Working with Justine, Ale, and Rachel was definitely the best decision my spouse and I made in our birth experience! From providing evidence-based responses to our questions to helping us advocate with providers to simply cheering us on, we were so supported by this team! Justine joined us at the hospital for labor and was absolutely essential to making us both feel comfortable and safe as mine and baby's medical situation got more complicated. We truly could not have imagined doing this without her!! read more

If you're on the fence about hiring a doula like we were, don't be--especially if you're considering Justine and her team. We hired Justine for our second pregnancy because I was high-risk, on Lovenox, and managing gestational diabetes, and an unmedicated birth felt right for us. With my first pregnancy, I had no complications and chose an epidural, so my husband was very skeptical about needing a doula this time, especially since our first delivery went so smoothly. What ultimately made us move forward was knowing that my husband, being a very logical person, wouldn't be able to give me the emotional support I'd need during labor. After meeting Justine on a video call, everything instantly felt right. She was warm, supportive, and confident from the start, and she was the only doula who genuinely believed I could have an unmedicated birth--especially considering how quickly my first labor progressed with an epidural. She also reassured my husband that her support was just as much for him as it was for me. Throughout the pregnancy, Justine and her team answered every question and helped me navigate every curveball. No matter what came up, she was there with guidance, resources, and a listening ear. On delivery day, I delivered our baby girl in under an hour--completely unmedicated, just as we hoped. Even though there were moments when I wanted to give up, Justine's calm presence and steady, encouraging voice helped me push through. It ended up being the most magical birth experience I've ever had, and I still can't believe I did it. Hiring her was truly one of the best decisions we made. TL;DR: We were unsure about hiring a doula, but Justine completely changed our minds. Despite a high-risk pregnancy, she supported us from day one, reassured my skeptical husband, and helped me have a fast, completely unmedicated birth. Her calm, steady presence made it the most magical delivery experience--we're so glad we chose her. read more

I cannot recommend Justine and her team enough.  My husband and I received so much support during labor and excellent recommendations/resources (educational information, lactation class, prenatal massage, chiropractic provider recommendations, Lamaze class, infant CPR) throughout my entire pregnancy which kept me feeling good and confident leading up to the birth of our son. I immediately trusted everyone I interacted with at Midwest Doulas which brought me so much peace leading up to labor. I had planned for a home water birth (which we had) but I knew if a hospital transfer was needed, I would be well supported, even if it wouldn't be the birthing experience that I wanted. Justine attended my birth and is a Rockstar Doula. I absolutely loved my birth experience. Justine suggested different position changes as my labor progressed and also was a magician at reading my body language and talking me through when things would get more intense. This helped mentally prepare me and I believe was a significant contributor to me having an amazing birth experience. I also appreciated the photos Justine was able to capture during labor and birth. read more

Justine and the Midwest Doula team are absolutely incredible. As a first time mom, with next to no knowledge about how the birthing process works and what the pregnancy journey truly looked like, they were essential in easing my concerns and helping me feel prepared. I switched from an OBGYN practice to the Methodist Midwives via Justine's recommendation and it was by far the best choice, I felt so loved and cared for during the whole process. Having Justine in the delivery room allowed my husband and I to focus on the delivery and our baby rather than having any extra stress. We put our full trust into Justine to help guide us and advocate for us and we didn't regret it one bit. We will definitely be using Midwest Doulas for our future babies! read more

Midwest Doulas helped my family welcome our second child this past April. We were lucky enough to have Justine for a second time prep for the arrival of our baby, and be with me and my husband in the delivery room. The second I found out we were expecting again my first call was to Justine- the calmness, advocacy, strength, and support she brings to the birth is something I am forever grateful for. She helps me tap into my abilities, and ensures that the birth I desire is the birth I achieve. Outside of labor prep and delivery, the Midwest Doula team are caring, compassionate, fun loving, and joyful women and it is an honor to have them surrounding me during such an amazing time of life - bringing another life into this world. Cannot recommend them enough, and will continue to have them on my team for future pregnancies and labors! read more

We wanted to thank you Justine for going above and beyond to support us during a stressful 6+ HOUR DELAY before our planned c-section. I was overwhelmed by the idea of having surgery and Justine was truly a life saver, helping qualm my fears and stay present for the birth of our twins. And Ale thank you for your amazing support as well! We loved your sense of humor and appreciated how quickly you prepared and hand delivered our placenta capsules. I literally could not have done it without this team, and I recommend them to anyone beginning their pregnancy journey. Thank you thank you thank you Midwest Doulas!! read more

