I signed a contract with Nova Birth Services LLC in July of 2025. In order to secure the doula birth and postpartum overnight services, we paid a 50% deposit on both services totaling $3050. In November, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and hospitalized. Due to my condition, I had to deliver my baby early via emergency c-section at just over 31 weeks. My baby is currently in the NICU. I wasn't able to have a prenatal in-home visit due to my hospitalization and was given very short notice of my emergency C-section due to my declining health. After my birth, I was put on magnesium, and my baby was sent to the NICU. My husband and I were both so terrified that the last thing I was thinking about was having my doula attend. I was afraid for me and my baby. I reached out to Shannon after my birth and asked if I could cancel the postpartum doula services because of the new financial strain of NICU costs/my hospitalization. She informed me that if I canceled the postpartum doula services, that both contracts would be void, and all services would be considered rendered. Remember, I did not receive a prenatal visit nor birth services due to my medical condition & hospitalization. The contract I signed stated that if the doula wasn't at your birth, you would be entitled to eight hours of postpartum services. Shannon explained that because I paid a 50% deposit on both services, none of the services were paid in full so I would receive nothing else moving forward. Although we had paid $3050 and the birth doula services were $2100, I would need to pay an additional $900 in order to receive the eight hours of postpartum services. She said I could "take it or leave it" and that she would not move money from one contract to another. I was shocked at her response. There was no solution offered where I could receive any services post-birth for the $3050 we had paid. More money had to be paid. This was literally the worst experience of my entire life, and I received no care or compassion at all from Shannon. She maintained that her responsibility was to her staff/business. During our phone call, I was talking about my hospitalization and she mentioned that all of her clients were hospitalized. I clarified that I wasn't hospitalized because I was giving birth. I was hospitalized due to severe preeclampsia and potential organ failure. Trying to work things out with her made a horrible situation even more stressful and terrible. She refuses to budge and maintains that we will not receive any postpartum services if we don't pay extra. My husband and I feel as though we have paid $3050 and have received nothing. We did not receive a prenatal appointment, doula birth services, or any postpartum care. Please see the last email I received from her. read more

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First -- if you're on the fence about hiring a doula for your first baby, do it. And if you're wondering who to choose, the answer is Shannon. As a first-time dad, I can honestly say Shannon was invaluable -- not just for my wife, but for me too. From the start, she made us feel comfortable, informed, and genuinely prepared for what was ahead. She has this calm, thoughtful, and considerate presence that immediately lowers the temperature in the room. Nothing ever felt rushed or overwhelming because she helped us understand what was happening and what our options were. During labor, Shannon was incredible. She didn't just support my wife -- she supported us as a team. She walked us through next steps, explained the choices being presented, and made sure we felt confident in our decisions. One thing that really stood out to me was how she helped me help my wife. She showed me exercises and techniques I could guide her through to ease labor and keep things progressing. That made me feel involved and useful instead of helpless, which meant a lot. After the birth, Shannon's support didn't stop. She came to our home for a postpartum visit and helped us process the entire experience. She walked us through what to expect physically and emotionally in the days and weeks ahead, what to watch out for, and answered all of our first-time parent questions without judgment. She even helped find us a pump -- such a thoughtful and practical gesture that shows how much she truly cares. Shannon doesn't just provide information -- she provides confidence. As new parents, that's everything. We felt supported, knowledgeable, and empowered every step of the way. We can't recommend her highly enough. If you're considering working with Shannon, you will not regret it. read more

From our very first call, Shannon demonstrated genuine warmth, deep technical knowledge, and years of experience. We signed up immediately to support the birth of our second child. During that initial conversation, we shared that our first birth involved a very long, multi-day induction. We were clear about the challenges and concerns we hoped to avoid this time, and Shannon carried those priorities with her throughout the entire labor and delivery process. Her respectful, collaborative approach was extremely well received by the medical team at the hospital. Throughout labor, she offered thoughtful observations and recommendations that aligned seamlessly with clinical care and helped all of us troubleshoot in real time--particularly when we were facing the possibility of a cesarean section. Shannon's calm, steady, and compassionate presence was deeply reassuring during an otherwise stressful moment. Thanks in large part to her support, we were ultimately able to deliver vaginally, for which we are incredibly grateful. Postpartum, her guidance and expertise around breastfeeding were equally invaluable. In short, we recommend Shannon without reservation to anyone seeking knowledgeable, compassionate, and highly skilled doula support read more

