Yaara Yacoby

6/5/2024

Shira was an indispensable part of our labor and delivery experience. I was hoping to minimize medical interventions during birth, including foregoing an epidural, and with Shira's support, this felt possible.

As first time parents, my husband and I felt anxious about many aspects of what was to come. From our first meeting with Shira, she not only answered all our questions (and continued to be a helpful source of information and reassurance) but more importantly, she helped give us confidence in ourselves. When labor started, Shira checked in often. She was a helpful sounding board about the progression of labor and deciding when to go to the hospital. We ended up going in at the perfect time! Once at the hospital, Shira joined at the most critical time: when I felt like I couldn't go on and was considering getting an epidural. However, the moment Shira joined us, continuing without the epidural felt possible again - I didn't feel I needed it anymore! Shira's coaching, visualization exercises, breathing support, and physical counter-pressure made the remaining hours of unmedicated labor and delivery both achievable and empowering. 

Throughout our time working with Shira, she was a steadfast, calming, and reassuring voice in otherwise overwhelming and anxiety-inducing spaces. From our first meeting, Shira became a key member of our birthing team.

I had an incredibly positive birth experience and that is in no small part thanks to Shira. 

Dana Long

2/21/2024

From the first time we met Shira, we felt more at ease about our birthing time. Upon meeting Shira it is obvious how sweet, caring, and smart she is. Shira is very knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth, and she is super humble about her approach. She is here for you to answer your questions and make you feel prepared and comfortable. She doesn't push any personal agenda, she is a calm and peaceful presence who will guide you like a warm mother would, and with confidence. 

Shira is open minded. She was directly by my side taking my lead during my first birth, and both of our first HypnoBabies experience. She was the expert support and extra hands I needed alongside my husband. I had mostly back labor and she helped with counter pressure, positioning, and movement for 24+ hours! She said yes to all any any requests I had. When I decided to get an epidural/induction, she helped make that choice easier. She constantly shared my birth plan with the hospital staff to ensure everyone was on board with my vision so I didn't have to. 

It was very reassuring having her there and I truly couldn't have done it without her. The birth ended up being absolutely beautiful, magical, and a holy experience that I would be lucky and blessed to do over and over again. Thank you Shira!!

Roberta

2/20/2024

Shira was an amazing doula! She was extremely supportive and positive and always made sure to lay out the options and various scenarios that may happen during birth while planning. She checked in with me frequently leading up to the birth and always brought a positive spin to any situation. She made sure at the hospital every one knew my birth plan and she was my biggest cheerleader and supporter during my hospital birth and I had the most amazing and beautiful birth experience that exceeded my own expectations. I absolutely believe I could not have done it without Shira's support. 

Jacqueline Tressler

1/1/2023

Looking back at the whole pregnancy and birthing process, I am so thankful to have had Shira by my side. She gave me the confidence and knowledge to understand the best options when having to make quick decisions during labor. Being a first time mother, Shira brought a very calming demeanor which was exactly what I needed. She was available whenever I had specific questions throughout my pregnancy. During labor it was nice to have her coaching me and reminding me I can do this!

Emily and Mike Vetter

12/27/2022

Shira was highly recommended to us by a friend and we're so happy we decided to have her join our birthing "team". Her self-described approach, explained in our first meeting, put us at ease and was centered on being a partner to us leading up to and throughout the birthing experience. We were looking for someone who was calm and knowledgeable who could be an objective third party in what we knew was going to be a stressful and emotional experience. Shira was this and then some.

From the moment contractions started she was in touch with us, easily reachable, and once we made our way to the hospital she met us there, ready to go. Shira helped us as we were faced with some clinical decisions, and we felt comfortable knowing she had the experience to guide us through the process. She was encouraging and supportive, allowed the husband to take a break here and there, and was there to help offer suggestions but allowed us to make the decision that felt best for us. Shira worked well with the clinical team of midwives and nurses which helped ease the entire day even more. Days after, she's followed up with us and has been there to listen as we struggled through those first hours at home.

She was a part of an unbelievably special and intimate moment in our lives we were, and remain, grateful for her support. We strongly recommend Shira if you're interested in a calm, mindful, and experienced doula.

Michelle D

12/15/2022

Shira was everything we wanted from our doula, plus more! She has a calm, centered, and positive energy, and she truly helped make our birthing experience a success! I don’t think we could have done it without her!!

When I was pregnant, I did my best to prepare by reading all the natural birthing books, listened to podcasts, and took prenatal yoga + meditation classes. All the birth experts recommended hiring a doula, and we’re so glad we did! Shira is an experienced mom, and she has a wealth of helpful information.

We met Shira during our third trimester, and she helped us prepare for birth and postpartum.  My husband and I are so happy we found her! We highly recommend Shira! Should we have another child, we will certainly reach out to Shira again!

Allison S.

12/12/2022

Initally, we were on the fence about hiring a doula. It was a sizeable investment and we wondered if we really needed one. The answer to both those questions was: it's worth every penny and we most definetly needed a doula.

We were frustrated by the lack of information we were receiving from our OB, and Shira helped fill in the gaps and provided us with resources. Shira helped give us a voice and made me unafraid to speak up for myself during my labor and delivery.

What was so valuable to me was the multiple meetings we had with Shira prior to our birth. She provided us with so much information and if she wasn't able to answer our questions, she found someone who could. I ended up being in labor for 48 hours and having an unplanned c-section. Shira once again was an invaluable resource of information during that process, advocating for us and asking all the questions weren't capable of asking in our heightened emotional state. She stayed with us throughout the entire process and made sure that we were receiving the best care possible.

Equally helpful was the post-partum session we had with her. We really needed to process our birthing experience and she was a compassionate listener and guide. The post-partum session was also a great for checking in on breastfeeding and getting resources and tips.

J Casey

12/25/2021

We met Shira only days before our baby was due to arrive. I was very late to the game to research and hire a doula, but Shira was so amazing to accomidate me so close to my due date. On the night/early morning I went into labor she was responsive and super helpful over the phone in letting me know when to head to the hospital. 

I chose to do an unmedicated birth and know I could not have done it without her! She kept me calm and focused to stick to my goal through giving me positions and options to help through labor, even just down to changing her breathing for me to replicate without words. In times when the doctors or nurses were asking me questions or offering interventions she was an amazing advocate.

Thank you Shira!!