Testimonials
Shirin and I got connected through a childbirth educator who I worked with early on in my pregnancy. She thought that we would resonate with each other as I described my vision of what an ideal birth would look like. My husband and I live overseas so we initially met with Shirin via zoom. From the get-go, despite the distance, I had a really good feeling about beginning this journey with her. During our first meeting, Shirin stressed the importance of having a supportive team present at the birth. A team that shares the same goals and philosophies surrounding birth as the parents. Shirin embodied the comfort and strategy that I had been looking for in a Doula. With her guidance, I decided to switch to a more like-minded OBGYN who I would only meet in person at 34 weeks. That decision completely changed the course of my birth and truly enabled the natural birth of my dreams.
When we flew to New York at 34-weeks, I met with Shirin and had my first prenatal session. I felt so comfortable from day one. It was a safe space to ask any questions and she was a tremendous resource on all topics surrounding pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum, and baby gear purchases. In the weeks leading up to the birth, she was an amazing support! This included regular check-ins via WhatsApp, answering all of my questions as they came up, and she even looked over our registry and gave feedback and suggestions for the best items to have ready for postpartum and for the baby! It was also amazing to see how much she was able to include my husband and open the floor for him to ask questions.
When the special day came, Shirin was was by our side every step of the way. We kept her updated and at a certain point in the labor process we FaceTimed to check-in, and shortly thereafter she was with us at my home. I was a bit nervous to experience such a vulnerable state with somebody I'd only met a few times but from the first contraction in her presence, I knew she was the right person to guide us through this journey. In the beginning, she matched her breathing to my breathing and was a humble witness to the sacred experience that had begun. And as labor progressed, she became more hands on, helping me maneuver into more comfortable positions and refocus on my breath when I lost my rhythm. She kept the energy light and fun. She reminded me to drink and use the bathroom and at a certain point helped us determine that it was time to move to the hospital. Her ability to adapt to my real-time needs was remarkable, and made me feel confident in the unfolding of the once-in-a-lifetime first birth experience.
I would describe my birth as as close to a home birth experience as could be possible in a hospital setting. It was sacred, it was beautiful, it was raw and I absolutely could not have done it without her. It felt so comfortable and normal to be in such a vulnerable state with Sharon by my/my husbands side. I felt that she had such a confidence that I could give birth beautifully that it manifested into reality. She had my birth plan at the ready and knew all of my preferences going into the experience. She truly advocated for me in moments where I felt limited in my ability to speak up for myself. I felt safe and relaxed in her presence and the precious moments of transition into becoming parents will always be held in my heart with Shirin right there with us.
Following the birth, she checked in often and gave amazing tips to help us transition smoothly into our new roles. It felt amazing to spend time with her, on the other side of such an intense experience, at our postnatal session. She helped me feel confident in my ability to take care of my baby and breastfeed him. She also gave me a tremendous amount of information and tips to care for my body postpartum. It is now two months later and we are doing amazing. My son is strong and growing beautifully - he’s a happy, calm, and sweet little boy. I feel so connected to him - and I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally wonderful. There is truly no better way this experience could've gone. I attribute a lot of our success to Shirin’s unending support, guidance, and love.
To all mothers thinking about hiring a Doula please know that working with Shirin means being supported fully and truly. It means feeling her love through this wild experience. It's amazing to see somebody working in a field that's so aligned with who they are as a person.
Hiring Shirin was definitely the best financial investment we could've made to bring our goals of having a natural birth into reality. We’re forever thankful to Shirin for helping us cultivate such a beautiful experience and helping us receive and welcome our precious son into the world. - Shana Kosofsky December 2022
Jessica & Baby Layla Mae
I can’t recommend Shirin’s postpartum doula services enough. My postpartum period was a series of highs and lows, and Shirin served as a source of strength, positivity, and support through all of it. She was there for me for everything from helping me process and accept a difficult labor and delivery that went differently than planned, to talking through and validating decisions big and small, to cooing over and admiring my baby with me. i am someone who has difficulty accepting help, but Shirin’s gentle and non-intrusive manner made the experience completely comfortable. Her little touches like bringing food, washing bottles, and helping with organization made a huge difference in my day to day. I am so looking forward to having Shirin around for baby #2!
Posted with Permission, January 2019
Posted with Permission December 2018
Kari & Baby Reign Alexander
Shirin, Your website is truly amazing. It is a beautiful representation of you as a person, and your passion for doula work. I’m so proud of you. I really can’t say it enough. You really have found your calling in life and have reinvented yourself over these last few years which isn’t easy. You followed your heart despite what anyone said. You realized that you couldn’t put a price tag on your peace of mind, and that lesson is priceless. You are living proof that it is possible to make a living doing what you love and what makes you happy. An idea that not many people believe is possible. The service you provided for Skyler and I throughout my pregnancy and postpartum period was without a doubt, the most valuable and selfless service anyone could provide for me, ever. You really can’t put a price tag on it. I really don’t know how I would have gotten through it without you. My pregnancy, and postpartum period was not a walk in the park by any means. But, despite my struggles, I made it. I made it because of your endless loving support. During the time I needed it most. You made my otherwise overwhelming experience a beautiful one. And for that, I am forever indebted to you. To my best friend and sister, from the bottom of my heart, I love you more than words can tell. Thank you for everything.
Photos posted with permission. 2018.
Yolanda & Baby Mateo
Tina & Radcliffe III
“I found Shirin through Birth Day Presence Training and emailed her for more information. After interviewing a few candidates, she was definitely the one! She’s very resourceful. She’s a great listener, kind & caring. When she says she will research something, she does & always provide more than enough information. She always puts her client first. She is very passionate about what she does, and will continue to make this birthing process a great one for women in the future. I’m glad she was part of my team.”
Monique and Baby Vision
“What an amazing individual with great energy. What I love about my experience during and after birth is that Shirin takes the time to listen to my needs and then provides a plan that works for my family. Her level of expertise and compassion is unparalled. As a West Indian woman who was raised and believes in much of the traditional customs, Shirin was eager to learn about my traditions and encouraged me to listened to my inner self, which is very important. Sometimes as parents we doubt ourselves. Very seldom, do you find someone who takes pride in what they enjoy. You will not be disappointed with Shirin by your side during your pregnancy journey. Shirin also provided resources and I was happy that I wrote down my birthing plan. During my postpartum she went above and beyond by preparing vegan soups that was unbelievable and provided tips to help with my milk supply since Im breastfeeding exclusively. If you want someone to be constantly be there for you Shirin is the doula for you. No matter the time of the day she is always available to be there for you.As we know one’s birthing experience doesn’t always go according to plan, but your birthing experience will be worth it having someone like Shirin by your side.”
Sarah & Baby Gabriel
“In my gut I knew we needed a doula with today’s flawed health care system and I am so glad that I followed my instincts! We found Shirin through DoulaMatch.com and met with her in my last trimester and she provided to us a trove of information we needed to ready ourselves for the VBAC that I wanted. She lived so close to us too — making our match even better. With her help she assisted me in instilling the confidence I truly needed to face the challenges I’d encounter during my hospital birth. With her gentle and non intrusive yet assertive and truly passionate guidance, I pulled together a birth plan that I believed in, she helped me find mantras to keep morale up during labor, loaned us essential equipment that she felt worked for our living situation, suggested my artwork and a photo of my son be present during labor, and even shared an awesome music playlist that we incorporated into our own. She even has a menu of nourishing food offerings that we ordered from! Our favorites were the Golden Milk and Mushroom Immunity Boosting Broth. She stayed with us during my 31 hour birth and was a witness to the difficult moments we encountered at the hospital. In that time she gave me the encouragement, touch and coaching I needed to work through the waves of my contractions. And during my postpartum visit, she and I combed through and validated my thoughts and emotions about my birth story. She continued to check in on me and answer any questions that I had in my fourth trimester. I felt that she was a necessary part of my birth team that truly believed in the amazing innate power of a woman’s ability to bring a baby earth side with little to no medical intervention. She respected my decision to get an epidural and educated me enough that I felt I got it at the right stage of my labor. Shirin comes highly recommended by our little family and I can’t thank her enough for being part of our second son’s birth. We will always remember her role in this life altering event!”
Baby Nova
“I must say having Shirin by my side and on my support team with my fiancé for my first time pregnancy during a global pandemic was pretty easy and a true pleasure.
Being a first time mom, I had NO IDEA what I was doing. No classes just word of mouth and things I learned along the way. But, when you can have a little more insight and reassurance to a process virtually unknown. She brings exactly that… just in case you’re like me [type A personality] with major anxiety.
Her calm and warm approach transcends to her doula services. I would always feel secure and delicate, considerate and encouraged in womanhood. She ensures you, will have your needs met and will demand your ideal birthing experience, wherever you choose that to be. You know… the one in your mind, the one your ancestors did thousands of years ago. Yeah that one…it will be written down, not just in that pretty little brain of yours.
Shirin will remind you that your body is capable of doing something miraculous and will support you in all your desires even if it changes along the way. She enabled me to have a positive and placid birthing experience despite the hiccups along the way. I gave birth in March 2021 and now I am a mother of a healthy baby boy. We enjoyed seeing her during our post partum sessions. Each time with something new to learn or to lend a hand. Yummy treats to keep strong which I highly suggest.
Thank you for being authentic soul. Blessings!”
Tricia, Shirin and Baby Willow
“I absolutely love Shirin!!! Hiring her was hands down the best thing I have done for myself in a long time...and maybe ever. I have 4 children and this time around I really desired some support with healing and resting well during my immediate postpartum. I was also looking for someone who had some experience and knowledge supporting postpartum women in a sacred way; bringing ritual, and ceremony to this special time. Shirin supported me so well - every visit was filled with herbal baths, infusions, broths, steaming, moxa, castor oil packs, etc. and woman to woman connection. She was able to wear my baby so that I could take baths and just have some hands free time. My other three kids loved her coming over too, as she became part of the family of the course of six weeks. She was so warm and calming and wise....and brought such a soothing energy to such a sacred window in my life. I highly recommend Shirin ❤️”
Olga and Baby Leo, August 2021
“We had only one in person session with Shirin right after birth of my son when we arrived home from hospital. It was incredibly useful. Shirin helped me with so many things: established confidence in my breastfeeding (this was a very big help, I think without it I could be misled with worries and wrong advice), helped by giving me great information to prepare for postpartum period (which things to get, what food to make and freeze, what to expect), helped with healing the stitches and easing pain, gave advice about little things here and there like baby wearing and nail cutting - which all together are helping me in a profound way. Most importantly, in general with her approach Shirin allowed me to trust myself, and reassured me that my instincts and intuition about my baby were valid and essential to everything. I am very thankful and I’d recommend Shirin to any mother ❤️”