As a first time mom, I highly recommend Shannon and her postpartum doula team. Shannon was very responsive and made me feel comfortable throughout my birth journey, including pre and post birth at home visits. When it was time for me to delivery, she rushed over directly from another birth at a different hospital. Right away, she was great at coaching and remaining helpful and calm throughout the process. My nurses had a great time working with her. I couldn't have delivered my first baby without Shannon in the room. After we returned home, I worked with Whitney, Amanda and Jessica who are postpartum night doulas from Shannon's team. They rotated who was coming each time, and everyone was professional, punctual, and communicative. In addition to feeding and taking care of the baby, they also made sure I was healing better and gave us a lot of advice. I especially enjoyed working with Whitney and Amanda if you can get on their schedule. I'm really glad I went with NOVA Birth Services team! read more

If you're looking for an experienced, empathetic, confident and kind doula, look no further. We found Shannon late into our pregnancy with our second child, and are so fortunate to have found her. She supported us through an unexpected high risk pregnancy and birth, and made us feel supported and prepared for an induction even though that was not originally part of our plan. During the birth, Shannon was calm and assertive, supporting my husband and I every step of the way. She collaborated with our midwives seamlessly and was able to communicate my needs and advocate for me with the rest of the team. My birth experience would not have been as positive as it was without Shannon on our team. I highly recommend working with her as your birth doula! read more

for! As a third-time mom, I knew how important it was to have a proactive, knowledgeable doula as part of my birth team. Within minutes of speaking with Shannon, it was obvious she fit the bill! Throughout my pregnancy, I often texted Shannon with questions about symptoms, supplements, and pain management. It only took her moments to respond and every response was thoughtful and informative. Super communicative and supportive! I also found the monthly parental empowerment sessions really helpful, and I always learned something new. When the time came, she could tell simply by speaking with me over the phone that it was time for me to head to the hospital--even though I wasn't positive myself! Thank goodness she encouraged me to go, because my delivery went from zero to 60 in just a few hours! There was some chaos in the delivery room because of how fast my daughter arrived, and I think the calmest person in the room was Shannon. She coached me through tough contractions, helped with counter pressure and other pain relieving techniques, and cheered me on the whole way. She worked wonderfully well with my husband, seamlessly involving him in the process. In the hour following birth, she helped with nursing, kept me hydrated, and helped me initially process what had happened. Our postpartum visit was particularly sweet, as we got to talk further about the wild and crazy delivery experience in the comfort of my home with my other kiddos nearby; she also helped me with belly-binding (definitely recommend!) and with my infant carrier. I was sad to say goodbye to her--she is a one-in-a-million, and I am so thankful she was with me on my journey! read more

First off, my son was born a little over a year ago and I am just now writing this review. My experience with Shannon was so amazing that I couldn't forget to write this!  Working with Shannon was an absolute blessing throughout my pregnancy journey! Her unwavering support, incredible expertise, and genuine care made all the difference. From our initial meeting to the birth of my son, she provided invaluable guidance and reassurance to both my husband and I. Shannon only helped me navigate physical aspects of labor, but also provided emotional support that was incredibly comforting! Her calming presence and wealth of knowledge empowered me to have the birth experience I desired. I can't thank her enough for her dedication and kindness!!! When I am pregnant with my next child, I hope to be able to work with her again! I wholeheartedly recommend Shannon to any expecting parents seeking personalized, compassionate care during this important time! read more