Justine was recommended to my wife and me by our midwife and we are so grateful. We had interviewed a few doulas before we met Justine and were about to give up the search as we just couldn't find the right fit, but we immediately clicked with Justine. Justine was so attentive to my needs and cared deeply about my history and my preferences for birth, which was to receive needed medical and pain interventions and to have the least trauma possible, even if that meant surgical birth. When the time came, I underwent a 2 day induction that was very challenging for me. Justine was available by phone for emotional support and to help make decisions, even in the middle of the night. She came to see me once my epidural was placed and brought broths for me to drink, then came back a little bit before active labor. Justine was so hands on and coached me in how to push and when to change into different positions. When things became complex, Justine took charge of the room and spoke directly with all parties involved about my options, then talked with me and my partner about every possibility and the pros and cons. She was so supportive and empowering and I honestly think that my birth would have been traumatic without her intervention and care. Justine came to our home after the birth for a post partum debrief and that brought me so much peace and reassurance. She also took beautiful photos during my birth that I will treasure forever. I would recommend her to any birthing person, and if I ever give birth again, I would hire her in a heartbeat. Thank you so much Justine, you made my baby's entry into the world so beautiful and I am so so grateful you were a part of our family's story! Hire her! read more

I'm so glad and grateful that I was able to work with the team at Midwest Doulas. They helped me to feel completely supported during my pregnancy. I appreciated that Midwest Doulas was supportive of a hospital birth. Justine attended my birth. My plan was to have an unmedicated vaginal birth, and I did! My husband and I were so grateful for Justine. She guided me through different positions to progress my labor, she showed my husband techniques for rubbing my back and supporting me during contractions, and she just knew where to be and what to do from moment to moment. I felt completely comfortable with her in the room and she worked very well with the team of nurses there. 10/10 if I have another baby I would hire Justine. My husband and I both have said that we don't know what we would've done without her. Thank you Justine for supporting me through labor, reminding me that I was safe during each intense contraction. You saw in me my strength and power and you truly helped me see it in myself. I had the birth that I wanted, and you helped me do that. read more

I worked with Midwest Doulas for my second birth. While my first birth was considered medically uneventful and very smooth, it was very fast and I wasn't sure if that was going to be the case for my second child. My spouse and I wanted peace of mind that we would have a coach in the room with us to help guide us through pain management, decision making, and to be a third support person. While my second birth ended up being even faster than my first, having Justine at my side moments after my birth was very helpful. My child had to be sent to the NICU and my spouse could go with him while I needed to remain in the delivery room to get some afterbirth care. Justine held my hand, literally, while I processed what happened with my birth and also went through those final procedures. I cannot recommend working with Justine and her team highly enough. They were educational, empathetic, and extremely helpful in preparing for our birth. While nothing can truly prepare you for the birth of what your child will actually look like, having Justine and her team work with us prior to the birth and during the actual birth process was incredibly helpful. We also have the pleasure of working with a postpartum doula from this team. She was kind, caring, and the help she provided for me was second to none. I can't encourage you enough to make the call to speak with Justine and her team. I don't think you'll regret it! read more

We hired Justine and the Midwest Doulas team for the birth of our first child, and we are so grateful we did. From start to finish, they went above and beyond. The team truly works together to support you throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond, offering resources, reassurance, and care every step of the way. Justine brings such a positive energy to the birth experience. She is 100% there for you--your needs, your preferences, your comfort. I truly felt that her presence allowed my husband to be more grounded and supportive during labor, because she was there guiding us both. Her knowledge and instincts helped keep our birth progressing naturally and even helped us avoid some unnecessary interventions. If we have more children, there's no question--we'll be calling Justine again. read more

We were so glad to have Justine and Ale on our team from Midwest Doulas! Even as a nurse with experience in the field, it was so helpful to have someone to talk to throughout the pregnancy and weigh pros/cons of different decisions, especially since doctor appointments are so brief. In addition to the birth support, the program was comprehensive including pre and post birth meetings, birth education classes with your partner, CPR, and lactation classes, too. At first my husband didn't quite understand what a doula was, or why we needed one, but he now sings Justine's praises, like everyone else! I ended up having a sudden unexpected complication--all good now, but I honestly don't know how I would be coping had Justine not been there. My medical team was great in their response, but having someone completely dedicated to me while it was all happening--advocating, showing unwavering, genuine investment in my wellbeing, was priceless. And her endurance is unmatched! Highly recommended--she has seen it all and is highly skilled. Thank you! read more

Justine is amazing! She makes labor happen. She is a shining light! I love her. She was attentive and responsive from the moment I reached out. She is experienced and knows how to work with you and your significant other. She is the first doula I have had with it being fifth birth. I wished I would have known her at my first birth! read more

