Testimonial for Steph Bellows
I would highly recommend hiring Stephanie to be present at your birth.
In 2017, my husband and I lost our 6th child to an undiagnosed heart defect when he was just 5 days old. When I surprisingly found myself pregnant again in 2018 I began the difficult journey of grieving one life and preparing for another life. I realized right away that I would need a doula present at my birth- someone who could hold space for me while providing emotional and physical support. I had first talked to her in 2017 when I was last pregnant inquiring about hypnobirthing, and when I found myself pregnant again- reached out.
Every time I met with Steph, she sat and listened and let me work through the things that I was feeling. She never once told me how I should feel about my labor or having a newborn after a loss. She would sit quietly, just being present and answering any questions that I had. Whenever she left my house I felt a sense of calmness and appreciated the time to just feel what I was feeling.
Our son, Nikos, was born during the 38th week. He surprised us early and we suddenly had to change our plans of a loving, calm beautiful home birth an augmented hospital birth. Again, Stephanie was present simply holding space- never telling me what decision was the right or the wrong one, rather offering gentle support as we navigated through a very different birth expereince for our family.
She offered a lot of valuable information (pro's and cons) without any sense of judgement, to my husband and I as we talked about the option of a potential c-section, oxytocin and more. When we found ourselves in a bit of a panic at the time of pushing she was able to offer my husband support all while supporting me physically and emotionally.
She attended our birth with a bag of doula tricks and just her presence alone brought calmness and confidence to the room- she absolutely knows birth! Such a blessing.
-Addie Pafiolis
December 30, 2018
Steph Bellows
Woven Birth Services
Birth Fee: $1850
