"Steffanie was the most incredible source of support and encouragement before, during, and after the birthing process. I knew I wanted a doula to help guide me and my husband through a natural birth. Steffanie educated us on the different procedures, birthing techniques, and research we needed to do to feel comfortable and at ease. She provided us with an extensive amount of resources so that we could make informed decisions during labor. She also helped prepare us for life after birth. I can honestly say my transition to postpartum was a positive one thanks to Steffanie. I can’t and DON’T want to imagine what our birthing journey would have looked like without her by our side. My labor was slow and steady for four days. Steffanie was calm, confident, and reassuring throughout the entire process. She came to our house not once but TWICE to help me through contractions and be a voice of reason. She provided hands-on support which allowed my husband to provide even more emotional and physical support over the next few days. Because of her knowledge and previous experience, I felt empowered, not panicked when we had to make a decision to move to a low intervention room and start Pitocin. Steffanie believed in me and gave me the confidence I needed to trust my body and the journey. I will never forget her voice reminding me that I had the strength inside to continue even after 39 hours. She provided so much comfort during what were some of the hardest moments of my life. Not to mention snacks, a sound machine, essential oils, and so many different birthing techniques that helped induce and support my labor. I can honestly say that Steffanie shares a special place in my heart when I think of my son’s birth. My husband and I are forever grateful!"
"Steffanie was a tremendous help to me in delivering my baby at a hospital during the pandemic. I had so much anxiety leading up to the arrival of my baby in such unprecedented circumstances. Having Steffanie to speak to in the weeks before labor, and having her there in my corner during labor, brought me such relief. Her calm presence, experience, and her shared philosophy on childbirth gave me confidence and allowed me to concentrate on my body and my baby. I could breathe just a little easier, knowing that my husband had an extra, objective pair of eyes and ears there in a hospital setting that I wasn't sure would be friendly to my more natural-leaning preferences. In the weeks and days leading up to my labor, Steffanie was always available and responsive. She had various possible remedies for me in anticipation of any discomfort. She gave me ongoing advice in the two weeks of waiting beyond my due date; suggestions to get labor started naturally, which eventually *did* work, helping me to avoid a dreaded medical induction. More than anything, though, I felt so much better to have her to turn to in my anxieties. With Steffanie's moral support, my second baby's delivery was a night-and-day difference from the difficulty (and you could even say trauma) of my first baby's delivery. I would not hesitate to recommend her to any mother seeking support in bringing her baby into the world."
Having Steffanie with us took so much pressure off my husband. It let him be my emotional support without any expectations about knowing all the aspects of labor & birth. He said it helped even early in the pregnancy, because he didn't have that pressure and knew Steffanie would support both of us as a team. Steffanie also was able to talk to us about different aspects of laboring in the hospital. We had planned a home birth so there were some aspects we weren't prepared for.
My birth was the exact opposite of my plan because of complications. Through all the changes Steffanie was a great resource and super supportive. All the rules for doulas seem different with hospitals because of the corona virus, and she navigated them well. She came up to the hospital when we asked and stayed for about 23 hours(without a good place to sleep). She helped me through 14 hours of active labor. Steffanie brought so many things that helped me but I hadn't brought with me(since we weren't expecting to labor in a hospital). She finally had a chance to take a break and go home, and like 2 hours later things changed and I needed a c-section. We asked her to could come back up to the hospital to help us get settled after the c-section. Steffanie went above and beyond and came back very quickly so she could make sure we were prepared before they took me back for the c-section. Steffanie has also been amazing postpartum. She knows so great resources for newborns. I needed to work with a lactation consultant, and Steffanie referred us to a great one. Same for a chiropractor."
Julie 5/2020
"We were so happy we hired Steffanie! I was planning a vbac and Steffanie was always there with tips and recommendations for all my questions. She helped put my mind at ease, even when things changed right after we hired her and hospitals went on lockdown due to covid. When labor began she was quick to respond and talk us through things. Throughout labor she took turns with my wife rubbing my back and doing whatever I need for relief and talking me through the contractions. I had a long difficult labor with baby not moving, but Steffanie was there with her books out looking for the next move to try. When there were decisions to be made, she was there to talk it through with us and help us think of things that we were too exhausted and overwhelmed to think of ourselves. She is professional and knows her stuff, but also fit right into our family. We definitely recommend hiring her "
"I had a wonderful experience hiring Steffanie as my doula. An awesome perk in hiring her is the wealth of information she has at her fingertips and shares with pregnant moms to have a healthy pregnancy and birth! It was also important to me to have someone who knows a bit of homeopathy, which I found in Steffanie. If I ever had a question at any time, she got back to me within the day. I gave birth during the tumultuous time of April 2020 when the hospital rules changed every week. Steffanie worked extra with my husband and me in case she was kept out of the hospital, and was ready to be available by phone/zoom. Thankfully, the hospital did end up letting both husband and doula in my labor room. She was there for me the entire time while laboring, actively holding a heating pad to my back and giving me encouraging words. Once baby was finally born, she stayed until baby and I were ready for a nap. Steffanie kept in touch via text to make sure all was still going well. A few weeks later, after husband went back to work, she came over to help with whatever I needed her to do: make lunch, clean, hold baby so I could do what I needed, etc. I would use Steffanie again in a heartbeat, and highly recommend her to another expectant mother!"
