TESTIMONIALS
Words from clients who have worked with me along the way…
Birth Support / Postnatal Support Testimonials
Dear Stephanie, it’s difficult to express my gratitude to you for transforming my childbirth experience into such a positive and loving event.
I was initially so unsure about having a doula, and my prenatal anxiety made it hard for me to deal with the pregnancy and the prospect of birth. Your support was exactly what I needed throughout the process of bringing my son into the world. From the first session to the final check-in, your wisdom and attentiveness were invaluable. You are so warm, caring and knowledgeable, but what was so meaningful to me was how you really took the time to understand my hesitations and preferences so that you could meet me where I was at throughout the process. You brought gentleness and fun to each of our sessions, and were such a source of comfort, reassurance and friendship from the first contraction onwards. Despite a long labour and some initial breathing difficulties for our baby, it was an immensely positive experience.
I’m now a total evangelist for doulas in general and for you in particular, and I would encourage all future parents to snap you up quickly!
Thanks so much Steph!
The photos are beautiful and so nice to have as memories to look back on!
Thank you again for all you did and for supporting us to have not only one but two beautiful and empowering births. The work you do is incredible and invaluable! Hearing others’ birth stories, we are so grateful to have had you at our births to keep us calm and help navigate and create such a positive experience. Everyone should have a ‘Steph’ at their birth. Thank you!!!
I don’t even know where to start with how integral Steph was for the smooth and successful birth of our daughter.
After a traumatic birth with our first child, we were referred to Steph by our lactation consultant. From the get go she was patient, warm, practical and understanding. Steph walked us through all the steps of preparing mentally for a spontaneous labour and vaginal birth, listened and provided the calming, pragmatic presence I needed as a mother, and my partner needed as a co-birth partner. She helped us create a birth plan to suit our goals and helped us navigate through the hospital system with knowledge and confidence.
When I went into labour, Steph arrived to the hospital at the same time, she helped me to avoid all drugs and advocate my needs and wants to the midwives so I could focus purely on getting through my labour. With Steph’s presence, my partner was able to fully focus on being an emotional support and dissolved his anxiety surrounding the birth process. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through my labour without pain medication without Steph, and I will be forever thankful for her kindness, knowledge and confidence in the birthing space.
We are recommending her to all of our friends who fall pregnant from now on!
One of the best things Stephanie provided for me and my partner was a sense of confidence. I was quite fearful about the whole experience of birth and a little vague about what was important to me, what information we might need, and how to make decisions… Stephanie instilled in both of us this very real sense that we didn’t need to be fearful, and that we could undergo the experience of birth in a way that worked for us. This work began in our preparatory conversations before the birth, when Stephanie was so generous with her time and knowledge. Then throughout the long days of my early labour, in the moments of overwhelm when we were having to interpret information and make decisions in between contractions, right up to and beyond the moment our little son slid into the world and started crying, Stephanie was a calm, smiling, experienced, confident presence, offering relief of all different kinds. It made an enormous contribution to our experience of the birth as positive and as an achievement I felt proud about. We’re so grateful to Stephanie for all she did for us and will remember it for the rest of our lives.
We are grateful you were able to be with us at the birth of our daughter… Your guidance and support when we were at our most vulnerable allowed us to achieve our birthing goals with confidence.
Spending 27 hours with us during a challenging labour really did have a profound impact on our experience. At our lowest ebb, when all excitement and enthusiasm was diminished, you helped us rebuild energy with positivity and encouragement, and we don’t know how we would have managed without you. You allowed us to breathe, weren’t at all over-bearing but still intimately involved and we worked so well as a team of 3 that we don’t see how we would have done it otherwise. You filled in many of our knowledge blanks in the many sessions we shared before the birth that when it did come time to go to the hospital, we felt condiment and prepared, unlike many we met at the hospital.
We would not hesitate in having you to help us achieve our birthing goals again in the future.
Bittersweet emotions right now not wanting to part ways with you.