We cannot thank Shannon enough for making our birth experience so much better! My husband and I were originally interested in hiring a doula to support my desire for a natural birth, but we quickly learned there are so many benefits beyond that. Shannon supported us throughout the entire pregnancy and was a great resource for us to ask any/all of our first-time pregnancy and parenting questions. She was always able to provide us with evidence-based answers. She has such a wide range of knowledge we truly felt we could ask her anything! Toward the end of the pregnancy, our child was diagnosed with IUGR and we had to navigate weekly decisions around induction. Having Shannon's support to help weigh medical advice and our own preferences/emotions was extremely helpful, giving us the confidence to advocate for ourselves while keeping the baby's health as our top priority. Another thing we loved about Shannon and Nova Birth Services was they were supportive of us having the birth we wanted and did not try to push any personal preferences onto us. I ultimately decided to have a medicated labor and Shannon was just as supportive as she would've been during a natural birth. She was with me through all of my active labor and I credit her positioning skills to getting my baby into a spot where I only had to push for 30 minutes! We would highly recommend hiring Shannon as your doula, we plan to do so for future children! It is so helpful to have someone who supports your vision for pregnancy/labor outside of the medical system with so much knowledge. Shannon is that person! We also felt supported by the entire Nova Birth Services team. The monthly classes really helped us feel prepared throughout our pregnancy/birth! read more

When searching for a doula, find someone that makes you feel safe; birth is such a crazy, unforgettable experience and with that you need someone on your team that will give you the beautiful positive experience that it should be! Shannon is that doula! With her by my side, I was able to achieve a VBAC, which was the most beautiful and healing experience. Anyone would be lucky to work with Shannon- you will not regret it!! read more

We are so glad we had Nova Birth Services throughout our pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys. Shannon was the best birth support and coach as I labored. I chose to have an epidural, and her support and positioning techniques were so helpful in progressing through labor. Despite not feeling pain, I could still change to a few different positions on the bed (to help mitigate tearing) and feel pressure as I pushed, which made me still feel in control of the labor progress. Aside from the coaching, her positive, calm and reassuring presence eased my nerves. I had an incredibly positive (dare I say even fun and exciting??) birth experience with music, energy slushy and coaching/cheering from Shannon. She and the whole L&D team cheered me through the pushing--I can't believe how happy of a memory it was. Very crucially, she advocated for me to help sort through figuring out an epidural that was only working on one side, and getting the labor team to reinsert it properly right before it was time to start pushing. What a relief it was once it kicked in on both sides! Finally, per my request, she captured our very first moments as a family of 3, capturing my husband helping to catch our boy and our first moments post-birth. I was incredibly fortunate to have this experience the way I wanted it. In postpartum, Shannon has brought us tremendous peace of mind as first-time parents. I was especially riddled with anxiety about newborn care and safety (especially with all the bad info on the internet warning about everything--sanitizing bottles, monitoring baby's vitals, container syndrome), and Shannon's postpartum visit gave me so much reassurance, alleviated some of the worry about our newborn, and helped us focus on the important things and enjoying bonding time with our baby. My newborn is only 6 days old, and I've already used several of her tips for feeding, diapering, and baby wearing that have made a huge difference. She has also helped me understand and prioritize postpartum recovery, something that I wanted to rush through but realized will take some time. We're so pleased and lucky to have her as a forever resource as we continue this new-parent journey! Thank you for everything and in advance for the ongoing support! read more

I had the best birth experience with Shannon! She answered my questions throughout pregnancy and gave me resources to feel more prepared going into birth. She was an amazing support during my birth that I felt safe and could trust I was in good hands with her there. My birth was the exact opposite of what I had planned in my head. I was medically induced early, but it was perfect! Shannon helped me handle the last minute adjustments, kept both my husband and I calm, and we had the most beautiful birth to our amazing daughter. I could not be more thankful to have her on our team and highly recommend her to anyone who's pregnant and looking for an amazing doula to help throughout the entire process. read more