For me, pregnancy brought not only joy but anxiety and many unanswered questions as a first-time mom. In surveying my friends and colleagues regarding their birth experiences, it was evident that those who had a doula present had more positive stories to share. I wanted to make sure I felt as prepared and supported as possible no matter how my birth story unfolded. Within five minutes of meeting Justine, I knew that we had found our doula. She was warm, extremely experienced (10+ years!), transparent, and familiar with high risk birth; more specifically my unique situation. She had routinely support births at our hospital and had familiarity with the staff and hospital-specific protocols, which gave me peace of mind. Additionally, having access to a team of doulas was invaluable. Someone was always there to answer my questions with a response within minutes. Ale and Ashley were just as knowledgeable and wonderful as Justine, and I felt confident and comfortable working with any of doulas during my pregnancy. In a whirlwind C-section delivery, Justine was able to remind me of preferences I had previously noted for my birth and keep me grounded before, during my spinal, throughout the birth, and after. It is extremely valuable to have a doula with the experience, insider knowledge, and a professional relationship with labor & delivery staff. Having Justine and my husband encouraging me through the process with physical touch and affirming words made for a peaceful, calm, and memorable birth experience. No doubt that having a doula greatly contributed to my POSITIVE birth experience. I felt strongly from the beginning that I wanted a doula with the experience and know-how to guide my birth journey! Hands down, best decision we made. I would recommend Midwest Doulas to anyone and plan on using them again if we have baby #2. read more

After interviewing multiple doulas and feeling very discouraged with who we were finding, a friend recommended Justine at Midwest Doulas. My husband and I interviewed with her and immediately felt connected to her. Justine and her team were amazing during our prenatal visits and helped us feel very prepared for what was to come. Despite our birth going completely off course due to some medical reasons outside of our control, Justine helped us to feel in control of the process the whole time and own our birth story regardless of it not being what we imagined or planned for. She was an incredie support during active labor and coach during pushing. My husband is very grateful she was there despite not knowing what a doula was when we started interviewing them. He is now recommending Justine to all of his friends for when their partners give birth. read more

Hiring Justine and her team at Midwest Doulas was one of the best decisions we've ever made. After a traumatic first birth, my husband and I knew we wanted more support for our second. We hired Justine, and I felt connected and seen from the first phone call. She was empathetic, kind, knowledgable, and oh-so helpful. When I found out I had to have a C-Section, she and the team checked in with me multiple times. Not only to provide me with the knowledge I needed, but to help me process my disappointment and fear. They went above and beyond. Even with a C-Section, I was so relieved to have Justine by my side. She was in the room with me during the surgical prep when my husband couldn't be, and she kept me calm and grounded as my anxiety increased. When our baby struggled for a bit after birth, Justine was the one to keep us informed and calm so my husband and I could support each other. I can't quite describe how grateful I am for Justine's presence at that time. When we got home, Justine and the team checked in on us and offered support and advice. We were also fortunate enough to enjoy overnight doula support during the fourth trimester. Rachel and Kali were the best... they cared for our daughter with love and patience. They did dishes, laundry, and more while my husband and I got some much-needed rest. Midwest Doulas are the absolute best! If you're on the fence, I hope my words sway you. You won't regret the support and love they provide. Thank you, Justine, Kali, & Rachel! read more

This was my second pregnancy. I didn't have a doula during my first, and after working with Justine and her team this time, I truly wish I had. They were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive every step of the way!Justine was instrumental in preparing my birth plan to reflect my needs and preferences, and she was an essential presence in the labor room.My labor was long, but I felt consistently supported through every moment--with guidance on labor positions, constant encouragement, and emotional reassurance.The doctors and nurses already knew Justine, which made the entire process even smoother. Their mutual trust and respect were clearly evident.My expectations were not only met but exceeded. Justine's deep knowledge and calm presence helped guide me through important decisions with confidence and clarity.If I have another baby, I will absolutely work with Justine and her team again. Highly recommend! read more

There are not quite enough words to express  how important Midwest Doulas was to my empowering birth experience--especially as things did not go as planned.  Every birthing person should be able to access dignified doula care like that offered with Midwest Doulas. I worked specifically with Justine and Ale, with Ale ultimately attending my birth, serving as my postpartum doula, and placenta encapsulator. We contracted with Midwest doulas because my good friend recommended them. In the beginning, Justine worked with my spouse and I to locate a provider in lockstep with the low intervention vision I had for my birth and help me develop my birth plan. We immediately connected with Justine's encyclopedic knowledge of evidence based birth practice. I was so impressed by how up to date she was on relevant literature and how she accompanied that knowledge with deep care for our wellbeing. Justine's transnational understanding of what birth looks like in France alongside the realities of the United States was helpful because she understands so much. I have the utmost respect for everything about Justine. I felt cared for and never rushed in our appointments. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I met Ale, who joined us over at our house to learn comfort measures. Ale felt like a long-lost friend and I was immediately comfortable with her too. I developed severe pre-eclampsia  at 38 weeks and was immediately induced. They gave me what I needed to navigate the medical industrial  complex and advocate for myself. Ale attended my birth and was the energy needed in the room during the most vulnerable day of my life. My birth experience could have been very traumatic; it was empowering because of them. I delivered vaginally (my goal) and did not tear. 1,000,000/10. Love them to pieces. read more