I am forever grateful for you… Thank you for everything you have done for us and for holding a safe and loving space for me to birth my daughter.
We have truly enjoyed your postnatal visits, with your relaxed, calm manner, empathy, kindness and encouragement… and your advice has been so helpful.
It has been so easy and comfortable to have you in our home. You’re really fabulous at what you do.
You send the best text messages Stephanie!
It felt so supportive to receive your consistent check-in’s between the in-person sessions, throughout our time together.
Steph is extremely kind, attentive, and present. No question is too much, and she asks you and your partner the questions you need to ask yourself. It felt so amazing to be so seen and heard through a vulnerable and new time.
I gave birth in the private system with a private OB and if I had my time over would make different choices but was able to navigate the system and some hard conversations with Steph’s support and guidance.
Not only did Steph support our birth but she helped my desire for education and self-care with resources, links, podcast and book recommendations as well as physical support for a sore pelvis and back. As my first pregnancy I felt reassured that her experience and expertise was pointing me in the right direction, and I didn’t have to sift through things.
At the birth Steph was amazing as she was so intuitive and supported me without having to ask me what I needed. I recall so many times looking at her for reassurance over any other person in the room. And then post birth I remember how caring and kind Steph was, medical staff rushing around Steph looked out for me with a tea, snack and much needed shower. Things you just don’t even think of.
Post birth Steph was checking in, supporting our transition as parents, and encouraging us that we were doing a good job even when we felt like we were drowning.
At our 6 week visit the close out ceremony was so personal and special to acknowledge such a huge life transition physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was the missing piece for my journey, and I left feeling so grateful, grounded and whole.
You are making a great decision to have Steph support you and I didn’t want our time together to end.
We planned to birth at the Mercy birth centre with a Midwifery Group Practice midwife and we were hoping to stay at home for most of the labour and “come in pushing”, as our midwife said. I realise in retrospect that Steph had empowered Phil and I to manage the birth in our own way and own time at home, which was such a gift. We spent two days and nights labouring after my waters broke on my due date and navigated each moment together, with Phil helping me rest, breath, wee, eat, vocalise and stay active, even as those things became harder and harder. Steph was available the whole time, texting Phil and talking to me on the phone, but we didn’t feel we needed in person support just yet. On the second night, after a particularly intense wave of contractions and vomiting, I was feeling defeated and told Phil there were no more positions that would work. Steph came around soon after. I wasn’t able to cope with physical touch from anyone, but her presence, sitting next to me, witnessing my labour, was profoundly calming. With her help I eventually got into a side-lying position that helped me rest between contractions. I was so calm by this point I think we all thought the labour would continue a lot longer, but it actually ended up being the position that helped my daughter descend through my pelvis – ie. the pushing phase! Not long after she was crowning on our bed at home, at which point our midwife told us over the phone to come to the hospital and call an ambulance. The ambulance met us on a side street halfway to the hospital and our daughter was born in the back seat of the car, healthy and alert, delivered by the paramedic. Steph amazingly was at the hospital entrance when I arrived on the stretcher and was by my side for the next five hours, creating a protective and loving bubble around us and our baby, even during the hemorrhage and code pink that followed. It was actions like that which turned a potentially traumatic experience into one in which I felt held, honoured, even humourous at times. After the third stage was over, we had three “golden” hours with our baby in the birth suite. Steph helped wash me, brought tea and snacks and listened to our excited accounts of the birth.
Another thing I’ve realised is how beautiful it is to have someone to tell your story to, someone invested, and Stephanie provided that throughout our preparation, in the hospital and each time she visited in the weeks that followed. Birth and postnatal life were such intimate and intense experiences and ones that I was so glad Stephanie was a part of. I’m in awe of anyone who can work with birthing people the way she does, with so much generosity, adaptability and skill. She was able to give us confidence in the lead up, comfort during the labour and closure in the aftermath. She was there exactly when we needed her.
After an emergency c-section with my first child in 2019 due to failing to progress from a suspected narrow pelvis, my desire to attempt a VBAC was clouded by doubt and worry.
