was my second phone call, after my OBGYN. She met me at the hospital and was by my side during the 12 hours of labor. She helped me navigate my contractions, offering support and knowledge throughout the entire process. She also helped guide my husband on what he could do to help. It felt like we were a team. She advised when was the right time for the epidural and that made such a difference, because we were able to get things moving the right way, so that labor didn’t last too long.
After I gave birth, she was there to help me with what comes next. She showed me how to have my baby latch appropriately and again that made such a difference in my breastfeeding journey. About two weeks after I was discharged, she came to our house and we discussed how I was doing both physically and emotionally.
My daughter is 10 weeks old and Kassie has been a tremendous resource throughout this journey. I said it in the beginning and I will keep saying it, book Kassie as your doula, you won’t regret it.