Shantique Smith-Hayes
Shantique Smith-Hayes
Shantique Smith-Hayes
About me
Peace, my name is Shantique Smith-Hayes and I am a Certified Holistic Birth and Postpartum Doula in Milwaukee, WI. I am the Wife to an amazing Husband, and Mother of two lovely Daughters- ages 8 and almost 3. In my free time I love to lay out on my couch, in front of my big patio windows, cup of tea in hand, sun beaming, watching Nature do its thing. I enjoy traveling, reading books that make me feel good, painting, letting my inner child shine, and indulging in flavorful foods– Soul Food, Jamaican Food, Carribean Food, Mexican Food, you name it! I am authentically and purposefully myself. I take pride in having such a bright, Sunflower Aura. My philosophy is that every mother and baby, regardless of circumstances at time of conception, should have access to quality, personal, supportive care. As a Holistic Doula, my approach to pregnancy and childbirth recognizes that a woman's body is naturally designed to conceive, nourish, and give birth to their baby(ies). Our wombs are our centers and do far more than produce babies: they give birth to the power in us. I am a firm believer that the more you know, the less you fear. In my practice, I review the different phases of labor, positioning of baby and pain management techniques to help cope with the discomforts of contractions. I educate women of their birthing rights and help create an individualized birth plan, ensuring that they feel confident advocating for themselves and their healthy birthing experience. I offer 1:1 individualized prenatal wellness education on topics such as: prenatal care, pregnancy related physical and emotional changes, childbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum changes, parenting roles, and newborn care and safety. My doula work involves gentle practices such as breathwork and gentle stretching, utilizing herbal medicine, taking meditative walks in nature, intuitive painting, aromacaress therapy with infused oils and essential oils, and gentle womb massages. Each of these practices has a unique way of showing us who we really are- unmasked, vulnerable, courageous and bold. These practices equip women with the tools necessary for a safe, successful and memorable pregnancy and birthing experience; all of which in turn reduces the risk of undesirable pregnancies and birth outcomes in black maternal health.
Education
Childhood Psychology (2019)
Certification and training
Holistic Birth & Postpartum Doula (2022)
Credentials
Specialties
Languages
English
Service introduction
In my prenatal and postpartum doula practice, I review the different phases of labor, positioning of baby and pain management techniques to help cope with the discomforts of contractions. I educate women of their birthing rights and create individualized birth plans, making sure that they feel confident advocating for themselves and their healthy birthing experience. I offer 1:1 individualized prenatal wellness education on topics such as: prenatal care, pregnancy related physical and emotional changes, childbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum changes, parenting roles, and newborn care and safety. My doula work involves gentle practices such as breath work and gentle stretching, utilizing herbal medicine, taking meditative walks in nature, intuitive painting, aroma-caress therapy with infused oils and essential oils, and gentle womb massages. As a trained Holistic Herbalist, I offer nutritional and supplementation advice as well.
Ratings and reviews
Shantique was the doula for a patient I was caring for recently. Our mother desired an unmedicated, natural birth. She was highly motivated and successful with her plan much due to the coaching provided by Shantique. She was professional and knowledgeable about the labor process. She was by her side the entire time to encourage the patient and reassure her even when she thought she couldn't do it anymore. I enjoyed working with Shantique and look forward to working with her again! Sincerely, Lynne RN
- Lynne G.
Last year, my husband and I were very fortunate to meet and have Shantique as our doula. She is an amazing human being with a big heart who truly cares, listens and is attending to care for you in the best way possible as if it was for her own family. We sought out a doula for the birth of our third child due to my bad experiences with giving birth with my other children where I struggled with dealing with pain, fear of the unknown and with this birth we wanted to experience the joy of childbirth on our own terms. Shantique allowed us to do exactly that. She was a wealth of information on resources for everything from reading materials, labour positions, pain management and much more. Also, her visits to our home were very enjoyable and we are grateful she took the time to drive long distance to answer our questions and be there for us. She also helped us to develop our birth plan and we felt she was very informative and actually we had fun learning about different health topics. Furthermore, she is open and honest about all of the different options, while remaining completely unbiased about any preference that she may have. Shantique allowed us to talk and explore our options, and was available to answer all of our questions and concerns. During the labour and delivery, I distinctly remember hearing this calm, confident voice coming through the rush and bustle; reminding me about what was happening and how to move through the pain, supporting both my husband and myself, and providing a 'voice of reason' when I was positive that I couldn't do any more but overall helped me stay calm while she was counting, helping me breath and holding me. Beyond that, she helped us to have the best birth experience we were hoping for. We will be forever grateful for the unique and special experience we had with delivering our third child by overcoming my fears and for her encouragement and support to both, myself and my husband. I am so grateful to have had her there to empower us and take an active role in what can only be described as the most intimate and cherished moments a family can share. I highly recommend her services to any family or mother in need of such an invaluable support person.
- Dayanna J.
This was our second birth (11 years apart) and first with a doula. Working with Shantique has been an amazing experience! 10 out of 10 I do recommend her services! Shantique checked in on us leading up to our due date on a regular basis. She took the time to learn me as an individual and helped accommodate the perfect birthing experience for me! During this pregnancy she helped me, draft the perfect birthing plan, boost my iron levels, support me through tough conversations with my doctor, breastfeeding, natural remedies and etc.! I was big on having a natural pregnancy and birth using only herbs instead of medicine. She understood and supported me through! I appreciate her warming, loving, energetic, and spiritual personality 💜💫 When she walked through the door to the delivery room there was a calm confidence that she brought with her. She navigated really well with my husband at keeping me inspired! Encouragement during labor was definitely one of those things I needed! We are so thankful to have had her calming presence, incredible knowledge, supportive instruction, and experience with natural birth. Her suggestions of different positions to try when things got difficult were priceless! This unique relationship and coaching has motivated me to prosper on my journey to becoming a holistic doula! Thank you Shantique for being supportive and reliable💫
- Ashley W.
knowlegable and helpful doula
- christopher f.
Shantique is/was amazing and I appreciate her for being there for me the whole month I was hospitalized. If you give her a birth plan she gone make sure it gets done , she honestly treat you like her family if you need anything she’ll help you . She make sure she go over everything so you can understand it .If I ever have another baby I’ll pick her 10/10
- A’Nalijah P.