The Midwest Doulas have been BEYOND incredible to work with! Meeting with Justine, Ale, and Kali throughout my pregnancy was so helpful to plan and prepare for my labor and delivery. They are a wealth of knowledge and supported all of my goals while providing evidenced based insights to answer my questions. My labor and delivery were an incredible experience all thanks to Justine! I truly could not have imagined a better situation as a first time mom. She was the best support person for both me and my husband. She kept both of us informed of our options and worked hand in hand with the hospital staff. (All of the hospital staff already knew who Justine was & loved working with her -- so comforting!!)I highly recommend Justine and Midwest Doulas to everyone I know! Literally the best decision I've made during my pregnancy. Worth every. Single. Penny. I will absolutely be using Justine again when it's time for Baby #2! read more

Midwest Doulas was such an important partner in helping to educate us and navigate our choices when it came to the birth of our first son. Not only were Justine, Ashley & Rachel incredibly helpful & knowledgeable as we prepared, but the resources they connected us to (lactation consultant, birthED birthing classes, chiropractic support, numerous online resources, etc.) allowed us to feel so informed and confident going into our birth. For the big day of our birth, we were lucky to have Ashley join us; her guidance and support throughout labor (both virtually and in-person at our home) took away all anxiety and stress associated with having to figure out when to go to the hospital, allowing me to focus all of my energy on labor. At the hospital, she remained a calm and unwavering force guiding me through delivery and advocating for our preferences. Her support was integral to allowing me to have a seamless labor and delivery experience. I can't recommend Midwest Doulas and Ashley in particular, enough! read more

When we found out we were having our second baby, our first call was Justine at Midwest Doulas. She was such a massively important part of our first birth experience that we couldn't fathom having a second without her by our side. Our recent birth was one of the most joyful experiences of our lives, just like our first birth, filled with laughter and love and positivity and amazing music, support, and encouragement. When you are getting close to the birth of your child, it is typically an anxiety-filled and scary time, but not when Justine is part of the picture. Every time we talked to her, we were reminded that birth is an adventure, something to get psyched for, something we were LUCKY to experience. Thank you so much to Justine for advocating for us, for protecting us, for giving us the best advice, and for helping shepherd our beautiful son brilliantly and safely into the world! read more

Midwest Doulas - Doulas Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I am so grateful for the care Midwest Doulas provided before, during, & after the birth of my baby. I spent considerable time with Justine and Molly, both of whom helped to create such an empowering experience and overwhelmingly positive memory of bringing my daughter into the world. Due to factors outside my control, I was not able to have the birth experience I initially envisioned, but Justine and Molly were there every step of the way to create a new and revised plan - and ultimately it turned into a better labor and delivery experience than I could have possibly imagined. From the bottom of my heart, thank you To anyone considering Midwest Doulas, I highly, highly recommend you work with them. If I get the chance to bring another baby into the world, I will absolutely be working with them again. read more

Midwest Doulas/Justine is vital for improving the birth experience. She has been kind and informative of every step. She respected any decision we made and made sure we knew all our options. Justine did a great job of validating any worries without being dismissive and provided encouragement. We really appreciated her advocacy with preparation for birth and all the access to experts she had. I was especially grateful for Justine due to ending up with a C-section. Justine advocated for me to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible. She helped with comfort care when nausea set in. My spouse also really appreciated having her there as it was his first birth as well. He learned when you can push back on doctors and what is needed for the safety of the baby. He was able to be present in the moment and enjoy it as Justine took many precious photos for us. I also really appreciated the postpartum debrief. read more

Justine and her team are amazing!! My husband and I both highly recommend Midwest Doulas and have raved about them to everyone that asks about the birth of our daughter because they played such a huge role in our positive experience. Their guidance throughout pregnancy empowered me to go into my first birth feeling confident, informed and fully supported. Justine contributed to my birth experience being even greater than I ever imagined. From the middle of the night phone calls for reassurance once labor started to advocating for the water birth room at the hospital and all of the coaching and encouragement throughout labor for both my husband and me, she helped make birth the most beautiful and empowering experience for us!! Her expertise and understanding of our wishes allowed us to stay calm and fully present in the moment amidst the chaos of a hospital. The continued care and check ins postpartum were also so helpful as we adjusted to life with a newborn. I'm already looking forward to hiring Midwest Doulas again for my next birth! read more

