Certified Doulas and Advanced Mentor
with Birthing From Within®
Certified in Prenatal and Postpartum Bodywork
Rhythm of Birth doulas are passionate about empowering women to give birth, having supported over 200 families!
We would love to meet you!
We work together to support you during pregnancy and share call to ensure you have the best support during your birth. You will meet two of us during the initial interview.
Images by: Chelsea Anderson Photography
Shalene Massie; CD, CBE
Shalene is a wife, mother of 2 girls, certified Doula and Childbirth/ Postpartum Educator. She has been mentoring parents since 2011 along their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys.
She is an advanced certified mentor through Birthing From Within®, owner of Rhythm of Birth, & creator of Rhythm of Birth & Postpartum Journey e-courses.
Kimberly Reese; CD
Kimberly is a wife, mother of 4, and doula. She has been supporting couples during birth since 2015.
She is excited to partner with Rhythm of Birth to offer dedicated and compassionate care to growing families!
Lydia Parrish; D
Lydia began supporting couples during birth in 2020. She has an ever growing passion to support women as they embrace every aspect of their pregnancy and birth!
She is so thankful to be joining the Rhythm of Birth team!
Alice McGowan; D
Alice is a wife, mother of 2, and doula. She has been supporting couples during birth since 2023.
She is excited to be part of Rhythm of Birth as a Birth and Postpartum Doula and offers services to help families with newborn care and lactation support.
Molly Upthegrove; D
Molly is a wife, mother of 2 (boy and girl) and doula. She has been supporting families through pregnancy and birth since 2024.
She was inspired by the women who supported her own pregnancy and birth, and wants to help guide others in their pursuit of a joyful birth. Every birth is unique and memorable, and she is honored to offer her gifts to facilitate beautiful birth memories and a positive start to parenthood!
Lindsay Holbert; D
Lindsay is a wife, mother of 2 and doula. She has been supporting families during birth since 2018.
She is passionate about supporting women during pregnancy and birth and excited to offer support and knowledge to expectant families.
Cassandra Doan; CD, CBE
Cassandra is a wife, mother of 2 girls, doula and childbirth educator. She has been supporting families through pregnancy and birth since 2023.
She is passionate about helping women make informed decisions they feel confident in and have satisfying, empowering birth experiences.
Meet Shalene
I began to hear my call to become a doula when I became pregnant with my daughter Abigail in 2008. I met a Doula and hired her to assist in my birth. As I was pregnant, I thought about the women I met living in South Sudan. I reflected upon the many women who give birth in Africa and other developing countries without the option of medicine or the care of a doctor. I am amazed by their primordial, instinctual, knowing and awareness of their bodies, moment to moment. As I support women in birth, I help to cultivate this knowing and awareness.
I received amazing support from my Doulas and my husband during both my births. As a doula and birth educator, during my second pregnancy with Sierra, I embodied the pain coping practices I teach. In active labor, in the car through a blizzard, I remained deeply present and mindful. My Doula/massage therapist supported me as my husband guided us through the snow to our home where my daughter was born in a birth pool. Through their support and trusting in God's design of my body, both my birth experiences were beautiful and empowering. I truly felt like a strong warrior in each moment.
I believe every woman has the strength and knowledge within herself, and with the help of her birth team, to give birth mindfully and beautifully. Birth is an amazing and mysterious journey that a woman remembers the rest of her life.
I look forward to mentoring you on your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey!
~ Shalene
Living in South Sudan
Shalene's experience living in the culture of South Sudan gave her valuable insight into a woman's natural instinct to give birth and nurture her baby through the postpartum transition. Reflecting on her experiences living with her young baby in Sudan motivated her to create Rhythm of Birth and Postpartum Journey e-courses.
"I didn't have a guide or resources neatly packaged to help me prepare for labor and navigate life after birth. I wish I had these online courses to guide me to have peace of mind during labor and caring for my baby!" - Shalene
In our culture of much information, it can be confusing knowing what and who to trust for guidance and support. Through childbirth and the postpartum transition, Shalene will help you cultivate inner knowing as you prepare for birth, and nurture and guide your newborn.
Meet Kimberly
I attended my first birth 11 years ago while I was four months pregnant with my first child. Helping care for the expectant mother gave me so much fulfillment. In the time since, I have offered and been able to assist in many friends’ births. As my passion grew to learn and embrace doula work, my very busy teaching career prevented me from regularly pursuing this wonderful opportunity. Although I loved teaching art and yearbook for 14 amazing years, I decided to leave my first dream and move on to my next: becoming a doula.
During the birth of my 2nd child, my body began to push my baby out without me trying and without the doctor in the room. It was in that moment that I realized what our bodies are capable of. I wanted to learn all that I could to help other women harness their inner strength. Now, I have that opportunity.
~ Kimberly
Meet Lydia
My passion for labor support began at a very young age. As a child, I loved listening to the birth stories of the women around me. As soon as I was able, I began to read anything I could about the topic. I had the opportunity to witness the birth of my nephew, and it was an incredible experience. I watched, with awe, as my sister brought a precious life into the world with strength and hard work. I was blown away by her courage and power. I was struck by the beauty of childbirth and knew I wanted to be part of supporting mothers in this intimate and life changing experience. As my interest grew, I discovered doula work and was given the honor of supporting a friend during her birth. I was hooked! It is clear to me that being a doula is my calling! I have an ever growing passion to support women as they embrace every aspect of their pregnancy and birth! I’m so thankful and blessed to be able to join the Rhythm of Birth team!
