Testimonial for Stephanie Sauer Pasternak, CD(DONA), CLC
When I was pregnant with my son, I didn’t know what a doula was, and I didn’t know what kind of birth I wanted to have. All I knew was that I was terrified of delivery! I was anxious about the pain, the hospital, and the whole realm of the unknown. After some research I wanted to strive for an unmedicated hospital birth and I knew my husband and I would need support and guidance.
After our first meeting, I felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Stephanie's experience and understanding of the process helped turn my third trimester from fearful to joyful. We met and spoke many times before birth, and I became more and more excited to experience labor and birth. Knowing that Stephanie would be there to help me get through labor allowed me to revel in the idea of it. I surprised myself — I was now aching to feel the contractions and get through them with her support!
We were so lucky to have the birth that we wanted — and I’m not sure I could have done it without doula support. There are so many benefits to having a doula, but for me, the best part was that I could just feel calm and enjoy the last leg of my pregnancy. I knew that once it was time, my husband and I could just focus on the experience of labor and birth. Stephanie was an angel that allowed us to fully experience it, let us be in the zone and not worry about details. She is a facilitator of the most ancient beautiful life force.
Another benefit was Stephanie’s expertise as a lc. She was generous with her time right after birth and helped my baby and I get started. In the weeks after birth, we had some issues and questions, and Stephanie’s breastfeeding guidance was paramount.
Our second time around, it won’t even be a question. Even though we are more confident in the birth process now, we need our doula! Stephanie’s guidance was invaluable, magical, and worth every single penny!
-Alexandra Burkhart
March 15, 2019
Stephanie Sauer Pasternak, CD(DONA), CLC
Bergen Doula - Birth Doula & Lactation Counseling
Birth Fee: $1950 to $4000
