How do you know if a doula is right for you?
Whether you have dreamed of this pregnancy or been tossed into it unexpectedly, this is a time in your life to be treasured and a time to grow stronger as a woman.
Imagine experiencing this transition in an empowered and joyful way, with loving support and guidance from someone who has been there before. Someone who will walk alongside you while you navigate your journey into motherhood, whether for your first time or your fifth! As a birth and postpartum doula, my role is to ensure you feel safe, supported and cared for throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.
If you are worried that you might not have all the support you need during your pregnancy, birth, or in the weeks and months that follow due to sleep deprivation, exhaustion, navigating feeding or family dynamics, I am here to help!
As a caring doula (a non-medical person who provides emotional and physical support, practical help and evidence-based information) I help women and their families to have a birthing and postpartum experience they will treasure forever.
If you are based in Taranaki and would like a nurturing professional by your side to help you navigate your birth options, a caring and experienced birthing partner with you throughout your labour and birth, and reliable postpartum support there for you so you can focus on bonding with your little one - then my services will likely be a great fit for you.
If you’d like to learn more, please send me a message. I’d love to buy you a coffee and have a chat about how I can best support you.
Shannon Engelbrecht
Taranaki Birth & Postpartum Doula
I became a doula because I know, from my own birth experiences, the overwhelming positive difference it can make to have someone onboard whose sole role is to make sure a woman feels empowered and supported as she goes through pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester. I’ll help you create an informed birth map (an empowering approach to preparing for birth that goes above and beyond a birth plan) that you feel aligned with, I’ll stay with you throughout your birth to advocate for your wellbeing and wishes, and I can be there with you postpartum: supporting you and keeping the household running so that you can focus on healing and bonding with your new little love.
Learn more about how I can support your birth and fourth trimester
"I do not care what kind of birth you have... a homebirth, scheduled cesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer.
I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected."
January Harshe
- Author of Birth Without Fear
My Services
Birth Mapping Services
Unlike a birth plan, which typically focuses on detailing your ideal birth, a birth map enables you to begin labour empowered with the knowledge that you’ve prepared for every situation. I’ll support you in forming a detailed birth map so that your team knows exactly what you want to happen next - regardless of what surprises might occur during your labour and birth - and so that you can feel in charge of your birth experience every step of the way.
Birth Doula Services
My support during labour and birth is continuous, nurturing and intuitive. I’ll stay with you throughout your birth, protecting your birth experience. You can rely on me to create an environment that feels calm and safe, where you and your birth partner are supported from the moment you want me there until an hour or two after your little one has been brought into the world.
Postpartum Doula Services
I offer a range of postpartum support packages that range from a birth debriefing and general postpartum care through to being your go-to support for cooking, cleaning, childcare, dog walking, night nannying and - importantly - providing you with emotional support during this crucial time.
"Shannon is warm, approachable and very knowledgeable. She is passionate about anything to do with parenting, and especially childbirth and after care for mums and babies. This is not just a job for her, but a calling, and you can feel that from her in her care and the dedication she has to what she does. She will take any opportunity to upskill and improve her knowledge to ensure you and your whanau get the best care possible. I highly recommend Shannon and Caul to Bloom - know you will be in experienced, capable and loving hands with her."
- Krystal Burrell
Social Worker & Parenting Education Specialist
Can I Buy You a Coffee?
You, Me, a hot drink and no pressure. It's important we click.