Sacred Dove Birth Services

10/17/2025

FTM Makenna’s Birth Story 🕊️

Sunday October 5th night, I noticed a little more pain than normal pregnancy pain. I didn’t think anything of it and went to sleep. I woke up Monday morning and felt like I hadn’t slept at all. I rested all day, took a couple naps and just stayed around the bed all day. I messaged Kiley to ask her what it could be and she advised me to rest and just see how things went along.
Monday night was the first time I ever felt contractions. I woke Beau up thinking I was just being crazy and we timed some things and they were on and off but I ended up falling asleep for a couple hours.
Tuesday morning I noticed I had contractions all day long and I was still trying to do chores and go about my normal day. I noticed I was starting to hurt way more doing my normal things, and Beau had come home at 12 to stay with me. I tried to take a nap, and I couldn’t get comfy to sleep. By 5pm I had told Beau we should go to the birth center to get checked and see how far along I was. We went in and got checked and I wasn’t ready to be admitted. We decided to get a hotel and try to progress there so we were closer to the birth center. At 2:30am I still hadn’t slept and had been contracting pretty frequently. We head back to the birth center and I still wasn’t ready to be admitted. Beau suggested I need to get some sleep and we should go get some medicine to help me sleep at the hospital. I am honestly ready to just relax so I agree and he calls Kiley.

We all arrive at the hospital at 6am on Wednesday October 8th morning. I received some medicine and rested and it helped me progress very well and quickly.

I rested some more Wednesday night and Thursday morning on October 9th after 2 hours of pushing Koen arrived at 5:41 in the morning. Koen was born at 8lbs 2oz and 20.75 inches long. I honestly was so out of it but just in shock that he came out and was extremely healthy; I had no complications. Beau and Kiley were there the whole time and helped keep my mind at ease while I was internally freaking out 😅😅

04/27/2025

Dove Josephine’s Birth Story
Born April 27, 2024 at 12:45 PM | 9 lbs. 6 oz.

When I found out I was pregnant with Dove, I was not in a good place, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. I was terrified. It was August 2023 when I found out I was pregnant again with baby number 4 I was still only 5/6 months PP. This was very shocking because I was still breastfeeding, Constantly, and I had not yet gone back to having a normal cycle. If I’m being honest I was not happy, I was not ready to be pregnant again and the memory or Naomi’s hard labor was still so fresh in my mind. I cried and cried for weeks. I did not feel mentally prepared to go through another pregnancy, labor, and have a newborn with a 15 month old. My whole Pregnancy I battled fear and anxiety. I didn’t realize I had birth trauma to work through from my last birth with Naomi. I felt so much anxiety and felt completely unprepared to have another baby so soon. Naomi was still just a baby herself, only 6 months old and the thought of everything felt overwhelming.
I was drowning before I even came up for air.

To be completely honest and transparent I have desired to have a son and had to work through gender disappointment with Naomi. I was really hoping this baby would be a boy. After three girls, I held a quiet hope that maybe this is Gods timing and that this pregnancy was the boy I dreamed of. I was trying to hold out hope from drowning in the dread of pregnancy all over again. But when we found out we were having our fourth girl, I had to grieve the vision I had imagined. I knew I loved her, but it was a process of letting go.

On top of all that, I was still carrying trauma from Naomi’s birth. The cervical lip, the stalling, the intensity, it all left a shadow over my confidence. Even though I handled it with complete control and grace, having moved that damn cervical lip myself.
I wavered constantly on how I wanted to give birth again. I longed for my peaceful home birth vibes, the ambiance, the worship, the sacred atmosphere, but I was so afraid of facing that kind of intensity again.

I wrestled during this pregnancy unlike any other. Fear gripped me in a way I had never experienced. I’m usually bold, full of faith, but this time, fear of death, fear of miscarriage, fear of the unknown followed me everywhere. I also felt disconnected from the pregnancy. I didn’t want to believe I was even pregnant. Time felt like it was slipping through my fingers, and I just kept thinking, I’m not ready for her to come yet. I need more time.

I wavered on my birth plan all the way up to 34–36 weeks, switching care providers three or four times before finally finding the right support. I realized it didn’t matter how I gave birth, what mattered was that God was going to bless it. Early one in my pregnancy I had a dream that I was telling a friend ( as though baby number 4 had already come) I told her, in the dream, “my 4th birth was by far my most positive birth experience”. I held on to the dream and I chose to partner with faith and believe that this would be my best birth yet.
After wavering for months and months I finally decided that a hospital birth with my beloved midwife Amie by my side as my doula would be the best option for me.
I also decided to face the emotional weight I’d been carrying head-on and went to therapy to process and resolve my birth trauma from Naomi’s birth. It made such a difference. I felt like I was reclaiming my voice and returning to peace. I worked though all the fear and pain until I felt confident going into by birth with Dove.

