I'm looking forward to supporting you and your family through this process.

 

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a person who assists a person who is giving birth throughout labor and delivery. Birth doulas are educated to give continuous, one on- one care to laboring women and their partners, as well as information, physical support, and emotional support.

 

Hi, I’m Shyisha Lovelace!

I am a Birth doula from Louisville, KY and received my training through DONA International. I knew doula was my calling after having a natural birth with my daughter. My goal is to help moms achieve their best birth experience. There is no right way to give birth; there is only the way that is right for you. I will be here to walk with you, help you find your voice, your strength, and to help you welcome your new baby with confidence and joy.

I am honored to support all women through their pregnancies and birthing journeys. I pride myself on being a strong support system and being accessible with knowledge whenever needed. I love to create a personal bond with my clients so that each and every mom can be their authentic self which is best to achieve a stress free birth and healing journey.

Before you decide to book with me, I offer all prospective clients an obligation free consultation, to see how we match and to address any questions you might have about my services.

At this time Humana Healthy Horizons is the only insurance I accept but I can provide you with an invoice and itemized receipt to submit to your insurance company to help with covering my services for reimbursement.

With prenatal preparation, labor support, and postpartum care, I am dedicated to assisting you in having the greatest delivery possible.

 

Here’s how it works!

Contact Us

Feel free to contact me by phone or email.

The Consult

Let’s meet to have a brief talk to get to know each other and see whether we'd make a good team.

Our Services

Select a birth package and join the Melanated Doula Care family!

On the blog.

 

The Rise of the Virtual Doula

In early 2020, when COVID-19 began to spread across the world, and most hospitals and birth centers revised their visitor policies, many doulas scrambled to offer their clients the best support they could over the phone via FaceTime, or through a webcam set up in their birthing space. While this support may have felt harried and second-best at the time, some doulas have found that they, and the families they serve, appreciate the unique benefits of well-provided virtual support.

 

Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes

Modern hospital maternity care practices have reduced the availability of an attending nurse to remain with a mother during labor. A result of this has been the loss of having someone at the bedside to offer continuous support throughout the birthing process (Papagni & Buckner, 2006). One study found that new mothers expected their nurse to spend 53% of her time offering support, but only 6%–10% of the nurse’s time was actually engaged in labor support activities (Tumblin & Simkin, 2001).

 

Sweet words from clients

Shyisha’s doula services were incredible! She is so kind and offered a wealth of information to us throughout our pregnancy. We couldn’t have chosen a better doula to help lead us through our birthing process.

- Jordan S.

Shyisha being my doula has been the best!

-Kristen W.

 

The 3 Pillars of

Doula Support

INFORMATIONAL

Ask Your Doula Instead of asking Google!

A doula provides informational assistance by keeping you and your partner up to date on every step of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. Doula's can also assist you in locating evidence-based information on various pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum options. A doula is an objective resource, not a source! As a birth professional, I stay up to date on the most recent research on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, and I can give you the information you need to make educated decisions about your care.

EMOTIONAL

Your Fears and Emotions Are Reasonable!

A doula is a constant source of reassurance and support, as well as a kind and compassionate attitude toward you and your partner as you work through anxieties and self-doubts regarding pregnancy and birth. A doula can also give emotional assistance by debriefing after the birth.

PHYSICAL

Helping your dream birth become reality!

Doulas offer physical assistance by anticipating and attending to your physical needs throughout labor and delivery.

  • Acupressure/massage/ counter-pressure

  • Changes in position and ideas for a smoother labor

  • Create a relaxing atmosphere

  • Therapy with water (bath/ shower)

  • Keeping the birthing person hydrated and fed

  • Infant feeding assistance on the spot

 

Here’s a look at our offerings.

Birth doula services for Kentucky and surrounding areas.

Everyone deserves a Doula

  • Mini Support Doula Package

    Designed specifically for moms who only want their partner and mom (or other friend/relative) to act as their support person, but would still like the benefit of doula support and knowledge.


    ○ 2 Prenatal appointments with all your support people present. Appointments will primarily focus on the role your support people can offer during your labor.


    ○ I am available to you throughout your pregnancy and labor to discuss questions and concerns via phone, email, and text.

    $300

  • Full Support Doula Package

    Designed for moms/families who would like knowledge, emotional, and physical support from a doula through the entire pregnancy journey.

    ○ Email and Text Support from the day of booking until 6 weeks postpartum.


    ○ 2 Prenatal appointments.


    ○ Birth Plan Planning and set up, Guidance for you and your partner, Guidance on hospital bag set up, Guidance on Birth Space set up (home birth), and Postpartum Planning.

    ○ Support during labor, birth and after birth (for up to 2 hours) Breastfeeding support if desired.

    ○ 1 Postpartum appointment.

    $1000

  • Cesarean Support Package

    Perfect package if you are having a planned C-section.

    ○ Cesarean education


    ○ Presence at your cesarean birth and after (for up to 2 hours) Breastfeeding support if desired.


    ○ 1 Prenatal appointment.

    ○ Birth Plan Planning and set up, Guidance for you and your partner, Guidance on hospital bag set up, and Postpartum Planning.

    ○ 1 Postpartum appointment.

    $500

  • Humana Healthy Horizons

    Designed for moms/families who would like knowledge, emotional, and physical support from a doula through the entire pregnancy journey covered by insurance policy.

    ○ Email and Text Support from the day of booking until 6 weeks postpartum.

    ○ 4 Prenatal appointments.

    ○ Birth Plan Planning and set up, Guidance for you and your partner, Guidance on hospital bag set up, Guidance on Birth Space set up (home birth), and Postpartum Planning.

    ○ Support during labor, birth and after birth (for up to 2 hours) Breastfeeding support if desired.

    ○ 4 Postpartum appointments.

    $800 (paid through insurance)

 

Hey mama, I can’t wait to meet you!

Drop a line!

Let’s have a chat over a cup of coffee! Or feel free to reach out to me directly.