Celia Southerland

9/18/2024

For my third birth, I really wanted to have the natural experience but with the security of the hospital after having two poor epidural experiences with my first two babies. Community North provided me with the resources to get connected with Shelby. She reached out closer to my due date and we video chatted to talk about my hopes, dreams, fears, and past experiences. She gave me resources to review while I waited for my sweet baby to make his appearance. They were extremely helpful and informational even for someone who'd already given birth twice. I ended up having an elective induction since my baby decided to come at 41 weeks and all my home inducing methods had failed. Shelby joined me in the hospital once my labor truly started. She walked the halls with me, got me water, coached me through my baby contractions, and chatted about life. Once active labor started, Shelby was nothing but encouraging to me. She coached me (and my husband) and provided me with the tools I needed in that exact moment. With her help, I was able to bring my almost 10 lb baby into the world with no meds, no epidural, and no interventions! She stayed for a bit after the birth until we were comfortable. It was a blessing. We had a video call again a couple weeks later to debrief. Thank you, Shelby for making my dream of a unmedicated birth possible. I couldn't have done it without you! 

Bailey Goodman

7/25/2024

Shelby is truly one of my favorite people! She was our doula for the births of all three of my kids and I can't imagine what our birth experiences would have been like without her. She advocated for me SO well, for things I know my partner and I would not have been able to advocate for ourselves. She was a constant, steady voice of encouragement and reassurance when I felt like my body couldn't go through one more contraction. She was wise counsel when I had prodromal labor for weeks before I had my third. She is truly the best and I am so, so grateful for the role she played in bringing my babies into the world. 

Ally

6/6/2024

When my husband and I became pregnant with our first child, we knew we wanted to hire a Doula in the area because “you don’t know what you don’t know”. After talking to several we found that Shelby was the perfect fit for us and was she ever. She takes time to get to know you, is always quick to respond with knowledge, and mostly to calm me down especially towards the end of pregnancy. With the help of Shelby we were able to have the most amazing and positive birth experience as we welcomed our little boy into this world. Looking back, she was always quick to bring me back to my breathing, come with quick tricks to help with my back labor pains, and helped my husband help me as much as he could. She also took sweet pictures of our birth and kept track of our birth story/timeline and they are truly something I will cherish forever. We 100% would hire Shelby again and I am thankful for her impact on our lives and being able to start a new chapter in such a positive and powerful way.

Kelly

2/3/2023

I was so grateful to work with Shelby. She was easy to talk to, kind, caring, knowledgeable, and supportive. I especially appreciated her advice on foods and exercises to help make labor easier - they helped a lot!! 

Shelby also helped me think through and research some delivery options that my doctor gave me. Her advice and guidance ultimately helped me have the exact birth experience that I was hoping for. I don't think I would have arrived at the same decision without Shelby's support and experience, so I will be forever grateful to her. 

Shelby helped me immensely in the delivery room as well. She stayed with me the entire time and gave me very helpful suggestions to be more comfortable and successful in delivery. She answered my questions, supported me, and cheered me on when I felt overwhelmed. 

I know my birth experience would not have been the same without her, and I will recommend her to all my friends and family. :)  Thank you, Shelby!

Kacy

2/2/2023

We absolutely LOVED working with Shelby. She put me at ease as a first time mom and was everything I needed from the time my water broke through laboring at home at having the water birth I wanted. We will definitely be calling her to be on our team for future pregnancies. 

Jana Schwindt-Badders

10/28/2021

Shelby was a huge support during my labor experience with my son. She was great with my family and helping them support me during the process. I really could not have done this without her! Everyone should have a doula for their birth experience.

Elizabeth Fox

8/14/2021

Shelby was absolutely wonderful.  As a first time mom I had no idea what to expect during labor and delivery and you kinda forget everything you learned in birth class when the pain start to get severe.  I had only heard horror and traumatic birth stories from my family and friends.  However, she made my labor and delivery a joyous experience despite things not going exactly according to my birth plan.  She was able to help me through labor naturally for 10 hours and showed my husband different techniques to help my pain.  She made me feel strong and capable but did not judge when I was ready for an epidural.  She stayed all 26 hours of my labor plus an extra hour until the first latch of my baby.  She told me what a great job I was doing pushing and was so positive and encouraging.  She wrote us a beautiful account of my birth story and sent us pictures that I will cherish forever. I will always look back at my labor and delivery fondly, and mostly due to her encouragement and help. I highly reccommend Shelby to anyone. 