'I'm finally getting around to writing my review... I have nothing but good things to say about Justine and her team of doulas. As a first time mom at 35 yr old, I intuitively knew I wanted to have a doula to consult throughout my pregnancy and present at my birth. Of all things pregnancy and labor and delivery related, that was the one thing I knew. So of course, I looked for the best doula service I could find and came across Midwest doulas. After interviewing Justine, I pretty much knew right away I wanted to hire her. Her years of experience,wealth of knowledge, and her long standing relationship with the hospital I wanted to deliver at, contributed to my easy decision. I wanted my boyfriend to be on board with a doula as well, so once I was able to convince him of the value, we hired Justine around 20 weeks pregnant. My pregnancy was easy for the most part, so i wasn't in contact as much as I thought I would be, but when I did reach out to Justine, she would respond immediately with either an answer or the person in her wonderful network of resources I needed to connect with. Justine was very adamant about communication which I appreciated, as I concider myself a low needs/low maintenance person. It was nice to have someone who truly cared about my well-being throughout this entire process. I also met with two other doulas Ale, and Ashley (I believe). Justine was who ultimately showed up at my birth, but the other two were equally as fabulous and made me feel so important and cared for in those last few weeks leading up to labor and delivery. I had always been "natural birth curious", but I never felt comfortable enough to pull the trigger on that route, and Justine never made me feel judged or pressured for any of my decisions and was always open to the conversation. I ended up having a long labor and delivery process and ultimately ended up electing to get a C section - my baby did not want to get into a favorable position to help me progress despite my efforts and Justine's amazing coaching and direction. After 40 hours of labor, I decided I wanted a c - section. I was never married to a delivery outcome, I was always open to the process going however it would go. And the way Justine supported me with the decision to go to c-section was so special. I don't think I will be able to fully describe it in words, but I felt it. She did not encourage it, she simply supported it as my decision. When all was said and done, Justine had been by my bedside for about 18 hours total between labor and my c section procedure. She took pictures, which I never would've had had she not been there. And her overall presence was like having the most loving knowledgeable and supportive mother. I don't know what I would've done without her. My boyfriend, who originally never saw the value of a doula, has been signing her praises everywhere we go. Following L&D, Justine linked me up with a donor breast milk network while I was figuring out my own baby feeding journey. That was a huge blessings to have access to. I also have yet to mention all the added resources and wonderful services that were introduced to me through Justine's full service package. The prenatal massage was the best massage I've ever had. I was even able to go back with a newborn and get massaged with baby. All in all - this was such a special experience. I have since moved to Texas, but if I am blessed to have another child, I would 1000% hire Justine again. So grateful for her. read more

I'm a yelper typically for the restaurant scene and love reviewing food. I never thought to look for a doula on Yelp but when I was looking to find at least one more doula to interview... I though heck I'll try Yelp... and this is how I found Midwest Doulas. Thank goodness for my yelp obsession!! I sent Midwest Doulas a message about their availability and interest in meeting me. They responded almost immediately (fasted Doulas in the Midwest!!). My initial meeting was with Justine. Upon walking up to Justine she welcomed my husband and I will a big hug. My husband and I did the standard introduction and asked the "interview" questions. Justine answered all the questions with enthusiasm and general interest in us. By the end of our meeting I knew that Midwest Doulas was who we were going to hire for the birth of our daughter. I'm not sure if this is standard practice but Midwest Doulas had three Doulas that are on-call for our Labor Day. They did 3 prenatal visits rotating the Doulas each time. That way we met all the Doulas. Our first prenatal visit was with Justine at our house. She went over our desires, wants, and needs. She took notes and ask many questions. This initial visit was super important as it really let's the Doulas know what we want and expect. Our second visit was with Mary. She talked about our desires, wants & needs, plus taught us some labor positions and exercises. This was super helpful and did come in handy the day of. The last visit was with Staci. She brought us a delicious sweet treat and casually discussed everything and anything about labor and delivery day. I was nervous initially hiring then because I only met one of the three Doulas before signing the contract. I decided that with all the wonderful reviews and how much we loved Justine that it was going to be just fine. Yes it was a gamble but thank goodness we just took that leap of faith and hired them. All three Doulas were equally lovable. We were confident with all three and had no worries who we would end up with on the Labor Day. Now to the actual day!!! My water broke at midnight. Midwest Doulas started a group text with us weeks prior to my due date. So on the night of we sent out a text letting them know my water broke. All of them responded with enthusiasm and excitement. As many of you know labor can last days... my husband and I told them we would be in touch. Several hours of laboring at home my husband decided it was time to have one of the Doulas come over. Now at this point I was in active labor and everything was a blur (my husband will have to write a "part 2" to this review with his opinion). Staci was the lucky winner of being our doula. She came over and lended a helping hand equally to myself and my husband. Laboring at home was all about changing positions and breathing correctly. Staci was great at reminding me what I should be doing. Once it was time to go to the birth center Staci met us there. At the birth center Staci was present and next to me as much as my husband. She encouraged me that I was doing great and I had this. She helped me with breathing, changing labor positions and helped with putting pressure on my back & hips when needed. Several hours later our daughter was born. Postpartum at the birth center- Staci helped me with breastfeeding. Once that was established she went and picked us up dinner!! Man she was a lifesaver from beginning to end!! Two days postpartum Staci came over to our house to check up on us. This was great for so many reasons. As I said above my labor was a blur. It was great talking about the process with her. She also provided us with a ton of photos she took during the labor and delivery. I knew she mentions she would take a few shots... she delivered!! I am so thankful for the photos she took for us. She captured some amazing moments. To wrap this novel of a review up... Midwest Doulas were worth every penny. They were the most expensive Doulas we interviewed but this is where the saying "you get what you pay for" applies! I would highly recommend them! If we have another baby someday I'd hands down hire them again! Their professionalism, knowledge, and personalities are the whole package for a perfect doula. We loved them and will be forever grateful for them! read more