I was really late into my pregnancy once I realized how important a doula is to your pregnancy, labor and postpartum process but was fortunate enough to find Shannon Mathews who had availability to take me on as a client last minute. Once I met Shannon for our virtual call, I instantly knew she was "my doula". She listened to what I envisioned for my birth experience and answered all the questions I had regarding labor and the role of a doula. I loved her approach of your birth, your way. She truly embodied that each step of the way. Shannon was such a valuable resource to me in my final weeks of pregnancy by being there to help review my birth plan and let me know if things I should include. We also had a call prior to my induction so she could help prepare me for what to expect. I was induced a week past my due date and once they gave me the first few doses of medicine, my contractions started quickly. Shannon was right there answering my calls & texts helping me navigate the early labor process and determine when it was the right time for her to join me. When Shannon arrived she immediately knew just what I needed, helping me do some work on the ball to encourage baby to come down into position, walked me through what the epidural was going to feel like so I didn't panic and continued to work on various poses with me after the epidural to ensure baby and I were progressing through the process as naturally and successfully as possible. Once it was time for me to start pushing she offered me coaching and encouragement along the way and continued to put me in various positions to help the baby move through the birth canal. I ended up pushing for 3+hours and Shannon never left my side. She was right there doing everything possible to help me though the labor. She was so comforting to have by my side and I had complete trust in everything she suggested I do. There was only one nurse so without Shannon I would not have had the support needed for getting through my labor. I definitely underestimated how challenging and scary labor can be. There is so much more to the whole process and no matter how much you prepare, you never know just what will happen. It was invaluable to have Shannon there to help my husband and I navigate through the process and information that was being provided to help us in making the right decisions for our family. After we got home and settled, Shannon came for a postpartum visit to see how we were all doing and help provide advice and assurance that we were doing things correctly as new first time parents. I will definitely be working with Shannon again if/when I have a second child! We also were fortunate to have postpartum help from Whitney, Sienna and Sue. All of which were extremely helpful and caring to our baby boy, husband and I. They helped us navigate the first week as new parents and provided support in a variety of ways from nutritional support to helping with laundry and other basic home care and most importantly taking care of our baby boy so we could sleep and recover in those the first few days. They felt like family, it was so reassuring to have them get us established as new parents. read more

My husband and I loved working with Shannon! She played a huge role in making sure I had a positive birth experience as a first time mom and I couldn't have done it without her knowledge and support. During my 40 hour labor, Shannon helped me cope by applying counter pressure during my surges, suggesting position changes, providing encouragement, and helping me make game time decisions. Shannon struck a perfect balance between providing evidence-based advice while also advocating for my needs and wants. Throughout my pregnancy and postpartum, Shannon was always extremely quick to respond to my questions and I loved knowing she was only a text or call away. I found our postpartum visit especially valuable! Shannon came to our home during the chaos of the first week and gave us advice tailored to the specific issues we were facing with our little one (sleep deprivation and feeding). That night, after implementing her suggestions, my husband and I had the best night of sleep we've had since our son was born!! We cannot say enough good things about our experience. Everyone needs a Shannon at their birth! read more

Shannon was an amazing doula! From helping me solidify my birth plan to helping me to the very end she helped me stay positive and grounded. My delivery was a crazy ride, but Shannon helped keep me and my husband informed and "translate" per say. She made sure to stay alert and prepared whenever there was a last minute change for my delivery. From the many times I felt like I was losing to my self doubt she helped pull me out. Her knowledge and hands on techniques definitely helped me not feel "stuck". Shannon has a kind touch and inspiring words that make all the difference. Even post-partum she guided us on what to expect and how to deal with in the moment hurdles. Shannon is an amazing doula and I highly recommend her. Her professionalism, knowledge and kindness put together make the perfect choice. She never once made me feel pressured. Thank you Shannon for everything! I'm so thankful I found you, and for all the support you have given me and my family. read more

Catherine Young was an absolutely wonderful doula - I only wish we'd had more of her during the birth, it all happened so fast! The moment I connected with Catherine, I knew she was the right doula for me and my family and I canceled all of my other doula interviews. She has such a calming and warm presence, and I knew that I wanted that at my birth. Every question that I had, Catherine sent an abundance of information, and truly cared about all of my concerns. When I expressed concern about hospital birth because of the experience with my first, she gave me all of the resources I needed to find a home birth midwife and helped me to conclude that it was right for me and my family. I really appreciate how Catherine took the time to help me find answers to all of my questions, to get to know my family, and to figure out how to best support us. She stayed with us after the birth until we were all settled and continued to follow-up on our wellbeing. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone and if we have a third, I will definitely be reaching out to her! read more

