Sheila  Donnelly Photo

Sheila Donnelly

Birth Keeper / Sacred Passages Doula Services

Victoria, BC Service range 100 miles Willing to travel near and far

https://www.sacredpassagesdoula.com/

Birth Fee

$2000 to $2500

Postpartum Rate

$40 to $50

Availability Remarks: I serve All! No discrimination! I am Certified Holistic Birth & Postpartum Doula, as well DONA International Trained Birth & Postpartum Doula offering 24/7 support services.

Birth Fee

$2000 to $2500

Postpartum Rate

$40 to $50


Birth Doula Experience

4 years and 62 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

4 years and 31 families served


Birth Doula Certifications

  • The Matrona - Certified Holistic Birth Doula

Postpartum Doula Certifications

  • The Matrona - Certified Holistic Postpartum Consultant

Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, June 1979
  • The Matrona, October 2020

Type of practice: Other

Clients per month: 0 to 2 births and 1 to 5 postpartum families

Postpartum limits/restrictions: I am a Birth Keeper who serves All! No discrimination; I am a Certified Holistic Birth and Postpartum Doula through the Matrona Foundation. DONA International Trained Birth and Postpartum Doula !

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals
Victoria General/ Cowichan District Hospital/ Nanaimo Hospital and I am willing to travel globally!

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers
Round House Birthing Cottage / willing to travel globally

Attends home births? Any Home Birth
Love assisting you during your Home Birth as I feel they are very safe with an attending Midwife. Many women find it more comfortable to birth in their familiar space and it can be more family orientated. I as a doula have witnessed the power of a birther while they are surrounded by the love and supports of their family.


College Education

MA/MS


Special Services Offered

  • Abortion support
  • Acupressure
  • Antepartum doula support
  • Aromatherapy
  • Baby-led weaning
  • Babywearing education
  • Bereavement doula (pregnancy & infant loss)
  • Birth pool rental
  • Cancer patients and survivors
  • Childbirth education services
  • End of life doula services
  • First Aid and CPR
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Military families support
  • Miscarriage support
  • Newborn care specialist
  • Parenting consulting
  • Reduced rates for women considering adoption
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Sleep support consulting
  • Special Services
  • Stillbirth and infant loss support
  • Surrogates and intended parents
  • TENS units rental
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Certified GentleBirth Child Birth Educator, Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Certified End of Life Doula, DSA Volunteer Birth Doula, Aboriginal Grant Approved Doula, Professional Childbirth Consultant, and Family Advocate. I believe in life long learning attending many birth and postpartum workshops through out my journey to keep updated with new Evidence Based Education., Hypno Birthing Techniques as well advocate and support Gentle Birth Journeys.

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

I offer 24/7 support services. Evidence Based Education, Emotional Support, Sibling Support, Tending Baby Needs, Parenting Support, Chest Feeding Support, Pet Support, Shopping, Running Errands, Accompanying Momma to Appointments. Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum packages are individualized to meet your needs, and the needs of your family. I strongly believe Every Person desiring Doula Support should not go without. Do not let the fear of financial difficulties influence your desire for a doula. I offer payment plans as well as some clients qualify for other organizational funding.

Service Area

Victoria, BC Service range 100 miles Willing to travel near and far

Certifications for Sheila Donnelly

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Certification

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Client Testimonials for Sheila Donnelly

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Anna

4/8/2024

There are no words. Sheila is an angel on earth. I wish she could live with us forever. My girls and me adore her beyond and she helped us immensely get through a very intense, overwhelming period in the growth of our family.

Katherine

1/21/2024

We were so lucky to have Sheila as our postpartum doula. When we found out we were having twins, we were in shock. Twins + a 3 year old was overwhelming. After reading through reviews, we ranked Sheila as our first choice and met for a coffee. We loved her instantly, particularly her motherly nature, flexibility, positivity and focus on supporting mother. We had no idea what to expect and what kind of help we would need. Sheila primarily provided support doing night shifts twice a week so we could have 'some' sleep. She also had a weekly play date with our 3 year old who needed one-on-one attention. She also spent time with him before the babies arrived and did some big brother prep. We couldn't have got through the first three months without her and if not for an international move, we'd still be relying on Sheila at least twice a week! Sheila also taught me an amazing technique for folding clothes. 

