Shelby Stewart - Birth Doula

About Shelby

As a full spectrum birth-keeper, sexual/reproductive & lactation educator, and womb-space ceremonialist, I hold space for you to have continuous, high quality support that is infused with culturally responsive care, and embedded within a framework of advocacy. As such, I provide physical, emotional, and educational support and guidance to all birthing people, their partners, their families, and communities across the lifespan, reproductive landscape, and for all reproductive circumstances and outcomes. Earthseed Birthwork praxis is steeped in the belief that within the hallowed grounds of your wholeness – your lived experiences and unique socio-cultural contexts, your dreams, and your life journey, there is an opportunity for YOUR divinely aligned birth journey to come forth. I specialize in serving as guide, helping you investigate and get curious about, cultivate, and then traverse your own birth ceremony, the complex and oftentimes daunting medical system's model of care, and matrescence – the wholeness (physically, psychologically, and socially) of becoming a mother/parent…all while centering the sacred and traditional practices that have safely held birthing people for time immemorial. Bearing witness to, being deeply present for, and reflecting your own innate power to call forth and touch into the dance of your intuition, are my gifts. Working with me is intended to be more than a mere hand-holding, it is meant to be a full person witnessing, and the sanctuary of safe space to support the expansion of your capacity to be present with all that arises on your journey. I believe all births are immeasurably transformative...birth shape- shifts us into whatever next iteration this life is calling forth for us. When allowed, birth may expose you to rapturous wonder, deep discomfort, indescribable joy, and the instinctive knowing that you will forever physically, emotionally, and spiritually be changed. Care Setting I meet people where they are, and not where I may perceive they ‘should’ be…literally and figuratively. I hold and offer care within in-person spaces, homes, virtually, office, and outside underneath the sky’s blanket.

Birth Doula services

Accepted insurance

Alameda Alliance for Health Carrot Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal Health Net Message Shelby to confirm coverage for your plan.

I provide physical, emotional, and educational support and guidance to all birthing people, their partners, their families, and communities across the lifespan, reproductive landscape, and for all reproductive circumstances and outcomes. My offerings are comprehensive prenatal, labor and birth support, childbirth and lactation education, mindfulness coaching, and womb-space ceremony, including closing of the bones/belly-binding and herbal steaming. Earthseed Birthwork praxis is steeped in the belief that within the hallowed grounds of your wholeness – your lived experiences and unique socio-cultural contexts, your dreams, and your life journey, there is an opportunity for YOUR divinely aligned birth journey to come forth. I specialize in serving as guide, helping you investigate and get curious about, cultivate, and then traverse your own birth ceremony, the complex and oftentimes daunting medical system's model of care, and matrescence – the wholeness (physically, psychologically, and socially) of becoming a mother/parent…all while centering the sacred and traditional practices that have safely held birthing people for time immemorial. Bearing witness to, being deeply present for, and reflecting your own innate power to call forth and touch into the dance of your intuition, are my gifts.

Reviews for Shelby Stewart

5.0 3 reviews

5.0

October 19, 2025

We give Shelby the highest recommendation. She supported our birth journey in so many critical ways, through her presence, knowledge and constant encouragement. She is very personable and answered all of our questions. We especially appreciated the way she could explain why the clinical setting would prefer or encourage particular interventions, while also letting us know about all of the options available and helping us to make informed decisions along the way. She empowered us. When it mattered most, during labor and delivery, Shelby was there, with the right presence, words and encouragement. She helped our baby come into the world. We hope other parents have this positive experience of a doula, like Shelby gave us.

— Heidi and Luke H.

5.0

August 26, 2025

Shelby is a great and thoughtful listener, open to one’s birth preferences and not imposing of her own. She is prepared with lots of written material including research-based natural inducements, safe body-prep exercises, charts and birth preference worksheets. Although I had a completely different birth experience from what I expected and prepared for, having Shelby around to answer my questions and listen to my concerns was very comforting. Shelby’s presence at the L&D room and speaking on my behalf was a great relief as she went over my birth preferences letter with the nurses and staff while my mind was a haze from the epidural. She even helped me push and deliver the baby! I would highly recommend Shelby as a doula.

— Malvina D.

5.0

May 28, 2025

You never know what your labor will be like, and I was so grateful to have Shelby be there when it turned out my labor was wildly different from what I’d envisioned. She was an anchoring presence to both me and my husband as we navigating a very intense and difficult experience, and she helped us slow down and treasure our baby after she was born, rather than getting caught up in the overwhelm and pressure to get it all “right.” I always thought I wouldn’t “need” a doula if I ever had a second baby, now I’m sure that I would want Shelby there if I do have another. She feels like a part of our family.

— Ida P.

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Certifications, training, and specialties

Certification and training

Cornerstone Full Spectrum (2022)
Cornerstone Labor and Birth (2022)
Black Women Birthing Justice (2025)
Lactation Educator (2016)

Education

BA (1999)
MPH (2006)

Memberships and affiliations

Evidence Based Birth, Professional Member
Doula for the People
Black Women Birthing Justice

Languages

English

Credentials

BA CLE MPH

Specialties

Abortion Doula Care Anxiety and Depression Belly Binding Birth and Lactation Birth Assistant Birth Doula Birth Support Childbirth Education Evidence-Based Care High Risk and Low Intervention Obstetrical Care High-Risk Pregnancy Home Birth Hospital Birth Labor Doula Mindfulness Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Sexual Health Spirituality Telehealth Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Vaginal Steam

Frequently asked questions

Does Shelby accept insurance?

Shelby lists Alameda Alliance for Health, Carrot, Kaiser Permanente, Medi-Cal, and Health Net as accepted insurance. Message Shelby to confirm coverage for your plan.