Irfan Choudhry

2/21/2024

My wife introduced me to Shannon. Learning that she was a Muslim doula gave me the confidence that she would understand our values. I then talked to Shannon myself to express my hesitations and our expectations. She listened and acknowledged what we wanted from the birthing process. She explained what she does, seeking our input and helping us feel comfortable with her service. We then met for our 1st official meeting where she proposed a birth plan, including our wishes and desires on how we would like to approach the birth.  My wife went into early labor within a few days. I had just gotten home from my overnight shift at the hospital and couldn’t make it to the hospital. Shannon was by my wife’s side in no time. When I showed up I was met with a soothing melody of Quranic verses playing on the portable speaker next to my wife’s bed. The lights were dim and flowers were abundant. It seemed like Shannon had manifested a soothing experience in the hospital room! I met Shannon by my wife’s side helping her use the birth and peanut balls in the room. She massaged her back and walked with her to and from the bathroom. My wife had a strong contraction while in the bathroom and Shannon was there helping her through it. She advocated for us when the doctors were making haste decisions and made sure that we understood what was happening so that we could make informed decisions. Even as a physician, I was not in the right head space at the time to think clearly but Shannon made sure we understood what was happening. After the delivery, she stayed for a while to help my wife with the latching process and to provide us with some much needed comfort. When she left I realized how much of a helping hand Shannon had been to us. Absolutely worth every penny. Not only did her calm demeanor keep us from getting overwhelmed, her soothing touch towards my wife put her at ease throughout the whole process as well. Will book her for our next delivery!

Salma jabri

12/22/2023

Shanonn has been such a blessing in my journey in pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post pardum. From the moment we met I felt comfortable and spiritually connected to her. She was the main reason I had a positive labor and delivery experience. She helped me prepare before birth with her birth education sessions.  When my contractions started she helped coach me and made my laboring experience as relaxing as possible.  during my contractions she was with me the whole time paying attention to what I need without me asking her. The tools and services she offers were very helpful in my recovery and mental state after my delivery. 
thank you so much Shannon we are forever grateful for you!

-salma

Sabrina Khan Jones

11/29/2023

I met Shannon at a religious centered event while late in my third trimester about 6 weeks from my date of delivery. I was so excited to meet a double who was so knowledgeable and also came from the same religious background as me. I enlisted her care and she was amazing enough to take me on as a client even though she lived two and half hours away.

I cannot express in words how critical she was to the successful delivery of my son on my terms. She offered me mental, physical and emotional support throughout the time that we worked together and especially during my delivery.

I had a very prolonged induction and Shannon supported me every step of the way. She sacrificed extensive time away from her family during the time that I was in the hospital and brought such a calming atmosphere to my L and D experience. 

She is a person who will stand by you and do everything she can to support you and the wishes you have for your birth. Enlist her services and you certainly will not be disappointed. She is a beautiful soul inside and out and was made for this work. 

Jasmine Abdullh

8/4/2023

I could not be more grateful for Shannon. I found her at the end of my pregnancy and she was extremely helpful. She came to my house to provide beneficial information to get me ready for my labor and I was able to text her and call her even while she was on vacation! She was always so happy to answer all of my questions and go above and beyond with her advice and recommendations. Even though I had a tough and long labor, I am so thankful I had Shannon along the way to guide me. 

Cassie Jamal

8/3/2023

Shannon was my doula for my fifth baby. She is a peaceful person, very sweet and calm, which helped me remain relaxed throughout my labor and delivery. She came right away when I asked her to be with me for the beginning of my induction. Shannon used comfort measures that allowed me to delay the epidural until the end stage. During each contraction she massaged or gave counter pressure, which I never experienced with any of my other labors. It was incredibly helpful. When it was time for me to get the epidural, I became very nervous. I asked her to say a prayer for me and she did. Shannon reminded me of my progress and to breathe in and out when pushing. She supported me until the baby was born and we were settled. I highly recommend her if you’re looking for a doula. 

Namrah Mirza-Haq

7/31/2023

Shannon was an immense source of support and knowledge throughout my pregnancy and especially during labor and delivery. I engaged Shannon for her doula services after having a traumatic first birth experience and wanting my second labor and delivery to go differently. Despite having given birth before and my husband having clinical experience in L&D wards, Shannon proved to be a source of immense knowledge about the birthing process and options for care after delivery  through an islamic lens. She informed us of the many options we had while at the hospital that we could utilize both during labor for myself and the baby, with this knowledge in hand, Shannon helped us formulate a birth plan that encompassed different scenarios. Shannon proved to be a steadying presence during labor for both myself and my husband, it was helpful for him to have a knowledgable, unbiased person there to discuss the options our care team provided us with when my labor took an unexpected turn, and to help him implement the preferences we had discussed in our birth plan when things got hectic. 