Ray Wang

2/16/2023

Shelia has shown exceptional professionalism since she began working in the hospital. When my wife went into labor and was in excruciating pain, Shelia helped her regulate her breathing and massaged her throughout. She stayed with my wife throughout the entire delivery, and advised me on what I needed to do as a husband. She was in constant communication with the hospital nurses and doctors, monitoring the mother's condition and making sure that everything was prepared for the delivery.
Having a doula like Shelia during that time was truly wonderful. She did everything she could to help us, teaching us about bathing, breastfeeding, and soothing our newborn. She was like a superhero, knowledgeable and experienced in everything related to babies. Whenever we needed her, she was always there with us.
As a person with extensive parenting experience, Shelia is still willing to listen to our ideas. I really appreciate her saying, "We are the parents of the child." This was crucial and made our communication very pleasant. Shelia helped our child through difficult phases such as jaundice, colic, and purple crying. As a result, my wife and I got more sleep and had more energy to take care of our baby. Every minute she spent in our home was a great help to us.
Shelia, you are simply the best! We appreciate all of the hard work and effort you put into helping us welcome our new little one into the world. Your kindness and patience made us feel so at ease, and we will always be grateful for your care and support. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Elayne

2/13/2023

Having Sheila as my birth doula and postpartum doula was the most successful decision I made throughout this whole journey. Having Sheila around at birth is like bringing a close family who is also a knowledgeable nurse. She comforted me, supported me, and explained what the next procedure is in the delivery room. My parents were not with me, but I felt save and confident the whole time with Sheila being here. Most importantly, she educated my husband how to help me and give me strength. My partner later told me that he was very thankful because he as a man had no idea how to best support me during labour without Sheila teaching him. She also took lots of photos to capture the beautiful moments. 

After the birth, Sheila stayed with us until we felt confident in caring newborn baby. She provided envidence based advice, respects our culture, and proactively did chores for me to take off as much burden off my shoulder as possible. 

I know she enjoyed helping families welcome newborn babies, and I can see that's where her passion is. I am so grateful that I got to met her and had her as my doula for both birth and postpartum! 

Rachael Lovink

11/12/2022

Sheila was such a wonderful support for me as a first time momma. She helped prepare us mentally & emotionally for our birth AND provide me with the exact kind of support I needed during labor. She was there to help me advocate and to comfort & soothe me. I felt so taken care of by her. I would recommend Sheila to anyone in a heartbeat! 

Amanda

10/28/2022

Sheila is absolutely amazing. She has incredible wisdom, and so many resources and tools to share. She was very supportive in the planning process for my home birth. I also love how she made sure to include my husband, which was really helpful to prepare him for the birth. She has such a warm and loving presence, I am so grateful to have had her for the birth of my daughter. She came as soon as I called her, and she held space for me the entire day. She was attentive and intuitive to my needs, always one step ahead, and yet I felt like I had the space I needed to follow my own rhythm. She left us with a clean home, and continued loving support in any way needed. Sheila is everything I was looking for in a doula and more. I highly recommend Sheila!

