Stephanie Schiavenato (formerly Poplika)
Reviews (30)
Review from the Spring 2023 Birthing Survey
What month and year was your child born? Sept 2022 Review: Amazing amazing amazing. Best decision I made with my birth. Any advice for people who are considering using a birth doula? Pls do it. It's worth it. My doula did lactation consulting for me. So helpful. There was no one else to give me this information. What she told me was helpful and worked.Review from the Spring 2023 Birthing Survey
What month and year was your child born? October Review: The best decision I made was working with Stephanie. If there’s one thing you do, work with her. Any advice for people who are considering using a birth doula? Find someone experienced. Most folks who have had lukewarm experiences have been w newer doulas pushing an agenda versus educating and framing decisions for patients. Birthing class review: A+ also covered many of the hospital specific nuances which were extremely importantbirth doula recommendation
I can’t say enough great things about Stephanie Schiavenato. She’s incredible, empathetic and an excellent advocate. I could not have done it without her.birth doula recommendation
Stephanie Schiavenato is absolutely incredible and has experience with both VBAC and NYU!Review from the Spring 2022 Birthing Survey
I do not know what I would have done without Stephanie during the pregnancy, the birth and postpartum. Stephanie was there for any question or anxiety I had, always with patience and empathy. I had to go to the hospital during the pregnancy for scares - she guided me through the whole process in real time, telling me what would happen when I arrived, what tests they would do, what questions I should ask, etc. I had a difficult 36 hour labor that ended in an unexpected c section and she was there explaining everything to me, advocating for me and encouraging me every step of the way. She has such a deep well of knowledge about the hospitals, doctors and procedures and offers classes on different aspects of the process that I found so helpful. I was not expecting to need a c section but because I’d done a session with her on them, I knew exactly what to expect and what my options were. I also appreciated that she never felt at odds with the medical staff - it always felt collaborative. Postpartum, I credit her with helping me be able to breastfeed. Because of the difficult labor, it took a long time for my milk to come and I was so discouraged- she came and helped to get our latch going, gave me a pumping plan to get the milk to come in and most importantly, offered support and anecdotal success stories at a time when I really needed to hear them. She is kind, knowledgeable, funny and a delight to be around. 100% recommend.birth doula recommendation
I can’t say enough great things about Stephanie Schiavenato. She’s incredible, empathetic and an excellent advocate. I could not have done it without her.birth doula recommendation
Stephanie Schiavenato is absolutely incredible and has experience with both VBAC and NYU!ISO: In-person doula for Jan 2022
I worked with Stephanie Schiavenato for both my pregnancies and deliveries, and she was indispensable to my understanding of what the heck was going on with Covid policies in NYC hospitals. I gave birth to my second baby in March 2020 mere days before the state shut down (and banned visitors and doulas for almost 2 weeks). Stephanie is not only warm and experienced, she will go to bat for you -- a strange thing to say about a doula pre-Covid, but given the state of the world, you want not just someone who'll patiently and non-judgmentally answer your questions, but who'll advocate for you and your baby every step of the way. (I'm not even sure if she's still available for Jan 2022 because she's become quite popular, but I love her and want every person to have a good birth experience, and for me she's The One.)Review from the 2021 Birthing Experience Survey
Stephanie is the no-nonsense Cancerian you want at your delivery to both feel and absorb all of your feelings but also physically rearrange the room and direct the nurses to meet your every need. We were miserable at the hospital until she showed up and took over. I liked her during our interviews because she was so sharp, clearly experienced and incredibly well informed, but also so warm and attuned to what I needed out of the experience, never tried to force me into anything or made me feel judged for my choices. Five stars, hire this woman.Doula recommendations?