I wrote out my birth vision based on God’s Word, just like Habakkuk 2 says:

“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬

I ran with it. I came to the revelation that everything I desired was possible with God’s blessing, even if I chose a medicated birth: no complications, a smooth epidural, a gentle birth, and a quick discharge. I even asked/believed that Dove would come after Esme’s birthday, so we could give her that special moment, and Exactly one week later, I just knew it was time. I had marked my calendar for labor during the weekend of April 26-28.

There were no contractions yet, but I felt it in my spirit. I packed everything, arranged for Naomi to have a sleepover, and Daniel and I decided to spend the evening filling the atmosphere with oxytocin and love. We went to our favorite restaurant, Biaggi’s. We shared our favorite toasted raviolis, I had a big bowl of French onion soup, and the best Caesar salad. I was in such a good head space and then I started feeling some Braxton Hicks and I told Daniel, “Let’s believe it that this will turn into the real thing”

After dinner we walked around TJ Maxx, another one of my favorite places, and then got ice cream at Oberweis. When we got home, Daniel gave me a full-body massage. I took a lavender and Epsom salt bath, and then we went to bed fully at peace, around 11 PM.

Not even two hours later, I woke up with strong, consistent contractions—more intense than with any of my previous births. I had texted Amie earlier that night and told her to be ready for a call around 2 or 3 AM, and sure enough, I messaged her right on time. We met at the hospital between 3 and 4 AM, and I was already 6.5 cm when I got there. I was so surprised, and also slightly panicked, because I didn’t want to miss my window for the epidural.

With Amie and Daniel supporting me, I advocated for exactly what I wanted: a light epidural. I told the anesthesiologist I wanted to still be able to feel and move my legs, and he delivered perfectly, I could still switch positions, stay present, and remain connected to my body.

After some rest, we turned on my worship birth playlist. The atmosphere became drenched in His presence. As worship filled the room, I experienced multiple emotional releases; deep waves of tears that prepared my heart for what was coming. Everything that I feared was washed away, It was like God was clearing the way for Dove’s arrival, layer by layer.

When it was time to push, I was surrounded by love. My husband holding my hand my doula holding my leg and my amazing photographer and friend giving me strength with her eye contact and words “you got this, she’s right there.” I felt so incredibly supported. I was completely in control. I could feel everything, but there was no pain, just pressure. Just clarity. Just peace. Within three pushes, she was born.

Dove Josephine Benedetto.

My biggest baby—9 lbs. 6 oz. of pure, chunky, miraculous goodness.

Just four hours later, we were released to go home. That had been one of my boldest prayers: to be able to go home that day, to rest in my own bed with my husband and our new baby. And God did it.

The next day, I welcomed my big girls home from their weekend with their dad, and we got to surprise them with the best news of all, their baby sister had arrived.

We named her Dove after our boy name pick Jonah, which means “dove,” and Josephine after her daddy’s middle name, Joseph. During the hardest moments of my pregnancy, “Josephine” became an anchor in my spirit. Joseph means “God brings increase,” and I held onto that truth every time fear whispered lies. This pregnancy didn’t follow my timeline, but it followed heaven’s. I told myself Dove will be our “ peaceful, increase.”

And now I see it so clearly: Dove’s birth was the fulfillment of every promise. Her arrival was not just a physical event, it was a holy, HEALING, and redemptive encounter with the faithfulness of God. And that Dream I told you about, it was true, Doves birth was by far my best, most postive birth experience and I give all the glory to YHWH for that.

🕊️🤍

Happy birthday my Beautiful Dovie Jo!!

"But unique is my beloved DOVE-
unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare, the perfect one, the favorite one. Others see your beauty and sing of your joy. Brides and queens chant your praise: "How blessed is she!"
Look at you now- arising as the dayspring of the dawn, fair as the shining moon, bright and brilliant as the sun in all its strength— astonishing to behold as a majestic army waving banners of victory."
Song of Songs 6:9-10

03/22/2025

03/19/2025

Creating a HEAVENLY mindset for birth 🕊️☁️

For you haven been seated in HEAVENLY dimensions IN Christ - Ephesians 2:6

03/18/2025

My beautiful bestie 😍

Hi sweet friends. 🤍

Allow me to reintroduce myself for all our new & old friends.

I’m Shelby, mom of 3. Currently navigating Divorce. Wild I just said that here - but we keep it real. That’s something you’ll notice here - atleast I hope. Reality and authenticity. 🤍 I started this “little” business in 2022 with no expectations, and God showed out. I have attended over 75 births, walking through the greatest moments and hardest moments with families. Self proclaimed Birth Nerd - I love it all. There really is nothing better than watching people become parents, watching families be created.
While Birth is where my heart is - I love photographing families in general. Newborn. Family. Maternity - you name it - I’ll document it. Authentically while telling YOUR story.

