Testimonial for Stephanie Sauer Pasternak, CD(DONA), CLC
I cannot emphasize what a crucial part of my pregnancy and daughter’s birth Stephanie was for us.
Stephanie provided the exact support we needed; from the moment we hired her to the days leading up to my labor to the birth of our daughter to the days after and everything in between. Any question, request, guidance needed - Stephanie was there. She made us feel no shame in asking the smallest questions. She was clear about when something was evidence-based vs her intuition/experience. She never pushed us to do anything and was always supportive of decisions we made.
It was important to me and my husband to have a natural birth, which was my main motivation to hire a doula. Truly could not have delivered this baby without Stephanie (I mean, I would have, of course - but likely after much more pain and decisions I would later regret). She was with us on the phone (my husband, mostly) as soon as my water broke and she was with us in person by the time contractions got heavy to get us through the later stages of labor and the pushing/delivery process. Stephanie worked so in sync with the midwife and nurse on my delivery team - it took a village!
In addition to Stephanie supporting me, she was also an amazing guide and support to my husband - equipping him with reading materials before delivery and coaching him on best ways to support me throughout labor and delivery.
In the days after our baby was born, we talked to Stephanie every day. She visited us to make sure baby was latching properly, showed me some other tips and tricks for feeding, and has continued to provide us with guidance on feeding and pumping and all feeding things!
When I become pregnant with baby #2, Stephanie will be among the first to know - could not imagine doing a totally natural birth again without her!
-Alexandra
April 11, 2026
Stephanie Sauer Pasternak, CD(DONA), CLC
Bergen Doula - Birth Doula & Lactation Counseling
Birth Fee: $1950 to $4000