Midwest Doulas - Doulas Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

See all

Our doula team was wonderful! Throughout the months leading to the birth, they were very communicative to both of us parents. When the delivery didn't go as we had planned, our doula Justine, was an incredible companion, and resource for my wife and I. She helped us feel comfortable about the decisions we were making, and was a comforting, knowledgeable companion throughout the delivery. My rating: 10 Stars! read more

Hiring Justine was probably the best decision I made for my home birth. I instantly liked her, she was easy to talk with, easy to relate to and genuinely interested in my process. I was always at ease working with her and I never felt like I was asking for too much or had too many questions. Justine was always readily available to me through my pregnancy and very quick to respond to any text, phone call or email. I ejoyed all of the up front help and she was a rock during my labor! I don't know how she did it, but she seemed to stay fully present the whole time and be a perfect balance between coach, therapist, and loving guide. I highly recommend working with her! read more

I can't recommend Ale and Midwest Doulas highly enough - nobody should gove birth without them! I had a lot of trepidation about the prospect of childbirth, and Ale was a huge help in pointing me to resources ahead of time, advising on recommendations for what to focus on and what not to worry about. Most importantly, she was a hero when it came to labor itself, I can't imagine doing it without her. I had a fairly difficult labor, about 50 hours from the first induction step to the C-section in the end, including multiple failed epidurals and 4 hours of ultimately fruitless pushing along the way. It was not anyone's version of how they hope a birth will go, but with Ale's help and coaching it felt manageable. Ale was such a good listener both before and during the birth - she really understood what was important to me about the birth and helped try and make that happen, and when there were decisions to be made at the time she helped me talk through the options and come to a good decision. She was also great about guiding me through the process in those many times when you just need simple instructions and coaching to get through the next contraction. She also worked seamlessly with the medical team and helped me understand some of the less clear points as things were happening. Strongly recommend Ale if you're nervous about an upcoming birth and need a wise hand to help navigate what can be a scary and difficult process, especially as a first-time mom. Best of luck! read more

It's so hard to put into words the INCREDIBLE difference Justine made during our first son's birth! We truly could not have had the successful delivery without her. Justine had so many suggestions for laboring positions, had the most supportive, calming, and CONFIDENT presence, and gave me so much peace of mind through the entire childbirth process. She is so knowledgeable, experienced, and you can tell she absolutely loves what she does! I'm so thankful for you Justine, you have such a special place in our hearts!!! read more

I knew from my first meeting with Justine that I wanted her at my birth. This was my second pregnancy. My first labor & delivery was very long and difficult, largely because my baby was sunny side up. That labor ended with an unplanned c-section. I did not have a doula with my first and this time I wanted to make sure I was as prepared as possible to try to achieve a VBAC. Justine was experienced with births similar to my first and gave me confidence that it would be different this time. It was! I had a home birth and it could not have gone better. It was an incredibly fast labor (opposite of my first) and thankfully Justine was able to make to to my house to help guide me with the best positioning as I was pushing. She was calm, encouraging, and so helpful. Our postnatal visit was a beautiful time to debrief about the birth. All the doulas at Midwest Doulas were wonderful during prenatal visits and I would have felt well taken care of with any of them. If you're considering hiring a doula, look no further than Justine and her awesome team! read more

