This was my wife’s and my first child, and her goal was to go as natural as possible with no epidural. We tried several different ways on our own to try to make progress with the labor but were not successful. When Karen Kleather came in, she could tell we were overwhelmed, and she was able to provide several different suggestions to help us. She also showed me how to help with counter pressure and how to keep my wife comfortable. She was respectful of our desire to be “all natural” and talked us through every hand touch.

Karen quickly became one of my wife’s biggest cheerleaders. Even after her shift ended, Karen stayed for an extra 90 minutes to continue encouraging my wife and me through her final pushing. She never left until the baby came safely into the world. Karen did a wonderful job of educating and encouraging us. She displayed a level of care and empathy that deserves more than the “thank you” she received as she left our room.