From the moment I met Stephanie she had a sense of warmth and kindness about her. She provided me with valuable information, gentle exercise and meditation techniques and most importantly the confidence boost I needed.
During my labour, Stephanie could expertly read my body language as to what techniques and positions were working for me and she would make gentle suggestions to help guide baby down.
With Stephanie’s help, I achieved my VBAC on the 24th April 2022!
Her postpartum care was second to none, I felt so cared for and could debrief the labour and birth with any questions I had. The follow up texts and calls were much appreciated in the weeks post birth, it was nice knowing someone was checking in on me also ❤️
Thanks Stephanie 🌼
During our sessions, Stephanie gave us all the information without overwhelming us, never watched the clock (sometimes I had to tell her time had run over) and answered all our questions with ease. Outside of the sessions, Stephanie regularly checked in to see how we were going.
Because of restrictions, we didn’t know if Stephanie would be able to be at the birth, but a change last minute meant that she could be. The sessions with Stephanie had prepared my husband so well, he was the best support partner, but we both felt so much better having Steph with us on the day.
The birth didn’t quite go to plan but we both felt with Stephanie’s guidance, I gave it my absolute best and exhausted all options, and as a result I am very at peace with my birth experience.
If we go down the route of having another child, I wouldn’t hesitate having Stephanie as our doula again.
(Excerpt*)
Stephanie flexibly and generously availed herself, offering to stay in our home overnight, as she noted our conundrum regarding the hospital room not having space for my partner as well.
This was a tremendous support, and we recommend an overnight stay to everyone who employs Stephanie. Never have we felt less qualified, arriving home as a 1st time parents with a fresh newborn!
Having Steph around that first night helped me feed colostrum, and allowed my partner and I to catch up on much missed sleep, while she stayed awake to soothe our crying baby.
*Rebecca and Hamish’s complete birth story is located here.
I cannot recommend Stephanie highly enough.
When looking for a doula to be our second support person during the birth of our daughter we wanted someone with lots of experience, a motherly touch and an empowering presence. We clicked with Stephanie at the get go and our experience with her before, during and after the birth was no different!
Our birth was a huge success and I truly believe it would have been very different without her there. Massage, advocating for our plan and physically being so supportive during the long labour allowed us to stay on track and have the positive physiological birth, which is what we wanted.
If you want to feel supported but also want to know your partner will be supported and guided on how to best support you during the labour, Stephanie is for you! She will be at our next birth that’s for sure! Again, I cannot recommend her highly enough!
With both our babies we had hoped to have a drug and intervention free birth. After our experience with our first baby it was clear that my partner as much as I needed additional support to navigate the birthing experience. We were unsure if we could have a doula present due to COVID-19 and so waited until I was 38 weeks before engaging Stephanie. We met her and instantly felt the connection. She helped us process our first birth and the anxieties for the next. I again had a prolonged rupture of membranes. Stephanie provided guidance and support to help us make informed decisions not led by the hospitals policies. She helped my body naturally bring on the labour and gracefully guided us through a natural delivery.
It was an ‘out of the body experience’ and we can’t thank Stephanie enough for guiding us and sharing that very unique moment. Stephanie provided us with nurturing support in the weeks that followed, helping us settle into our new family. I wouldn’t have another baby without a doula like Stephanie by my side. From the depths of our hearts we are eternally grateful.
Love and gratitude,
My husband and I felt so much more prepared and relaxed after our sessions with Stephanie. She lent us books and DVD’s, taught us massage and pain relief techniques and answered every question that we had. She was so generous with her time and really helped to ease my fears about childbirth. With Stephanie’s guidance, my husband was able to trust in his ability to support me in the birthing suite and I felt completely prepared for my labour.
I felt instantly calm when I walked into the hospital and saw Stephanie. She took over checking me into the while I was having contractions in the waiting room. I was completely relaxed knowing that Stephanie would be there to support me and advocate for me. This was a huge factor in me being able to let go and giving birth only 90 minutes after arriving at the hospital.
