Hannah

8/22/2024

I gave birth one year ago (feels like it was yesterday and ages ago at the same time), and was thankful to have Stephanie (and Erika) by my side. I am an RN so very familiar with the medical process, but unfamiliar with L&D, and this was my first birth. Although I extensively researched ALL the things, I know that there can be a world of a difference between research and experience. I wanted a doula who was experienced, confident, my ally & advocate in an environment that leans heavily towards intervention & medicalization, and somebody who could reassure and comfort me in unfamiliar territory. There are so, so many variables to the process of birth and I wanted somebody who had seen it all! Stephanie checked all my boxes, and it was evident upon meeting her that she is somebody I wanted with me. My goal was to have a completely physiological/ no intervention birth, but in a hospital setting. My labor & delivery were long and difficult, in a way that I imagine most (at least first) are, but I 100% credit having Stephanie and Erika there that allowed me see it through like I hoped. It was also a great help to my husband, who was initially concerned if having a doula would mean he took a backseat (it did not), and also doubted the necessity/helpfulness of having one, as he thought a doula just "held your hand" (we laughed about this afterwards). I could say a lot more, but in summary, I would HIGHLY recommend Stephanie and her team, it is 100% worth the investment for you to have a better labor & delivery experience.

Molly S

6/3/2024

Stephanie came into our lives at a time when the excitement of expecting our first child was tinged with a touch of uncertainty. As first-time parents, my husband and I were navigating the unkown. Meeting Stephanie helped calm our nerves and feel confident in our instincts. We found Stephanie later in our pregnancy, she quickly became an invaluable source of support, knowledge, and comfort. What struck me most about Stephanie was her ability to tailor her support to our individual needs. She took the time to understand what mattered most to us, offering guidance and resources that were both relevant and empowering.

One of the things I appreciated most about Stephanie was her unwavering support and lack of judgment. In a time when decision making can overwhelm, Stephanie stood by our side as our advocate, never imposing her own beliefs on us. Instead, she offered a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and a wealth of information to help us make informed decisions. As my pregnancy journey took an unexpected turn towards a planned cesarean, Stephanie's support became even more invaluable. She provided us with the resources and guidance we needed to prepare ourselves for the procedure, easing our anxieties and helping us approach the birth of our baby with confidence. On the day of the procedure, Stephanie was a calming presence by our side, offering reassurance and support when we needed it most. Her genuine care and dedication shone through, making what could have been a daunting experience feel manageable.

I can't imagine going through this journey without Stephanie's support. She was truly a source of strength and comfort when we needed it most. For anyone seeking a doula who is genuine, caring, and truly invested in their clients' well-being, I couldn't recommend Stephanie highly enough. Thank you, Stephanie, for everything you did for our family. You made our journey to parenthood a truly beautiful and unforgettable experience.

Andrea Stanton

5/23/2024

We cannot recommend Stephanie and How2Mom enough! Stephanie was so knowledgeable and SO supportive our entire pregnancy, through birth and beyond, and we will always be so grateful to her.

Initially when we contacted Sephanie, my husband and I weren't even sure that we wanted to use a doula, but after talking with her the first time, we felt so much love and support immediately and knew it was the right decision. Stephanie met with us a few times through pregnancy to talk about our ideal birth experience and any contingencies, which absolutely put my mind at ease that my baby, husband, and I would have someone experienced in our corner that would advocate for us. When it was time for the birth of our son, she was so helpful in deciding when to go into the hospital and was an absolute lifeline to keeping me comfortable, confident, and informed. She was so empowering and a big reason why I loved my birthing experience, which feels like an oxymoron to say but is absolutely true. Following my birth, I was able to lean on her for support that I absolutely needed and was able to provide resources for me to support me in my breastfeeding journey. 

I'm so happy that we went with Stephanie, our family will always be so grateful for Stephanie and all that she does!

Dr. Cassie McGuire

5/13/2024

As a Chiropractor, I can't express enough gratitude for the incredible support and guidance provided by Stephanie during our pregnancy natural childbirth at the birth center. As a Chiropractor, I highly value the support a doula provides. During the birth, her presence was not only comforting but absolutely vital in navigating the entire process, especially towards the end when I needed emotional support to keep pushing. Her words and support kept me going so I could continue having the water birth I envisioned. It was amazing! Our son was born five hours before Governor Walz started the Covid lockdown, so talk about crazy times! I am thankful she was able to be there, and that will be a memory we will always remember.

