Shandy Cortes Birth Doula in Copperas Cove, TX

Shandy is so awesome! She has been so sweet and communicative throughout the process, I appreciate that very much. I would definitely recommend her as a birth photographer!

— Casey Harmon

If you're researching Shandy for your pregnancy and birth, stop right here! Seriously, you've found her. Whether you're looking for the supportive hand of a doula or someone to beautifully document your birth story, I can't recommend Shandy enough. She's not just talented; she's a genuinely warm and caring person you'll be so glad to have by your side. And about those photos? If you're debating, please don't! Shandy captured moments I'll treasure forever. I literally look at them multiple times a day - they make my heart so full.

— Kennedy Essex

Shandy’s talents, abilities, enthusiasm, and compassion for the birthing experience and the mother is extraordinary. Never once did I feel alone or unheard throughout my pregnancy or labor. I love that she loves birth and is always quick to advocate for my wants and needs. My baby’s delivery was magical and Shandy was a key component of that experience. I fully and wholeheartedly recommend her as a doula for any woman but especially for those that want a non-medicated and natural birth.

— Holly Gaines

When I found out I was pregnant with my third baby I knew that I wanted a positive and empowering birth experience. And as part of that, I wanted to have an unmedicated birth. Shandy gave me the tools throughout my whole pregnancy to prepare me mentally and physically. She was always just a text away. She's knowledgeable and well-researched and always had an answer for me when I asked her my endless list of questions. On the day I went into labor Shandy came to my home and helped me labor there while we waited for my husband. She made me lunch and played with my kids and utilized different techniques to ease my contractions. She was invaluable at the hospital and was the person in the room who believed in me the most. It was her words of encouragement and confidence in me that ultimately led me to having the birth of my dreams. She photographed my birth and those photos are now some of my greatest treasures. I'm so thankful for the photos I have of those sacred moments. I'll forever be indebted to Shandy for all she did for me during such a holy time, and for her help in allowing me to connect with Heaven.

— Nicolette Hajje

We had a great experience with Shandy as our photographer. She wasn’t able to make our birth because it happened so fast, but she came the next day and took a fresh 48 session. She is warm and kind and I felt so comfortable with her!

— Ali Bosco

Shandy and I discussed all things birth related and explained to me how not only is she a Christ centered doula, but also looking into getting started with birth photography. Timing could not have been better, I couldn’t wrap my brain around giving birth to my 4th baby and not having anything to look back on. The experience she provided was beyond words that could describe. Her energy lit up the room in a time where I was most vulnerable. The gentleness, the calmness, the nurturing, I couldn’t imagine having anyone else as a photographer or doula in my next chapter, I look at my pictures almost daily and I have a few hanging around my home to remind me that this is what it is about, thank you so much Shandy you are amazing!

— Kyla Tillman

Shandy was absolutely amazing. From the first time she came until even after the baby was born, Shandy helped my daughter understand what she was about to experience for the first time and in far better ways than I could ever explain. She coached my daughter every step of the way, as well as the father. She also helped her understand what her rights in the birthing room are, as decisions are just thrust upon mothers without their really understanding why. She came with us to just drive around and keep the mom calm while she was in labor but not ready to go to the hospital. And, of course, she was there throughout the entire birth, advising, affirming, and both physically and emotionally supporting both the mom and me when I was too tired. On top of all this, she took beautiful pictures of mother and baby during the process. Shandy is very professional, sensitive to mother's needs, and very understanding and supportive. I hope she's available every time I have a new grandchild on the way.

— Marla Raoelina

Our family had our first home birth recently in no small part because of Shandy! I genuinely don’t know that I could have done it without her. My husband works away from home 4-5 days a week and I had 2 weeks of prodromal labor leading up to this birth. She was an absolute godsend - praying for me, encouraging me, and giving me perspective. She thoroughly prepared my husband and me before birth but her support during my 40 hour labor was absolutely everything for us. She made us both feel so well supported and encouraged so that we actually enjoyed what was objectively a challenging labor and birth experience. (My daughter was born with shoulder dystocia). We had horrible birth experiences with our first two children and were so gun-shy when we hired Shandy but I could not recommend her more! I can’t imagine birthing again without her there - she became family to us through this experience.

— Emily Brownlee

Shandy was amazing, and couldn’t talk more highly of her. I don’t think I would have been able to have had an unmediated birth without her. She guided me through the whole process before I had baby and during the actual birth. She advocated for me and made sure things went the way I wanted them to go. She even brought me Chick-Fil-A and made sure I stayed hydrated! Shandy is a great doula and I would recommend her to anyone, she will be by your side and will educate you about birth, when I would ask my OB questions I would get answers like, “oh you already know”, or “because it’s how we do it,” pretty much would push my concerns and questions aside. I was able to go to Shandy and she always answered my questions and never made me feel silly about them!

— Savannah Woods

Shandy is an exceptional doula. She is knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate and confident. She helped me feel empowered during my birth despite having a high risk induction. Her care during each birth is deeply personalized. When I was diagnosed with cholestasis, she took the time to check in with me daily in addition to providing customized nutrition plans to aid in my diagnosis. She was thorough and professional at every prenatal appointment and made a point to include my husband. I was able to utilize a variety of the pain management techniques she taught me during my labor and birth. Overall I had such a positive, amazing birth with my daughter. During postpartum, Shandy was sure to check on me and my family and even did my dishes. She also helped identify a tongue tie in my daughter when she was having difficulty nursing. Shandy’s holistic approach to pregnancy made me feel comfortable, strong and powerful . When you have Shandy as your doula you have so much more than a doula you are also gaining a lifelong friend. Shelby Medrano

— Shelby Medrano

Shandy was an amazing doula, and has become a friend 💗 I had an unplanned home birth and she handled it so well.

— Jessie Whitmire

Shandy was amazing. She flew out to me, did my laundry, cleaned my house, made food for my family. She didn’t get to be here for the birth, but she took on a lot of the chores and let me just relax and prepare myself for my upcoming labor. I know she would have been a huge blessing during labor too, but baby decided she wanted to stay in an extra ten days! Highly recommend hiring Shandy, she is an amazing support system during pregnancy and labor.

— Taylor Steiner