Stephanie, thank you for supporting us in our journey. You are incredible at what you do and we would highly recommend you to anyone preparing for labour.
You have always been so warm, calm, comforting, educating and everything Jake and I needed throughout our beautiful experience.
What we found so helpful was the discussion prior to birth, not only did you educated us on what birth would look like but how important it was for Jake and I to communicate about what we needed before and after. Those discussions really not only helped us feel comfortable but helped our marriage.
Having you at our birth, talking me through the contractions really helped my home birth become a dream come true. And after the birth when you stayed to help clean up, answer questions, celebrate with us and feed us. We can’t thank you enough. You have truely helped us have a beautiful experience.
Thank you for being so beautiful, caring and always there for us when we needed you.
Looking forward to seeing you at the next birth!
Stephanie has a great way of saying the right things at the right time and we were always so relieved to see her walk in the door. Steph supported us in the birth we wanted and we never felt pressure or anything other than her positive calm comforting vibes. Steph’s communication was great and she is very knowledgeable. We would have Steph back with us if we birth again.
We had the natural birth we wanted, sure it could have been shorter than 3 days and there were other aspects that were not planned, however my partner and I feel so proud and happy, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Steph providing that continuity of care and keeping our strength/energy up.
For the partners that maybe wondering how a doula can help you, Steph helped my partner by explaining things prior to birth and answering questions. She was someone he could call on, especially when I was struggling in labour, or at hospital before Steph arrived. When Steph walked in the door during labour at home, my partner was able to sleep and recharge. Immediately post birth, Steph helped and supported my partner to feed and care for our baby while I was in surgery. It’s hard to put into words all the care a doula provides, however what I can say is my partner went from someone who didn’t see why we needed a doula, to someone who wouldn’t have done it any other way and was so relieved to have Steph on our team.
Thank you!!
What a journey 🙂 Whilst this year has been pretty crazy around the world, we’ve been very lucky to have our own special adventure with your incredible support along the way. From the start, we felt like a solid team with trust, respect and great humour.
Through all my ‘practice runs’ to the hospital, navigating COVID restrictions, our bubba deciding he just couldn’t wait another minute to meet us and time in special care, we always felt so supported. We felt as prepared as we could leading up to Ollie’s arrival and despite all the crazy things happening around us, my labour and birth were magical. You couldn’t be there in person due to COVID but it honestly felt like you were right next to me as you spoke calmly and encouragingly over the phone. I felt incredibly strong, supported and safe. The confidence you instilled in us was exhilarating and we felt able to navigate the challenges of special care and bringing a beautiful premmie baby home. Ollie is absolutely thriving and sharing our joy with you has been very special.
I feel really blessed to have gone through the closing the bones ritual with you as well, it helped me to reconnect with my postpartum body and process feelings that were deep within me. We are so glad we found you, thank you so much for everything!
If we decide to grow our family, you’ll be the first to know!
Big love,
We met a few different doulas and Stephanie was warm, understand and really heard my previous birth struggles and I felt genuinely wanted to help and be a part of my VBAC journey. And what a journey it was.
In amongst Covid-19 we found Stephanie was an amazing source of knowledge, comfort and stability which is exactly what we needed. Her flexabilty meant that we were able to prepare for the birth (which has so many unknowns in itself) in a time when we didn’t know if hospital policies or state regulations would change at the drop of a hat. I felt ready, calm and prepared for my birthing experience.
I went into labour and Stephanie was able to be by my side and it couldn’t have turned out any better. I ended up having an unexpected home birth where Stephanie helped deliver our little girl. The comfort of having someone we completely trusted meant we weren’t scared or anxious about the situation, we just went with it and it was an amazing and fond memory I look back on. She was exactly what my husband and I needed when we needed it, so thankyou Stephanie for helping to make our birth such a positive one amongst an unprecedented time in our lives!
Matilda was born at 10:32pm 17 June 2020.
She also provided me with the most helpful resources leading towards the big day, so that I was able to prepare mentally and physically.
