Meet Kate Soloff | Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Soloff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, what principle do you value most?
The most important principle to me when it comes to birth work is meeting people where they are in their journey. Everyone is different, coming from different backgrounds, having their own birth preferences and parenting styles. My job as a doula who supports folks in birth and postpartum is to provide judgement free care and meet the families with compassion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am Doula K8, a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, Bodyfeeding Counselor, and Integrative Lactation Feeding Specialist. My partner, Morgan and I live in Flatbush with our toddler, Clem and my fur-baby, Gus. I got into the birth world right at the start of the pandemic. I literally signed up for my courses on March 6, 2020. I wanted to get into a new path professionally and had been bartending and producing comedy shows. I feel like the service industry and being a comedic improviser are incredibly influential on my practice. I find anticipating folks’ needs, listening and levity to be wonderful tools to use in the birth world!

I attended my first birth before my training and was fascinated by the birth process.I was eager to learn more and figure out a way that I could best support birthing people and their growing families. I took online courses and then joined up with Manhattan Birth, my mentorship program. The folks at MB are incredible! They share the values I do in supporting families of all types and meeting folks where they are in their journey. I learned so much by joining this community and continue to use that knowledge when I support folks in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

After training, I supported births whenever I could get a chance: pro bono clients, friends/family, last minute back-up for someone else, or working with one of the four doula agencies I joined. Along with my friend and doula partner, Jessica Apfel, I have supported many families over the past year.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love those Williamsburg bars like the Rockarolla bar and the Levee! In my neighborhood, I love the Rusty Nail. I would go to either The Color Factory, The Natural History Museum or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with a friend who wanted to enjoy the city. For dinner, I would say my old stomping grounds, The Hudson Hound located in the West Village. Then perhaps traipse over to Chelsea market and walk the high-line in true tourist fashion. Maybe check out a comedy show over at the PIT or The Improv Asylum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my growth in the doula community to:

– amazing partner, Morgan
– my sweet babies, Clementine and Gus
-my family, especially my mom and big sister Celia, for always helping us out
-my mentorship from the wonderful folks at Manhattan Birth
-my friends, including the wonderful doulas I’ve met along the way who doula me and back me up. Looking at you, Jess & Miranda!

Without this village of mine, I wouldn’t be able to support so many families in their journey from pregnancy to parenthood.

Website: doulak8.com

Instagram: @doulak8