I hired Shannon to assist me in my goal of a med-free, vaginal birth. We purchased the package that involved birth support, along with a prenatal and postnatal visit. When my wife and I first met Shannon we immediately knew we were in good hands! She could sense my caution with my med-free plan, and my fear of the unknown (this being my first pregnancy/ birth.) She was able to recommend an excellent Bradley Method instructor, and she used her connections to help me get transferred to a midwife/ob group that was so much more supportive of my birth goals (at 37 weeks!). I know 100% that Shannon completely changed the trajectory of my birth experience before even stepping foot in the hospital. She also really took the time to get to know my wife and I before I went into labor-- we went over my birth plan, she asked me how I personally dealt with pain management and stress. Through our conversations she got to understand the dynamics of my relationship with my wife. She did the work and positioned herself to be the BEST possible advocate and support person for us on one of the most exciting, challenging, intense days of our lives! The day that I went into labor, she arrived at the hospital quickly and was an active participant the whole time. I was pretty out of it, and hearing her voice from far off made me feel so safe. I heard her supporting my wife and talking her through what I was experiencing. I heard her reminders that my body was doing what it was supposed to, and there was nothing wrong, and I heard her encouragements. Her breathing suggestions eased my discomfort and pushing suggestions sped up my labor during that final stage. Shannon made sure that I was changing positions to progress when I probably would just stayed in the fetal position the whole time! She advocated for a squat bar when my midwife thought I might be a little too tired to push in that position (I pushed for about 3 hours by this point.) I am so, so glad she did. The squat bar made me feel in control, and probably shaved hours off of my labor time. I thought I'd only need the help of a doula for my first birth experience. After experiencing labor under the calm, competent presence of Shannon I know I'll be bringing her on for any future births in our household. It's such a comfort knowing she's available in our area. I have a lot of love for her and am eternally grateful for the support she was able to provide to both me and my wife! read more

Andrea gave a wonderful class when we signed up last minute because our hospital couldn't fit us in. She explained pregnancy body changes, labor process, relaxation/grounding techniques, breastfeeding, safety, baby care and so much more in a 5 hour class. She wasn't pushy about having a natural vs medicated delivery or breastfeeding vs formula feeding which I appreciated. The class was really hands on and involved my husband as well as myself. I would not hesitate to hire her as a doula if you are looking because she was extremely knowledgeable and would have a great bedside manner. Highly recommended! read more

I have had two amazing birth experiences with Catherine! I absolutely recommend her. Her presence is warm, inviting, gentle, kind, and encouraging. From the first time I met her, she felt so relatable. Catherine gave me the confidence, encouragement, and support I needed to reach my goal of an unmedicated, hospital birth (TWICE!). Her presence was such a gift and comfort in the vulnerable experience of child birth. For me it was important to have a doula that I could relate to on my Christian faith values, and trusting in God throughout all the joys and challenges of pregnancy and birth. She was so open to talking about faith and relating to my values, which made my experience so positive! She sent me helpful articles, resources, and websites that answered my questions and provided different perspectives in discerning my options. I never felt pressured to make certain choices throughout my pregnancy and labor. She was super supportive of all the decisions my husband and I made. During labor, she provided helpful coping tips and counter pressure during the long hours of back labor. My husband was also so thankful to have Catherine as part of our team! It allowed him to take breaks during labor, focus on things only he could do (like packing the car), and he didn't have to remember all the things from the childbirth courses we took. In summary, she was a loving, maternal encourager, exactly what I needed in the seemingly daunting task of birthing a child. I also recommend NOVA Birth Services. I particularly appreciated filling out the doula birth blueprint, which is very comprehensive in thinking through your labor and birth options. Thank you so much for all the support I was given! I definitely would go to them again. read more

Working with Shannon Mathews was amazing and she made my birth experience so much smoother. I interviewed many different Doulas to see who would be the best fit and knew immediately that she was someone I could be 100% comfortable around and trust. She really knows her stuff and was extremely helpful during the pushing process with different position changes that would help me make the most progress. She was a very calming presence and reminded me to breathe when I was starting to tense up. My husband and I were incredibly thankful she was there, as it was our first child and we had no clue what we were doing. We will definitely be hiring her for baby #2. read more

I cannot recommend Shannon enough! When I began to look for doulas to support us in the hopes of having a VBAC with our second child, Shannon's name kept coming up. She works with VHC and my OB had good experiences working with her before. Shannon pointed me in the right direction with resources specific to my needs. She walked me through a number of scenarios prior to birth and supported me in the things I knew I wanted/didn't want for my birth. When I went into labor 5.5 weeks early, I was anxious but Shannon's calm demeanor and willingness to work with VHC staff was so calming. I felt like I had a team working for and with me. Thankfully I had a very smooth labor and I attribute a lot of that to Shannon explaining to me what was happening and what I needed to do to have a successful and easy labor. 100% recommend! read more