Kaitlyn Emery

6/25/2021

I am a Registered Nurse who has been terrified of birth since nursing school. Knowing a little too much information can be a detriment. I was told by friends to get a doula as well as recommended by my birth class. Shelby was everything I needed and more to get over my anxiety and bring my baby earth side. She listened to my concerns and wishes as far as getting baby out safely. She talked me through different positions during my almost 4 hours of natural labor at the hospital, and when I finally decided I needed an epidural to get through the rest of this labor at 8cm dilated she was nothing but supportive and my advocate. She turned something so scary, into a genuinely pleasurable and beautiful experience. I can't thank her enough. 10/10 would recommend. 

Erica Clark

6/4/2021

I couldn't possibly explain just how much Shelby helped me through labor. She was there the whole time, giving words of encouragement and pulling me through those waves of intense contractions as I labored in the tub. She not only was there to help me through labor but it also allowed my husband to take a break from time to time as well. A doula is the best investment for a natural birth. I'm quite certain I wouldn't have a successful natural birth without her. Do not hesitate to hire her, just do it!!  She also was able to capture moments through pictures that I will cherish forever. The only thing I regret is not getting a picture with her and my new baby! 

Amy

12/15/2019

Shelby was the doula for our sweet baby boy born in November 2019. We didn't have a "traditional" pregnancy journey and wanted to have someone who was a source of knowledge and support for us and our gestational surrogate. Living out of state, we really counted on Shelby to help with communication and to be a liason for all of us. She was the one that called us in the middle of the night, 3 weeks earlier than expected, to tell us to head to the airport and the first person we called when we landed in Indiana to get an update on the progress of our surrogate's labor. She kept us in the loop while we were in the waiting room during the longer parts of labor and was the one who took the cherished photos during the birth of our son and the first time we held him. I would highly suggest having a doula, especially in a gestational surrogate relationship, and would recommend Shelby for someone in a traditional or non-traditional pregnancy. 

Alex

6/17/2019

Shelby Hicks was our doula for the birth of our son in September 2017, and I cannot recommend her enough.  We wanted to have a natural birth but had done very little preparation and only signed up with Shelby a few weeks prior to my due date. If we hadn’t hired her, there is no way we would’ve had a natural birth.  With her help, we did! Shelby went above and beyond what we expected her to do: showing up in the middle of the night, providing counter pressure for hours and hours, and cheering me on the whole way.  She also took notes throughout the process so we could receive a timeline afterwards, and I love looking at that timeline.  We are now expecting baby number two, and I will definitely be giving her a call.  Worth every penny!

Katelyn Kuntz

1/23/2019

When I first hired a doula I did so with the idea of not only helping me, but my husband. He was deployed with our first, so I felt that I knew what to expect and what I wanted out of a birth, but that he would not know the same. I wanted a nuetral person to help him assist me in a way that made our birthing experience everything I have wanted. We have now had 2 beautiful little boys with the help of Shelby. She is so calm in the moment and guides you to do exactly what is needed to have the perfect natural birth. She was able to assist in methods during contractions that I would have never known to relieve pain and pressure, and gave my husband tips to make the labor go as smoothly as possible. I recently gave birth, completely natural, to a 9lb 14.4oz baby boy, and know I would not have been as sucsessful without her knowledge and guidance. My recovery was amazing because my birth went so well. Even knowing what I know now, after 2 births and the ability to have my husband assist, I would still hire her for every single birth. She bring a sense of peace to the room during those moments. I am so thankful that she has been there to guide me through two births that while both entirely different, she was there every single step of the way. Shelby also comes back to visit, and has notes of what occured during my labor and delivery. It is nice to look back at a timeline of events and see how things progressed that you may have forgotten or never known. During our first birth my husband did not understand why you would need someone to help you give birth, he thought that was the doctors jobs, and he now reccomends Shelby to everyone we know welcoming a baby soon. She has become such a special part of our family and a pivitol role in our amazing birth story. SO thankful for her!

Rachel McConnell

1/18/2019

The moment I heard that Community Hospital had a Doula program, I knew that was the right choice for me and my baby.  I was going to be a first time mother, but I wanted to feel like I was in as much control as possible through my labor and I needed someone by me who knew how to support me and my husband.  We were assigned Shelby, and I couldn't have imagined a better match for us.  She listened to our reasons for wanting a more natural birth, made us feel comfort with all of her knowledge and experience, and genuinely cared about bringing this baby into the world the way I wanted as much as possible.  She also answered lots of questions from me leading up to the big day.  I was in labor for 23 hours and she was there for the majority of it.  It certainly wasn't easy, but her advice along the way and the direction she gave to my husband to make him feel useful was everything we wanted and needed.  If/when we have another, I will purposely seek out Shelby to see if she's available again.  You will always be in great hands with her!

