Stephanie Cranfill
Hey! I’m Stephanie, a certified birth and postpartum doula in Charlotte, NC. As your doula, my goal is to be not just a source of knowledge but also an ally and a major component of your support team. Your journey into parenthood doesn’t have to be stressful, traumatic, or even sleepless. I’ll be by your side, helping make your first steps into your new family dynamic as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Meet Charlotte Postpartum Doula
I’m originally from upstate New York, in Syracuse, but have officially called the Charlotte, NC area home for more than 6 years. Before I was a postpartum doula, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in restaurant management and worked in the restaurant industry for more than 12 years as a chef. I love to cook, and still, to this day, cooking, grocery shopping, and meal prepping are some of my favorite ways to support new parents. It wasn’t until after delivering my first child that I found my calling as a doula.
When it comes to my personal life, our home is always busy, teeming with life and love. In addition to four fantastic children (two bonus children and 2 biological children), my wife, Rachel, and I are also doggie mamas of four fur children! When we are not doulas, we breed Australian Labradoodles and Bernadoodles, which makes me an unofficial doggie doula, too!
I am also a huge sports fan (go Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Red Sox!) I even played softball and volleyball throughout high school and college.
My Birth Story & Why I Became a Certified Doula in Charlotte, NC
As I mentioned, I went to school and worked for more than a decade in the restaurant industry. But, after my wife and I got married in 2019, we decided to have a baby. However, no one could have expected what 2020 had to offer. Welcoming our baby George at the beginning of a pandemic was challenging and scary, especially with limited labor and delivery support available due to the unprecedented circumstances and enhanced safety protocols. Rachel and I did most of the hard work alone without much instruction or assistance from the hospital staff. George made his appearance after three hours of hard pushing, which left its mark both physically and mentally.
When we conceived again, I knew we had to do something different. So, a few months before delivering baby Lincoln, I began researching options and learned all about birth doulas and postpartum doulas, eventually connecting with Uptown Doula. The two experiences could not have been more different. Rather than three hours, Link made his appearance in 3 pushes and 15 minutes, ready to party! Even the recovery time went by in a flash.
My own personal testimony through Uptown Doula is also the biggest driving factor in my decision to become a doula. After I experienced the difference myself after hiring Uptown Doula, I knew I wanted to help other families experience the way childbirth the way it was supposed to be, providing the help I needed when we were welcoming baby George.
As your birth and postpartum doula, I’m here to help you every step of the way. Before your baby arrives, I’m here to help you prepare for the birth experience, answer any questions or concerns, create a birth plan based on your needs, advise you through any struggles, and hold your hand and offer labor support during delivery..
After your baby arrives, I’m here to lend a helping hand throughout the postpartum period, from light housekeeping and laundry to feeding help and more. After ten years of working in the restaurant industry, I’m happy to put my skills to good use to help new and expectant parents through cooking, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. However, I also truly enjoy overnight care visits. As a night doula, I’m happy to help with nighttime feedings, cleaning the bottles and equipment, assisting with siblings and more while you get caught up on much-needed sleep.
How Can I Help?
The months following childbirth are incredibly transformative, albeit exhausting. Doula services and postpartum education can be a lifeline when you need it most. Having an extra set of hands can provide relief enough to avoid "the baby blues," feel a little more like yourself, or even catch a guilt-free catnap.
I love supporting families in and around the Charlotte area, however, whenever they need it, day or night. Here are a few postnatal doula support that I offer that could help:
What Postpartum Support Can I Ask For?
Newborn care while you catch up on sleep (or shower)
Creating a sleep schedule
Meal prep
Light house cleaning
Night doula services
My Credentials
•Certified Labor Doula | ProDoula
•Bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management
Certified Labor Doula | ProDoula
Bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management
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