Postpartum Doula

As your postpartum doula I will provide you unbiased evidence-based support after you bring your new bundle (or bundles) of joy home!
CAPPA‘s description of a Postpartum Doula:
Postpartum doulas are knowledgeable professionals who assist families during the critical period immediately after the birth of their baby. They “mother the mother” and offer physical, emotional and informational support to the family as well as practical help. The doula’s expertise in mother and baby care enables her to assist with postpartum comfort measures, breastfeeding support, non-judgmental guidance in infant care techniques, information on normal postpartum restoration, and family emotional assistance through this major transition.
It is my goal to help you to Parent with Confidence!
Serving Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the surrounding areas.


What a blessing this woman has been to our house! If you need #doula services in #SiouxFalls #SouthDakota #shannonward is it! Meals, support, education (#breastfeeding, #newparent training, etc), appointments help, overnights, help with the kids/family/pets she covers it all! You will not be disappointed.
Hiring Shannon as a postpartum doula is kind of like getting yourself an extra mom. She’ll help with anything whether YOU need to be cared for or your kids need to be cared for or even if you just need some household things done. She is a compassionate woman with an impressive chemistry with children.
Shannon is an amazing caring individual and will be sure to take care of you in all your postpartum needs!
Shortly after having my son, I developed mastitis, and I really just needed a sick day from being a parent. Thanks to Shannon I was able to have one! I only had to be available to nurse my baby. Otherwise, I was able to take some time to rest and heal. My toddler, who doesn’t like many adults, was instantly drawn to Shannon, and she was great with my baby, too. I’m pretty sure she even folded some clean clothes I had sitting out. She was willing to come to my house very early in the morning and sneak in to be available when my toddler would wake up allowing me to not even get out of bed to greet her.
Oh, and after she helped me so wonderfully, SHE thanked ME for welcoming her into my home.
Hiring Shannon as a postpartum doula is like having an extra mom.
Shannon is fabulous with children, and she can provide lots of evidence-based research to support you during the post-partum transition. Renee’s Website
Shannon helped out our family after the birth of our second son. I had a very rough recovery and she was an amazing support through it all. She has so much knowledge and resources for postpartum care to truly help you “thrive after birth.” I could not have done this without her and would highly recommend her for other families!
Shannon has been an amazing pp doula. Her no judgment, encouraging and supportive attitude is what makes her a great doula and person! She has helped my hubby and I so much with getting used to having a baby in the house. Definitely contact her for postpartum support!!
We haven’t had our baby yet but Shannon has been a huge support already!! We are looking forward to all the skills she provides even more.. Shannon is an amazing resource to our situation since we are new to the area and without friends and family. Her services are truly filling in the gaps. She has wisdom to deal with children of all ages and personalities. I appreciate her wealth of knowledge and natural/holistic approach to health, pregnancy, and self care. Shannon goes beyond the call of duty, she is not shy of hard work. She is not easily overwhelmed by challenges that come up. Shannon is extremely grounded, observant, and patient. She has made the investment in her education and training to serve her clients and we are excited to continue reaping the benefits. Shannon has become a very instrumental resource and friend to our family. So far we have not regretted for a moment hiring Shannon for her services.
Shannon from Thrive After Birth has been extremely helpful with my transition into being a new single mother. When I initially found myself reaching out for support when I was pregnant, I did not even know a postpartum Doula existed. Then up steps Shannon, offering her services! Shannon was an active member of my support team from the moment I accepted her offer. She came to my house for regular appointments before I even gave birth to help me plan my postpartum healing tools, to check on my baby supplies, to bring me books and to make suggestions on classes and support I should utilize in the city. She was also very supportive and positive and would send me positive affirmations to remind me that I could handle the birth. On top of the preplanning for my postpartum period, she offered to come to the hospital during the birth and after if I wanted extra support besides my birthing doula and offered to take photos. Though I have not needed her services as much as I thought I would (I seem to have this multitasking mom thing down so far), Shannon has still continued to check in on me and remind me that she is available even later on when I go back to work or find myself needing some extra support. Shannon has been a huge asset to my support team for my new baby and she has given me many tools to utilize so I feel like I am prepared and can handle anything I might face. I highly recommend her services and her amazing new company, Thrive After Birth, because after working with her, you will truly Thrive! Thank you for all your help Shannon!
Although I met Shannon after our babies were no longer babies, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have in my home helping with extra housework and a baby so I could get some rest. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a doula! We (moms/parents) tend to take our own health for granted and think we have to do it all. A new baby is an adjustment for dad and siblings too. With lack of sleep can come a lot of stress- it did for me anyway. Shannon has a natural way of building others up and is wonderful with children of all ages. Not only will you gain some peace of mind through working and knowing her but you will also gain a lifelong friend.