Julia Shirin is a mother to eight, mother-in-law to two, “Lady” to two precious grandchildren, and wife to one handsome husband since 1991.

I gave birth eight times: each pregnancy its own story, each birth a unique event, each baby a completely new person. I had never even heard of a doula when I was having my babies, but looking back, I see how much I needed the support of a one in each of my birth experiences.

When our older children began talking about marriage and having babies, I encouraged them to get a doula, explaining what a difference it would make. Instead, they asked me to become one so that I could support them. It takes a continued sacrifice of time, money and energy to be the doula I want to be while I am still raising kids, but the honor of serving each client in those sacred hours of childbirth make it all worth it.

I support home births, birth center births, and births in every hospital in the area. My passion is to encourage, educate and empower you to have your very best possible birth experience.

All images belong to The Doula Advantage. Photo Credit Julie Shirin. Used with permission.