Carol helped me welcome all three of my children into the world. I cannot imagine how different (and probably not as pleasant) my birth stories would be without her. She has cried with me, laughed with me, and jumped for joy with me. I have leaned on her, stared at her, yelled at her, chatted endlessly on the phone with her. She has given me a foot massage, helped me handle castor oil, introduced me to babywearing (my best parenting decision by far), kept me in shape, and helped me figure out nursing, bundling, diapering, bathing and endless other baby details. She is a birth and baby goddess.

My husband is one of her biggest advocates as well and tells every co-worker or friend to head her way. He believes that hiring Carol was the best decision we made concerning any birth/baby purchase or choice.

Even though they are now 11, 8 and 6 years old. I still call Carol a friend; and, I am grateful to her husband and her children for sharing her with my family and I. I am forever indebted to her for her time, her energy, her enthusiasm and the sharing of her soul.

Julie

My husband and I decided we wanted to have a home birth for our first birthing experience. After some research on the advantages of having a doula present at birth we contacted Babies Naturally and were put in contact with Karen. I can’t say enough positive things about our experience with her! Karen’s initial responsiveness and professionalism, her kind and calm care during labour and after, and continual breastfeeding support really made our first birthing and parenting experience happy, positive and empowering. Karen had great knowledge of different positions and techniques to try during labour and was there when I just needed a hand to hold. Her experience as a lactation consultant was also invaluable right after birth and continues to this day. This was especially helpful to me because it can be very confusing when you have so many opinions and schools of thought on what the right way to breastfeeding is. With Karen’s support I was able to gain confidence in my motherly intuitions and the persistence to successfully continue breastfeeding. It was a blessing to have Karen’s help and I look forward to have her attend our future births. Thanks so much Karen! I couldn’t have done it with you!!!

Kathy McSpadden

Since having my first child I knew from the start, that I wanted to be involved with a baby group that would get me out of the house. I’ve always heard that these groups at times could be disappointing, competitive and sometimes make you feel incompetent. I knew from the breastfeeding help I received from babies naturally that this class would be different, and it was. I met some great ladies who I still chat with and I truly felt like we were on the same page whether it was our first child or third. The hour and a half went by fast and all ladies had great advice and tips. I really can’t say enough about it! It was a great/safe atmosphere to discuss many topics, especially for myself being a first time mom! I would definitely consider doing it again.

Robyn

Joining the Mom and Baby Group with Babies Naturally was truly one of the best things I did after having my first baby. This group provided a safe, welcoming environment for me and my daughter to go every week. Not only did it help get us out of the house and give us an activity to do together but it allowed me to meet and learn from and share with some amazing Moms. The women I met in this group have laughed with me, cried with me, supported me, listened to me, comforted me, reassured me and educated me! I can honestly say we’ve formed bonds that I hope will last a life time. Over the time we spend together we got to watch our little babies become more and more aware of each other – by the end they were all crawling and playing and interacting – a total baby party! Karen is just the perfect person to run a group like this. She is honest and funny and knows just when to contribute and just when to let the group go in it’s own direction. I really can’t say enough about this group. If you’re looking for a way to reach out and meet other moms, or if you feel nervous about getting out with your new baby but are feeling kind of isolated this is the group for you!!

Heather

To be honest, I originally saw the post on the Babies Naturally site to join a mum and baby group and totally dismissed it. I had gone to a drop in at a local mum and baby group and left feeling inadequate and totally judged as a mother. I vowed I would never be a part of that again. However, I had been going to the breastfeeding clinic every week that Babies Naturally had been offering. To be honest, I started going more for the social and comfort and talking to the other mammas than anything else (after I got the breastfeeding thing down). So, when I got a call from Karen asking me if I would like to be a part of this group, naturally there was some hesitation from my previous experience. However, two things sold me. One, that Karen thought of me personally and called me to invite me… which really meant a lot to me. Two, that I knew some of the girls from the breastfeeding clinic that I had been talking to every week were going to be there. I was starting to know these girls and truly valued their experiences and their conversation. I was sold. This group has really shown me how important it is as a new mother to have a solid support system outside of your family. We have laughed, cried, shared and built lifelong friendships for our children and ourselves. It has far exceeded my expectations and has given me such a sense of calm and peace raising my daughter. I find I turn to these women for advice or concerns rather than my family… sometimes it is nice to get advice from family, but can also be alot when people offer advice by saying they “did it this way” or who tell you that you should be “doing this or that”. The women in this baby group are going through the same thing at the same time and can totally relate. It has been amazing getting to know them over the past 6 months. I think every first time mom would benefit from such a group.

Dana

When Karen first suggested that I join her Mom and Baby group, I was so excited:)  I knew a couple of the mamas who planned to also join however the majority of them I had never met.  I was a little curious about what the dynamic of the group was going to be like…as we all know having your first child is an overwhelming experience, and all us mamas have strong opinions on what is best for our babes.  I can honestly say that I could not have joined a more wonderful group of women.  At no point in our several months together was anyone ever anything but supportive, helpful, kind and understanding.  Karen was great at providing a very safe and welcoming environment, and she always had great group discussion topics….not that we were ever at a loss for things to talk about!  I am so thankful that I joined the group.  We’ve all become great friends, and we continue to get together on a weekly basis.  It’s so fabulous to have nine other women a text or email away who “get it”.  It’s also fascinating to watch all the babes grow and develop and to see how they interact with one another as they get older and more mobile.  I highly recommend this group to any Mom, especially a first-time Mom.  Chances are you will consider it one of the best things you ever did with your new babe:)

Andrea