Equipping couples to experience the beauty of childbirth TOGETHER.
Home Birth Testimonials
“My partner and I worked with Niki for the birth of our first child. We did a home birth and wanted to have the most comfortable and empowering experience possible for my partner. Niki was an absolute champion. Our labor progressed quickly and Niki did an incredible job coaching my partner. She always seemed to know exactly what to say and how to physically support her. After I set up the birthing space, I joined Niki in supporting my partner and we quickly fell into perfect sync. Thanks to Niki, we kept our fears at bay and brought in the softest and strongest parts of ourselves to our birth.”
-Cole
“Niki is a gentle, love based, and fantastic doula. She brings such a calm and grounded energy to the birthing process and 100% recommend her for anyone looking for support.”
-Oliver
“Niki has been my doula for all four of my home births and it’s difficult to put into words how much she means to me. I absolutely love my husband (and appreciate his role at my births) and I’ve also loved each of my midwives and how much they’ve supported me throughout my births, however, if I could only choose one person to labor with me, I’d choose Niki without question! Through three very different labors, she was the constant voice guiding me through each contraction. She would speak my birth affirmations over me, encourage me, affirm me and help redirect my thoughts when I felt like I couldn’t keep going. When I needed physical support, she helped guide my husband on how to give me relief as I preferred his physical touch during labor. I didn’t know Niki personally before she was my doula but I immediately felt comfortable with her. She was, and always will be, a safe place and the calm in the storm of overwhelming pain and emotion. To say I deeply value her is truly an understatement. I feel so fortunate to have connected with her when I did and to have had her by my side through the most difficult and most beautiful moments of my life.” -Racquel Larkin
“Niki was at both of my home births and I highly recommend her to anyone considering a home birth, or any birth! Both times Niki was the emotional support I needed- she was a calm presence that kept me grounded and moving forward through my labor. Thank you Niki!!!”
-Derya
“We were not sure if we wanted or needed to hire a doula but we are so glad that we did. Niki was amazing and she was an essential part of our birth team! We felt a connection with her immediately and knew that she would be able to help us have the birth that we wanted. During our prenatal visits she made us feel very comfortable and fully supported. She provided the necessary tools and techniques for both me and my wife to be prepared for labor. Niki was intuitively connected to the progression of the labor from beginning to end. We are so happy that we chose Niki and we highly recommend her to anyone thinking about hiring a doula!”
Brian
“After having medical births with my first two children, I knew that avoiding a third one meant doing things very differently. One of the first courses of action I took when I found out I was pregnant with baby number three was hiring a doula. A good friend had told me about this amazing friend of hers who served as an unofficial doula before she even began her journey of becoming one. She said having her there made all the difference in her birth. This friend was Niki Schemanski. After hearing such high praise from a trusted source, I made an appointment to meet Niki. From the first meeting, two things were very clear about her. Niki is a wonderful, loving person who makes you feel heard and cared for. She also loves birth! I knew that if I wanted my third attempt at a natural birth to be successful, I needed her support and expertise. At different points during my pregnancy, Niki was available to listen and encourage me. We discussed the vision I had for this birth, my hopes and fears and what Niki could do to help me get through labor. By the time labor came, I felt so comforted and confident knowing Niki would be there to help me through this deeply personal moment. Niki was there for the entirety of my labor and birth at home. She applied pain reducing techniques, massaged my hands, feet and head, spoke encouraging words, used essential oils, put cold compresses on my head and neck and just cared for me constantly. She was this amazing combination of coach and mother. When I broke down in fear and exhaustion, she met those things with her own confidence in the process and energy to keep being my biggest support. I finally had the birth of my dreams and I know one of the biggest reasons for my success was Niki. Hiring a doula is really not a luxury, it is a necessity! And I would say the same thing about hiring Niki as your doula. She will bless your experience with all she has to offer.”
Mallory & Sean
“From the day my husband and I met Niki, we both had a great feeling about how she could support our birth journey.
Niki’s support was invaluable through my entire birth journey and I am so glad she was by my side when I needed her the most. She provided a birth prep session for my husband and I at our home. During labor she kept me centered and grounded. And throughout early postpartum, she checked in on us frequently and provided birth notes and we reflected on my birthing experience together.
I would absolutely recommend her to all birthing humans, she is absolutely incredible and I find that this review doesn’t even come close to reflecting how truly grateful I am of her and her support. If you’re looking for a doula to support you, book a consultation with Niki!”
-Courtney & Drew
“Niki was incredible. For background, this was my 3rd baby and 2nd home birth. I started looking into photographer/doulas early in my pregnancy and found Niki. I met with her and immediately knew I wanted her at my birth. I could tell she was so passionate, knowledgeable, and she had such a calming demeanor.
A few weeks before my due date, I met with Niki and we went through my birth plan. She asked me questions that I’d never thought about – how I liked to be supported and what I needed to focus during my birth and how I wanted my husband to support me. She knew exactly what to ask so she was prepared for my birth too. Niki asked about how I handle when things don’t go according to plan and we talked through different situations, which helped me to be prepared emotionally beforehand and defined my limits in case things changed quickly.
