I'm Stephanie with Gentle Birthing, and my interest in birth work was awakened the day my first child was born in 2010 at home, surrounded by our midwife and birthing team. It was at that point I realized that more women need to know their birthing options. We had 4 more home water births in South Carolina before returning to Southeast Michigan where we welcomed our 6th child at home in 2020. I enjoy learning about the physiology of pregnancy and the process of giving birth and am fascinated with all the different natural coping techniques for pain management. With each of my own births, I implemented something new I had learned along the way. I hope to support expecting mothers in the ways I have received encouragement and support from the birth workers in my life. Their support changed the way I thought about birth and what I was capable of doing.
Birth Doula, Maternity Wise Institute (2025)
Postpartum Doula Certificate, Maternity Wise Institute (2025)
Certified Lactation Support and Educator, (CLSE) Maternity Wise Institute (2025)
English
With a sense of need for more birthing options and support for expecting mothers in Michigan, Gentle Birthing was founded in the summer of 2024 to help meet that need. I bring my own experiences as a homebirth / homeschooling mother of 6 children. Whether the birth will be in the hospital, birthing center, or at home with your chosen midwife, Gentle Birthing is available to help bring that extra support you hope for. Gentle Birthing exists to support expecting mothers during the planning and birthing process, and also to offer support and clarity in the challenging weeks after birth. "If I don't know my options, I don't have any." ~Diana Korte
Stephanie was a great help to us as we prepared for the arrival of our fourth baby and during delivery as well.
- Stephanie M.
We hired Stephanie as our doula for our first home birth and she was amazing! She offers birthing classes which we took (this is kid #3 but you’re always learning, they were very informative and she’s a thoughtful, supportive teacher. She’s on top of communication and checking in on how you’re doing, helping you navigate pregnancy, the birth process and postpartum. During my labor and delivery she was fully present, supportive to both myself and my husband. She made sure that our needs and wants were met and helped troubleshoot where needed. She provided a steady calm that really supported my husband and I. We’d recommend Stephanie to anyone looking to hire a doula to assist in their birth!
- Maria T.
Stephanie was an amazing person to have as a doula for our unmedicated natural birth. She provided helpful guidance for various laboring positions and natural strategies for keeping labor progressing. She was also an amazing advocate, helping us interpret what the Midwives. and nurses Told us and explaining what our options were for each procedure and intervention. She met with us twice before our due date, even though we hired her late in the game. (I believe I was about 36 weeks already by the time we hired her, but she still made time to meet with us and made sure we went over our birth plan thoroughly with her.) I would highly Stephanie to any family or friend desiring a natural childbirth!
- Samantha W.
Stephanie was my doula - she provided a class for my husband and I that talked about pregnancy, postpartum, hormones, baby care, & so many other important topics. Stephanie was extremely helpful in so many areas. She was able to come with us to the hospital and she was a saint! My labor was 37+ hours and she stayed by my side through it all. She helped me with all sorts of exercises & positions to help get our sweet baby out! Not only was she knowledgeable in this area, she was such an encouraging presence throughout my whole pregnancy, labor & delivery. She made us feel comfortable & confident in our birth plan. Would highly recommend her services! 🤍
- Mackenzie B.
I don't even know where to start, Stephanie was amazing all around! Before, during and after labor, she has so much knowledge to share, she made labor more comfortable! She shared a lot of great insights about breastfeeding before labor and after birth, she was great helping around the house while I focused on my daughter. My husband even said he was glad she was there the whole time and doesn't know what he would've done without her. I would 100/100 recommend Stephanie to any expecting mama!
- Stephanie G.
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