Welcome to Erica Shane Childbirth. I'm so happy you made it.
Leon Blue, born Nov 30, 2012
Welcome to Erica Shane Childbirth. I am a childbirth doula, practicing in the NYC metro area, now through June of 2013. I have worked with 130+ families in birth and postpartum, and have over 1200 hours of childbirth training with mentors from all over the world. I offer a unique Complete Doula Package that includes pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support. Families who choose postpartum support only may still purchase my postpartum packages found on the following pages. My labor package reflects traditional new mother-baby care in that clients are nurtured way beyond the labor and birth. During the pregnancy, I fill in the blanks with what may be missing from your childbirth ed class or the plethora of books on your bedside. We get to know each other well so that when it is time to birth your baby, you feel secure that someone will be by your side who knows you and how you wish to be nurtured. In the following weeks of immediate postpartum, I check in daily, visit you at least two times, support with breastfeeding and provide insight on baby care. You are never alone.
I became a birth doula after graduating with a Women Studies degree in 2001, with renowned DONA International childbirth educator Penny Simkin. Within months, I traveled and assisted a laboring indigenous woman at a rural health clinic in Chilon, Chiapas, Mexico, who spoke only her own Mayan dialect, Tzeltal. It was there that I realized the depth of the work of the birth worker that goes beyond words. With my heart in my hands, and a balanced grasp of the gentle yet fierce forces of birth, I simply advocate for a humanized and compassionate experience for you, the whole way through. I hear my clients needs and meet them exactly where they are. I am proud to say that I will be attending births with Robin Lim this summer in Bali, as a volunteer doula!
My clients know that they will find their way. Labor is a process of self-discovery for everyone involved. I inspire my clients to tap into their inner resources, while remaining by their side for physical, emotional, and informational support the whole way through. I believe with all of my being that you know how to birth your baby, that you know how to let your body bring your baby forth. I believe that your baby knows too, how to be born. And I support and witness the birth that is meant to unfold authentically and naturally for YOU. I am in no rush for your labor to unfold as it is meant to, and will advocate for you the time and space you and your baby need to be welcomed gently and with love. I have no agenda for your birth. It is yours and I support all decisions made by you and your partner, as you are the ones who know truly what is right for your family.
I am passionate about sharing self-care practices and am known to provide insightful information and guidance that allow for women and their partners to walk into labor and new parenthood with more ease and curiosity. You will undoubtedly uncover simple and effective techniques for your entire journey that allow for you to fall into your own body wisdom with ease and joy. You will walk step by step through your new parenthood experience, each day at a time.
I know you can do this.
I became a birth doula after graduating with a Women Studies degree in 2001, with renowned DONA International childbirth educator Penny Simkin. Within months, I traveled and assisted a laboring indigenous woman at a rural health clinic in Chilon, Chiapas, Mexico, who spoke only her own Mayan dialect, Tzeltal. It was there that I realized the depth of the work of the birth worker that goes beyond words. With my heart in my hands, and a balanced grasp of the gentle yet fierce forces of birth, I simply advocate for a humanized and compassionate experience for you, the whole way through. I hear my clients needs and meet them exactly where they are. I am proud to say that I will be attending births with Robin Lim this summer in Bali, as a volunteer doula!
My clients know that they will find their way. Labor is a process of self-discovery for everyone involved. I inspire my clients to tap into their inner resources, while remaining by their side for physical, emotional, and informational support the whole way through. I believe with all of my being that you know how to birth your baby, that you know how to let your body bring your baby forth. I believe that your baby knows too, how to be born. And I support and witness the birth that is meant to unfold authentically and naturally for YOU. I am in no rush for your labor to unfold as it is meant to, and will advocate for you the time and space you and your baby need to be welcomed gently and with love. I have no agenda for your birth. It is yours and I support all decisions made by you and your partner, as you are the ones who know truly what is right for your family.
I am passionate about sharing self-care practices and am known to provide insightful information and guidance that allow for women and their partners to walk into labor and new parenthood with more ease and curiosity. You will undoubtedly uncover simple and effective techniques for your entire journey that allow for you to fall into your own body wisdom with ease and joy. You will walk step by step through your new parenthood experience, each day at a time.
I know you can do this.
"I was amazed that Erica and I became so close in just a few visits before the birth, it was due I am sure, to her excitement and passion for her work. She has such a deep love and respect for pregnancy and birth. She was patient with my questions and my concerns and was reassuring and nonjudgmental with regards to all that I was worried about. I found her to be a very intuitive person as well, addressing concerns that I didn't have the words to voice." Camie, Manhattan, NYC
"When the moment finally came for my baby to enter this world you were my principal support, focus, and pillar. You made my birth an unforgettable, beautiful and unique experience. You knew how to calm my pain, my nerves and my insecurities. I don't know how you do it." Jennifer, Queens, NYC
"Erica intuitively knew what I needed when I didn't even know myself. From foot rubs to ice packs to mint oil she had tricks up her sleeve that aided me through every phase of my labor. She is calm, attentive, thoughtful and warm. I would recommend her services to anyone thinking about using a doula, in fact I would recommend her to anyone expecting a baby. She helped make my birthing experience stress free and memorable. I wouldn't give birth again without her." Alison, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
"Little did I know how special Erica was when I first contacted her. She gave us a lot of information through email and during her prenatal visits. One day my feet were so swollen before she came over and after our session together I could see my ankles again. Then I learned that things are not always how you imagine or plan them. My amniotic fluid was low and my baby was big. So my Dr. called and told us to go the hospital to be induced... 5 hrs later my contractions were so intense, 1 to 2 min apart and so painful, and I was only 3cm dilated. So I opted for an epidural to get me through to a vaginal birth. My husband and I turned off our phones because all our family members kept calling. When my husband left the hospital to feed our cats, it was the very moment that he was going to call Erica when she arrived out of nowhere as if she knew that I needed her at that specific time (since our phones were off she couldn’t get a hold of us so she went to the hospital to check on us). She's an angel! Erica and my husband worked together to make me feel as peaceful as possible. I was so relaxed, like I was in another world. My Dr. was mentioning a C-Section because I had been in labor for 15 hours already. Erica kept me focused on my positivity and my body opening for my baby. She reminded me where to direct my focus. Then... 2 hrs later I was completely dilated. I couldn’t believe it! My state of mind was in another dimension. I have to give all the credit to Erica and my husband. They encouraged me to labor down to prevent prolonged pushing, then I pushed for 15 min, and my beautiful baby girl Emma Aurora was in my arms." Daniela, UWS