"Stephanie was wonderful for the birth of my third child! She came to our house multiple times to go over information and birthing techniques and I felt very comfortable with her. My daughter ended up coming extremely quickly, she was born in the car on the way to the hospital! Stephanie stayed with us at the hospital for several hours to make sure we got settled properly and even helped my husband bring in our bags! Once we returned home Stephanie came to visit us twice and brought me some delicious postpartum healing stew. I am so grateful to have had her help and expertise during my third pregnancy and birth. If anyone is on the fence about hiring a Doula I highly recommend it! The techniques that she taught myself and my husband I firmly believe helped my labor to go quickly and my daughter be born safely without medication. I had a C-section with my second child, and was bound and determined to have a VBAC with my third, and Stephanie helped me achieve that goal!"
"Would highly recommend hiring Steffanie for your doula! She was warm, caring and available. She was a great resource and a wealth of information. Being pregnant and having a baby is a huge, life changing process and having someone experienced to help you is invaluable. Steffanie was also great during the postpartum period, to have someone to help process your labor and delivery. Would definitely recommend her!"
Bretlyn 10/2019
"Steffanie was amazing from first phone call to day-of delivery. She was thoughtful, attentive, crazy knowledgeable, and strove to make both my husband and I as comfortable and supported as possible leading up to and day of my birth. I remember my husband initially saying something like "but aren't I the doula"? And he being afraid his place would be taken, but that couldn't have been farther from the truth. She worked to make him feel empowered to support me and had a natural sense of when to step in and lead in giving me the support I needed. She was an invaluable & trusted resource & she definitely went above and beyond - case and point, she stood practically in the shower, shoes & pants completely soaked as I labored in there for hours. She's the best. Do it!"
"My life changed when I started working with Steffanie. I reached out to her after I struggled through my first pregnancy/delivery. I wish I had known about her before my first because she made my second pregnancy so much more enjoyable. She helped me get in touch with my pregnant self, learn about how to stay on top of exercise and nutrition while working and caring for my first baby, and best of all, she helped my delivery to be so smooth, fast, and easy... nothing like the first. She even checked on me after delivery, helped with breastfeeding, and resolved other random health issues. I still use the nutrition and exercise habits that she helped to instill in me. She was an amazing resource, and I wish everyone knew how she can change their lives during pregnancy. Steffanie was very responsive, checked on me from time to time, and was so helpful to my family who wanted to be involved as well. I highly recommend her!"
"We hired Steffanie to be our doula for our fourth birth and third home birth. That was the first birth I used a doula for and I wish I could go back and do all of them with her. She is an incredible doula from the very start with loaning me books to read and our first visit making us all feel so comfortable! During the birth she was amazing at making sure I always had something to eat and drink. She was wonderful with my children and giving them ways they could help support me during labor. She was an absolutely vital part of my birth team. I highly recommend her to anyone who is pregnant because support people are crucial to labor and delivery."
Brittany 8/2018
"My husband and I are so pleased with our decision to hire Steffanie! Steffanie was so caring and professional during our work with her. We saw her for two prenatal appointments, during which she helped us feel prepared for labor and delivery. When we found out that I was going to be induced, Steffanie checked-in with us frequently, offering her support whenever we wanted it. Steffanie came quickly when we asked her to, and was with us until about 2 hours after our baby girl was born. My husband, especially, was so grateful that Steffanie was there during labor and delivery and felt that he had support and a teammate during the process. Steffanie answered questions throughout and offered reassurance when the birth did not go as we planned. She did a great job of sharing a calming presence, offering resources, and anticipating our needs. We cannot recommend Steffanie enough!"