Stephanie brings forth an unparalleled level of compassion, expertise, and understanding, especially with being a mom of three herself. I appreciated her checking in with me during the early postpartum phase as well. I am forever grateful for her big heart, presence, support and friendship and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone embarking on their childbirth journey. She also has a great team to help with additional needs and services.t

It's so important for women to feel supported and feel empowered during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. Being a Chiropractor, It takes a team and I always love collaborating with her.♥?

Aminah

5/6/2024

Had such a great experience working with Stephanie. She's an amazing doula; very compassionate and comforting. She made the environment in the delivery room calm and advocated for me when I was too tired to do so for myself. She takes the time to really listen to you and your needs. Don't hesitate, 10/10 experience. 

Rachel

4/22/2024

We have been so fortunate to have Stephanie attend the births of our two babies. Stephanie brought with her a wealth of knowledge, a deeply calming presence, and a level of support that went above and beyond our expectations. Throughout the prenatal period, Stephanie was always available to answer our questions, help us navigate our birth plan, and provide resources and techniques for managing discomfort and preparing for labor. Her guidance was not only practical but also incredibly empowering, making us feel more confident and informed about the choices we were making.

When I went into labor with my second baby, Stephanie met us in triage at the hospital and we immediately felt a sense of comfort in her presence. My labor was much more intense with my second baby than my first, and Stephanie was able to comfort me through contractions by squeezing my hips, putting her hands on my lower back, and using her rebozo.

When I started to feel the need to push, I was suddenly overwhelmed with fear, having experienced a significant tear during my first birth. Stephanie sensed my fear and took control of the situation becoming a source of strength and reassurance. She said, "This is a different baby and a different birth. You're in a different position on your hands and knees. You're going to be ok". And that was all I needed to push my son out confidently. Stephanie's presence and her ability to instill confidence and provide support when it was most needed made all the difference.

I can't imagine going through pregnancy, childbirth, and the early days of parenthood without Stephanie. She was more than just a support person; she became a cherished part of our family's story. For anyone considering doula services, I cannot recommend Stephanie enough. The peace of mind, emotional support, and practical assistance a doula provides is priceless. I am forever grateful to Stephanie for enabling us to have two amazing, beautiful, unmedicated births.

Sydney Parkhurst

4/22/2024

Going into my first birth I knew I wanted a Doula and stumbled upon Stephanie’s How2Mom team online. I cannot recommend How2Mom enough!! After a few interviews with other Doulas, I spoke with Stephanie and knew right away that she would be the best coach to have alongside me.

I ended up working with Emily who was extremely knowledgeable, educated me on all my options and what to expect going into birth, but also really got to know me, my personality, and what I needed to feel most supported throughout labor and birth. She helped me put together a birth plan for my midwife. Because I was induced Emily texted with my husband during early labor and joined us at the hospital when labor started to pick up. She was a calm presence, coaching me through different movements based on baby’s position, and always reminded me of my options before we switched things up. Which was exactly what I needed in the heat of the moment when I wasn’t in a space to remember everything I’d learned and think ok what’s next. I also really liked that Emily took notes throughout and photos to look back on when I was ready.

After we were home from the hospital Emily visited to recap everything that happened that day and drop off a meal. She continued to be a great resource for postpartum questions and always offered encouragement. What a privilege to have Emily support me!

Jessica Dobson

4/18/2024

I cannot recommend How2Mom enough.  Having used a doula with my first birth, I knew a doula at birth was a must.  Stephanie far exceeded my first doula experience and she helped me achieve a natural induction birth.  My pregnancy was complicated physically and emotionally, and the love and support she provided along the way was incredible.  She was always available and supportive and has the calmest presence that really helped during my actual delivery.  The work she did at my birth to help reduce pain, and speed up the process, answer questions and advocate for me, and be a calm/soothing presence was truly incredible.  I’ll be forever grateful to have her by my side.

Additionally, I ended up hiring Emily from Stephanie’s team for some ongoing night doula support and I truly felt like an angel had entered my home.  I was nervous about trusting someone to help care for my infant in the middle of the night but the moment I met her, I knew we were in good hands.  Not only did she provide amazing infant and emotional support, she also went above and beyond with tasks/helping me around the home.  I’d wake up to a clean home, meals prepped, laundry done, special gifts/surprises for my 7 year old and I’ll forever be grateful.  I will forever hold a special place in my heart for Emily and all of the help she provided to me during a difficult season.