During labour at home, Steph was an essential part in keeping me calm and supported me until it was time to head off to the hospital. My son was born just one hour later.
Steph showed me, that an experienced doula, like her, is an essential part of a positive and empowering birth.
I highly recommend Steph.
We were recommended Steph through friends who described her as the “secret weapon you didn’t know you needed!”… and she was just that! We met Steph when I was 35 weeks and from the minute we met her we knew she was our person. She beautifully held space for us to talk through what we hoped and wanted without fear or judgement, and she graciously supported me through what ended up being an overdue baby after all the worry! Both my husband and I felt like we could contact Steph at any time in the lead up for support and guidance on the info we were being given, and on the day our little guy came she was everything we needed: advocate, holder of space, nurturer, discrete and solid.
Steph supported me having a beautiful birth and I left the birth wondering how any woman births without a doula! Steph seemed to know what to do physically to support the process and equally suggested or asked questions of our Obstetrician when needed.
Thank you Steph, for you care, wisdom and unwavering support. You have a true gift for nurturing whatever a woman’s birth wishes are. I felt completely seen and held by you.
Her knowledge, kindness, warmth and friendship kept me going and instilled confidence within me.
Having one person who was with us from the start of our pregnancy journey into the postnatal period was so comforting, she was always just a phone all or text away and knowing that helped us much.
I had a lot of expectations about what being pregnant would be like, however the sickness I had meant that I didn’t really get to enjoy it and I certainly wasn’t glowing however I had moments of beauty and awe and I can attribute these to working with Stephanie, her energy brought me peace and courage.
My partner and I can’t recommend her more highly.
I first learnt about doulas in Australia from my general practitioner and I was very sceptical about the relevance of their role. The relationship and appreciation of Stephanie grew overtime and I firmly believe that without her, I would have felt completely lost in my birthing experience and motherhood journey.
Stephanie has been more than a partner, more than a sister and more than a mother to me in the most challenging moments of my life, which were: preparing to become a mother myself, the birth, and the afterbirth. It is said “when a child is born, so is the mother. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother never. A mother is absolutely new”, with all the difficulties and struggles that accompany that moment, both physical and psychological.
I was very impressed by the professional expertise of Stephanie from my pre-natal meetings with her: her expertise gave me an enormous peace of mind. By that time, I had attended some pre-natal classes at the hospital, which addressed clinical issues but overlooked every holistic aspect about the general wellbeing of a woman, a new mum, and her baby. I benefitted from Stephanie’s massages, advice, and specific exercises that I could practice with my partner to release muscles, breathe, and relax. They motivated me to understand the power of my body, correct my posture, acquire some knowledge in breathing techniques and many other improvements that can make an enormous difference during pregnancy, especially when time is limited by work commitments, domestic and international travels, deadlines and other usual aspects of life. Stephanie has always accommodated my busy schedule and that was another absolute plus.
During my induced labour and in-between two failed epidurals, Stephanie’s reassuring presence, vigorous and tireless massages and coordination of my sister’s and my partner’s efforts in addressing my pain have been proven pivotal, not only to endure the process but especially to ensure the survival of my baby, who indirectly benefitted from those tireless massages while he was preparing to see the light. Induction was a scenario that I would not have expected at the end of my pregnancy, and the multiple (painful) drips I had, made me feel completely vulnerable and uneasy. When Stephanie joined us in the birthing room, her touch and empathy made my heart rejoice of renovated hope that, despite that miserable condition, it was still possible to ease the whole situation.
Stephanie is wise, attentive, thoughtful. She has a sharp mind, she continuously research and update her knowledge and network, which she generously shares. I have felt genuinely cared for, and understood also after birth. The amazing resources she has made at my disposal and the experts she made me in contact with, for my recovery process – physical, psychological, and spiritual – have saved my motherhood journey. During my recovery from a traumatic emergency C-section, I was simply overwhelmed by information and pressures from many different sources (hospital, maternal nurse, lactation consultants, …), none of which could address my issues. Stephanie has helped me to find ‘my voice’ and to take care of those complications generated by the clinical process.