Niki also did a home visit at 38 weeks. She went through the stages of birth and even as a 3rd time mom, I learned a lot! It was great for my husband too. She went through rebozo techniques and acupressure points we could use when labor started.
My baby was 6 days late and we were all anxiously waiting for it. When labor started, I kept Niki updated until I knew baby was close. She got here quickly and she came in quietly and calmly. She knew what to offer when I needed it (water, essential oils, cold washcloths) and she repeated affirmations in such a calm and reassuring way. It was support that even my husband couldn’t give. He was also focused on counter-pressure on my lower back and Niki guided him to best support me too. At one point, I told her I couldn’t do it anymore, but she knew how to calm me and baby was almost here!
I didn’t notice her taking photos and she videoed the birth. It’s so amazing to have those moments captured.
In the days after my birth, she checked in on us and how we were doing emotionally, not just physically. We did a postpartum visit back at my home and recapped my birth, which was helpful in processing and a joy for both my husband and I to share and remember everything since we’d both been wrapped up in having a newborn.
I cannot recommend having Niki as your doula enough! Her presence made everything peaceful and she knew exactly how to handle each phase of labor. My husband agreed that we could not have done the birth without her! Having a doula is one of the best things you can do for your birth. And having the right doula changes everything for the better! Niki was the perfect doula for us and we’re so incredibly grateful for her!
Elizabeth & Ian
Niki was our doula for the birth of our son and I am SO glad we had her with us. From the moment she stepped into our home and my space, where I was laboring, she brought with her an amazing sense of peace and empathy. I’ll never forget how she knelt down next to me, noticed my current state and wiped the tear from my eye.
She was with me the whole time until my son was born and I really could not have labored so well without her. One thing I love about her is that she really allowed for myself and my husband to feel empowered before and during our home birth. My husband and I have never felt so connected and part of this was due to the meetings and trainings that Niki offered. We highly recommend her services, it felt like having a really great, sweet friend by our side.
She also captured some great photos of the special moments between my husband and I and the birth as well. SO grateful and thankful for her.
Sharayah
“Niki is all that I could have asked for a Doula to be, I can not imagine my birth experience without her. The information and childbirth education session she provided us with set us up to be totally confident and comfortable with what was ahead for us. Her experience and wisdom set us up on a path for success. During birth she played a gentle and supportive roll, guiding us with affirmations and massage when needed. She has such a warm positive energy, and is so open minded and understanding. Truly such a blessing to have her help to bring our baby into the world <3”
Bailey
Niki is an AMAZING doula! I could not recommend her enough (and I was a doula previously in a different city). She not only has the training and skills that a doula needs, but she naturally just emanates love and compassion. From the first moment I met her I just knew that she would be the perfect fit to help us navigate labor and birth. As soon as she arrived at our home for our homebirth, she immediately put me at ease. Her faith in God and the natural process of labor was a calming reminder that I could get through each contraction. When my contractions got very intense near the end she was a steady presence that not only helped me but also my husband. When our daughter was crowning, Niki was right there for me to hold on to and helped coach me to try and have the least amount of injury… and this allowed my husband to catch and delivery our baby girl (with the guidance of our midwife). In our postpartum visit, I really was able to marvel at the special doula and person Niki is. She had wonderful notes and beautiful pictures for us to hold on to and remember our once in a lifetime experience forever. She also had very poignant questions and discussions that helped us to really process the birth in a healthy way. We are so grateful to have found her! My husband and I cannot imagine walking this path without her!
Dr. Hailee, ND
“It’s been 19 months since I gave birth to my beautiful baby! For 19 months I have struggled to find the words to express the massive gratitude I have for Niki and all the support she gave me throughout my pregnancy and birth journey. Every single moment of my birth journey brings up a memory of Niki. The level of love and support that she brought to the entire process is unprecedented and there is no way I would even consider a future birth without having her by my side. Even now, 19 months later, I still have tears of gratitude. She is an incredible human and I can’t say enough out her!”
-Denise
“If you’re looking for a doula that is knowledgeable, fun, easy going, and thoroughly enjoys their job, then you’re looking in the right place. Niki is an experienced doula, who provides hands on training, and is constantly available. I could go on and on about Niki, but I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.
Every time I was concerned about something, Niki was there talking me through it! She was always there loving on my husband and I and supporting us. And one night when I was especially concerned, she drove all the way to my house just to check up on us and it was 10 o’clock at night! What an angel!
By the time I was going into labor, Niki was on the phone and asked if we needed anything, she even stopped at the grocery store for us. Things were progressing so quickly with her. She made my husband feel confident in his ability to help and strengthened our connection through the whole thing.
Niki, is an all around wonderful person in every way and it definitely shines through her work. She truly cares for her clients and her authenticity provides such a tranquil environment. I love Niki so much and am so glad that my husband and I have had the privilege to work with her.”