Run don’t walk and hire anyone from Stephanie’s team immediately! They are the best and you will not regret it!

Katy Dajnowski

2/1/2024

My birth took a long time, 37 hours from water break to baby, and Stephanie was fully available and so supportive. She was right by my side during the most challenging, demanding, intense parts of labor. I needed her to be able to persevere 24 hours without any interventions. She knew just how to support and comfort me, what to say, gentle reassurance, and most of all, she was a strong advocate for a pushy midwife. This midwife was suggesting an unnecessary c-section and later suggesting morphine, both of which I didn’t want. Stephanie was able to whisk her away into the hall calmly and firmly for a chat, she was always making sure I was never pressured into anything I didn’t want. I cannot thank her enough for advocating for me in a moment where I did not have the capacity to speak up for myself. I reached the 24 hour mark since my water broke which was a turning point because I needed to do something to be able to proceed. Despite planning for a natural birth, I chose an epidural once I had only made it to 4cm at that point so I was able to eventually get to 10cm. Here we were, 37 hours after my water broke, and I was able to push my baby out! It was officially 41 weeks and 6 days, nearly 2 weeks past my due date, mere hours before my scheduled 42-week induction! When we finally heard that sweet cry and my husband told me, “it’s a girl!” it was the highlight of my life. I cannot imagine doing birth without Stephanie advocating and supporting me. Because of Stephanie I was able to avoid an unnecessary cesarean, avoid drugs I did not want, and avoid forcing my body into an induction before it was ready to give birth. She visited us at home days later and it was so cathartic to talk through the birth experience. She helped fill in the gaps that I had in my mind that were unsettling to me because I couldn’t place what exactly happened. I recommend her to anyone who wants a genuine, kind, knowledgeable coach.

Rachel Vold

10/15/2023

Stephanie and Mercedez made our entire birth journey so incredible! They were both there to help us through our many questions before the birth and gave us so much confidence in what to expect during labor and delivery. They were so informative with different exercises and techniques to prepare for the big day.  They were in constant contact with us from the beginning and made us feel so safe and taken care of all the way through postpartum.

On on son's arrival date, they were the best cheerleaders. They helped us maintain a calm environment throughout labor and were our biggest advocates. We had so many questions that they were able to help us with and gave us all the information to make the best decisions possible.  We had such a positive birth experience due to their compassion, dedication, and expertise. 

We had several questions postpartum that they were eager to help with.  They went out of their way to send us information on anything we had questions about or referrals/support. They continue to check in with us even though our son is almost 3 months old. It shows how much they care for their clients, and they really feel like family. 

We cannot recommend Stephanie, Mercedez and the whole How 2 Mom team enough! We are so grateful for all their love & support during such a big life milestone.  They will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

Anna

9/19/2023

I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for How2Mom and founder Stephanie! I experienced extremely high anxiety surrounding the birth process for my first baby. My husband and I interviewed multiple doulas and knew instantly that Stephanie and team were the perfect fit for our family! Her overall organization and extensive library of resources in addition to a referral/testimonial from a friend sealed the deal. She reassured us throughout my pregnancy and helped us come up with the best birth preferences. Stephanie’s support for me and my husband during a lengthy labor was invaluable!! She took the time to ensure our birth preferences were followed and helped us discuss and explore our options with hospital staff throughout.

Stephanie was extremely supportive postpartum by checking in with us, delivering placenta pills, and offering additional resources via How2Mom.

I highly, highly recommend How2Mom services and will be using them for any and all future births for our family ??

Andrew Sweere

4/3/2023

As a first-time dad, you want the best experience for your wife and newborn baby during the pregnancy. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know what you don’t know. After our initial meeting with Stephanie, I knew this would be a great investment for our family. It paid for itself after the first in-home visit, much less having her there for the delivery and post-visit as well. She had so much knowledge and first-hand experience that helped us prepare for the birth. It felt much more comfortable knowing that we were not alone in the process. As a first-time dad, you can feel a bit helpless not knowing how to best comfort your wife during pregnancy, but Stephanie gave me all the tools and tips I needed to be there for my wife. I would hire Stephanie again in a heartbeat.

