Hi, I’m Kathy O’Brien
.
I am overjoyed to provide one on one early parenting, All Natural Childbirth Education, breastfeeding support. Placenta Encapsulation, & education as a Doula and Hypnobabies Childbirth Instructor.
In my vocation as a Doula, I am proud to have served over 1,600 families.
I was trained by Maryls Spikes & Linda Worzer. Many of the first births I attended were as a volunteer in the Labor Companion Program at Peter Smith Hospital. I was trained by Marlys Spikes during her time at JPSH, and it was here that I met Kathleen Donaldson, the fearless leader of the Texas Health Midwives.
I now serve in birth with families of singletons, twins and triplets, am experienced with preemies & special needs- Down Syndrome, Autism, Hydro & Micro Cephally, CAH, failure to thrive, SUA & Postpartum Depression as well as many other issues including nursing issues & lip/tongue-tie trained.
I am the founder of Doulas of Tarrant County (DOTC), and have been an advisor toThe Fort Worth/Dallas Birthing Project. I have been published in the International Doula and have provided photographs for several nonprofit publications. I have spent time as a New Lives and Fort Worth/Dallas Birthing Project Supporter/volunteer.
I work to educate, and support fully Informed Consent and Refusal, CIMS, the Patient Bill of Rights, lecture, speak, teach and inservice by appointment as well as make referrals to Doulas, Midwives, Doctors, Hospitals, Birth Centers and Services in our community.
I am fortunate to have met and learned from:
Kerry Tuschoff , Founder of Hypnobabies:)
Ina May Gaskin , THE American Midwife:)
Penny Simkin, co founder of Doulas International with DONA:
So many others, Home Birth Midwives, Birth Center Midwives and The ACCLAIM Midwives)
My Story
Originally from San Diego CA, I moved to Fort Worth and began work at the Fort Worth State School for the Mentally Retarded.
It was here that I met my beloved life partner, Danny O’brien. We immediately began a lifelong collaboration of working with families as we shared a basic Humanitarian Philosophy.
Danny was an artist whose chosen medium was digital & graphic arts. We both loved capturing people together and the bonds between them. He focused on the therapeutic value of..."Picturing People Well".
Danny and I share photographic artistic endeavors. The value of "Picturing People Well" has led to: Bonding Photography and The NIN Project-Nursing "IS" Normal.
Something I consider to be the ultimate in beauty IS bonding. Together we used the term "Bonding Photography" to describe the profound, visible and possible connections between parent and child.
We later had our first child together, Ian Matthew, born naturally, at home, but prematurely. Our experience led Ian to (faith never wavered) 6 weeks in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) at John Peter Smith Hospital. We received prayers and masses from around the world. Thanks to the efforts of Dr.’s Dr. Nelms & Schwartz, Ian came home to us the day after Christmas.
Our second miracle, our daughter (Kami) was born just 10 and 1/2 months later, completely natural, no monitors or saline nor iv, she was well and less premature, delivered in the Birthing Room pilot program at Harris Methodist Hospital by invitation of Dr. John Jeffers. Kami stayed 11 days in Harris NICU, and I returned around the clock to nurse her.
Both of our babies were breastfed and as part of a Preemie study were followed by the Child Study Center for 2 years. Although I nursed them of my own desire to do so and not as long as I hoped.
My skills learned from caring for my 4 siblings in a single parent home and commitment to strong family health has allowed me to focus on our family including 5th-8th grade Calvert home schooling with Ian and Kami.
Ian and Kami have been gifts beyond measure in our lives, and are now happy thriving adults. Danny has since passed, however his impact on our family, and all of the families we’ve worked with will always remain.
I continue to be fully committed to providing support and services to families in my vocation as a Doula.