Elethya Doula Services
Support for families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum
I am Shona
I speak a little funny as I have a fading English accent so read this intro as such! I am a certifying doula to the Fredericton area of New Brunswick and feel like I have finally found my calling. I have been surrounded by birth work from a young age and have been interested and absorbing research in pregnancy and birth for about the last decade. I had an incredible midwife attended home birth with my son in 2022 where I was supported by an amazing Doula. After that experience I decided if I could help a birthing parent even half as much as she helped me, I wanted to! And so launched Elethya Doula Services. I provide support through pregnancy, birth and postpartum to your family on your terms. I know birth to be a transformative time for families and especially the birthing parent and I trust in your bodies ability to birth your baby, while holding respect for medical interventions as well. I am a business owner multiple times over and so only take a few families when the fit is spot on, I love becoming more friend than doula but I will be whatever you need,
My Philosophies
I TRUST YOU & I TRUST YOUR BODY
You were built to birth your baby and given optimal circumstances I trust you can do it physiologically. Unfortunately our current medical system intervenes in birth making it more difficult for the beautiful dance between you and your baby to unfold. I am here to help make sure that dance is protected whether you are birthing at home with midwives or in hospital. Due to my insurance restrictions I cannot support a planned home birth without a midwife attending.
Education education education! The more you are able to learn about the birth and postpartum process before it happens the better! I will be here to help make sure you access the best resources and find evidence based research. First stop, go and check out this amazing prenatal class that I recommend to all pregnant people, even if it's not your first!
I strongly believe that birth is a right of passage and with the right support where you feel empowered, heard and trusted it can be a positive experience, regardless of how your baby makes it into the world.
What I do: Pricing
4 Months Access to me!
Intended to start 2 months prior to birth and continue until 2 months postpartum.
- Coffee Chats
- Walks
- Hangouts
Average about 12 visits including birth - flexible depending on your needs!
I want to become a part of your world so that when I enter your birth space I am not an intrusion.
Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum
Prenatal: Make sure you are prepared for all potential outcomes of birth and know your options. Try to get baby in an optimal position for birth. Help you create your birth plan, and more.
Birth: Hands on and emotional support during labour and delivery. Will help you utilize different positions and tools, and help you advocate for yourself when necessary.
Postpartum: Help establish your desired feeding method and help with general baby care. I will do light housework to help too. Education about nutrition.
Total Cost
$2200 Split between 4 payments of $550
Covers all my visits, up to 8 uninterrupted hours of birth support, 3 hours immediate postpartum, travel expenses, equipment and teaching materials as well as my liability insurance.
- Flexible terms.
- Contact me for more details and to see contract.
Stay Tuned to hear stories of births I have attended!
For now, here is my own birth story!
I was 41 weeks and had been experiencing some prodromal labour for the
last week and a bit. I was 3cm dilated and had consented to two stretch and
sweeps.
I had some cramping in the afternoon but ignored it, took the dog for a walk
and then watched some TV. I could feel the cramping was quite consistent so I tried to lay down for a nap (I couldn't sleep through the cramps which I knew was a great indicator things were happening). Messaged my doula around 6pm all that was going on and chatted with the midwives. Attempted to make some curry and the contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes and lasting for almost a minute. I was planning a home birth so let my doula know to come over around 8pm. She arrived and we moved downstairs where I laboured on an exercise ball, and on my hands and knees trying different positions. The midwives arrived around 9pm and started my IV for my GBS antibiotics. We blew the birthing pool up (amazing) and I laboured in there with my doula doing counter pressure and me gripping my combs. After about an hour and a half of pushing my 7.15lb son was born at 2.32am!
Stories of births coming!
Resources
Here are some resources I have collected.
Click Away!
- A wonderful prenatal course that is offered online and in person: Beyond the Bump
- A great website and podcast for education (US): Evidence based birth
- A fun, chatty but educational podcast (UK): Midwives Cauldron
- A brilliant episode about the safety of home birth (UK): The Birth-ed
- A great book detailing physiological birth (but take it with a grain of salt sometimes): Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
- A lovely book for partners to read: The Birth Partner