Lauren Spurrell

4/3/2023

At our first prenatal visit, Stephanie asked us what we wanted out of the birth. I told her, I wanted to have an informed birth and to leave with as little trauma as possible. After a year of trying and 4 miscarriages, Stephanie was the nurturing confidence we needed to get through the uncertainty of the pregnancy. 

Once at the hospital, Stephanie stayed by our side for what was almost a 24-hour labor. Every single contraction I had she was right there, guiding me through. She walked us through every stage of labor, equipping us with all the tools we needed to feel confident we were on the right path. Even after 4 hours of pushing and almost giving up, Stephanie was the one to keep me focused on my goal. If it weren’t for Stephanie’s calm, confident, knowledgeable, and positive presence, Tate’s delivery would have turned out much scarier. 

Now, almost 6 months later, my husband and I look back fondly of our time with Stephanie. It was the best decision we’ve made thus far and encourage all of our friends to seek out a doula, but especially Stephanie.

Fernanda Monteiro Huberty

3/31/2023

I knew Stephanie through the social media, I felt in love with her in our first online meeting.

She was very supportive along the way, coming to our house couple times to get to know our family, she also referred to a great pelvic therapist (Dr. Katherine Shephard)  which also follow me during my pregnancy, incredible person and professional as well. They also came together to our house to talk and also have hands on labor training. It was so special to have this kind of support, I remained calm and confident all the time. 

I was super scary when I first talked to Stephanie, she always was so thoughtful 

and help me to bust my confidence, I was other person at the end.

My soon Max came in a unexpected way, we had some issues with our medical care and I ended up having a c-section due the fact they could not ensure the health of the baby, thankfully he was super healthy. 

Stephanie was very supportive and helpful sharing all the information with us to help to take a decision, she was there for us and it was very important and special, as my whole family live in Brazil!

Thank you for all the great care!

Fernanda, Mark and Max

Kelly Sweere

3/28/2023

Hiring a doula wasn’t something I had ever considered until after my husband and I were expecting our first baby. I had gone back and forth for months as I talked to friends and coworkers about their experiences, did some minimal research online, and juggled the idea of adding another expense to an already incredibly expensive undertaking. My husband had never even heard of a doula before but said he would be willing to look into it if it was something I wanted. It wasn’t until I was about 35 weeks pregnant that I finally decided to pull the trigger and we began frantically searching for a doula. I was nervous we wouldn’t be able to find anyone with availability that late in the game, let alone someone who was a great fit for our family. We struck gold with Stephanie. We knew within minutes of our initial interview with her that we wanted her to be a part of our daughter’s birth. She was incredibly knowledgeable, gave us all the facts we never knew we didn’t know, and let us lead the way in the decision-making. She took the time to get to know us each personally and made sure we knew she was always there for us. She talked through symptoms with me in the days leading up to delivery, helped us advocate for ourselves at the hospital, gave my husband the tools to help me during contractions, and helped me feel so strong and empowered throughout my labor. One of the things I love best about How 2 Mom is that the support doesn’t stop there. Breastfeeding was very difficult for me the first few weeks and Stephanie was there every step of the way through texts, phone calls, and a home visit to give me tips, tricks, and reassurances that I really needed. We will absolutely hire Stephanie again with any future pregnancies and have recommended her to all of our friends and family. It is never too late to get the support you need! 

Elyse Bendel

3/26/2023

HIRE STEPHANIE RIGHT NOW! You will not regret it!! She is knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, resourceful and attentive. She has a great network of providers and has a lot of connections around the Twin Cities. She will be there for you in ways you didn’t know you needed, offering a smile, hug and warm hand.

My wife and I welcomed our daughter in June 2022 with Steph by our side. It was an incredible experience, beyond what we thought it would be. She was everything we needed her to be: supportive, creative, empowering, motivating and encouraging. She got me through when I didn’t think I could go on.

What made it even more special was my wife was Stephanie’s coach and teacher in high school!

After the birth, I hemorrhaged and was taken into surgery for an emergency hysterectomy and Stephanie stayed with my wife and daughter the entire time (over 6 hours). She was the strength and support we needed during this awful time and the days/weeks/months that followed.

Throughout every step of our journey, Stephanie was present and kind. She was always a phone call or text away, answering questions and helping talk through things. She has a calming presence and a fun personality- we laughed a lot with her!

