Ilithyia Birth Support Services: Meet Shân

Hello! and welcome to Ilithyia Birth Support Services. I am so happy that you have decided to learn more about doulas and the services I offer. Birth is an incredibly transformative experience for a woman. One she will remember for all of her life, so it's important that her birth memories be positive ones. I believe that when women are empowered by knowledge and support, and not misguided by myth and misinformation, they make sound choices they will not regret. I also profoundly believe in the "mommy gut", that inner wisdom all women have. Birth is normal, natural and healthy...and women are incredibly well designed to grow, give birth to, nurture and nourish their babies. My mission is to provide you and your family with the support you need to feel confident in your choices and to help you reach your pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding goals.

Let me introduce myself:
My name is Shân Murley. I married my sweetheart and best friend in 1981 and we have four children, two girls and two boys, all of whom are now in their 20's...and I am none too patiently waiting for them to provide me with grandchildren. :o) I am a former social worker (palliative care, discharge planning, adoption, domestic abuse), and a confirmed birth junkie.

I have always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth...just didn't realize as a young woman that this fascination was something I could turn into a career without becoming a doctor which I wasn't interested in doing. Empowering women was also important to me, so I became a Social Worker. I spent several years working for women’s shelters, during which time I was privileged to be able to support women in finding their strength. I believe that my experiences in that field have transferred well in my current efforts to support women in their pregnancy and birth choices.

I trained as a birth doula in 2007 by completing the DONA course offered through Douglas College. This only whet my appetite. I couldn’t, and still can’t get enough. There is so much more to learn. From there I completed a very comprehensive course on breastfeeding for healthcare providers, also offered at Douglas College, and have recently (Sept 2010) trained as a Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Doula (HCHD). I am currently in the process of training as a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, and a Postpartum Doula. I look forward to being able to add these services to my portfolio. I maintain current certification in infant and adult CPR and have specific experience in the following circumstances: