Together you will cover a wide range of topics. Shannon will help you create an early labour and birth plan, provide information and options regarding pain management, practice easy and effective positions and techniques for labour, discuss the important role your partner and other support people play during your labour, as well as your breastfeeding relationship. The conversation topics will ultimately be decided by you, centering around your needs, expectations and comfort.
Shannon also offers Alternative Prenatal classes designed with the family's ideal birth experience in mind. Topics covered include birthing positions & comfort measures, breastfeeding, bonding & beds, options regarding circumcision, medication & much more.
NEW: Is it your goal to be a full participant in the birthing process and be completely present during your labour & delivery? Click here to learn about our four-week labour & delivery class being held in February 2008.
In her capacity as a Registered Professional Counselor, Shannon is also available for individual pre & post-natal counseling (breastfeeding & toddler friendly environment). She is also available for post partum support but again, this would be based on individual needs.
Birth Doula Services:
- Comprehensive birth planning
- I will accompany to prenatal doctor's visits or prenatal classes if
desired
- Customized pain management techniques and comfort measures
- We will discuss and practice labour and birthing positions
- The partner-doula relationship
- Breastfeeding basics and immediate support after birth
- Baby's role in labour
- Helping you find and access community resources
- Continuous labour and delivery support
- Advocacy
- Labour and delivery photos if desired
- Ongoing phone and email support
- Guaranteed back-up doula
- Review of the birth experience
TESTIMONIALS:
"I never would have lasted through 35 hours of labour without Shannon's support, patience and guidance. I had a posterior baby, and she was able to help me work through painful back labour and have a successful vaginal delivery. Without her, I'm almost positive I would have had a cesarean section. She was wonderful with helping me visualize and work through contractions, educate me about the pain medication that I was being offered and prepare me for the upcoming stages of labour. She was a wonderful guide for my partner, and she taught him massage techniques that allowed me to relax and go without pain medication for the first 22 hours. He appreciated her presence just as much as I did, and never "got in his way." If we have another child in the HRM, Shannon will absolutely be asked to help again- she made my birth experience so much better than it would have been.
One of the best things that Shannon did was take notes of important times and milestones during the labour, so a couple of weeks after the birth, we met and Shannon was able to explain things that happened that I had forgotten about or wasn't aware of. It filled in so many of the holes, and we both really appreciated someone taking the time to pay attention to the important small details!"
-Gillian, Halifax
"My fiancée says she couldn't have gotten through the labour without the support I gave her. I don't think I could have gotten through it without the support of our doula."
-Kyle, North Dartmouth
"There were two shift changes during our labour and delivery so Shannon served as a constant throughout the process; saving us from explaining our wishes to each new hospital staff person and keeping track of little things that can get overlooked in a hospital setting."
-Liz, Westphal
"Having Shannon with me throughout labour, knowing she would always be by my side, supporting my decisions or just holding my hand was a huge reassurance."
-Rhonda, Eastern Passage
"I wish everyone could have a Shannon."
-Jackie, nurse at the IWK
"Shannon was calming and caring. We thank her for helping us have a positive birth experience."
-Melanie, Spryfield