We decided we would enlist the help of a doula, and after speaking with Midwest Doulas, we were sure that Justine and her team would be a perfect fit for our first birth. In a couple of conversations with Justine, we were lucky enough to talk with her after she assisted parents in their birth journey. These conversations with her only solidified our confidence in our decision as she exuded pure joy after her experiences. All the doulas from Midwest we met with were incredibly supportive throughout the pregnancy, making visits to our home and educating us in a variety of techniques. We took the recommended classes provided by Midwest Doulas, and they also helped us put together our perfect birth plan. Our doulas were responsive to early labor signs, and we felt very comfortable contacting the team when we weren't sure about something. Justine was able to come to our home and guide us through the active labor stage. She knew the right time to head to the hospital. When we were laboring at home, Justine helped ensure we had the rest we needed. She helped us with comfort measures and verbal guidance. Justine was able to keep me calm, centered, and empowered throughout the whole experience of labor and delivery while working seamlessly with our midwife and nurses. She recommended different laboring positions during the birth. That sped up the process. She encouraged me during the pushing stage. That hard work was successful, and he soon came into this world and was in my arm. Justine was so overjoyed for us and reminded me of how strong I was. She took wonderful photos to capture these precious moments, for which we are forever grateful. The expetise didn't stop after the birth of our son, and the doulas continue to be a source of support during our postpartum journey. We can't recommend Midwest Doulas highly enough. We know that without their help, our birth would not have gone so beautifully. read more

As first time parents, we knew we wanted the support of a doula. The team at Midwest Doulas far exceeded our expectations. We loved meeting and getting to know Justine, Ale, and Erin. They were exceptionally kind, supportive and knowledgeable. Justine guided us every step of the way and provided evidence based resources and tools to help us advocate for ourselves and our ideal birth experience. She was always available for all concerns and questions. She gave us confidence to make a decision when we were told we should induce early due to health concerns. During labor, Justine helped with different positions and coached me every step of the way. She was my personal cheerleader, and it helped me immensely to focus on her calming voice and words of encouragement. She also did a great job including my husband. When my daughter arrived, she immediately helped her latch for the first time. Working with Justine made our first birth experience unbelievably beautiful, and I never felt any fear. I knew I was in very capable hands and had so much confidence in myself and Justine. She is so passionate about supporting birthing families and has a gift for it. We definitely want her support again at all and any future births. read more

My husband and I had a wonderful time working with Justine from Midwest Doulas. She was an invaluable resource both before during and after the birth of our daughter. I highly recommend Midwest Doulas for anyone having a child whether it's your first, second or more. We will be using them again! read more

Justine and her group were all wonderful resources in preparing for the arrival of our daughter - providing resources, suggesting other professionals as needed, and offering reassurances to any doubts. Justine has such an encouraging and energetic presence; we were very exited for the birth! As it happened, our daughter presented with intolerance to labor shown as pronounced heart rate decelerations about 2 weeks before her due date. Justine came directly from another birth to wait nearby as things unfolded. The attempt at induction did not last long and so Justine was able to join us right away when we proceeded with a cesarean section. Her affirmations of our decision continues to be of comfort even now as we process the birth. Justine's presence in the OR was invaluable to both me and my Husband. She was able to wait with my husband prior to the procedure, and join in the OR - sitting with us throughout, taking photos, and offering comforting words. Her continued presence when my Husband accompanied baby during the baby's initial checks was wonderful. The photos have proven great to remember and process the experience as it all happened so quickly! Justine was super helpful in getting baby set up for initial skin to skin and the doctors completed the sutures. The OB was quite impressed that baby was breastfeeding upside down on me while still in the OR! Postpartum, Justine continues to be a wonderful resource - quickly answering our questions and being a sounding board to quell any self-doubts. It is clear that Justine is a wealth of knowledge for labor positions and comfort - and we only hope we can experience it first hand at the birth of our next babe! read more

From my first conversation with Justine Temke of Midwest Doulas, I knew that by hiring her as our doula for my first birth we would be adding years of expertise to our care team. With every conversation and text message we had throughout my pregnancy, it became more and more clear to me what an asset Justine and Midwest Doulas would be in preparing for my birth, experiencing labor and delivery, and entering the postpartum stage--not just in terms of experience but in terms of empowerment. Justine is passionate about empowering women and giving them the tools they need to make decisions regarding their bodies and births, which are then honored by Justine in a non-judgemental way. I felt so supported and calm heading into my first birth because I knew that Justine would be there to support me and my partner. Throughout my delivery, we had to make many adjustments to my birth plan and Justine was there every step of the way, explaining my options and creating space for me to feel and work through the emotions that came up for me. I felt safe, secure, and empowered even when I had to radically alter my expectations of my birth. What could have been traumatic at times became triumphant. My partner and I are so thankful that we invested in Justine and Midwest Doulas--my pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum experiences have all been far less stressful and far more positive than they would have been otherwise. We chose the Ultimate Birth Package and are so glad we did. It was worth every penny to have Justine present with us at my birth, and the birth and lactation classes we got as part of the package were an invaluable bonus. If you walk away with anything after reading this review, I would say to 1. Hire a doula if you're even just thinking about it, and 2. Hire Justine Temke and Midwest Doulas. We are so thankful to have her in our corner. Working with her was life-changing in the best way. read more

