Second Nature Childbirth and Lactation

These quotes were taken from the anonymous 

end of class evaluations.

Thank you for making us feel empowered about the birthing process and that it is a natural thing to go through, knowing what to expect and being prepared for the pain management and support from our husbands and birthing team. Wonderful class!!

I really enjoyed trying out several different positions to not only see what felt right to me but to know what may or may not feel right to me in labor. I learned new tools and positions I didn't know about!

As a VBAC candidate, I have received the support I could not receive anywhere else. All of the information has been extremely helpful as one can easily think that after giving birth once, you are a pro and there's no need for another birth class. Much has been forgotten, but my instructor and fellow classmates help me to remember the things I actually forgot to do during my first birth.

I feel empowered to have a great birth! Thank you.

Wonderful class. We learned so learned so much more then we expected and our anxiety levels were lowered!

We are ready to become parents!

It was very interactive with a lot of nice visual aids. There wasn't a topic I didn't enjoy.

Karissa is an amazing teacher and has the heart needed to teach about such an amazing experience.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. Not only is it helpful to the birth mother but also to her partner. It has opened up the communication lines between my partner and I regarding the birthing process. It has also taken the "fear" and "unknown" aspect out of the birthing process. Thank you!

 Click Here to Read an Interview from WRAL's Go Ask Mom

These quotes were taken from the anonymous evaluations from Patients

My appointment was great. There is no substitute for having a knowledgeable person actually watching the breastfeeding process. Karissa answered all my questions... and just generally reassured me that I was doing a fine job!

....Karissa was knowledgeable, informative, attentive, and supportive. She is awesome... Personally I feel most mothers, especially new moms, give up too quickly. They all should see her! Thank you Karissa!

Karissa was wonderful & supportive & I would recommend her to anyone.

Karissa was very pleasant to work with and provided calm, soothing encouragement and great advice to help me get past my initial nursing problems. My son had difficulty latching, and I had a lot of pain for the first month or so. I was extremely discouraged and didn't know what to do. Having this support was fantastic...

Karissa was wonderful. My baby was born pre-term and spent his first week of life in a NICU where I wasn't allowed to touch or hold him most of the time. When I got home and wasn't producing enough milk for him to gain weight, my stress level went through the roof. Karissa helped reassure me that I was "doing all the right things." After putting my mind to rest and giving me some helpful tips, the milk started flowing! We have been happily breastfeeding for 3 months now.

I was very happy with my visits with Karissa. I felt she was knowledgeable, understood what I was trying to explain with my issues, and provided good feedback and help for me. I really think her help has helped with my breastfeeding and I wish she had been around when I had my first child!  

 "Your help and support during my labor made all of the difference. You helped me achieve something that I had never dreamed I could do! We not only have this wonderful little guy as part of our family, but I now have an awesome birth story. You are a wonderful doula!" – Sarah S.

“We loved having you with us during our birthing experience, you were very kind, gentle, generous and a loving and calm presence.”- Jessica K.

"Karissa was excellent! I'm so glad she was our doula. My daughter's birth went better than I could have expected!" - Krystle M

"My husband and I had taken and in depth birth class, and felt completely prepared, but there were things that came up during my birth were not "in my birth plan" Karissa was so comforting and so encouraging. She was so creative in finding positions to help comfort me. When it came time to push Karissa was the reason I was able to stay focus and she had great ideas on ways for me to maximize my energy when pushing. My husband was fearful that having a Doula would eliminate his role, but Karissa told him things to do so that he was involved and he had confidence in what he was doing. After our baby was born she captured pictures and helped our baby latch right away to promote breastfeeding... She just made the day so perfect and I look back on my birth with such joy because of her." - Elizabeth H.


"Karissa is a gift! She is passionate about supporting women through the amazing and challenging experiences of labor and childbirth. In addition to her vast knowledgable about the science of labor and of women's bodies, she also has a deep wisdom for knowing women. Throughout my labor process, Karissa was there at every twist and turn of labor. She knew exactly where to place pillows when I laid on my side during contractions. She made sure I kept hydrated and fueled by getting me drinks she feeding me fruit and snacks. She held my hands when I was in transition and supported me in every way. Karissa was a gentle, yet sturdy force throughout my entire labor and delivery. And, what was exactly what I needed. She exudes a warmth and compassion that puts you at ease. She also has a fantastic sense of humor that came in handy at just the right times! Funny things happen--yes, even during labor! I absolutely adore Karissa and am inspired by her commitment to supporting women throughout labor, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Once is a while you meet someone, like Karissa, who has found their true calling in life. When this happens, it is a beautiful and powerful thing. And to be at the receiving end of that is just the best gift ever! Karissa was my advocate, my teacher, and my support. I am so incredibly grateful that she was my doula." - Kris M.