Abby Van Deman

9/6/2017

I met Shelby when I arrived at the hospital in labor with my second daughter.  I had originally been assigned a different doula, but she was unavailable, so Shelby thankfully stepped in.  Though we had never met her, we were immediately comfortable with her.  She provided physical and emotional supprt through my labor and advocated for me when I wasn't able to verbalize what I needed.  Shelby has a way of saying exactly what a laboring mama needs to hear.  She is so affirming and encouraging.  After that birth experience, my husband told every expecting couple that we knew to "hire a doula!"  When I became pregnant with our third girl, it was an easy decision to have Shelby there again during labor and delivery.  She was encouraging when I went past my due date and reminded me that my body knew what to do.  She was intuitive to my needs during labor and again, was so verbally affirming during labor.  Though there are many people present during a labor and birth, I still find that having a doula is essential to the comfort and well-being of the mom.  The nurses often have many responsibilities and forget that the mom may need coaching, comfort, and reminders to breathe and stay calm.  Having Shelby there kept me focused and made it possible for me to have intervention free births.

Melissa Gholston

9/6/2017

Shelby was my guardian angel.  From the very begining, she was there for me.  I can still here her in the back of my head saying

"your hips hurt, walk a little, it strengthens your muscles," "drink more water," "EAT"

She was there for me when all I could do was cry, there when I was in pain and there when all I could say was "I cant do this."

I called her magical, in no way did I ever think anyone other than God himself could stop a contraction as it was starting or ease the pain just by pressing on my lower back.  I didnt want her to leave my side.  Through the morphine and epi I made sure she was within eye site.  I made sure every nurse and doctor knew who she was.  She was my emotional support and I would not have made it without her.

I gave my son up for adoptioin, without her, I know I would have had an even harder time letting him go but she made my experience so amazing with reminding me to breath through the pain, teaching me how to relax, encouraging me to keep calm that I got this, helping me deliver my son in 4 pushes, skin to skin with my son, visiting me in the hospital...EVERYTHING about her was just what I needed to make it through that day.

I love this woman and she means so much more than just a woman who helped me deliver my son.  I dont much like sharing her but I feel everyone should experience a Shelby and there is only one like her.

Francesca Watkins

8/15/2017

Shelby was my doula for my second birth, in December 2016. My first child was born in 2008 via c-section, and after a lot of research and reflection I knew I wanted to try for a VBAC with as little medical intervention as possible. Shelby has an amazing personality and so much knowledge and experience, from our first meeting I felt like she was going to be a perfect addition to my "birth team"! When my labor began in the middle of the night she was still available to answer texts and give me direction. She arrived at the hospital within minutes of us, and was invaluable during my labor. She was able to support me, give my husband tips and direction, and help facilitate my needs and wishes with the hospital staff.

She talked me through everything when it was time to push and she helped me slow down and not push when I got a little out of control- this probably helped prevent some major tearing! Also total bonus, Shelby used our camera to capture some beautiful photos of my husband and I both during my labor and right after birth. They're amazing and I'm so thankful for them.

I ended up with an epidural free, successful VBAC of a sunny-side-up baby! I absolutely believe that I wouldn't have been able to do it without Shelby's guidance and support throughout the whole process. I'd highly recommend her as a doula!!

Tammy Bowman Ruel

7/12/2016

I used Shelby as my doula for the birth of my second child in March 2016. I had given birth to my first child in December 2009 and did not use a doula for that birth. The labor was horrible and long with my first child and I felt I had little guidance on best birthing positions to help ease the pain. I even had an epidural for most of the labor. To say the least I felt traumatized after my first birth so I had a lot of anxiety about the second birth. I knew I wanted an epidural for my second birth but I also wanted guidance and help through the birth process. I am so glad I decided on a doula even with wanting a medicated birth. Shelby was able to give me advice on what positions to use for sleeping weeks before the birth and positions to use at home when labor started. However, I didn't labor at home because my blood pressure shot up and I had to be induced. She gave great advice during the day and I got through the majority of my labor without an epidural and minimal pain. She gave great advice on getting the baby in position and I had a short pushing period before I greeted my baby. I was done before dinner. My birth experiences with and without a doula were night and day. I would recommend Shelby and a doula to anyone given birth. Natural or medicated - I am a firm believer in doulas now. What a great experience!  They are truly a asset to any birth and are there with you the entire time helping guide you in the way you want. They add a vital component to the birth process. The nurses and dr are great but are not available to you during the majority of your labor the way a doula is.  Shelby is great on helping you achieve your perfect birth!