~ Lydia
Meet Alice
As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with physiological birth and the empowering experience it can be. Perhaps this interest started in my childhood when I witnessed my mother trust her body and the natural process of birth with the three home births of my younger siblings. When I became pregnant with my first child nine years ago, I could not get my hands on enough educational material about pregnancy and birth. I took several courses and read every book on natural birth I could find to prepare myself for the labor and delivery of my daughter. After a long and challenging labor, I became more aware of how essential birth education and a network of support for the mother and family are. After the birth of my second daughter in Argentina, I was inspired to finally pursue my passion and take a training course to support pregnant and birthing mothers. We returned to the US in 2023 where I am able to continue this important work while enjoying the cultural diversity of Blacksburg and the abundant natural beauty of Southwest Virginia.
As a Doula for Rhythm of Birth, I strive to support the mother and family and help them feel safe and connected through the stages of their pregnancy and birth. I offer physical and emotional support to the pregnant and laboring mother and I help the birth partner have confidence and trust in the birthing process as well. In addition to being a Birth Doula, I am currently working on my Postpartum Doula Training and will soon be offering services to help families with newborn care and lactation support. I would be honored to support your family in pregnancy and/or postpartum whatever your needs may be.
~Alice
Meet Molly
I was first called to birth work when I began planning an assisted home-birth with my second pregnancy. Through my research and experience with my first pregnancy, I became interested in mindful labor and developed a strong desire to support and empower other women and families in their birth experiences. I was inspired by the women who supported my own pregnancy and labor, and wanted to help guide others in their pursuit of a joyful birth. Becoming a doula has shown me the fulfillment that comes with nurturing, and the strength of my commitment in service and care for new and growing families. Every birth is unique and memorable, and I am honored to offer my gifts to facilitate beautiful birth memories and a positive start to parenthood!
Meet Lindsay
My interest in doula work started in 2014 but my nature has always driven me to connect with my community. I had the honor of attending my sister-in-law's births and what I witnessed was the embodiment of strength and courage- a woman giving birth. At that moment, I knew I wanted to provide comfort, assurance, and support for mothers in their childbirth journey. All of the births I have been privileged to be a part of, though different in delivery, have always rendered me in awe. An expecting mother is the harbinger of life and I am humbled anytime I can provide support as a friend, family member, or as a doula. I was blessed to have Shalene as a doula during my birth! Being prepared and informed as an expecting mother is a significant advantage during your journey. I believe my role as a doula extends to helping a mother formulate their plan and cope with the unexpected. Every woman has a unique journey, none more prized than the other, and I will always consider it an honor to partner with you!
~ Lindsay
Meet Cassandra
My passion for birth work began when I got pregnant in 2019 with my first child. At that point, I knew nothing about pregnancy or childbirth! I was so grateful to have amazing friends who taught me about the beauty of birth and encouraged me to get a doula. After being in labor for 3 days with non-progressing contractions, my doula saved the day by coaching me in different labor positions and techniques that helped my daughter get into the right position so that my labor finally progressed, and she was born a few hours later! Not only did my doula help me avoid unnecessary interventions, but she encouraged me, prayed for me, and helped me deal with my contraction pains in a way that felt totally manageable. Ever since that day, I have been a doula and childbirth education advocate. I knew that one day, I would be on the other side helping women have empowering and satisfying birth experiences the way my doula helped me.
After living overseas for most of my adult life (primarily in Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam), I knew that my time to become a doula was here in 2023 when my husband, 2 daughters and I made the decision to relocate to the United States. I received my doula training through DONA and began attending births immediately! It is such an honor to walk with couples through one of the most memorable and vulnerable times of their lives. I truly love what I do, and I would be so honored to support you in whatever way I can so that you can also have a birth story to be proud of!
~Cassandra
Ps – I’m fluent in Spanish and love working with Spanish-speaking couples whenever possible!
Kind Words
Sweet testimonies from clients at an event celebrating supporting over 100 births! Please excuse the chatter in the background.
A Unique Childbirth Preparation Experience- Online Course Testimonies
"The labyrinth process surprised me with how it helped me release my fear as I anticipated labor and postpartum." ~ Tiffany, mom of 3
Postpartum Preparation- Online Course Testimonies
"These courses taught me to slow down, stay present, and really reflect on the time following the birth of my baby. I learned that there are a wide range of emotions, all of which are very real. The story of Inanna was a powerful metaphor for the psychological transition from the pre- to postnatal period. It is a reminder that I, too, will one day have a story to share about this very sensitive time in my life." ~ Holly, mom of 2
Rhythm of Birth Training:
- Birthing From Within® Mentor and Doula Certification
- Birthing From Within® Advanced Mentor Certification
- Birthing From Within® Graduation Ceremony and Training
- DONA Training
- Postpartum Depression Training
- Birth Story Listening Training
- Breastfeeding Workshop
- Claire Marie Miller, "Nurturing the Mother" Certification
- NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation)
- Midwife Assistant Apprentice
Professional Organizations and Memberships
Birthing From Within®
Nurturing the Mother- Claire Marie Miller Seminars
Le Leche League- Blacksburg
Doula Match
References available upon request.
Guest Speaking
Shalene and Kimberly have a passion for sharing deep knowing, information, education, and support to empower you on your birth preparation journey. We would love to speak at your event/ class about the role of a Doula, our classes, and your heart preparation for your birth and parenthood. Contact us to schedule your event.
Birth Your Business
In the process of growing Rhythm of Birth since 2011, I, Shalene, have fallen in love with business, marketing, networking, creating a brand, and website/ online presence that helps my clients find me to serve them on their journey. I also have a passion for helping female entrepreneurs create a beautiful online presence and bring their passions to life to serve their clients! Visit my web design website!