Some helpful things to know -

I love Jesus. AND ALL PEOPLE.
I’m always down for an iced coffee.
I have a love hate relationship with the gym.
Huge advocate for domestic violence awareness.
Hiking, a good book & trying new food.
I believe investing in your birth is more important than investing in your wedding. Oooops. Wedding photogs don’t kill me 🫣

Honestly I don’t get to decide what’s safe, but I hope you feel safe here. 🤍

Documenting what you love, with whom you love - where you feel safe. 🤍

Shelby Gabrielle.

📸: Timber Rose Photography 🤍

Shelbyspringerdoula.com



Bloomington Illinois Birth Photographer
Bloomington Illinois Birth Doula
Bloomington Illinois Family Photographer

03/17/2025

I Am SO excited to announce the launching on my new official website, sacreddovedoula.com

Please come on over and check it out! I go over services offered and share my story of how I got involved in the beautiful field of birth work. I invite you to explore the site and learn more about my work and passion - the honor of supporting women and families in the bringing forth of new life!!

Also if you haven't yet, I would love it if you liked and followed my FB Sacred Dove Birth Services and Instagram page .doula!

Thank you to all my family and friends for all the love and support!!

I provide personalized coaching and doula services rooted in faith and compassion. My mission is to support you on your journey with love, empathy and understanding. My goal is to help you feel confident, safe, and prepared in whatever setting you choose to give birth: hospital, home birth or birth....

07/20/2024

💓💓💓

01/15/2024

(Birth story Part 2)
When the next midwife came on I told her I was pretty sure I had a cervical lip and asked if she could just check me in the water. Sure enough it was a cervical lip. This was both disappointing and encouraging at the same time because now I had a reason as to why it was taking so long but I also knew the challenge that lied ahead of me. I asked the midwife what I could do? she said I could wait it out and eventually it will go away on its own or she could hold it back during my contractions while I pushed or I could hold it back myself. None of these options sounded appealing but I was so over enduring anymore contractions.
At this point the song "Protector" by Kim Walker-Smith started to play from by birth play list.
It starts out:
"I come out of agreement with the lie that you have left me on my own, I am not alone"
Tears began to fall as the presence of God came over me and I felt His nearness once again. That was the moment I decided to get back into faith. I began to declare out loud that I come out of agreement with all the discouragement and lies that I was believing. I broke agreement with fear and death I began to literally cry out to the Lord
"Jesus help me,
I cannot do this without you, I need you, my weakness is your strength, I can do nothing of my own strength, I need you to help me do this" I knew what I had to do
I decided I was going to push my own cervical lip out of the way and that through His strength I was going to push this baby out.
With my fingers I pulled the lip out of the way and pushed gently with each contraction until I finally felt her head move past the cervical lip and into position.
Thank God!

This was so intense for me as my last water birth with Violet I experienced the fetal ejection reflex and didn't have to push at all. This was different, it required all my will power, determination and strength. I pushed until I felt the ring of fire and then I pushed even harder knowing I was so close to the finish line. First her head then one last push and her whole body. Instant relief.
Feb 4th At 9:15pm I heard the most beautiful cry, I couldn't believe it, we did it, she was finally here!
The birth of Naomi Grace brought me to the end of myself. I experienced a measure of surrender that I had never experienced before. I was tested and challenged in ways that I never knew but by the grace of God I persevered to the end. A version of me died that day as I embraced a more humbled, deeper surrendered version of myself, as we go from glory to glory. Amen.
I am forever grateful and thankful for my support team especially my amazing husband Daniel. I could not have done it without you . You were ever present and empathetic through every emotion I walked though. Your tender touch and physical closeness helped carry me though. You stuck right by my side through it all. The tearful look in your eyes any time I made eye contact with you, when it felt too much to bear. You made me feel so seen and I knew that if you could, you would carry the burden for me. My love for you has grown even more through birth and even more as I watch you interact and love on our beautiful baby.

And by bestie Morgan Bill who doubled as my doula and birth photographer. Your partnership in prayer and confidence to come into agreement with everything we were believing and desiring with such assurance and faith was so encouraging to me. How you prayed over me, for me and with me.
How you encouraged me to sing at times and told me when to relax my body. How you verbally affirmed me and told me I could do it when I wanted to give up. How you were a physical shoulder for me to lean and cry on when I experienced the most intense contractions on my way to change positions. How you held my hands as I leaned over the bath tub. I appreciated it all so much and I felt so incredibly loved and supported at my weakest and most vulnerable state.
And I'm grateful for my midwife's who over saw everything and made me feel safe and remained calm and present for me the whole time. Shout out to my midwife Ashley who helped guide me in pushing and held pressure to prevent me from tearing. You gave me confidence as you verbally affirmed me and encouraged me to keep going as I was pushing her out.
Thank you for helping to bring Naomi to my chest as I looked at her in utter disbelief that I did it and she was finally here!