From the moment my wife Chelsea's water broke, I was in touch with Shannon until she joined us at the hospital. Personally, I am really appreciative of Shannon's soothing presence in the delivery room. As soon as she arrived, we knew we were in good hands. She calmed, encouraged and offered advice. Even when we decided to make a last-minute change in the birth plan, she offered insight and made sure the decision was ours. She has the ability to be both professional and personable. She worked seamlessly with Chelsea's doctor and made such an impression that, on a couple occasions since the birth, she told Chelsea how much she enjoyed working with Shannon. At all times, she made us feel like we were all working together, in a concerted fashion, to deliver our baby in the safest way possible and, in the process, ensuring that Chelsea was having a birthing experience that she would remember fondly. Besides, she often reminded me to eat and rest. Another gesture that I appreciated. A few days after the delivery, she conducted a postpartum visit at our home and gave us a plethora of advice. I am grateful for Shannon's support in this experience and for helping make the birth of our daughter a memorable experience. read more

Catherine was absolutely the most incredible doula we could've hired for our pregnancy experience. What initially drew us to Catherine was her expertise and experience with TOLAC/VBAC birth. Catherine is not only kind and SO caring, but truly passionate about what she does, as is evident from the certifications she not only has but is pursuing! She is also incredibly supportive no matter the birth experience you want to have. She knows her stuff! She is truly information, fact, and evidence based, and helps you understand the information that is pivotal for not only your pregnancy experience, but also your peace of mind. If you need any sort of resource during your pregnancy, Catherine will find it! Additionally, Catherine is very prompt in responding via text message or phone call. In summary, we feel so lucky to have found her and plan on keeping in touch even after having given birth. read more

Doulas: Over-priced, under-qualified, dishonest. Not exactly what you want from a doula service during the most vulnerable point of a woman's life. This was my experience. I chose a doula to help me avoid a heavily medicated birth and for someone to just be there for moral support for me (I'm a single mom with no family in town). She did the latter, but not the former. I asked for postpartum doula to help with expertise on breastfeeding, and sleeping, and as a single-first-time mother struggling with a newborn, barely a week old baby, (think sleep deprived and no time for even a shower), I was told to just go with the flow and read a book on breastfeeding. Finally, the postpartum doula was at my house for no more than two hours, but I got charged for four, without any warning. Overall extremely disappointing experience! One star may be too many. Lovey ladies I'd probably enjoy socializing with, but I would not waste my money to hire them again for the services mentioned. read more

We feel so lucky and grateful to have had Shannon help us through our baby's birth, the lead-up to it and the postpartum period.First, Shannon made herself available to answer any questions at any time -- this was a good way to get used to asking questions, sharing concerns, and building a relationship ahead of the birth.At the advice of my doctors, I chose to go through with a 39-week induction due to my age and the estimate that our baby was large. Shannon provided evidence-based information related to early inductions for babies considered large for gestational age so I could ensure I was making an educated decision for myself. Turns out the ultrasound measurements were wrong and our baby was average size, but as a first-time mom, I made my decision based on the information provided, and Shannon supported that decision and talked us through what we should expect with an induction. We ultimately welcomed our daughter into the world after ~72 hours of an induction protocol and almost 4 hours of active pushing, and I'm so glad Shannon was there to guide us through all the steps in real time -- initially by text and phone calls, and ultimately in-person once things were clearly progressing. She fit in seamlessly with the hospital staff, working with them to put me in different labor positions, guiding me through exactly what I needed to do during each phase of the process, and acting as my cheerleader.After the birth, Shannon helped me with the baby's first latch. Over the first week, she checked in via text and calls, and supported us through our first pediatrician visit, where we were told we needed to supplement my breastfeeding -- she came by our home for a few hours and helped me learn how to use my breast pump.If we choose to have another baby, I hope to work with Shannon again. I recommend signing on as early as possible to really take advantage of the team's knowledge and experience! read more