We love Steph and cannot say enough good about her! 

Ashley Bruggman

3/24/2023

When we found out we were pregnant with our second child, Stephanie was one of the first people I reached out to because I knew I wanted her as our doula. Even though we hadn’t been able to have a doula for our son’s birth in 2020, Stephanie was the only doula I felt like I had connected with from the nearly 10 we had interviewed and my initial gut feeling was right - she’s amazing!

From the beginning Stephanie walked hand in hand with as we prepared to VBAC for this birth. She checked in often and was always providing great questions or scenarios to think of and bring back to our provider.

Stephanie was instrumental in our 30+ hour labor and we truly believe that we wouldn’t have achieved a VBAC without her. She was such a calming, reassuring presence while also laughing and joking with us throughout the whole process.

She advocated for our desires and reminded us to ask questions and know our options at every turn. And when I felt discouraged her steadfast confidence in my ability to do this helped pull me through.

When it came to having a doula my husband was initially along for the ride and our experience with Stephanie converted him into a full doula advocate.

A few weeks after our delivery I was having a lot of strong emotions around the experience and Stephanie helped me to process through them.

We can’t say enough positive things about our experience with Stephanie. I would have another baby just to work with her again.

Rebecca Smaby

2/25/2023

Would recommend Stephanie at How2Mom 100 times over. I cannot imagine going through my labor for our first baby without her there. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts. At my initial follow up appt my midwife goes, “I loved your doula, it was as if she was a part of our team. What was her name? I’m going to recommend her to other patients.” And a few days after the birth I was telling my husband how glad I was that she was there with us, and he said, “I think she helped me just as much as she helped you. I wouldn’t have known what suggestions to make or what positions to try. Even with little questions I had here and there.” That’s how much of an impact she made, not just on myself, but on my husband and my care team in the hospital. Would use her services again 100 times over!!

Kristi

2/14/2023

If you’re debating getting a doula, Stephanie with how2mom was absolutely incredible. This was our second pregnancy and we thought we had a good handle on what to expect but knew the benefit of a doula. Having a doula was just as important the second time as it was the first. Stephanie was a calming presence and is so knowledgeable which helped ease my fears of having another unmedicated birth. We ended up having our baby in the parking lot and she stayed calm and took action quickly to deliver our baby safely. On top of all that, she picked up our take out dinner and stayed until we were settled in. We couldn’t be more thankful for Stephanie!!

Mercedez Bates

10/16/2022

I could go on and on about Stephanie and How2Mom. Stephanie was referred to me by a friend and I truly believe she changed my life for the better. I was having a hard time with my doctors listening to my wants and needs during pregnancy and Stephanie helped me find my voice! This lead to an amazing labor and delivery and I could not be more grateful. She is great at communicating, is fully supportive of your plan, explains every step of pregnancy/labor and delivery and postpartum extremely well, and is overall a genuine person. I was able to lean on Stephanie through every aspect of becoming a mom and I could not have done it without her! My husband even jokes that next pregnancy Stephanie and I can do it without him. Ha!

I also got my placenta encapsulated and my placenta tincture from Stephanie. She was able to get it to me very quickly and gave amazing directions on how to use them. Again, she was there to answer all of my questions and I am so very grateful!

Everyone needs Stephanie in their life and pregnancies! Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do!

Robyn Larson

10/6/2022

Stephanie was my doula for my 3rd baby and I can’t say enough about her warm nature…it’s combined with experience and a maternal energy I really needed during this birth. At our birth I felt so held and supported…she took the time to learn what I needed beforehand in order to provide the type of support I wanted most in that moment when it came. Can’t say enough good things. Don’t hesitate trusting her with this important decision.

Krystal

10/4/2022

I feel blessed to have Stephanie as our doula for our second pregnancy.

I didn't realize how traumatic the birth of my first was until we got pregnant again. Words cannot express how supportive Stephanie was. She always had comforting words to say and was only a phone call or text away anytime we needed her. We came up with our birth plan, I was terrified to have another C-section, and felt confident moving forward. In the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy things spun out of control. Stephanie was there when I found out baby was breach, Stephanie was there when my father died the following week, Stephanie was there for my failed version and was so supportive and gentle during all of this. 

