With My Own Two Hands

Julie is marvelous! She helped me with our 4^th child. I have large babies and did not want to be induced medically like had with our previous children, all of which were at least 1 week past term. I had our daughter 8 days early after just a few sessions starting at 38 weeks gestation. It was by far my quickest and most comfortable labor, delivery and recovery. 9lbs 8oz. baby girl :-) She also came to our home after the baby and did a magnificent postnatal message. I would recommend her to anyone and will be using/​enjoying her services when our next baby comes in the spring.

I went to Harmony to get a prenatal massage from Julie who was also my birth doula. I had never experienced a massage before while pregnant and highly recommend the whole experience. In comparison to other massages I’ve paid for over the years, at Harmony I appreciated the attention to detail on the peacefulness of the room, the incredibly soft blankets and well positioned pillows that maximized the relaxation experience. The baby also got his own special Reiki massage. I highly recommend all moms-​to-​be take some time to treat themselves to a massage from Julie, and definitely hire her as your birth doula! I had the best birth experience you could wish for, and Julie was a big part of it.

Julie is simply wonderful. I was so lucky I found our about her when I was pregnant! My back and hips hurt a lot during my pregnancy so she have me a massage at home (Palo Alto) every few weeks throughout the pregnancy. She made my body feel so much better. She also really helped when my feet swelled like balloons at the end. Julie is good! I LOVE massages but I am extremely picky about them and don’t easily praise masseuse. She has a great touch. One that you feel that she’s really present and every stroke is full of intention to make you feel better. She is also a lovely and warm person. Easy and fun to talk with while knowing when you just want to be quiet.
My husband and I also did a watsu session with Julie for our anniversary. The pool was in a magical and romantic garden in San Jose. Julie floated my husband while I read a book on the grass. The look on my husband’s face after his session was so calm and relaxed. Priceless. Once she starts floating you it’s as though all the stress in the world fades away. I wished it would never end. It was so good that we did it again for my birthday.

Julie Lefmann is amazing! She has been there for us during both births of our sons at Kaiser Santa Clara, and we couldn’t have done it without her. We met Julie at Doula night at Harmony Birth Center in Campbell. Julie instantly hit it off with my husband, which was great because we were worried that hiring a doula would take away from my husband’s participation during our birth experience, but it was just the opposite. Julie allowed my husband to be more present during the birth and coached us both through it. I was induced both times but had a natural, non-​medicated birth both times thanks to Julie’s advice in both situations. She is a part of our family now and we would highly recommend her! Oh, did I mention she is the best pre/​post natal massage therapist I’ve ever had!
xoxox, Tamara

I highly recommend Julie Lefmann as a doula. When I first met her at a doula meet and greet in 2011, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for in a doula for my home birth. I selected her because I instantly felt comfortable with her. If you can imagine actually feeling at ease discussing early labor techniques like nipple stimulation, she’s the one. After all, you will be sharing a very intimate and intense experience with your doula. Julie has a demeanor of expertise, candor, compassion and advocacy. She’ll sit down and go over your birth plan with your birth team. When I went into active labor, I remember the comfort of her presence and relief with her guidance and prompting when I needed it. For my home birth, she played a big postpartum role as well, talking to me and allowing to make my own decision about sutures, breastfeeding, sleeping arrangements. She helped make sure that not only was I taken care of, but that my whole birth team had what they needed. By the time my home birth care givers, including Julie, had left post-​birth, my house was clean, all linens were washed and dried, and a pot of hot soup was on the stove.
Julie’s presence at my birth helped me feel more supported and empowered in my ability to birth and in the transitions during and after birth, a true gift for a new mom. She is also certified in massage therapy and Watsu (water massage), which was a wonderful bonus. I really enjoyed a prenatal Watsu massage at 8 months (imagine what a relief it is to feel weightless at that stage), and a postpartum massage at home. She didn’t even bat an eye when we paused the massage so I could nurse my child. I would love to have Julie attend the birth of any future children I may have!

Julie Lefmann has such a soothing, deep but gentle touch. A session with her melts the stress away!
I’ve been so fortunate to experience Watsu and In Home Massage multiple occasions and each time is pure heaven. When I was pregnant I made sure to see Julie very often and loved that she ended the session with a bit of Reiki on my pregnant belly. She is a wonderful person and AMAZING masseuse.