Shannon is the absolute best of the best! From our initial meeting, I knew she would be the best doula for me! She was in constant communication with me throughout my pregnancy and always available for a phone call to answer any questions I had. She also shared extensive resources and advice on things to do in the third trimester to help get my baby in the best possible position for labor. When I was in labor, Shannon helped to keep me calm and helped me slow down my breathing making it easier to breathe through my contractions. When it came to pushing, Shannon had extensive knowledge of positions that helped my labor progress - all of which I was able to do with my epidural. After my baby was delivered, Shannon continued to provide me with support and answered my questions as I was learning to breastfeed. The monthly prenatal sessions during pregnancy with the Nova Birth Services team were an added bonus and helped me prepare more for labor and delivery and the transition to motherhood. I highly recommend choosing Shannon and the Nova Birth Services team for your doula needs! read more

I was 37 weeks pregnant when I officially decided I wanted to work with a doula, and I wish I made the decision sooner! Catherine was my doula, and she was an absolute rockstar that helped provide resources based on my preferences before giving birth. There was never any judgment for any of my choices (elective induction, epidural, plans to exclusively pump which changed in the hospital to formula feeding), and she helped me advocate for my choices. She was super accessible by phone and helped answer questions throughout the entire process. I had a fair amount of anxiety, and she knew just the things to do/say to help me through getting the epidural, through contractions, and communicating what the doctors and nurses were doing/testing the baby for after birth. Truly such an amazing coach especially as a first time mom, but I can't imagine giving birth without a doula in the future. Highly recommend NOVA Birth Services, and particularly Catherine! :) read more

I don't think I could've made it through my birth without Shannon and couldn't recommend her and Nova Birth Services enough. She was so supportive, knowledgeable, and engaged but we never felt like she was taking over or pushing my husband out of a role. Whenever there was a big decision to make, Shannon would calmly discuss my options with me to make sure I understood all the options and felt comfortable with my decision. The best part is that she was easygoing while still assertive when necessary. Childbirth is a long, intimate process and it's so important to have the right person in the room, we loved spending time with Shannon during and after our birth. read more

I'm so glad I had Katya by my side as a first time mom and if I have more kids- I 100% would want her there again! I contacted Nova birth services when I was already 36 weeks along after a nightmare experience with another Doula service in the area. Andrea got back to me quickly, addressed all my questions, set me up with a doula and was very accomodating and sympathetic to my particular situation. I was worried I was too late to get a new Doula or wouldn't get enough out of it being so close to my due date but it was absolutely worth it!!! Upon meeting Katya I knew we would be in great hands! She's incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and has a great energy. It felt like having a family member there who truly cared. Not everything could go as planned during my birth but thanks to Katya I was able to get through it with a positive outlook. I'm convinced without her, the delivery would have been a lot harder. These ladies are amazing!! read more

Shannon is simply awesome. We met by chance during my first delivery when my doula could not make it. Talk about a serendipitous occasion!! Even though we met that day, I instantly felt comfortable with her. Shannon worked through an incredibly difficult labor for our daughter. She respected our wishes to attempt a natural birth and when things didn't exactly go as planned, she helped to guide us through next steps. Shannon has excellent experience with the hospital we gave birth in and had worked with our midwife and some of the nurses before! Shannon was the first person I called when we got pregnant with our second baby. She stayed in touch during my pregnancy and was there every step of the way during delivery. Her style is relaxed and supportive. She talked me though every contraction and encouraged me when it got tough. We are done having children, but I would hire her again and again if we chose to have more! Thank you Shannon, we are truly lucky to have met you and honored that you were there to help bring both our babies into the world. Much love, Kerrie and Dan read more

We signed up at the last minute and was able to get in the class. It was a nice class I learned alot about the birthing process but few things were applied without a doula, my dr. was not listening at all. Anyway at least I learnt a few things and didnt feel like I was going in blind. Highly recommend this class. read more

We used the sibling doula service when we needed someone to watch the older kids while we were in the hospital welcoming our last baby. It was such a relief to have a trusted person provide that service. She was great with our older children, especially considering we describe them as "feral". We are so grateful for this service! read more

Absolutely phenomenal supportive group. Wonderful doulas and great service! Andrea has been in the birth world a long time and her caring experience shows. She works continually to build the birth community and make doulas better. This group has experience, character and a broad spectrum of services to really care for any birthing person. I love the fact that they don't cater to one specific type of birth. They work to support the mom and what she wants depend on what she needs that day. Their free support groups are also hard to find! read more