Tammy Bowman Ruel

7/12/2016

I used Shelby as my doula for the birth of my second child in March 2016. I had given birth to my first child in December 2009 and did not use a doula for that birth. The labor was horrible and long with my first child and I felt I had little guidance on best birthing positions to help ease the pain. I even had an epidural for most of the labor. To say the least I felt traumatized after my first birth so I had a lot of anxiety about the second birth. I knew I wanted an epidural for my second birth but I also wanted guidance and help through the birth process. I am so glad I decided on a doula even with wanting a medicated birth. Shelby was able to give me advice on what positions to use for sleeping weeks before the birth and positions to use at home when labor started. However, I didn't labor at home because my blood pressure shot up at She gave great advice on getting the baby in position and I had a short pushing period before I greeted my baby. I was done before dinner. My birth experiences with and without a doula were night and day. I would recommend Shelby and a doula to anyone given birth. Natural or medicated - I am a firm believer in doulas now. What a great experience!  They are truly a asset to any birth and are there with you the entire time helping guide you in the way you want. They add a vital component to the birth process. The nurses and dr are great but are not available to you during the majority of your labor the way a doula is.  Shelby is great on helping you achieve your perfect birth!

Alissa Pryor

5/31/2016

My husband and I found Shelby through the Community Health Network doula program, and we couldn't have found a more perfect match for us! I wanted to avoid all interventions and experience the most natural birth possible, while keeping my health and baby's health absolute priority. Although the birth experience didn't go exactly as we had hoped, Shelby provided support and love throughout the process. Before labor and delivery, she was available at any time of day to answer my questions. During labor and delivery, Shelby helped me find the most comfortable positions, provided massage, and coached my husband so that he was able to support me even better than he already was. Shelby provided us with a birth story a few days later with details about my son's birth that I will forever cherish. I highly recommend Shelby to any mom hoping for a natural birth and to any couple that seeks the excellent care and the unwavering love and support that Shelby demonstrated during my birth experience.

Jessica Dellen

4/29/2016

Shelby is the best! I was wrapping up my 35th week when I was sent to the hospital for an immediate labor induction. This being our first baby, my husband and I were dazed, scared and unprepared. Shelby was our rock. She helped me stay focused, advocated for me and gave me strength when I was exhausted. She coached both my husband and me through one of the scariest, most beautiful experiences of our lives.

Thank you Shelby for helping us bring our baby girl into the world! We were so blessed to have you on our team.

Emily Sutherlin

4/26/2016

Our labor once we got to the hospital ended up being quite a short experience, but we were truly grateful to have Shelby there as quick as she was able to arrive. I walked in dilated to 10 cm, unbeknownst to me, so we were really trying to wait for the Doctor to deliver.  Shelby immediately stepped into a pretty chaotic room, released pressure from my husband by taking my hand and talking me through my contractions and helping me to NOT push until the doctor arrived. I think the nurse would have had to deliver had Shelby not been there to walk me through this. Once the Doctor arrived, Shelby was great at working with the doctor and nurses to help me deliver a healthy babe. She also stayed right with me as the doctor performed post partum work, which was kind.

Mary Ellen (Sleva) Burns

4/26/2016

Shelby was a godsend during my labor and delivery. I was scared and unsure about being induced and still achieving my goal of a natural childbirth, but Shelby was the perfect person to have on my team. She was calm and quietly supportive when I needed it, and strong and encouraging when I was stalled on those last few pushes until my son arrived. I truly had a wonderful birthing experience and I know that I owe so much of that to Shelby. My husband was so grateful for her help during the labor as well. When he was worried and scared about seeing me in pain, Shelby helped talked he and I both through natural pain-relieving techniques to help me stay focused. Because of our wonderful experience we tell everyone we know that doulas are an incredible asset during labor and delivery, especially if they are lucky enough to find one as great as Shelby!

Emily Pritts

4/26/2016

Shelby was an amazing asset to our birthing plan. Before our delivery, she was available to use for any reason. She responded promptly. At 3am when our labor began, she answered our text immediately. She arrived at the hospital seconds after we did and stayed to help us, as new parents, learn to breastfeed. During our labor, Shelby helped me stay focus and helped my husband stay calm and be an amazing support to me. I do not feel that I would have accomplished my goal having a natural delivery without Shelby. She could focus in on things that were calming to me. She helped communicate my plan and needs to the nursing staff. My husband felt that she made him feel reassured. He stated it was comforting having someone with knowledge and experience there with us through the entire labor. She was able to have ideas for us that the nurses didn't suggest to help us progross through the labor. I would recommend Shelby as a doula to anyone that asks!