Highly recommend Stephanie Schiavenato—hands down could not have done it without her, pandemic or no pandemic, but tbh she kept us calm and rational as first-time parents-to-be during a really weird time. She is incredible.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Stephanie came over twice to my home since I delivered to help with breastfeeding and recovery. She showed me a bunch of different positions to nurse, made sure my daughter was latching correctly, and even helped us burp her and massage her to get rid of gas. Stephanie was also always available by phone, answering my array of first-time mom questions at all hours of the day.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
The best. Knowledgeable and calm, Stephanie made my birth experience the best it could be. She’s easygoing and hilarious which just makes everything better. She shared lots of info and videos with me to make me feel more confident, and was responsive all hours of the day and night. You can tell she is deeply experienced but still gives you the room to make the choices you want for your birth.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Absolutely loved Stephanie for birth prep and postpartum help with breastfeeding. Stephanie actually wasn’t able to attend my birth because she had another birth that was 2 weeks early, but she sent a backup doula, Jesse, who was absolutely amazing. Jesse helped me labor at home for almost 6 hours so that by the time we arrived at the hospital, I was already 6cm. She also asked important questions that my husband and I were too distracted or exhausted to remember. Even though she could not be present during actual delivery since I had a c-section, she was an amazing asset throughout labor.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Could not have done it without her, hands down. I gave birth Just as doulas were allowed back into the hospital, and she was such a comfort and advocate for me. Throughout the process, before birth, she was calm and really helpful during the pandemic when everything was so uncertain and scary. I will recommend her to every pregnant woman always and forever.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Stephanie Schiavenato was the doula for my first and second pregnancies. She was invaluable to helping my husband and me prepare for our daughters' arrival, and she has been integral to helping me navigate breastfeeding. She's incredibly supportive, non-judgmental and a wonderful human being. I wouldn't have another child without her!Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Stephanie attended my birth and they both did postpartum care. They are AMAZING. I adore them both and cannot recommend them enough. They made my husband and I feel confident and prepared, and Stephanie was phenomenal in the hospital. She was our advocate and sounding board when things went a little sideways. Hiring them was the best decision we made.Review from the 2020 Birthing Experience Survey
Stephanie was absolutely incredible. I loved loved loved her. Made everything about this process ok. I was afraid and unenthusiastic about birth and she was the thing that made it all ok.Doula recs?
Another vote for Stephanie Schiavenato! I love her. She was our doula for my daughter and we had a phenomenal experience with her. She was there for us through our rocky road to that pregnancy and every step of the way during (including a version to flip the baby). She is, indeed, incredibly knowledgeable. And warm, and delightful. And while I had an unmedicated birth, I know she's just fine with pain management.Doula recs?
I just want to shout out our amazing doula, Stephanie Schiavenato, who helped me have an unmedicated birth with my first child at Weill-Cornell after 30 hours of labor — totally awesome and, as you note, hard to do in NYC. (I had a C-section the second time for unavoidable medical reasons, and Stephanie was great at helping navigate that as well). Stephanie is also an anthropologist who has worked with women giving birth in Latin America and other parts of the world — the level of knowledge and wisdom she brings is comforting and inspiring.Stephanie Schiavenato
Stephanie Schiavenato is the hero of my (and my little guy’s) birth experience. If I were to pick my team again, she’d be my first pick hands down. Delivering during the Covid pandemic, I was only allowed one partner/support person. Choosing Stephanie as my plus one was the smartest decision of my entire pregnancy. She is the trifecta of qualities from female heroes that we celebrate with their images on a coffee mug- RBG (advocate), Michelle Obama (guru) and Jane Jacobs (anthropologist). Breaking this down this comparison, she champions for her clients, helps find their inner strength and warrior, and understands human behaviors (both her mamas and the health team) to set the conditions for an amazing delivery experience. During my labor at NYU, complicated as I delivered at the height of covid, policy was shifting daily. Stephanie was instrumental in advocating for me during this complex time. At the height of the labor, I began to doubt my own strength and started to backdown from my desire for a vaginal birth. Stephanie had the perfect words and action to help draw out my inner warrior and ensure I stayed true to what my heart wanted. She understood what is not only said but the unstated needs and motivations driving not only my behavior but the medical team as well. And she does this with a huge heart, smile and warmth that comforted me along the entire journey. In our home, Stephanie will forever be lauded as our hero in this strange time. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or need for recommendations.Doula recommendation during Covid-19, Stephanie Schiavenato
Our recent doula, Stepanie Shiavenato, has updated her website to include how an upcoming birth can still benefit from a doula's support during the Covid-19 outbreak. She was indispensable through my pregnancy, labor/delivery, and postpartum experience and I recommend her to anyone seeking doula support. I believe having her compassion and extensive experience was 100% why I had a successful VBAC and I will forever be deeply grateful to her for the care she provided us. Her link is: https://stephanienycdoula.com/doula-support-during-covid19Virtual lactation consultant?