Through her knowledge and experience, we ended up with a new doctor right at the end and had a wonderful experience on the hospital. While I still ended up with a C-section because of Stephanie I was able to go through all stages of labor, unmedicated and was able to surrender and accept the C-section. I couldn't feel more blessed to have her on that journey with us and I believe that I would not be in such a mentally healthy place right now if we had not hired her.

Sarah C.

3/24/2022

My husband and I were shocked at our first ultrasound when we found out we would be having identical twins! My chiropractor recommended using her birth doula, Stephanie of How2Mom, who happened to also be a mom of twins. BONUS!!  We 'met' Stephanie over Zoom and knew right away that she was going to be the perfect addition to our birth team. Throughout our pregnancy Stephanie was just a text or call away. We kept her updated throughout the many appointments and ultrasounds. Stephanie always responded with the most supportive words of encouragement when reports were concerning or truly celebrated and shared in our joy when the reports were positive. It didn't take long for her to feel like a best friend who knew just what to say at just the right moment. We had a scheduled C-section and needed to deliver at 34+5 due to growth restriction in one of our girls. Stephanie went above and beyond in preparing for this delivery. She used her networking resources to proactively seek out contacts at our hospital to ensure that she could be present during every step of the process. Stephanie's calm, caring, and compassionate personality was very evident throughout our pregnancy but as soon as she entered our hospital room we could feel it on a new level. She even gave me a foot and back massage to calm the nerves! Having both Stephanie and my husband tell me all the right things during surgery was more than I could've asked for in that situation. She also coaches partners on what they can do and say.Stephanie stayed with us for a couple of hours after delivery and made sure we were feeling good about things before she quietly made her exit. We have continued to keep in touch and she reminds me that she's always available for advice or to chat about anything. My husband and I talk often about how thankful we are to have found Stephanie and How2Mom. Our experience was so incredibly wonderful and we give our highest recommendation!

Susan

3/11/2022

A friend had worked with Stephanie Sinclair and recommended her to me when I found out I was pregnant with triplets. Hiring her was one of the best decisions I made! Having her with me during the process leading up to the delivery was invaluble. Stephanie helped me get my head around what the delivery day would look like, prepared my husband and I for what to expect, and helped be an advocate for me and the babies, even before they were born. She spent the entire delivery day with me, and I was beyond grateful to have her in the delivery and recovery rooms. She brought so much value to my experience, before, during and after my babies were born. Stephanie has such a calming and encouraging presence, which every mom needs more of on that special day. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula! 

Brian Shephard

2/22/2022

We were excited to work with Stephanie from the moment we met her. She was laid back but exuded confidence and she listened patiently to the story of our first birth and all of our questions.

Right away, Stephanie provided wisdom to calm us down as our birth experience approached. She also had concrete suggestions regarding pain management, relaxation, and helping our baby get ready to meet us.

We had to wait ten days past our due date, but when the time came, Stephanie was at our side as soon as we needed her. She was steadfast, keeping us calm and helping us understand why each step of the process was necessary for our baby. She helped us think through a few big decisions during Katie’s labor, and stayed with us until we assured her we were ready to be on our own with Irene.

Stephanie stopped by recently to check on our three-week old and see how we were doing. It was like seeing an old friend.

We can't imagine what our experience would have been like without her and we offer her our most enthusiastic recommendation.

Elissa Cohen

2/18/2022

Having Stephanie as our doula was an amazing experience. We had some difficulties up until delivery including a breech baby up until 38 weeks. Stephanie gave me some Spinning Babies exercises to help get him flipped around. She also helped me advocate for myself during my prenatal appointments when things got a little confusing/I was getting mixed messages.
 
Labor and delivery progressed quickly and although we anticipated being in the hospital for many hours, suddenly we realized things were going to happen much more quickly than anticipated. Stephanie left a meeting she was in to get there on time for us. By the time Stephanie got there my husband was ready for a break and was also feeling overwhelmed by the situation as he didn't know how to comfort anymore and also didn't know how to help encourage me when I was asking for an epidural (despite this not being in our birth plan).
 
Because Stephanie was there, my husband was able to go to the bathroom. And by the time he came back the baby was on his way out. If Stephanie hadn't been there, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't have been anyone else in the room when baby came.
 
