Meet & Greet

Hi!

I’m Steph.  I’m a creator, doula, adventure seeker, life-long student, mother to two amazing boys, homeschool mom, coffee lover, whole food junkie and founder of The Green Stork.

I feel so blessed to be doing the work I love now.  I recall a time when I was working 40-60 hours a week in the corporate world, traveling around the country visiting with multimillion dollar customers.  I loved my work and responsibilities, but I longed for a more meaningful job. 

After the birth of my first son, I found myself dreaming of this “mother-baby center” in my off-time: a place for mothers to connect, find support, and meet like-minded people. I spent hours plotting out a place for families to find the childbirth education that fit them best; a place for them to learn about ALL their options revolving around birth.

I dragged my husband along to look at two different buildings to purchase.  We just couldn’t figure out how we would get started and support our growing family at the same time.  I wanted so badly to bring resources to the southern, MN area.  I found it hard for myself to find the support I needed with my first pregnancy.  We had to drive well over an hour for our childbirth ed classes.

By the time my second pregnancy came along, I wanted that birth to be different.  After my day job, I spent much of my time researching birth and connecting with other women. I had found my tribe.   I discovered that birth can be different; I suddenly knew I had options that I was unaware existed with our first pregnancy and birth.  I went against the grain and had a fully supported home birth. 

Then LIFE hit our family hard.  We quickly learned in 2013 just how precious life is – how precious TIME is.  Our then 13-month-old was diagnosed with infant leukemia (AML).  I spent months living in the hospital with him, separated from my first-born and husband who held down the fort at home.  I learned everything you could think of to help my baby survive. I strongly believed that we needed to support his entire being – mind, body, and spirit.  We were told that the type of leukemia he had was very rare. We had a few different things going against us; chances of survival were slim, and I refused to believe it or to be sad.  Of course, it was the hardest journey I’ve ever been on, but I remained happy in his presence.  Sure, we were living in a hospital and away from home, but I was going to make the best of every day – he deserved that.  With the help of my community, I was able to do this.  My little survivor underwent many surgeries, bone marrow biopsies, spinal taps, three rounds of intense chemo, and a double cord stem cell transplant.  Today he is a happy, whole, and healthy 8-year-old. 

This journey changed me. 

During this time, I learned the importance of taking control of your health care.  It’s okay to question your providers, because they are people too.  It’s okay to work with them. It’s okay to speak up.  I learned that just because I didn’t like one doctor one day, didn’t mean they wouldn’t be my favorite person the next week.  I learned the importance of wellness care -what it truly means to care for yourself and your family.  I learned that we can have a balance between alternative modalities and medical care.  I learned the importance of true connection.

I learned that we can have a balance between alternative modalities and medical care.  I learned the importance of true connection.

Life gave me this beautiful opportunity to follow my dreams.  Instead of just teaching childbirth education after working in the corporate office, I decided that THIS, The Green Stork, is what I would do.  I am so happy to be offering in person and virtual services to Bemidji, MN and the surrounding areas.  I devoted all my time into parenting my kiddos differently than we had before, differently than my husband I and were raised, and growing into the supportive doula I wanted to be.  I’m currently living my dreams up north and following my passion.  Life is good!

Hi!

My name is Becca Van Dyke. I’m happily married and a proud mother of 4 beautiful children. As an early teen, I discovered that I had a deep interest in pregnancy and birth. Thanks to my obsession with TLC.  It wasn’t long before I realized that birth is a miracle and that the process it takes to bring another human being into the world is a beautiful one.  I knew, without a doubt, at some point in my life I wanted to surround myself with the beauty of birth and assist mothers through their pregnancy and labor.

After high school, I pursued nursing school in hopes of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. Upon earning my degree I decided that my passion wasn’t necessarily to give medical care to mothers-to-be but to be completely focused on supporting them both physically and emotionally, guiding them through the journey of labor and delivery, and ensuring that their experience is a positive one.

I accomplished my dream!

Years later, I was provided an opportunity to take a doula training which led to my becoming a certified doula. I accomplished my dream! I now have the privilege of working at my local pregnancy center as the Director of Client Care. Every day I get to oversee the care given to our clients who are in a pregnancy crisis, as well as assisting current parents, and guiding them through their journey so they can live an abundant life.

Birth is one of the most exciting and surreal moments in a woman’s life. Being alongside you, and supporting you, as your baby comes into this work is my greatest desire.

My name is Bethany Fowler and where to start…

From an early age, I always knew I wanted to be a mom and a “career” woman. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed I would be able to tie them together by making a career out of helping women in one of the most beautiful moments of their lives; becoming a mom.

Being a wife and mother of four I am convinced that life IS indeed a beautiful blessing, even when it seems chaotic and draining at times. Transitioning into motherhood can be all these and more. This mindset did not come naturally to me, and if it wasn’t for an amazing support system, I would be a very different person.

Being able to help other women, the way I have been helped is a big reason why I am here today.

After years of working with and alongside pregnant women and them sharing their adventures with me, I decided to finally make it official and became a doula.  So, what do I do when I’m not homeschooling, working, or chauffeuring my kiddo’s around?  My husband would tell you that I love to find DIY projects and organize, which he wouldn’t be wrong, but one could also find me enjoying the outdoors, reading, playing games on a rainy/snowy day, or simply belting out a song.