Katya our doula was absolutely incredible. She and NOVA Birth Services are an amazing, knowledgeable, compassionate, professional and communicative team. I felt completely taken care of from the start. Katya advised me on Birth planning and labor preparation. She was there with me during labor and delivery and without her guidance, faith, care and knowledge, my labor and delivery would not have been at all sound, smooth and successful, especially when I was close to giving up. We are extremely fortunate and grateful for Katya and NOVA Birth Services. read more

Shannon missed seeing fireworks with her family on Independence Day in order to attend to me in labor. She was a calming presence and helped me to have a successful VBAC. She has so much experience and gives excellent advice. I highly recommend working with Shannon as your doula! read more

Shannon was the Doula when my second son was born and I can't say enough great things about her! She helped me have the labor and delivery that I wanted, respecting all of my wishes, and advocating for me throughout the pregnancy and the labor and delivery! She was such a great support before, during, and after my beautiful son was born. read more

Shannon, our doula, was a wonderfully positive and calming presence throughout our entire birth experience. She was available to talk whenever needed. When our birth became more complicated than expected she was super helpful with answering our questions and talking through our choices so we could feel confident in our decisions. read more

My son was born in May 2020 and Shannon was both our birth and postpartum doula. She was honestly such a blessing to my husband and I during this difficult time. Shannon makes you feel so comfortable around her as soon as you meet her. She's instantly like a friend you e known for years. That familiarity and ease around her really helps when you're in labor, which is a really vulnerable time. During the birth she was so calming and reassuring. She answered our questions and made me feel like I could do it, even when achieving a successful vaginal birth seemed impossible and I wanted to quit. I am sure that without Shannon I would've needed a c section. She had so much knowledge and her support was crucial for both me and my husband. Our son had some difficulties when he was born, but Shannon explained what was going on while the doctors and nurses were busy quickly treating him. I can't say enough good things about Shannon. My husband and I would never have another baby without her. We both recommend her to every expecting parent we know! We also took their childbirth and baby care class and it was great! My husband loved the baby care portion especially. Andrea is so knowledgeable and friendly. read more

HIGHLY RECCOMEND Andrea Proper as a doula. I also attended her classes, I found them to be educational but I think the best value lies in hiring her as a doula. I know I could not have done it with out her. Andrea was able to massage pressure points in my hands and feet during contractions, she was so darn good I was able to sleep through contractions at 6 cm!!! I kept calling her my fairy godmother because she was amazing during the labor. When you don't have an epidural every little bit helps! The doula you choose makes a huge difference in how your natural birth will play out, and your midwife and birth environment as well. Best of luck! read more

Jenn was absolutely amazing... my birth didn't go anything like I planned but she was there for me to help keep me calm and explain everything in a way I could understand. She has so much experience in the field and she was constantly helping me by moving me in different positions to ease the pain, setting the room mood to be more relaxing with lights and essential oils, she talked my husband through how to help me in every situation so he didn't feel so helpless. Despite having my husband, and both my parents in the room, I could not have done it without her. She was also able to explain things that I was going through to them so I could focus. She even came to our house after and helped us tremendously with random things, best way to burp her, how to wrap a moby, etc. I will definitely be using her for future births. read more

I was planning to have an unmedicated birth in a hospital environment. I needed an advocate and a trusted, wise, and experienced labor coach to help me achieve this. When I met with Jenn the first time, I knew she was the right fit. She connected with me, really listened and heard my pain from my last childbirth experience, and helped me to feel supported and empowered right away. I had an amazing birth experience this time around and Jenn was so pivotal in making that happen. She set up a great environment in the hospital, she anticipated my needs before I even knew I had them, she guided me with positions and breathing and self-care, and she showed my husband exactly how to help and be a positive part of the process. Jenn is well known and respected among midwives and nurses and hospital staff in the area. In fact, it was a midwife that recommended NOVA Birth Services to me. This makes a huge difference for the birthing mama because the hospital staff trust the doula's voice and methods. Everyone wins! I sing Jenn's praises every time I tell my birth story! I highly highly recommend Jenn as a doula, and I plan to work with her again if ever we have another baby. read more