We've had such an incredible experience with the Midwest Doulas team. During the prenatal sessions Ale, Molly and Ashley were all warm, compassionate, patient and exceptionally knowledgeable. Molly was the one to attend our birth and we can't imagine going through it without her. When some unexpected drama with our OB arose, Molly was our best supporter and empowered us to make the tough choices we needed to in order to feel informed, heard and safe. Had she not been there I genuinely don't think it would have occurred to us that we could opt for another provider, nor do I think we would have felt confident advocating for such a change. That alone was worth its weight in gold, but Molly's value didn't end there! During labor she was so helpful, suggesting new positions, guiding breathwork and applying comfort measures. It was a welcome relief for both my husband and me not to have to own the mental burden of thinking and planning in the moment. Rather, we were able to simply follow her lead and offer feedback on what we felt was or was not working. My labor ended up being very fast and I was worried in advance that having a fast labor would make me feel like I got less value from having a doula present, but that was absolutely not the case. In the moment, mere minutes can feel like an eternity and having the right setup and support is everything. Molly was also hugely helpful in normalizing what was happening and helping us unpack the events of our labor after the fact. I couldn't recommend Molly more. It was an honor to share this major life moment with her. read more

I will be forever grateful for Justine and all the support she gave me and my husband during my two VBACs. My first VBAC (second child) was something I desired with my whole heart but I wasn't sure I was capable of achieving it- Justine knew this and made sure to make me believe I was capable, kindly coaching me through pregnancy and during my *very* long labor. She stayed by my side the whole time and helped me with positions, pain management through contractions, pep talks, snacks, and much more. I wouldn't have done it without her. She even helped us to advocate for ourselves through an unfortunate experience at the hospital where we delivered. For my second VBAC (third child), I was a lot more confident and I know in part was because of my previous amazing experience with her by my side. It was definitely the best investment in our pregnancy/VBAC journeys and I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do it all over again! Thank you, Justine, you're amazing! read more

I have been trying to write this review for almost 6 months now and no words ever seem adequate. I went into this birth wanting a VBAC so badly that I felt if I pushed my Type A self hard enough it would happen. It didn't happen, and you know what? I'm ok with that. I had the exact support I needed in Justine throughout the process to know I tried everything possible and I could be at peace with the final outcome. We laughed, we cried, she held my head as I vomited and didn't choke to death- it was all good! I didn't get the traditional experience I had originally wanted, but I had the extremely healing c-section I needed and that was in large part because of the help and warmth of Justine. Sitting back in a surgical suite having someone poke you in the back with a needle and not doing a great job at telling you when it will happen? Not fun! Having Justine there to make inappropriate jokes with you about the situation? Much more fun (the inappropriate jokes came from me, I promise). She reads the room exceptionally well and how I deal with anxiety is humor, so she gave that to me. I think what was most impactful, beyond having a healing, family-oriented c-section was the support I received via text and phone after. I had some really unique complications and I never knew if I should be worried, if I should go to the ER, if I'm just being overly cautious etc, and she always gave me great things to think about, questions to ask, and advice but allowed me to ultimately make my own decisions. And yes, I did go to the ER twice, and it was the right call both times. She helped me feel more confident in my decisions and helped me feel like I could better advocate for myself, something I didn't have with my first birth. We cannot thank Justine enough for her guidance, support, and most importantly, sense of humor. I wish I had her in my life with my first birth. read more

I don't know where to begin I received everything from the positive support, rapid knowledgeable responses, to the unbelievable fallow up. I need to add that I am not a person that asks for help easily or knows where to ask for it. Without question I not only received the support and guidance that I didn't know I could receive but gained so much confidence in doing so. I was able to have a home-birth. I never once questioned my decision or choice, and neither did my doula. I was backed on all of my decisions without judgement. I'm endlessly grateful for having such a positive experience throughout my birth, and postpartum time. Thank you. read more

Midwest Doulas was absolutely amazing! My doula was Justine. She had a calming presence from the moment I met her. Her knowledge and kindness guided me throughout my pregnancy and all its unexpected turns. She helped me navigate the difficulties of trying to get my breeched baby to turn and eventually (when my baby just wouldn't budge) through my C-section. I'm grateful to say that with Justine's help, I remained calm throughout the surgery. In fact, meeting my child was the most incredible moment of my life! I don't think that would have been possible without Justine and Midwest Doulas. Thank you!! read more