Shannon was especially helpful when I was in early labor, showing me different positions and poses to do that can help put baby in an optimal position for birth and helping me to decode some of the signs and symptoms I was seeing in early labor. I especially appreciated the comfort measures Shannon used during active labor such as massage, essential oils and dhikr, this helped me reach my goal of getting an epidural as late as possible and helping labor progress naturally. After the baby was born, her postpartum visit was a wonderful way to process the birth events and her detailed account of my pre-labor, early labor and active labor phases is a keepsake for my husband and I to remember with clarity the events that unfolded that brought our son into the world. I felt supported, validated and cared for every step of the way with Shannon.

Ahanth Vedantham

7/5/2023

For whom It may Concern,

My name is Ahanth Vedantham, and as a first time father going through the birth experience, there is alot to say. A lot to say about the expericne itself and alot to say about our Doula, Shannon Costa, who was there with us throughout the whole experience. I did not realize how mant small things along the way I had to worry about. The best analogy I can use is a wedding planner. The couple focuses on the wedding while the wedding planner takes care of all the other stuff to make the process as stress free as possible. And that is exactly what Shannon did. From the labor exercises and emotional support to shuttling family members to and from the hospital, she as a doula made it just about focusing on the beautiful experience of birth. 

In addition, Shannon has helped me from the perspective of a fellow Muslim. From the islamic perspective, every experience and process in life is a gateway to get closer to God and an opportunity in extracting the wisdom and progressing as individuals. An Islamic scholar once said, your Lord is one who takes you from immaturity to maturity according to your own specific design. Relating every part of the birthing experience back to this islamic paradigm is important for me and my wife, and having a muslim doula who is just as conscious of this paradigm was paramount to this whole endeavor. And was paramount to me growing as a man. 

As a man in this scenario, my whole objective was to make the process as easy for my wife as possible. Shannon was there with me every step of the way, informing me how I could be more helpful, and how to know what to do and when to do it. As a first time father, I reccomend not only every couple to have a doula, but to have Shannon as a Doula specifically, as she was a priceless assett. We are forever grateful for her. 

Huini Wu

6/16/2023

I had the privilege of having Shannon as my postpartum doula after the birth of my child, and I can't emphasize enough how essential her support was during those early weeks. 

She not only provided physical assistance but also offered emotional support, lactation guidance, and encouragement during a time when we felt overwhelmed and stressed. She had a wealth of information about newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery. She even made us a meal for my better recovery! My husband surely appreciated that as well. She tailored her support to meet our unique needs and preferences, respecting our parenting choices without imposing her own. 

To any new parents considering hiring a postpartum doula, I wholeheartedly recommend making this investment in your family's well-being. The invaluable support, knowledge, and compassion provided by a postpartum doula are truly life-changing. 

Nodirbek Roziev

6/15/2023

She was Doula for my wife, as husband of pregnant wife  i would say she made my life easy. She did everything for us not as doula but as a 1 of our family member . We really happy to know her. 

Nurkhon Zokirova

6/15/2023

I didn't have any support here in this country. I can't imagine what I would have done without Shannon. I didn't have have insurance, she helped me apply and choose a plan, she found me a midwife and a good hospital. She attened apppitments with me and helped me write a birth plan. Allah gave Sakina to my heart because of Shannon. My husband was also so grateful to Shannon and all her support. She visted me many times, bringing helpful tools such as a birth ball, steaming chiar, and herbal tea. When I was in labor Shannon took me to the hospital, she prepared her car for an emergency birth. We almost didn't make it, she calmly coached me through contractions in the car when I felt like pushing. When we arrived at the hospital I was rushed to a room and was told it was time to push. I felt exhaused but Shannon motovated me and held my leg. Alhamdulillah my son was born healthy. Shannon stayed with me overnight, as my husband had to stay home with out daughter. She changed my baby's diapers and had the lactation consultant come help me with breastfeeding. She's visted me several times postpartum helping me with bellybinding and steaming. She did little things that made a huge differnece such as bringing homemade cookies and a card. In my country husbands don't attend the birth and that is normal. Shannon helped me in ways that only a Muslim woman can. Choosing Shannon to attend your birth will be one of the best decisions of your life inshAllah. 

Egypt

6/14/2023

My experience having Shannon as my doula for my home birth was delightful and nurturing. During labor her warm spirit shone through. She provided me helpful positions, breathing techniques, massage and mindset shifts that supported my process. She was supportive during my immediate post partum period offering me healing wisdom, and techniques such as the Reboso massage and Closing of the bones techniques. These helped me to realign my body, and provided more tools to add to my self care arsenal after birth. She has a gentle understanding, and open nature. That invites a peace and warmth to the birthing experience. I would advice every women to have a doula in the birth and/or post partum period. Whether at a hospital, birth center or at home. Shannon's professional and personal experience as a mother, bring an element of depth and holds space for new mothers to show up authentically. You won't regret having Shannon as your doula. 

Egypt