Between Two Worlds…Savoring My Daughter’s Childhood

By Nikki Shaheed | May 25, 2017

My oldest child is 8 years young, although she seems to be growing up more and more each day. Watching PG movies, using special face wash, and taking charge of…

Four Ways to Know Your Provider is a Good Fit

By Nikki Shaheed | May 3, 2017

Pregnancy and birth are full of choices to make from what color to paint the baby’s room, to baby names, to where give birth, to what kind of car seat…

birthing classes san antonio

Non-Inclusive Birth Preparation Causes Birth Trauma

By Nikki Shaheed | Apr 1, 2017

Many people believe that medical interventions cause birth trauma. More often than not, that is incorrect. What causes trauma is expectations…expectations about the pain, how a birthing parent is supported,…

San Antonio: Why I Love Doing Doula Work in the Alamo City

By Nikki Shaheed | Mar 11, 2017

San Antonio: the land of tacos and Rodeo. The land of tacos and the Spurs. The land of tacos and the Riverwalk. Also, the land of tacos. While I didn’t…

Drum Circles: Why We Come Together to Drum Together

By Nikki Shaheed | Mar 5, 2017

This week I had the joy of leading a Drum Circle at San Antonio Nurse Midwife Nikki McIver-Brown’s cozy office in Bracken Village. Not only does Nikki provide pregnancy, home…

The Table: Reflections on Family

By Nikki Shaheed | Feb 10, 2017

  When my husband and I got married 13 years ago my grandmother bought us a dining room table. It was one of the few new pieces of furniture in…

diversity in birth

Diversity of Birth

By Nikki Shaheed | Jan 8, 2017

The ways that babies can enter the world are as diverse as the families who welcome them. Each birth is a sacred threshold moment in a family’s story, the moment…

sibling birth brother sister

Older Siblings at the Birth – Seven Tips for Parents

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 18, 2016

For older siblings the birth of a new sibling can be a very exciting time! As your belly swells and the due month draws near, you may start to wonder…

VBAC

Why Birthing from Within is Important for a VBAC

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 11, 2016

How to Find Healing and Move Forward As a VBAC mom and a doula who has attended many VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean) and CBACs (cesarean births after cesarean), I…

Rebozo – Tools of the Doula Trade

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 9, 2016

Oh, the magical rebozo. A doula’s aid; an extension of a birth partner’s arms; support, balance, and relief for a birthing parent; and a beautiful symbol of Mexican culture. Entire…