About Shannon

I am the proud mother of four wonderful children, three daughters and one son. As well as being a full time mother, wife and household manager, I have been a part-time Teacher for blind and visually impaired students since 2001. My flexible schedule allows me to pursue being a Doula, a profession that I have been passionate about since birthing and breastfeeding my own children.

In my view, pregnancy, labour and birth are absolutely fascinating natural experiences that we are privileged to have and in which our partners are privileged to participate. I have always felt (and lots of women think I’m crazy) that while painful, labour and birth are also exhilarating and much too short a climax after 9 months of pregnancy!

Since I have decided that four children is it for me, I have redirected my passion for this experience to empowering expectant mothers and their partners to have the birth experience they desire.

I hope to help both partners to relax and derive as much pleasure as possible out of this magical, life-changing event. I would consider it a privilege to be present at the birth of your beautiful baby.

I am a Certified Labour Doula (CLD) with CAPPA Canada. CAPPA stands for Childbirth and Post partum Professional Association. CAPPA was founded in 1998 and CAPPA Canada in 2004. The association was founded to offer the highest level of professional membership and training to childbirth educators, labour doulas, postpartum doulas and lactation educators. »

TESTIMONIALS: What Real Moms Say about Shannon...

"We had Shannon as a doula for the birth of our second child. My first labour and delivery saw me undergoing the entire 'snowball effect' of medical interventions and I had a lot of difficulty breastfeeding afterward.

For our 'second time round' I really wanted to avoid getting an epidural too early and having the same things happen all over again. Before the birth Shannon educated us on all of our birthing options and brought us up to date. She completly respected our birth plan choices and made us feel confident in what we were doing.

I definitely looked to Shannon for her experience and knowledge when I was feeling unsure and she totally kept me calm. I was able to labour without getting an epidural at all and after the delivery of our beautiful daughter breastfeeding was no problem at all. Overall, I would describe Shannon as a CALMING FORCE- whether you are having your first or your tenth baby! "

~ Val and Leo,

on the natural birth of Camille Juliet
born August 21, 2008
8 lbs 5 oz
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto

"Having Shannon help us with our birth plan was awesome, it made us think about things that we normally wouldn't have considered. Then having her in the delivery room with us was reassuring. We had developed a trusting realtionship prior to the birth of our baby and it was nice to have someone knowledgeable, as well as familiar, with us to provide support and feedback when we had questions. There were plenty of times when there was no hospital staff in our room to let us know that everything was normal and OK, so having Shannon there was very reassuring as first time parents! "

~ Dan and Summer,

on the birth of their son, Lucan Daniel
born Sept.23, 2008
Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket

"I was planning to go drug free until 5cm and with Shannon's help I got to 7-8cm without an epidural. I am convinced this was a huge contirbutor to my successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Shannon thought of things I wouldn't have or couldn't have during the circumstances, eg. drinking water or gatorade, focusing on the 'right' breathing or putting my first daughter's picture in front of me to help me get through the contraction. Finally, Shannon was appropriately involved - she was in the forefront when needed and in the background when required - it seemed very natural. She showed such situational sensitivity and I believe that will be a huge success factor in her Doula practise. I can't thank Shannon enough - I truly believe that she was a very strong contributor to our successful VBAC. My husband and I will be forever grateful. "

~ Catherine and Ro,

on the birth of their daughter, Avery Violet Anadya
born Nov. 2, 2008
8lbs 10 oz
Women’s College Hospital, Toronto

"Having Shannon as a doula made me feel confident in my abilities. Our meetings beforehand really prepared us a lot! I would not have been able to labour at home as long as we did without Shannon’s help, she provided suggestions like focusing on a picture during a contraction which was very helpful as well as positive reassurance during labour which made both my husband and I feel better. I felt that Shannon was putting my needs and wishes first during the delivery. Having Shannon as our doula made the birth experience more positive overall and she was very helpful with home visits and information after the birth. "

~ Stephanie and Gordon,

on the natural birth of their first child, Claire Elizabeth Louise
born July 25, 2009
8 lbs 10.5 oz
Georgetown Hospital, Georgetown

"Thank you so much! We wouldn’t have made it without you!!! Although I found the natural birth quite challenging, it was truly a rewarding experience. It was best for the well being of myself and my baby. You were amazingly supportive, patient and helpful in more ways than we could have imagined. Thank you! "

~ Alexandra and Dominic,

on the natural birth of their first child Oliver Pavel Wo-Ping
born July 26, 2009
6lbs 12oz
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto

"In my husband’s words, Shannon (our doula) was 'invaluable' to us on the birth of our daughter. Before, during and after delivery she reassured me that all was normal and provided resources when I needed it. She was with us through the birth and was an extra pair of hands to give my husband a break and when all didn’t go as planned, kept me focused to ensure the goal was met of having a healthy baby. She is there, always supportive but never intrusive. I hope to always keep in touch with Shannon, she was with us on one of the greatest days of our life and it was made so much better that she was a part of it. "

~ Yvonne and Shannon(Yvonne's husband),

On the birth of their daughter, Wyette Jaclyn Frances
born March 30, 2011
7lbs 15oz
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto

"My intentions were to have natural births with my two previous pregnancies, but I was not able to. We had decided that for this birth we wanted to have a doula present with us, and felt that Shannon was the perfect one to share our very special day. With Shannon’s knowledge and experience I was not only successful in achieving the natural birth that I had always envisioned but also experienced a very calm and gentle birth in which the baby had benefited as well. During labour she offered the physical and emotional support that I needed, and worked as a team alongside the doctors and nurses without interfering in their work. My partner also appreciated having her with us. She was there for me and for him as well, coaching and supporting, yet respecting our intimate moments. It was a privilege to have Shannon as our doula, I cannot imagine going through another pregnancy or delivery without her.. "

~ Sandra & Marcel,

On the birth of their son, Marc Paul
born August 5 2011
Credit Valley Hospital, Mississsuaga

"Pete and I are both so grateful that you were there with us for Rylan’s birth. Although I had two interventions that I wasn’t planning for, I really believe there would have been more had you not been helping us. I will be forever grateful that you helped me stick to my birth plan as much as possible.
Thank you for:
   - Getting me into the bath which I know helped get me to 9cm. Thanks again for helping me stick to the plan
   - Being a calming presence and a support for Pete throughout the birth
   - Coaching me through the pushing and teaching me how to breathe "

~ Love Krista, Pete and Rylan,

On the gentle birth of their first son Rylan Robert,
born April 2011
7lbs 14oz
Milton Hospital

www.assistingyourbirth.com

Website by: iNFObyWEB.com