She continued to check in on me after we got back home from the hospital and came to visit about 1 week after when we could all reflect on the event together. And we struggled with breastfeeding and witching hours in those first weeks, she was there with support and suggestions.
 
My husband was a little apprehensive about the whole process initially but we BOTH are so happy we hired Stephanie, especially with it being our first child.

Thanks Stephanie!

Morgan Molitor

2/18/2022

After having two not so pleasant birth experiences (all cesarean), for baby number three we hired a doula! Stephanie from How 2 Mom gave us the best experience and made me sad that we hadn't known about her 5 years prior. Even having a cesarean birth you still have a lot of birthing decisions to be made, ones I didn't even know I was making until informed from Stephanie. If you're thinking about hiring a doula or not I'm here to tell you it's worth every penny.

Kassie Weld

2/17/2022

I hired Stephanie and her team for my doula and it was the best decision I had ever made. I ended up in an unforseeen situation in my birth that ultimately made me make some hard decisions and she legitimately was on the phone with me every other minute for two hours straight figuring out what would be the BEST plan for me. 
Even though it was Covid and she couldn't be in the room for my delivery her presence virtually was INCREDIBLE. So much comfort knowing she was on my team. 

Rachel

2/17/2022

I had been contemplating hiring a doula during my pregnancy but my husband had some reservations and wondered why we “needed” a doula if he would be there to support me during labor. Another mom referred me to Stephanie and upon meeting her, both my husband and I agreed that we needed to have her as part of our baby’s birth! Stephanie was fantastic throughout the entire process. She helped us write a birth plan, prepare for labor and delivery, and checked in with me frequently throughout my pregnancy. I texted Stephanie when I was in early labor and she reminded us to rest and eat – two things I may not have done otherwise as we were too excited! Stephanie met us at the hospital after my water broke at 1AM and was fantastic. She worked incredibly well with the nurses, midwives, doctors, and my husband and ensured the tone of the room was calm and peaceful which was very important to me. I found her voice so soothing and her touch comforted me throughout my unmedicated labor and delivery. From dimming the lights and bringing flameless candles to putting cold washcloths on me while I labored in the tub, Stephanie was fantastic throughout my entire labor and delivery and my husband and I couldn’t have been more grateful she was there. I truly believe that having Stephanie as part of my birth team played a pivotal role in ensuring I had the labor and delivery experience I desired. For anyone considering hiring a doula, my husband and I highly recommend Stephanie and will definitely be having her join us again in the future if we’re fortunate enough to have more children!

Jessica

2/17/2022

I am so glad that I hired a doula with my second baby! Having Stephanie as my cheerleader and knowledgeable support doula was the best decision I made for my birth experience. In the beginning when we were waiting for my contractions to pick up speed she helped me stay distracted and passed the time easily with conversation and actions to help labor progress. My favorite and most memorable thing Stephanie did was draw a luxurious bath for me with mood lighting, my music preferences, and aromatherapy. This bath was the best transition tool for me and that relaxed me enough to go into the pushing phase. The pushing phase was very intense and Stephanie was so reassuring and encouraging and on my side. She knew I wanted to be in a birthing tub and she was so good about communicating with the nurses my status and assisted me in the tub. It was so nice to be able to stretch out and move around in the tub. I so appreciated her advocating for me to get what I wanted for my birth experience.  Unfortunately, I was not able to birth my baby in the tub, I needed to move to a bed, this was upsetting for me and Stephanie kept me focused. She reassured me that the change in plans was common and for the best to bring my baby into the world. Once he arrived Stephanie was so great to remember to take pictures. I was so relieved my baby was here that I wasn't thinking about my camera. Those pictures Stephanie took of the first minutes of my baby's life and then she took the first ones of me holding him are so precious to me! Once we were home Stephanie stopped by to check on me and talked through my birth experience. I will always highly recommend hiring a doula to any expectant mama! My experience with Stephanie was such a better experience than without a doula for my first birth. I will always cherish my birth experiences and Stephanie enhanced it! 

Annah Smith

2/17/2022

Stephanie is the most amazing and caring mama!! I always thought a Doula was for a natural birth (I was wrong!!). Our older daughters met in toddler ECFE class and we have been friends since then. My husband and I hired her as our doula for the birth of my second daughter (delivered by c-section), Stephanie was an important member of my birth team! She was someone to talk to, reassure my husband and a nice support as we waited nervously for the c-section. We have priceless photos in the OR. Since my daughter was a preemie, Stephanie stayed with me in the OR and my husband went with the baby to the NICU! I highly recommend hiring Stephanie as your doula, you won’t regret it!

