"I cannot say enough kind things about the doula services I received from Shan Murley. While my story is not a happy one, in some ways that makes the care we received all the more critical. After 3 healthy babies born by c-section, we were shocked & devastated to have had two second trimester losses in 18months. These babies were healthy, but due to complications, their hearts had stopped. It was necessary, for my health, to be induced & labor to deliver these tiny angels.
My other children were born by c-section because my first child was a failed induction & went into distress after 30+ hours of trying to get me into productive labor pattern. I was MAXED on Pitocin, in LOTS of pain for many hours & never progressed anywhere near delivery. Needless to say, that the idea of being induced under these difficult circumstances was more than terrifying.
Shan was calm & comforting, cried with us, had answers to ALL of our questions, had many supplies & ideas for helping my comfort &, I believe, ultimately helped me to do what all the doctors could not do with my living children, deliver these babies naturally & with very little pain medication or medical intervention.
This helped not only my mental health, but my physical recovery time as well. I will always be so grateful to her for the help she gave us in our darkest hours." ~ Erin, 2011
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"While expecting my third child, I came across some information on the critical role the whole birthing process plays in the psychological development of children. I decided to face my fears and give birth without an epidural in the interest of giving my baby the best start to life that I could.
I had heard what a help a doula could play in assisting a natural childbirth and that was part of my plan. I then came across hypnosis for childbirth, and that intrigued me. I read a few books and decided that "Hypnobabies" would be my best route. I was a little late in the game, so I didn't get into a class, and did the homestudy. It was a complete childbirth education program on top of hypnosis for childbirth. My quest for a doula then required someone familiar with "Hypnobabies". I interviewed several and there was a range of responses. Some had taken a seminar on it, and some thought it was a useful tool. I was looking for someone who not only had learned about it, but had seen it in action, and firmly believed in the results that could be achieved. Not just a tool, but a whole way of doing things. This was how I found Shân. She had actually attended several hypnobirths and couldn't see why people wouldn't use it. Hypnobabies to her was amazing. This is what I needed, as I needed a confidence booster that it would work.
Hypnobabies is about reprogramming your mind about your outlook on childbirth. That it is a natural and positive experience. I needed the positive reinforcement, and Shân did a great job in instilling confidence in the program and my ability to follow through.
Shân is a wealth of information, and the nice thing is that she is always learning; she is in the process of becoming a midwife. I had a few questions about my Hypnobabies practices, and although she didn't know the answer, the next day she let me know what she had found out from a Hypnobabies instructor. Shân has a wonderful lending library of books and DVDs. Even after the birth, if I have any questions, Shân is happy to provide information.
When my birthing time started, Shân came to my home, and then rode with me to the hospital. She helped me relax during each pressure wave on the way, and although it was a little uncomfortable, it was very bearable. Once we got to the hospital we got settled in, and my baby was born very shortly. It was less than two hours from when we actually got to the parking lot to him being delivered. Shân was invaluable during the transition stage of labour with oils and massage, reinforcing the relaxing cues given by my husband. There were about two pressure waves that were very intense that made me question whether I could do it completely drug free, but then my midwife checked me. I was fully dilated. She broke my water and my son was born two minutes later.
Comparing my third childbirth, all natural, to my two before where I swore by epidurals, the third was the easiest, smoothest and quickest. This was because of the support I had around me, and the preparation that I had done before, to program myself to be able to relax during each pressure wave. Two pressure waves that were intense compared to several intense hours just waiting to get the epidural; there's no comparison!
It was really nice to have Shân follow up with a visit after the birth. It was wonderful having her fold some laundry and prepare dinner.
If you are looking at your options for childbirth, do look into Hypnobabies, and then use Shân as she was great in assisting me achieve my goal of natural childbirth." ~ Maria, 2010
I had heard what a help a doula could play in assisting a natural childbirth and that was part of my plan. I then came across hypnosis for childbirth, and that intrigued me. I read a few books and decided that "Hypnobabies" would be my best route. I was a little late in the game, so I didn't get into a class, and did the homestudy. It was a complete childbirth education program on top of hypnosis for childbirth. My quest for a doula then required someone familiar with "Hypnobabies". I interviewed several and there was a range of responses. Some had taken a seminar on it, and some thought it was a useful tool. I was looking for someone who not only had learned about it, but had seen it in action, and firmly believed in the results that could be achieved. Not just a tool, but a whole way of doing things. This was how I found Shân. She had actually attended several hypnobirths and couldn't see why people wouldn't use it. Hypnobabies to her was amazing. This is what I needed, as I needed a confidence booster that it would work.
Hypnobabies is about reprogramming your mind about your outlook on childbirth. That it is a natural and positive experience. I needed the positive reinforcement, and Shân did a great job in instilling confidence in the program and my ability to follow through.
Shân is a wealth of information, and the nice thing is that she is always learning; she is in the process of becoming a midwife. I had a few questions about my Hypnobabies practices, and although she didn't know the answer, the next day she let me know what she had found out from a Hypnobabies instructor. Shân has a wonderful lending library of books and DVDs. Even after the birth, if I have any questions, Shân is happy to provide information.
