NurtureBirth
Your Birth ~ Your Baby
Your Home~ Your Way
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Shelley Kavanagh is a well-regarded birth and postpartum doula based in Newcastle, Co. Dublin, serving the areas of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow. Trained by DONA International and Doulacare Ireland, she is also a GentleBirth instructor. Shelley offers comprehensive support throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period. Her approach includes emotional, physical, and informational support, focusing on creating a positive birthing and postpartum experience and aiding families as they adjust to life with a newborn.
During labour, Shelley provides various comfort and pain relief techniques such as relaxation and breathing methods, visualization, massage, and the use of tools like the TENS machine and rebozo. She works closely with both the mother and her partner to ensure a supportive and calming environment.
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Postpartum, Shelley assists with the often overwhelming transition into parenthood and the unforeseen exhaustion; she can help reassure parents with whatever questions they may have. Shelley can support in so many ways including with breastfeeding, newborn care, emotional and practical support, aiming to ease the transition for new families.
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Shelley's work is highly appreciated by her clients, who praise her for her compassion, support, and professionalism. She also contributes to the doula community through her writings, such as her poignant poem "Hold Her," which reflects on the challenges and emotional intensity of the postpartum period.
"I believe families deserve to feel at ease, nurtured, supported & informed as they bring a baby into their lives."
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Client Testimonial
"It was a calm relaxed experience that considered my every preference and that made the world of difference at every turn..because you made sure to look after us in every way and set the tone and atmosphere for us to stay calm.....So many things you did that made a difference, the list would be miles long. I'll be forever grateful."
-Lynne & Steve Kearns
Client Review
"Shelley and I made an instant connection in the weeks prior to the birth. She was compassionate, supportive and remained in constant communication, always taking the time to check in and answer and questions my husband and I had. Most importantly, Shelley made me feel strong and empowered enough to book a much wanted home birth; something I always dreamed of.
When the day came, Shelley's skills as a doula shone, surpassing all expectations. She had a calming influence on my husband which allowed him to be much more involved and hands on.. I felt safe, strong and calm with her by our side. She also worked brilliantly with my midwife to create the most perfect birthing environment."
-Deanna McIlhatton
Midwife Testimonial
"Shelley has a lovely calming and gentle approach. Would love to work with Shelley in the future!"
-Angela Cotter,
Private Midwives Ireland
Client Testimonial
As soon as we met Shelley there was an instant connection. We had met other
doulas and it was important for us that we not only trust our doula but could relax and
have some fun and a bit of a laugh.
I thought all of a doulas work would be done in the hours during my labour but
Shelley started working the moment we met her. She met us several times before my
labour and provided me with the tools to feel empowered and confident in making
decisions about my pregnancy and labour.
Shelley didn't come with a predefined script of what labour should look like. She took
the time to find out what was important to us as a couple and what I, as an expectant
mother, wanted for my labour. She met me where I was and together we built a birth
plan.
We both really appreciated how she didn’t overload us with too much information at
once. She drip fed us relevant and fact based information and articles as we went
along, making it easy to make informed decisions.
Inviting someone into the birth of your child is hugely intimate and Shelley
understands the intimacy of what she is doing and treats it as such. She is
professional and knowledgeable, kind and reassuring. Shelley is incredibly
passionate about what she does and it is immediately obvious in her work. Her
passion for what she does is contagious.
We would unreservedly recommend asking Shelley to be your doula, she was an
integral piece of the puzzle in us having such a positive birth experience..
Dublin Couple, Coombe, 2020
Midwife Testimonial
"Shelley was very professional and caring towards the mum and her partner. She was also very nice and helpful towards the midwifery staff"
-Midwife, The Coombe
"If a Doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it"
-Dr. John H. Kennell
Call 0877738345 for a free consultation.
Alternatively email shelley@nurturebirth.ie or fill out the form below