Katie

2/14/2022

We were so lucky to have found Stephanie five years ago. She was the piece of the puzzle I didn't know was missing from my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. As we wait for #3 in this crazy time I am so grateful to have her on my team again. She is a great listener, knowledgeable, and a strong advocate for the birthing person and their partner. Would recommend over and over (and I regularly do!).

Amanda E.

2/9/2022

I want to give a special shout out to my birth doula, Stephanie Sinclair. We weren't able to capture a picture in all the business of labor, but she did catch this first photo of us together. She was an incredible player on my birth team. I was able to lean on her in the weeks leading up to labor and she was so helpful and essential during the hard parts. I counted on her encouraging and mindful phrases during each contraction. She was a perfect addition to my already crazy supportive husband, Nate. I truly had a beautiful birth and the nurse told us as she left us in postpartum that it was one of the most beautiful births she had seen in awhile. Thanks Stephanie, for contributing to our story.

Kerry Maki

2/9/2022

We hired Stephanie as our doula when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I would 100% recommend every first time mama have a doula and I would 1000% recommend that doula be Stephanie.
She was there to support us in every decision we made. She was there to give me tips and advice before, during and after birth. She was there to remind me that I was strong and I could do it through my entire labor. She was there to say it’s ok, this is normal, you’re doing great. She was there to help my husband help me. She was there to get me water. She was there to get me in the car. She was there to wipe my face. She was there to remind me of my hopes and dreams about my baby’s birth.
She was there but she was quiet. She was there but only when she was needed. She was there but she never interrupted. She was there but she was never in the way.
Stephanie is calm, kind, compassionate and supportive. She made it possible for us to have the labor and birth we wanted. She is amazing and when I tell her that she says, ‘No Mama, YOU are amazing’.
Stephanie was there and is still there. She continues to provide support and words of inspiration. I am so lucky to have met her and to still have her in my life.
As soon as you speak with Stephanie you’ll feel at ease. She is an amazing person and doula and I can't recommend her more. 

Julia K

1/16/2022

We welcomed our twin boys  in September and I was determined to give breastfeeding my best shot! I have tried about every combination of breast/bottle/formula/breast milk feeding. I had problem after problem with breastfeeding and pumping, including reocurring mastitis, overproduction, an abscess and a galactocele. I had multiple appointments with different providers seeking guidance for these problems that I didn't even know were possible. Each provider I spoke to refereed me to someone else and I didn't receive the answers I was looking for. I was ready to wean, but afraid that weaning would cause worsening problems for my body. Finally a friend introduced me to How2Mom. I reached out to Stephanie, and we set up a time to talk on the phone. I told Stephanie my story and she quickly created a weaning plan for me. The plan was very manageable and flexible. We discussed the plan in great detail and I had a chance to discuss all of my questions. I followed the plan and successfully weaned my supply without any trouble. Stephanie continued to check in on my progress and answer any questions I had along the way. I am incredibly grateful for the support I found at How2Mom. 

Allie Nowak

11/28/2020

We decided on Stephanie as our doula pre-COVID. I remember my husband questioning me regarding this investment for our pregnancy. His view ended up being a complete 180 after our son was born and I will never forget him telling me that having Stephanie’s support during labor was totally worth it and that we should have her again as our doula for our second child. Stephanie met with us twice during our pregnancy, outdoors, and with a mask - mindful of our Covid concerns. These visits included answering questions, desire for labor, coping, birth plan, spinning babies/optimizing fetal positioning, and postpartum. Our labor ended up going rather quickly, so instead of coming to our home during the early stages, she met us at the birth center. She guided me through various positions, provided comfort with cool towels to my head and neck, helped my husband feel involved and part of my team, and was his advocate because he wanted to help “catch” our son. She was there for a couple hours post-delivery to ensure breastfeeding was off to a good start, heat up our breakfast and voluntarily ran across the street to get us coffee and hot chocolate. Stephanie came to our house 1 week postpartum to reminisce on the delivery, answer any postpartum questions and check in. She was professional as well as easy going, like a best friend. We are extremely grateful for Stephanie and her doula services.  We share the highest of recommendations.