“At my 38 week appointment my midwife noticed I had high blood pressure and advised me I should head downtown to the hospital for further testing. I was told I should not stop at home to grab my hospital bag, but go straight to the hospital and to call my husband to meet me there. Suddenly I started to feel the panic and immediately got in my car, started to drive and called Shantell. And thank goodness I did. I was quickly becoming quite worked up and just her calming voice alone got me to the hospital safely. My test results came back and unfortunately I had a rare and critical condition called HELLP. Shantell was on standby and when my husband became fatigued he called shantell and despite the blizzard outside she made it to the hospital in great time, ready to jump in around midnight. 

My entire labor shantell was by my side. She was that calm, yet strong presence I needed. It’s hard to put it into words what Shantell put in me but if I had to label it I’d call it strength. Shantell gave me strength . Every time I felt too fatigued to go on I’d glance at her and she gave me strength to continue. The birth of our baby boy was beautiful and Shantell even took the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord! Unfortunately due to my condition soon after the birth I was very suddenly taken back to the OR. Had Shantell not stuck it out and stayed with my husband he would have been left to hold this new baby as he started at a pool of blood. Shantell was not only crucially important for the birth of our son but also to give gentle, reassuring support to my husband while I was absent over the next three hours. Doulas are not just important for laboring momma, but also for dad too! 

Just as it was important to have doctors and nurses to deliver my baby it was important to have Shantell there for support. She is such a beautiful person and I am so glad Shantell came into our lives. I will never forget what she gave my family in our moment of need.   Her services are worth every penny and beyond.”