When my birthing time started, Shân came to my home, and then rode with me to the hospital. She helped me relax during each pressure wave on the way, and although it was a little uncomfortable, it was very bearable. Once we got to the hospital we got settled in, and my baby was born very shortly. It was less than two hours from when we actually got to the parking lot to him being delivered. Shân was invaluable during the transition stage of labour with oils and massage, reinforcing the relaxing cues given by my husband. There were about two pressure waves that were very intense that made me question whether I could do it completely drug free, but then my midwife checked me. I was fully dilated. She broke my water and my son was born two minutes later.
Comparing my third childbirth, all natural, to my two before where I swore by epidurals, the third was the easiest, smoothest and quickest. This was because of the support I had around me, and the preparation that I had done before, to program myself to be able to relax during each pressure wave. Two pressure waves that were intense compared to several intense hours just waiting to get the epidural; there's no comparison!
It was really nice to have Shân follow up with a visit after the birth. It was wonderful having her fold some laundry and prepare dinner.
If you are looking at your options for childbirth, do look into Hypnobabies, and then use Shân as she was great in assisting me achieve my goal of natural childbirth." ~ Maria, 2010
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"I can't thank you enough for all the support you provided during my pregnancy, labour and the first few weeks of C's life. You were absolutely amazing! You went above and beyond anything I could ever expect. I could never have managed my labour so well without you. You truly are an incredible birth support. Thank you for the outstanding care!" ~ Brenna, 2010
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"Shan is a wealth of pregnancy, birthing and baby information! Having someone as knowledgeable and professional as her by your side during one of life's most intense times is truly comforting. While I trust that my body could have given birth without Shan, I certainly wouldn't have wanted to! I attribute Shan's guidance in the first few minutes of my son's life to him being a successfully breastfed baby." - Kate, 2009
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"Shan was highly recommended to me by a close friend and our decision to have her be a part of our pregnancy and birth experience was one of the best decisions we have ever made! Shan's experience and training make her a truly unique individual who is able to offer the support and knowledge that so many others cannot. Before the birth of our beautiful son she empowered us with many resources so that we could prepare ourselves for the impending birth! On the day of the big event, we had a plan, and more importantly, peace of mind. This was because of the preparation that we had gone through. During the birth, Shan was with us every step of the way...knowing when and how to offer us advice or simply an ear. Her presence was indispensable and we couldn't imagine that day without her. After Naveed was born, Shan was again available for support and encouragement, and even a hug when needed! Being a first time mum and not knowing what to expect from this amazing time, I believe it is important to surround yourself with love and support. Shan provides this and so much more! She helped us to understand the decisions we would have to make. I also really appreciated debriefing about the birth and learning to own and accept my own personal experience. We hope Shan is willing to help us out when Baby #2 comes along! If you are looking for a doula who is knowledgeable, wise, compassionate, understanding, organized, and calm, you have found your woman!"--Amanda, 2009
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"I found Shan to be extremely well informed and professional. She immediately put my husband and I at ease and helped to make our birth experience the best we could have imagined. It really made all the difference to have someone there who understood our hopes and wants, and who understood the birth process entirely. She enabled me to find my own strength and to trust my body. She will foster your need to "judge for yourself" by helping you attain the information needed to make informed decisions during your prelabour visits via home, phone and internet. I was a "high-risk" birth simply because I was a VBAC after 2 cesareans. I knew that I wanted a vaginal birth to ensure the best start for my baby and myself. I assessed the risks and did the research. With Shan's support and understanding I was able to stand up to the OBGYN's who were trying to force another cesarean and "scare" me into complying. I did not comply. I trusted my body, my knowledge, and my support system (my husband and Shan) and had a successful VBA2C. Birth might not ever go "as expected", but because of Shan's expertise, calm, soothing manner, and faith in my body and strength, I had an amazing birth. I would never go through labour and delivery without a knowledgeable doula like Shan. Post-delivery Shan has been there to help with breastfeeding, dealing with jaundice, and any concerns I have had about my own body or my baby's. If she does not know, she finds the answer or the research about the question."--Roxanne, 2009***************************************
"How do we even begin to thank you for helping to ease us into this new chapter of our lives?! Right from the beginning you have fit in with us perfectly! You answered our questions; led us to information if you did not have it; eased our concerns; prepped us mentally and physically; and you genuinely cared. About two months ago D told a co-worker, "Thank God we have the doula!" and he couldn't be more right! We feel you went above & beyond your "paid" duties, and for this we are so grateful! Even though the whole hospital experience did not go quite as planned (what actually does?!) it was a fantastic, exciting, fun and fulfilling time for us.... I fully believe that I could be so relaxed and happy through labour because you prepped us so well. What a great team we had! Moms, D, family and you; it was all so perfect! I have a huge smile on my face every time I tell our birthing story!"--Natalie, 2008
