Today we’d like to introduce you to Shira Sharifi.
Hi Shira, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story begins as soon as I hit my teens. I knew motherhood, and everything about it was my passion. I began babysitting, and when I reached college, the one thing that stood out and everyone around me knew how good I was with kids and supporting families. I got my degree in Education Studies to teach preschool with a minor in child psychology. I tried assisting as a preschool teacher to get in my hours but realized quickly that it was holding me back from supporting multiple families in more ways than one. I found a class certifying you as a newborn care specialist, including CPR and first aid. Upon taking the class, the woman that led it informed me she works with an agency that places nannies and Newborn Care Specialists with needy families. She immediately took to my liking telling me she found a family that she felt would be a perfect match for me, and that was the start of my career. In 2014 I knew I wanted to further my education and dive deeper into how I can support families. I researched lactation certifications and doula organizations for me to join. I was ready to take the next step and become even more of a master in my work. I got certified with DONA as a birth and postpartum doula in 2016 after working with a family as a nanny. Shortly after, I got certified and did my hours in lactation as a counselor and educator, also known as a breastfeeding specialist. My passion is everlasting. I feel fulfilled when I can empower women during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. Whether its a single parent or a family in need of support, I am there to ensure that they are heard, nurtured, educated, advocated for, and hold space for safely.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an amazing road. The only struggle I ever found where moving from one state to another. In my industry, it’s about building community and connections. Sometimes it takes time for agencies, other birth workers, and such to trust your work once the foundation is there; it’s just about having that connection with the families in search of support.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Birth Connection?
A Birth Connection is all about the connection from birth and beyond. I am known for being the baby whisperer and healer. I provide physical and emotional support for the birth parent and their family during labor and postpartum. At birth, I am known for creating a safe space for mom, massaging her, explaining the process, and using affirmations and breathwork. Once the baby is here, the parents either have me on for postpartum care. I always provide one postpartum visit in my birth doula package. Some families hire me for my postpartum care, in which I provide warm, healing meals as the mom heals and help with the baby if needed. I am most proud of how calm, nurturing, and selfless I am in my line of work. I will also be providing placenta encapsulation, which makes families super happy. It makes me happy as it has so many benefits. It is all about the birth connection. I want the reader to know that their voices, birth, and, most importantly, they matter and that I always hold space for them.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I advise going on Facebook groups, checking Instagram, and asking around! The minute I knew I would stay in Jacksonville, I joined mom groups and doula groups, asked my hair stylist, spoke to chiropractors, went to doula events, etc. Once you meet a few people, you can get a sense of who will be a great mentor and community to have. I am so grateful I met mine!
Pricing:
- Birth doula Package-$1850 those who book by April, I will take 100 off 🙂
- Postpartum-50/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abirthconnection.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/abirthconnection
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/abirthconnection
Image Credits
Credits to some is Vivianne Rice Photography