Gail Lelievre

10/18/2022

It was the best decision I’ve ever made hiring Sheila as my birth doula I’m truly grateful and so blessed to have had her support, care and love during and after my pregnancy. I honestly feel that the universe and my late mother guided me to her she is a beautiful soul with amazing energy we instantly had a strong connection. I moved to Canada last year to be with my husband so I was alone here with no family or friends to help with my pregnancy, Sheila gave me all the love and support that I needed and has become a part of my family forever having a place in our hearts, we would have been lost without her. She gave us lots of info and tools to help us prepare for the birth and helped set up a birth plan which really helped us feel more confident giving birth in a hospital and also gave me the knowledge and exercises to naturally induce labor. Sheila went above and beyond to care for me and my husband during my almost 3 days in labor and at the same time I was also battling a very bad tooth ache she was with me all the way helping me through the pain her calming presence helped ease my anxiety around hospitals and she set up the birthing room to feel more like home making my birthing experience feel so much more comfortable. Her support gave me so much strength and courage to bring my baby boy into the world naturally and I don’t think I would’ve been able to without her. Also being first time parents with no clue what to do, Sheila has been incredibly helpful with postpartum support her vast experience and wisdom gave us so much knowledge on newborn care from help with breastfeeding and how to give baby a bath, things that made me and my husband much more confident in looking after our newborn son. She also provided us with delicious home cooked meals making our postpartum so much easier so we had more time to enjoy with our baby. I am forever grateful to have Sheila in our lives we love her so much I highly recommend her.

Poornima Sivanand

9/24/2022

Pregnancy and labour is an extremely challenging phase especially for new parents. Postpartum is as difficult too. Sheila was absolutely amazing. She connected with us on a personal level and helped us develop a lot of confidence and shared a lot of tips and tricks. After delivery she was there through the nights. If she couldn't come she always had a back doula ready. Even Postpartum she is there whenever we need her. She is simply the best! She said she would be my foster mom in Canada since my family was not in the country and that's what she has been!! ????

Jessica Going

1/27/2022

On January 17, 2022, our birth story began. WIth our Doula Janice at another home birth, she sent Shelia to our side. We had met Shelia only once before on zoom, but when she arrive it was like we have known her forever. She was caring, kind, calming and supportive. Even though she has worked all night support another mom, she didn't flinch when she was called to our house. She spent 20+ hours with us as my labour progressed. She offered tips to my husband to support me and ensured I was informed of all my options, and supportive of all decision I made in the end. 

We contiune to communicate with Shelia and ask questions when needed. Would highly reccomend her to any family. 

 

 

Lynne Chang

1/21/2022

We hired Sheila to care for our 8 month old son-- she is incredible. Such a kind, genuine human. Sheila was referred to us by someone I trust with very high standards. We were new to Victoria from the US, in the middle of the pandemic, raising a teen girl and an 8 month old. Considering our son was born in the pandemic and hasn’t seen many people, he was apprehensive at first but Sheila remained calm, patient and didn’t take anything personal. I’ve never worried about my son’s safety or well being with Sheila. She’s as kind, gentle and loving as can be. She treated our son like a grandson. Affectionate, patient, and fun. Sheila took him on adventures around Ten Mile Point berry picking, visiting the beach, observing nature, puddle jumping etc.

We had a dire family emergency arise and Sheila was our rock. She did everything and anything she could to help our family while remaining calm and positive.

We’ve since moved back to the US but miss Sheila dearly. If we could, we’d move her here :-) Sheila is amazing, I’m sure she will be an incredible asset to your family!

Barb Hicke

1/20/2022

Sheila was an amazing support to my daughter in law and son before, during and after the birth of their beautiful daughter.

I would highly recommend getting the support of a doula and if you are fortunate enough to get Sheila, you will be blessed beyond measure!

Kelly

1/16/2022

Super sweet professional Woman who goes over and beyond ? I'm so glad we got matched with her ? 

Jackierose

8/21/2021

The experience of having a doula was beyond what I expected it was a great experience I had just out of the blue said yes to and oh my gosh best choice I made because the support and care and love they put into there work oh my gosh it's so heartfelt Shelia had made me and my girls comfortable from day 1 to have been able to go through such experience was memorable and to be able to still keep in contact just puts that cherry on top I am so thankful to have find out what a doula is and does I loved the experience and I share that with any pregnant family members I have that they need to look up doula services because they are amazing  ! Hands down to what you as doulas do you have helped women like me (with a Last pregnancy) the best experience you could go through at such hard times of making such a choice not im sure I went off topic but you can't help what I felt during my time with my doula because my oldest even speaks of her again thank you and all you do as doulas ! ? 

