ABOUT
meet your rn doula
Shanita Joy Murray, BSN RNC CD CPD CBC CBE CPNE
I am certified as a birth and postpartum doula, as well as a childbirth and perinatal nutrition educator. As a certified breastfeeding counselor, I am currently studying to become an internationally board certified lactation consultant. My background includes over 4,000 hours of delivery, operating room/recovery room and breastfeeding experience. In addition, I am trained in home birthing and I am specialized in assisting high-risk and AMA pregnancies, VBACs, twin births, waterbirths, stillbirths and NICU graduate postpartum clients. As a practicing registered nurse, at The Birth Center of New Jersey, I'm also skilled in low intervention and natural births in various settings. Lastly, I'm certified in neonatal, pediatric and adult CPR.
Why not have the best of both worlds at your baby's first birthday party?!
Baby's 1st Birthday Celebration
I use my collective experience to infuse joy into your child's first birthday, amplify the voices of black women and other women of color in the birthing space and to dismantle the barriers to receiving appropriate healthcare.
As a woman’s-woman and extroverted-introvert, I desire a more personal connection with my clients than what I could establish in one nursing shift. We discuss prenatal visits, baby shower ideas, registry must haves, etc. I want to make them feel reassured in knowing that they have a rapport with someone in the room other than their partner. A true advocate that prioritizes their well-being and interests over that of the institution that they’re delivering in.
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My model of practice focuses heavily my keen assessment skills and on the incorporation of teaching evidence-based information that can be easily digested. While I am not at your birth in a clinical capacity, I cannot "turn off" my ability to read the room as a nurse, explain medical procedures and jargon, and make note of important information such as: vitals, plan of action, available/alternate options, etc. I pride myself on having knowledge of the anatomical & physiological nuisances of birth. Knowing how to reposition a mother at just the right time can decrease the length of labor, ease pain and minimize unnecessary interventions, namely cesarean sections. I find that nurses and doctors also appreciate my knowledge base exceeding that of what is required for standard doula training.
Lastly, I marry my experience as a wife and mother of four girls (20, 11, 8 & 5) into the gumbo that is my framework. There’s a great chance that I’ve experienced similar concerns as my clients during pregnancy after all, I’m parenting across the lifespan and have been married for13 years. My anecdotes are relatable and give practical perspective to my families. As a family-oriented individual, I understand that fathers can become lost in the process of pregnancy since they are not the pregnant parent, I strive to help dads connect and bond with their partners and babies in utero, understand the changes that their partners are facing, learn birthing options for enhanced advocacy, and provide labor and postpartum support with confidence.
an advocate with a heart for pregnant and postpartum women
My passion for mothers and babies began as a young girl. I went on to pursue a career as a registered nurse 16 years ago and graduated with an Associate of Applied Arts in Science degree in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2015. After working in labor and delivery at St. Peter's, I desired a closer role with my patients. Doula work was just the niche I was looking for in women’s health.
I’m naturally able to empathize with women and establish a strong rapport. My professional and personal backgrounds afford me a unique understanding of the complexities that are involved from conception through delivery and thereafter. There is a profound need for ongoing support and nurturing along this journey. I’m an advocate for all women, especially those in the black community as maternal mortality disparities are great. We are often unaware of our baseline health information which in combination with systemic racism in healthcare yields very poor outcomes. I invest time into teaching my clients practical ways to prevent and recognize conditions of pregnancy as well as helping them understand the changes occurring within their bodies during the process.
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I'm a proud collaborator with YoungLives to promote positive birth outcomes within the teen and young mom demographic. Each year a recipient is selected to be gifted free childbirth doula care. I’ve also partnered with Pacify Health as a virtual doula and content creator, providing care to underserved populations via Medicaid. As an Irth Ambassador, I help families document their birthing experiences on the yelp-like app to improve patient outcomes by holding birthing facilities and providers accountable for bias based practices.
PARTNERING IN OPTIMIZING MATERNAL HEALTH
In Loving Memory of Heaven McKinney
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Serving NJ, parts of NY (Brooklyn, Staten Island & Lower to Mid- Manhattan) and parts of PA (Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton).