Vanessa L

3/22/2024

Im so grateful to have found Shelly! She made us feel so comfortable and right at ease with her right from the start. She is so knowledgeable and was able to answer the many questions we had throughout our entire experience. She was such an amazing support to my husband and I before, during and postpartum. She was right by my side every second during my labor and it was a huge comfort to me. She helped me with different spinning baby moves throughout my labor. She was also a huge help with getting my son to latch and nurse properly. I cannot recommend her enough. Just love Shelly and feel like she's family. 

Allison

2/13/2024

Shelly was amazing! She was so supportive throughout my pregnancy, birth and in the first week postpartum. She would check in regularly to see how I was and would offer advice and resources on how to manage upcoming tests and uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. My husband benefited just as much as I did. Our two meetings with her prior to our birth were very informative and helped prepare him as a supportive partner. When in labor, he was the main point of contact with Shelly which made him feel supported as he helping navigate when to go to the hospital and how to help me get through contractions. Shelly was a great coach at the hospital as well. Unfortunately, my daughter's birth ended in a c section, but not for a lack of effort. We tried all positions, pushed for 4+ hours, even tried using the vacuum before needing to go the C-section route--while the C-section itself wasn't what I planned for, I felt very supported proud knowing we did everything possible to avoid it. Shelly stayed with us for a few hours after the birth to make sure we were ok, and to help get the first latch with our daughter. She checked in with us in the days that followed, offered advice on lactation and breastfeeding as I navigated a second hospital stay due to postpartum preeclampsia. She also came to our house the next week for a lactation consultation which helped us learn a few new holding positions and reassured us that our daughter was getting enough each feed. I highly recommend Shelly--she was wonderful! 

Stephanie

2/10/2024

I am so grateful that I chose Shelly to be my doula!

My favorite thing about Shelly is that she has such a calm and supportive presence paired with a deep knowledge about birth.

When Shelly arrived at the hospital during my labor, I felt an immediate sense of overwhelming relief and safety. My labor was fast for a first time mom (5 1/2 hours) and pretty intense from the beginning. Shelly felt like an anchor for me and my husband. She helped my husband have the confidence to be a steady presence for me and helped us through different pain management techniques and labor positions. 

When I had a moment during labor where I wasn't sure I could keep going Shelly helped me through it. At our meeting during week 35 of my pregnancy when we were discussing birth preferences, Shelly made sure to ask what kind of support I wanted to receive. I let her know that I wanted to try for an unmedicated birth and that I wanted my support team to help me push through pain as long as things were progressing well. So when I did have a moment at 7cm dilated where I freaked out a bit, Shelly helped me return to my breath, believe I could keep going, and move into different positions. I'm so grateful I had Shelly there to support me because only a short time later I was 10cm and ready to push.

Shelly was also an amazing source of support before and after birth. During my pregnancy she checked in on me, gave me tips for my appointments with my midwife group, and provided me with resources. After we came home from the hospital, Shelly helped me get set up with supplies for my postpartum healing and gave us lactation support. 

I highly recommend hiring Shelly as your doula! I really felt like she gave the exact right support at the exact right time. I'm forever grateful for the guidance she provided during this wonderful and vulnerable time of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for our new little family. 

Julia

1/12/2024

There is no way I would've had a medication-free birth if it weren't for Shelly! Her calming presence and expert hands on support helped me get through labor without ever asking for an epidural. Shelly also provided guidance for all milestones throughout my pregnancy and shared invaluable resources such as books, referrals to specialists, things to buy, etc. It was great to establish the relationship through this communication during pregnancy as well as several in-house visits to prep for birth. Bonus: I was giving birth at Hoag Irvine with the OCWMG Midwives and it was reassuring to know she's well-known and loved by the midwives (and very familiar with the hospital and their procedures). Thank you, Shelly! I will definitely contact you for future pregnancies!

Ticiane

1/7/2024

During the unexpected challenges of my third baby's birth, Shelly stood out as an exceptional doula. Her deep knowledge and calm demeanor were pivotal when our birth plan changed due to complications. She adeptly navigated the options, communicating with hospital staff, and reassured me during the induction process, which I initially feared due to the potential effects of Pitocin. Her presence was especially crucial as I was alone; she was my sole source of support, guiding me through the intense moments.

Shelly's expertise shone when labor was stalled; her targeted exercises effectively engaged the baby, catalyzing the labor process. Her ability to advocate for my preferences with the hospital staff, ensuring a personalized care experience and protecting the precious golden hour post-birth, was invaluable and her guidance in focusing on breathing techniques significantly eased my labor experience. Impressively, the birth was completely unmedicated, and thanks to Shelly's guidance, it was accomplished without tears or any other complications.

Conclusion: Shelly's blend of emotional support and professional knowledge made a profound difference in the birth of my baby. Her pleasant demeanor, coupled with her skill in managing both the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth, makes her an invaluable asset to any expecting mother. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive doula.

Kathy

12/27/2023

Shelly has been an amazing support for me in my hypnobirthing journey. She has an incredibly calming presence that gave me confidence I needed to have my dream birthing experience. I would highly recommend her for her flexibility, nurturing approach and calming presence which is exactly what I was looking for.

Rain & Jeremy

10/9/2023

Our baby is 5 months now & everytime we tell our delivery story, we RAVE about Shelly! From the very first interview, we knew she was a great fit for us! Her personality was upbeat, positive, and friendly; but she also knew when to be serious about our birth plan preferences. She made us feel confident that she would be our advocate during what could have been a stressful or chaotic experience.

Coming from a medical background, I was grateful for Shelly to be my husband’s support while I was laboring. She would explain processes to him, and translate any medical terms that he didn’t understand. But what I most respect about Shelly is that she knew exactly when to give us support, and when to step back and allow my husband and I to steer our labor process. She would lead the way during position changes and labor techniques, but she would bring my husband in to be my main support.

Shelly was open-minded and respectful of any/all our preferences. And she was well-educated and informative, which made it easier for us to make decisions. I really can’t imagine what my labor would have been like if Shelly wasn’t there. And we’re so grateful for the support she gave us during the postpartum phase - which was exactly what we needed while we learned about our new baby and new role as parents. We can’t thank her enough!

Nastassja Cloughen

10/4/2023

Shelly came highly recommended via the midwifery group at Hoag hospital and I'm so grateful for the support that she provided me through the second half of my very difficult pregnancy and the birth of my first baby boy.  From our first conversation onward, it was clear that Shelly's primary goal as my doula was to support my birthing wants and needs instead of trying to persuade me to do things a certain way.  She took the time to answer all of my questions, provided resources and information that I didn't even know I needed and checked in with me regularly as I prepared for labor.

Although I ended up getting an epidural for pain, Shelly remained in the hospital with me for over 20 hours and helped bring my baby into the world. She also provided tons of lactation support and made several unscheduled house calls during the first two weeks to make sure that I could get my baby to latch and breastfeed successfully.

Shelly is warm, understanding, knowledgable and patient and I would recommend her to anyone I know. My husband and I are so grateful for her support and will definitely work with Shelly again if we decide to have another baby in the future!

Nancy Ferguson

10/3/2023

When first searching for a doula, I had spoken with a few not fully knowing what I was even looking for. However, when I first spoke with Shelly, everything felt right and I was quick to move forward with her. Looking back, I am glad I listened to my gut as Shelly was there for me every step of the way from going into into labor all the way to my postpartum recovery. This was my first pregnancy and I had no idea what to expect, how to communicate what I wanted with the nurses/doctors in the hospital, or how to even get around. Shelly walked my husband and I through every step. The moment I went into labor, I put all my trust in Shelly in guiding us through the delivery process. Even the nurses at the hospital mentioned working with doulas can be difficult at times, but that they all really like Shelly! I wouldn't waste my time in searching for a good doula when you can just go with Shelly! She is absolutely amazing and I would give her my highest recommendation.

Maggie

9/26/2023

I did my research online and found Shelly back in 2020 when I was due with our first child during the middle of the pandemic. I felt an immediate connection with Shelly from our first conversation on the phone and it only grew once my husband and I met her in person. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable, compassionate and kind.  During this part of the pandemic doulas were not permitted at the hospital, however, I received wonderful support leading up to my birth and after my birth from Shelly as a doula and lactation specialist. She made a huge difference in making me feel confident during my breastfeeding journey which lasted 20 months. Fast forward to 2023 and we hired Shelly yet again for the birth of our second child and I could not be more pleased with the experience. Shelly was there for me throughout the pregnancy and birth, guiding me, supporting me and making suggestions. I felt so incredibly safe and in the best hands with Shelly. She made my second birthing experience the absolute best it could be, my husband and I cannot imagine that day without her. After the birth, Shelly was there for me as we embarked on another breastfeeding journey and provided an at home visit that is key in postpartum. She reassured me that I was on the right track and made sure I knew I could reach out at any time with questions. I highly recommend Shelly to other moms, she is the best out there!

Alicia

9/25/2023

Hiring Shelly as our doula was hands down the best decision. Shelly was an irreplaceable addition to my birth team and she assisted me in achieving a positive first birthing experience. Whenever I had questions during pregnancy she promptly answered and provided me with multiple resources to answer questions. She was also always avaliable to talk to and offer support during unforeseen challenges in my pregnancy. The guedence for breastfeeding and preparation tips for my postpartum period were also so valuable and allowed me to feel more prepared for my fourth trimester. During labor she provided a calming yet confident energy which allowed me to fully surrender into my birthing process without having to think or worry about anything else. Shelly fully supported me with movement recomendations, birthing positions, massage and helped guide my husband in how best to support me during labor as well. There is no doubt that I would want Shelly to be apart of birthing team again if we have another child. I am so thankful for the birthing experience I had and so much of that is because of Shelly's support before, during, and after my sons birth. 

Mia

9/18/2023

Without Shelly, I don't think I would have had the physiological birth that I knew I wanted. She is so knowledgable and supportive, I felt so comfortable leaning on her during my entire 24 hour labor. She never gave up on me, even when I wanted to stop. We are eternally grateful for her help bringing our beautiful healthy boy into this world. 

Erika

9/7/2023

At first encounter, we knew Shelly would change our lives. When we set out on our doula search, we were hoping to find someone who would tenderly support us through our first labor experience. Shelly exceeded that hope almost immediately and became a seamless extension to our family. We welcomed the intimate connection!

Early on, Shelly focused on getting to know us as a couple and our family values. This was important to us because it built a foundation of trust and comfort needed for us to prepare for labor together, turning a daunting road ahead into something exciting and celebratory. Her accessibility and periodic outreach through the third trimester put us at ease as we awaited the big day.

During labor, it was Shelly’s non-directive guidance, encouragement, positivity, and hands-on support that empowered us. Her deep connections with the hospital staff and familiarity with the system sustained the tranquility and allowed for seamless transition between phases.

Shelly continued to show just as much care and sensitivity during our homecoming as we adjusted to our new lives. She made an extra effort to ensure that we were mentally okay and reach our breastfeeding goals!

It was really important to us that we found someone that truly listened to our individual needs and understood us as a family. Shelly was able to do that with much grace and love. Any hesitation my husband had about having a doula was quickly replaced by reassurance that Shelly was an irreplaceable layer to our dynamic. When we have our second, Shelly will be there! We hope that you too will be so lucky to have Shelly join your journey.

Dominika Barnas

7/30/2023

As first-time parents living in an area without friends and family to connect with in our pregnancy, my partner and I wanted to attempt an unmedicated birth, but were nervous in navigating expectations for what the hospital and midwifery experience would look like, especially if there were unexpected changes to our “plan” along the way. We wanted to have a personal and intimate experience while someone who truly felt like they knew us advocated for our hopes while we stayed in the moment. When I say that we could not have asked for a better person to help guide us in our journey and was there for us every step of the way, it’s a grave understatement to what Shelly’s presence meant. She was always available to proactively provide information, answer questions, tend to a late-night emergency we experienced in the second trimester, make us feel heard in our opinions, and completely validate us in our feelings along the way. At the onset of early labor, we surrendered to Shelly’s calm demeanor and she executed her role perfectly in arriving at our home in a quick manner, staying by my side as I labored in the tub, and helping me work through my pressure waves while getting dressed and heading to the hospital while assuring my partner of all that was happening in the process and making sure his needs were met and concerns heard. Thanks to Shelly’s all-around support and the confidence we built in our relationship along the way, we were able to execute an entirely unmedicated birth after only being in the hospital for 1.5 hours. Shelly is a true professional, passionate about her role, and so well-regarded in the community. She was 110% the confidant we needed and believe that we would not have had such a positive birth without her helping hand. Thank you, Shelly, for all that you do and for making such a huge impact on our lives.