Shelia you were such an amazing person with us  (me and my 3 girls) we can not thank you enough ?

:;jackierose?

Carly

7/12/2021

Having Sheila as my doula was the BEST choice I could've made. She's so incredibly loving and kind, she helped me throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth. She has such a sweet soul, her presence is calming, and she cares so much about her clients. ??

Noel & Valérie Steele

4/10/2021

Sheila is an incredible doula who could do miracles with little.

Efficient, creative, pragmatic and always smiling, it was a delight to have her in our company. She was with us full time for about 3 months. Her knowledge is great and impressive.  

As new parents we did not think that we would need help right away but we did as Noel had to go back to work earlier than expected. It’s something of a different feeling when asking a stranger to take care of your newborn, but Sheila put us at ease quickly. You can tell she has a huge heart and will always put your child first. She is such a warm person to be around. 

She came multiple times a week to our place during the first few months and really helped us out a lot. She went way above and beyond what we thought a Doula would do, and we think that it is her way of doing things. She is probably the most caring person we have ever met. 

Sheila was wonderful with us, she has such a big heart and lots of experience as a mom that transpire in her work. She helped me organize the home and making it safe while helping me caring for our baby girl. When I struggled with pumping, she gave me wonderful advices that helped me get some of the liquid gold, as she calls it. So precious. It was always a delight to hear her sing to baby to make her fall asleep. 

She came back later that year, as I was struggling taking care of my dying dad, helping my mom with her own health problems and taking care of baby at the same time with Noel at work, she then helped me with daily chores, errands and took care of our toddler while I cared for my parents. 

We have no idea how we would have been able to manage without her. We are so grateful to have met her. 

We would highly recommend Sheila for all your Doula needs. Her knowledge and experience with raising her own family and her guidance helped us out immensely.

Thank you Sheila! 

Samantha Patten

1/21/2021

Our time with Mama Sheila, was absolutely beyond amazing. She was great with my older two children. Included them every day, with helping out with the new baby for they never felt left out. Beyond supportive and reassuring with everything whether it was me being overwhelmed, tired, happy and excited. We had some breast feeding issues at the beginning due to a lip&tongue tie. She encouraged me to not stop nursing, but to look for a dentist that would help correct the ties. If it wasn't for her I'm sure our breast feeding journey would've ended!  When I was exhausted by being a new mom of three she was along every step of the way to help pick up my short comings. I would have her time in and time again! So beyond blessed to have her in our life's!

Lyss Lampitt

11/24/2019

This lady right here, Momma Sheila, my Doula will have the most special place in my families hearts. Thank you for being a huge part of our rainbow babys birth, and such last minute without any hesitation... she was such an amazing support system, and amazing doula. She talked me through and told me how awesome I was doing (even though I didnt feel that way) the entire time I pushed out my baby ALL NATURAL!!! With no pain meds. I honestly dont think things could've went as good and calm as they did if it wasnt for Sheila. She helped in any way she could, even if that meant running to get me McDonalds, Timmies or whatever I craved at 3am or 4am in the morning. Grabbing me cough drops, mints or water with ice whenever needed.....To staying by my side each night in the hospital when my husband and daughter couldn't. And for becoming apart of our family forever and always now. She made me feel like I had a mom!!! Which I never truly had....So thank you Sheila for being our Doula, and to her assistant Catharine for being there as well! They both made me kick ass this labor, and I couldnt have done it without you and Catharines help. Thank the lord we met so randomly and last minute because this was meant to be!!! Thank you for everything?????????? she will be my next doula for my next birth and inspires me every single day. I'm blessed to have met her. 

Rayyann

10/2/2019

Sheila has been an amazing helper.  So great with my daughter and willing to help me in anyway.  I highly recommend her!

Birth Availability for Sheila Donnelly

= Available. Calendar last updated: 10-01-2024

Postpartum Availability for Sheila Donnelly

= Available. Calendar last updated: 10-01-2024