As a new mother, I faced a steep learning curve and the very first months were dreadful. I did not expect the additional support that Stephanie generously provided after birth and even during Covid-19. Once again, her warm, nurturing personality and her expertise were invaluable. In the darkest moments of my afterbirth, when I had lost any confidence in recovering completely, she was there. And even if we could only communicate via messages or emails, knowing that I had a listening ear, which could interpret my needs, and relying on her expertise meant an entire world to me.
Felix spent four and half weeks in hospital and Stephanie supported us throughout this journey, calling and texting regularly to see how both he and we were doing, and encouraging us through the various challenges such as establishing breastfeeding. Stephanie’s support helped to make our early days with Felix as stress-free and happy as possible under the circumstances.
Thank you Stephanie – we are so grateful to have had someone so knowledgeable, warm, genuine and generous with both your time and positive energy to accompany us through this experience!
Thank you Stephanie! We will be sure to call you again when we have our second child 🙂
We are very grateful for all you guidance and support.
Reflecting back, I now know the level of safety and support both my partner and I felt throughout from Steph were essential ingredients in my ability to reach my full birthing potential and not be railroaded by my own doubts or others’ agendas.
Steph had our backs at every turn and it helped so much being able to lean into her in moments of doubt, emotional upheaval and physical limits.
Steph also provided her support in a way that honoured how we wanted to navigate our journey so the entire way through it felt our own and that was incredibly empowering.
Thank you for our last session, we really enjoyed just catching up and debriefing about everything! It was really nice for me to process a few things and for both of us to get a bit of closure, I guess you’d call it..
I’ve been absolutely loving giving Luca massages and she really loves it too. She started laughing this week! So exciting and gorgeous…
Before the big event, Stephanie came to our house twice and we discussed all eventualities. This allowed us to talk about our wishes and concerns in a non-judgmental environment. Additionally, Stephanie provided us with lots of resources including books, exercises, guided meditations and complimentary therapist recommendations. I definitely felt prepared and I was able to let go of any fears I may have had.
At the birth, Stephanie was a great aid to both my partner and I. She held space for us. Ben felt that he was able to focus his attention on supporting me. I was able to focus on my breath and I was comforted knowing that I had a strong and encouraging team around me. I believe that the confidence I had in the people around me, helped me deliver a 3.9kg posterior baby safely on just gas and air. We are so happy to have had the positive and natural birth experience we had hoped for.
I wouldn’t think twice about hiring Stephanie again if we decide to jump back on the baby train.”
During the birth of our daughter Stephanie was completely invaluable. From the physical support (constant massage, verbal support, etc.) she provided my wife, to practical and proactive support for me like ensuring I remembered to eat and drink, our birth wouldn’t have been the same without her. Her calm and positive manner helped us maintain the environment and mindset we were seeking.
Stephanie stayed by our side for 20 hours and was instrumental in helping us have an incredibly positive birth experience, through which we met our wonderful daughter. We’d hire her again in an instant and highly recommend her to anyone.
I’m so happy I had Stephanie to support me with my less conventional path to motherhood… As a solo mother by choice, Stephanie stepped into the role of birth partner and provided the containment I needed to birth my daughter without fear or anxiety. With her help I had the drug-free birth I’d hoped for and I am very proud of the phenomenal courage I showed. After delivering my healthy little girl, I had complications with the placenta that required surgical intervention and we were separated for several hours. During this time Stephanie cuddled, sung to and helped feed my baby with the colostrum she was able to express from me… and despite this early complication we have sailed into life as mother and daughter! We feel so lucky to have had Stephanie as our birth doula.
We engaged Stephanie to help us with the birth of our second baby. My first birth ended in an emergency c-section after a long labour and I found the recovery period a real challenge, both physically and emotionally. For our second baby I really wanted a VBAC. Stephanie took the time to carefully debrief what had happened in the first birth and to learn what our hopes and wishes were for the birth of our new little one. It was great to have access to Stephanie’s library of resources and she gave us lots of useful things to read and think about. But best of all, she shared her great personal wisdom and insights from years of experience, and she really encouraged and believed in me.