I delivered my second child at Methodist 6wks ago and greatly benefited from working with Stephanie Schiavenato, https://stephanienycdoula.com/ I wasn't able to breastfeed my first child due to a number of early issues leading to very low supply. At that time, I saw a few lactation consultants, pumped constantly, even took domperidome for months but nothing ultimately helped. After the delivery of my second child, Stephanie was tremendously helpful and patient answering my array of questions and concerns of supply. Thanks to her I'm able to breastfeed my second child. I still contact her for support and always feel calmed and capable after the conversation. I most appreciate how she simplifies the experience by keeping the efforts realistic with a newborn and lack of sleep. She's also a lovely person and always kept me laughing when I wanted to cry :)Review submitted via the PSP Birth Survey
We used Stephanie for both births and I love her. She's low key and really great in the moment and helped me sort through everything and gave great direction for what to do during contractions and pushing. As well intentioned as my husband was she was definitely more useful during the process of labor and delivery. She really helped keep me calm both times. My first delivery was over 30 hours and the second was barely 7 hours and she was so helpful both times in figuring out when to go to the hospital. If we ever had another kid I wouldn't hesitate to hire her again. Based on a March 2017 birthing experienceReview submitted via 2015 Birth Survey
Review: Stephanie is an amazing doula! My husband and I interviewed a few doulas and it was obvious that Stephanie and I clikced. I liked that she had tons of experience at NYU, where I delivered, and with my Ob/Gyn office. Stephanie was great at teaching us the signs of labor, supporting me through the end of my pregnancy and guiding us through labor. She also pointed us in the direction of local birthing classes, acupuncture and other services. She's calm, caring and supportive. Since we lived nearby each other, she came to our apartment before we went into the hospital and drove into Manhattan with us. I can say that I would not have made it through a non-medicated birth if I hadn't had Stephanie. Even though we read the books and attended the classes, my husband and I couldn't remember anything in the middle of labor. Stephanie was there to calmly guide us, make suggestions and even tell my husband where to stand to be most helpful. Having a doula was the best decision I made in pregnancy and I'm happy it was Stephanie. Insurance: Not that I am aware of. Based on a 2015 birthBased on a 2014 Birthing Experience
Member Review: Stephanie was calm, supportive, and non-judgmental. She has TONS of experience delivering at NYU and knew how things worked there. My husband was worried about working with a doula, having read that they often clash with the doctor and hospital staff. Not Stephanie. The nurses there love her and told me I picked a good one. She was a consistent presence through changing shifts of doctors and nurses, and was able to translate medical jargon to us so we know exactly what's happening next. This really calmed me and my husband's nerves. Looking back, even though there were a couple anxious moments when the baby was in some distress, thanks to Stephanie I have nothing but positive memories of giving birth. Insurance details: (Review submitted via the 2014 Birthing Survey)Re: ISO lactation consultant to do a home visit today
Stephanie Poplika has been an amazing support to me from my first challenges breast feeding my daughter in the NICU through every little bump on the road 20 months later. I recommend her with enthusiasm.Birth Survey 2012
Review Date: April 2012 REVIEW: Stephanie is non-judgmental, practical, kind, and knowledgeable. She was supportive throughout my birth experience and open to my plan which was simply, pursue natural but open-minded about an epidural. Though I have virtually no pain threshold, Stephanie (and my partner of course) were incredible at helping me come up with strategies to manage and cope with the challenges of giving birth. I labored at home for over 35 hours and continued at the hospital for a total of 42. I can't recommend her enough! INSURANCE ISSUES: N/ABirth Survey 2012
Review Date: April 2012 REVIEW: Stephanie was amazing. She visited twice before the delivery and then came as soon as we called on delivery day. I had a 28 hour labor and she was there through the whole thing. I don't think I would have avoided a c-section without her. She is incredibly warm, sensible and able to negotiate the hospital staff and my family! INSURANCE ISSUES: no.Birth Survey 2012
Review Date: April 2012 REVIEW: She's the reason we're gonna have another kid. No, just messin with ya. But she is wonderful. Very experienced, relaxed, fun, funny. She advised us well when there was a complication. Did what I asked when I asked. Ideal. INSURANCE ISSUES: I didn't know insurance might cover doulas.(no subject)
I'd also recommend Stephanie Poplika. She was wonderful to work with before, during and afterwards. If you want a more in depth recommendation, feel free to contact me. I do think it's important to talk to a couple before you pick one since it's a lot about how you feel you'll be able to interact with them during labor. We liked everyone we talked to, but really clicked with Stephanie. (Jan 2011)