Sarah 3/2018
"As a first time mom I made a lot of preparations for our new baby. We poured over reviews of the best car seats, the most fitting doctor, choosing diapers and everything in between. The absolute best choice that I made during that time was enlisting Steffanie in the early weeks of my pregnancy. Steffanie helped my nervous husband and myself to be more confident and educated in the birth that we desired. She answered every single one of my questions during my pregnancy and followed up after the baby was born. My birth experience was not exactly the birth that I had imagined but Steffanie was there with us for 35+ hours plus several hours the week before during a failed induction. Without the calm, confident and educated support of Steffanie I certainly would have found myself feeling anxious and out of control. I can't even express how thankful I am for Steffanie's help and guidance. My husband's advice to his brothers following the long few days were spot on: "hire a doula." Thank you Steffanie"
"Steffanie is a wonderful lady to work with. She is caring, empathetic, peaceful, understanding, and thoughtful just to name a few. I was hesitant at first to hire a doula but once I met Steffanie i knew that she was a perfect match and having a doula was just what i needed. She always went above and beyond for myself and my family to make my pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experience wonderful.
I could write more than 2000 characters about Steffanie, so I am sure I have missed something. I can assure you that she is a great choice and will not leave you dissappointed at any point in your journey.
If you choose her package that includes food, you will not be upset, because her cooking is amazing and you'll have plenty to last! She is very thoughtful when she cooks and takes all allergies, restrictions, or dislikes into consideration. My very picky spouse even thought her food was amazing! She has a wealth of knowledge from education and experience. If she doesn't know the answer, she will find out for you in a timely manner. Her library that she makes available to her clients is wonderful. I was provided with many great resources during and after my pregnancy. She is also very punctual. She was at the hospital awaiting my arrival when i was in labor. I didn't have to worry about if she would make it, when she would show up, etc. When i arrived at the hospital she was already there waiting and prepared. She encouraged me to speak up when my nurse tried to stray away from my birth plan. She also provided many suggestions that in the moment i didn't think of."
"When my husband and I interviewed Steffanie, we asked her why she’d chosen to become a doula. Her passion for this calling to help women access their own power during birth and to help families navigate unfamiliar medical environments was clear, and we knew we’d found our doula.Steffanie has a calm and grounding presence, and seemingly infinite patience — just the energy needed during labor and birth. She stuck with us for a whole day of laboring through unexpected twists and turns, first at our home in the wee hours of the morning, then at Mercy Birthing Center, and finally at the hospital. She didn’t leave us until we were settled into our recovery room for the night. Our baby was not in the optimal position for birth, and her suggestions for positioning, informed by recent Spinning Babies training, were spot on and helpful. Not only did we have complete confidence in Steffanie throughout, but our midwives clearly respected her professional opinion, and conferred with her on several occasions.Caring, empathetic, and knowledgeable, Steffanie is just the person to guide you on the path to new motherhood. I appreciated her periodic check-ins during late pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as the sweet and unexpected “extras” — a jar of homemade elderberry syrup and a beautifully written account of our birth — that she offered. If/when we have another baby, we will call upon her services again without hesitation (though I expect that word will travel and her schedule will be quite full by then)!"
"Steffanie Thomas is great! So glad she was able to be there for my first birth and will definitely hire her in the future. All her knowledge alone with particular items and the network she is a part of is worth having her as a doula. The support she offers is incredible. She definitely got my husband and I prepared with a birth plan and other items I wasn't prepared for. The evening of my labor she told me to let her know whenever I needed her at my house and she would be there and was. I believe that because of her help and support I was able to do most of my laboring in the comfort of my home. By her being there it allowed my husband to get a nap in and more pressure to be applied to my back when needed. It also gave us another perspective on things to help us not rush to the birthing center when it wasn't needed. It was also great that she wrote the birth story and took pictures of the birth as well. Even though she provided us with all the wonderful things in her package she is helpful in nature and went above and beyond when she did not have to. I was blessed to have her be apart of this time in our lives. Look forward to working with her in the future. "
"We had our baby yesterday, so I guess the fact that I'm writing this just a day later emphasizes how happy we were with her doula services. We were preparing for a natural water birth at a birth center, but ended up needing an emergency induction at 36+4 weeks. Steffanie was the glue that held us together, and comforted and motivated me day and night for over 30 hours as we faced complications and changing plans during the birth. I cannot recommend her highly enough!! She is prepared, positive, uplifting, personal, caring and a great professional. She truly has the heart of a servant and will focus on you and your support team, so that you can focus on the task at hand - having a healthy baby. You cannot go wrong with her!!"
"Steffanie was an amazing addition to my Birth experience. She was my doula for my third baby, which was a VBAC. She really helped me through any fears I had since having a c-section prior. She was there for me my entire pregnancy. She always helped answer any questions I had and if she didn't know the answer she researched it for me. She helped us have a smooth pregnancy & delivery. Steffanie never hesitated to help me when I sent her a message. She is absolutely wonderful and helped easy any worries of mine. I highly recommend her as a doula!"
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