I also appreciated her being available throughout the pregnancy to talk through any issues or challenges that arose.
During the birth Stephanie was such a calm and grounded presence and we felt so relieved when she arrived at the hospital! It was also invaluable to have her there after the birth to take care of us and to welcome our new son to the world. I have no doubt that Stephanie’s wisdom and support played a big part in me having a successful VBAC.
Stephanie is a very special person – she is super lovely, kind, thoughtful, professional and experienced. She put us both at ease immediately and we felt so relaxed with her. We feel very lucky to have had her by our side during such an important time.
Thanks so much Steph!
Each time i hear from you I get a lovely warm calm feeling come over me. Your presence at our birth was so supportive so warm so much exactly what I needed and was looking for.
Birthing Ben is something i am so proud of. It has lifted me up so much and i have continued on in an elevated mood, self aware and so attuned to Ben, to myself, to my other boys.
Your warmth and calmness was a reminder of something deep inside me that i could tap into. You reflected the inner me.
That’s what i knew i needed because i know i can be thrown off who i am by fear, by authority, and i can be blurred by other people’s opinions and ideas because i want to please everyone.
This birth was something i believed i could do. I feel so complete. So accomplished. So rewarded. So womanly. and i am so grateful that I found you who reflected and supported me. You were like a beacon for me to hold onto. If only I had found you before my first birth!
I hope many more women find you!
We had long meetings prenatally and she gave us great information, truly useful tips and incredible support, all of which was guided by what we wanted. She didn’t come to us with a particular agenda but was there to help us have the labour we wanted. We called her when I was in the fairly early stages at hospital and she came and stayed throughout. Labour didn’t go quite as we hoped and when my husband and I became frightened, having Stephanie there was our saving grace. The hospital midwives are great but they were all strangers. Steph had become our friend, and she knew what we wanted and was able to represent that. She is so very calming and just about the loveliest, kindest support you could hope to have.
When I think of my pregnancy and labour, it’s so hard to sum up the role Stephanie played for my husband and I. She was such an important part and helped us in so many ways. One of those was the sessions we had with her beforehand, answering our 1000 questions and providing books and material for further research. I just loved our deep conversations during this time… We were also able to practice active positions for labour and created a birth plan together. This really helped me to gain confidence and overcome some of my fears, and that confidence stayed with me during labour. I had planned for a natural, unmedicated birth and I believe one of the main reasons that it did end up being one was because of the strong support I received. Stephanie helped my husband and I to relax and trust in the process. She was calm, gentle, reassuring and helped me find the right positions at the right times. She stayed with us for more than 12 hours and also at the end of it all made me what I think was the best cup of tea of my life! After the birth we were able to meet again and ask her all my questions about early motherhood, which was a great help in a very intense time. Catching up afterwards also allowed us to just enjoy going through our shared experience and treasure our precious memories. Stephanie is doing such wonderful work, and it is a pleasure to recommend her to everyone! – Val
Stephanie was such an amazing support for us all the way through and I’m so glad she was part of the whole experience. She really helped to open up space for my wife and I to prepare for the birth of our son in such an open and honest way. I felt that we were able to come a lot closer together and really look forward to his arrival and what that would mean for us. Her presence at the hospital was such a calming influence as we moved through some challenging stages. I feel that her confidence and calmness really helped me to support my wife at times where, as a first time father, I’m sure I wouldn’t have felt at all confident or calm! I am so glad that we had Stephanie involved in bringing our boy into the world and really grateful for the way she nurtured both my wife and I during this time. – Jonathon
– Osho
Baby Massage Testimonials
“Childbirth is an experience in a woman’s life that holds the power to transform her forever… Passing through these powerful gates ~ in her own way ~ remembering all the generations of women who walk with her… She is never alone…”
– Suzanne Arms –