From Emily M~

If ever the life experiences of one person have come together to create the ideal birth doula, it has happened in Kacy Harker. She brings together the patience of an educator who has taught the most demanding students there are, the nurturing and love of a mother who has guided her children through joyful times and extraordinary challenges, the sense of humor of a sister from a big family, and the compassion of a friend who has very likely experienced everything on the birth spectrum. Having known all these things about Kacy for a long time, I knew she would be the right support person for me and my husband as we prepared for our second child to be born, but the way Kacy showed up on the day of his birth still awes me. Like her, I'd had a really rough go-round with the birth of my first, and I drew so much confidence and inspiration from the story of how differently birth happened for Kacy the second time. Admittedly I had my goals and hopes for my second labor, and Kacy held those intentions with me, but I knew that she would be an empowering, judgement-free presence no matter how things went. It just felt so important to me that the woman supporting me knew where I was coming from, and what I was overcoming after my first experience. 

Kacy communicated regularly with us, helping me stay calm and patient as my pregnancy went nearly two weeks late, and she was at the birth center in the blink of an eye when my labor came on quickly. I will always recall vividly the physical strength and total confidence Kacy brought into the room with her. While the waves of labor felt like they might drown me, I clung to her, buried my head in her shoulder, searched her eyes for reassurance, let her hold me up. She never wavered, she guided me to focus my energy and deepen my vocalizations, and said only what I really needed to hear, using affirmative language and strategies from my hypnobirthing preparation. Kacy wove herself into the fabric of that moment in a way that let me, my husband, my midwives and nurse all do exactly what was needed to birth our boy. She even somehow managed to film the first moment I held my son, drawn up out of the water onto my chest, me red-faced and laughing hysterically with relief and joy. Kacy was right where I needed her in those moments of euphoria, and she was also right there holding my hand and my gaze, keeping me breathing and relaxing as much as I could during the unglamorous aftermath of delivery when I needed my midwives' care. At every turn, I felt so praised, so loved, so empowered by Kacy, and I cannot recommend her highly enough to any woman giving herself the gift of a birth doula's support. Kacy has been there. She has come out on the other side, and she will bring you there, too.  

(You can read the full story of Sebastian's birth here: http://womensbirthandwellness.blogspot.com/2016/07/sebastians-birth.html)

From Sarah B~

Kacy was one of the family from the very beginning. She helped my husband and I to be realistic in thinking about the birth of our son in providing some great resources as we prepared. When I went in to labor she was by my side for days. Even though I had an extremely long labor, she was there and present for each moment. Her strength and dedication was felt through the entire process. She was such an integral part of our birth story that I can not speak highly enough of her as our doula! Kacy worked tirelessly to make sure that I was supported at all times. I was able to birth confidently because of her support. I will forever be grateful for her dedication, love, strength, and humor during such an incredible time!

From Conor H~

On a Thursday we went to the hospital, and on a Monday we had a son. As a first time dad, the experience was unanticipated. Trying. Magnificent. It was as emotionally rich as anything in my life. And equal to the admiration I have for my wife is my gratitude for Kacy Harker

I didn't know what to expect. And through every moment of labor and delivery, Kacy was not only with my wife providing care and guidance as no other could, but also with me, providing care and guidance as no other could. She's an extraordinary human being. Talented and skilled as a doula in all the ways one could hope for. But more than that, and most importantly to me, she's the person I choose now and forevermore to greet my children as they arrive in this world. I don't conclude that lightly, or with any reservation. She is our person. 

So if you are wondering if she is right for you in this life experience, if there is any doubt in your mind, please call me. I can only hope you make the same decision we did to invite Kacy into the most intimate and important of our life experiences. And to the soon-to-be dad's who read this...you will have nothing but gratitude in your heart and relief in your mind to have this woman with you through labor and the arrival of your child into this world. 

Hillary P~

Kacy was my rock during pregnancy and labor. The only person I knew in North Carolina was my husband. Kacy stepped into the doula and friend role. She met with me/us multiple times before my due date. We talked about all things pregnancy and birth. She answered all my crazy questions and eased my mind, more than once. My labor moved quickly, at first. She willingly came to my house and lasted through, what ended up being, a long labor. We started at my home, made our way to the birth center, and then transferred to the hospital. Through all of this, she only left my side twice. Once for the transfer, once for coffee.

Throughout my labor, she massaged my back and feet. She poured water down my back while I labored in a tub. Talked me through intense contractions. Calmed me every time I wanted to give up. She held my legs up through each contraction, for three and a half hours. She held my hand as I sobbed when they had to take my baby away from me after he was born. Her words were kind and her touch was gentle.  She stayed until I was ready for her to go. She showed up and gave her all every minute of my long labor. She was my best friend during labor.