Brittany Clapp

4/17/2023

Shelly has been our doula for the birth of our two babies and honestly we couldn't have a baby without her!  Neither of our births followed our birth plan exactly (these babies have their own plans that's for sure!) but Shelly was with us every step of the way and helped give us advice on next steps to keep us as close to our desired plan as possible. She is such a calming presence and wealth of knowledge and saved us from going to the hospital unnecessarily multiple times! She also came over when I had some prodromal labor and helped me do positions to make me most comfortable. When baby actually came she was right there with me ensuring I was as comfortable as possible through our natural birth. And after she helped set us up on our positive breastfeeding journey and came to visit a week later to ensure everything at home was going well. Adding a new baby to your family is such a huge life change but with Shelly's support and guidance you'll feel as prepared as possible - she is such an important part of our family and we couldn't recommend her enough!

Brittany Ireland

4/7/2023

Early on in my pregnacy with my daughter, I decided that I wanted to explore an unmedicated birth. Not totally sure where to start, I began talking to friends and family members who had gone this route and they strongly recommended that I look into doula support.

In my first conversation with Shelly, something clicked and I knew she would be the perfect partner for both myself and my husband. Being that it was my first pregnancy, I was so grateful for the Shelly's weekly check-ins and the time she spent with my husband and I in our home in the final weeks of my pregnancy. When I went into labor at 39 weeks, Shelly was there ever step of the way and helped me labor at home for as long as possible, which was my wish. I put my full trust in her and she was the absolute best partner and advocate when we got to the hospital, helping me progress quickly until it was time to start pushing. I never had a single moment of panic or doubt during my entire labor and delivery and I feel that her calm and gentle presence was key in the sense of calm I felt as I brought our daughter into the world.

Beyond labor and delivery, Shelly helped us get acclimated to life as a family of three. She talked me through tough times postpartum with hormones and breastfeeding and referred me to an amazing specialist that was able to release my daughter's tongue/lip tie and, essentially, save my breastfeeding journey.

Shelly truly went above and beyond for our family and is such a huge part of our birth story. We are so grateful that we found her and will utilize her sevices in the future if/when we decide to grow our family again! 

Marissa

4/7/2023

Shelly was absolutely amazing! My husband and I are eternally grateful for her support and coaching. Shelly visited us twice before it was go time and provided us with a ton of support and resources for both labor and postpartum care. She was accessible via phone 24/7 and never made us feel bad or awkward for asking new parent questions !!! During labor, she came to our house and was there with my every step of the way and allowed for my husband to get some rest before we headed to the hospital. She is very kind and knowledgeable and we both felt at ease and in good hands. She advocated for me while we were at the hospital with a few things that came up and alleviated my stress. She followed up with us after and helped with breastfeeding challenges. Thank you Shelly for being a part of the most special moments of our lives! Highly recommend Shelly and if we weren't moving out of state, we would have her back for baby number 2, whenever that is!

Samantha and Andrew

4/4/2023

We love Shelly! Her support throughout our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and lactation expertise gave us the confidence we needed to have the natural birth experience we wanted so badly. I felt totally prepared going into labor and supported and empowered all the way through birth. I do not think I would have been able to accomplish a medication free birth without her support! I cannot reccomend her highly enough!

Jennifer Ferris

3/27/2023

My husband and I determined early on that we wanted to hire the services of a doula for the birth of our first child.  Shelly came highly recommended from our doctor and midwives. After our first initial contact on the phone we knew that she was going to be the perfect resource.  She helped us before and after ‘the big day’ by providing guidance and information on all kinds of topics through texts or phone calls. We also had several in person meetings with her. Shortly after the start of labor she arrived at our house and was the coach we needed from start to finish.  Her positive and calming presence and her knowledge of the birthing process proved to be invaluable pre and postpartum.  Thank you very much, Shelly, we couldn't have done it without you.