Shannon Popa, Tulsa Area Birth Doula
About Me
Originally from Seattle, WA I have a love for the beauty of the outdoors, the changing of seasons, and the taste of a strong quality cup of coffee! All these things I continue to appreciate while living in Oklahoma!
I married my best friend and life companion in 1991 after meeting and working together while serving the refugee population in the country of Austria.
Together we raised three amazing daughters whom we enjoy spending time with and whose births were equally significant and unique. Although I would become a doula many years later, their births were the impetus for pursuing this important work.
In 2004, we moved our young family from the U.S. to Romania and later to the island of Cyprus. We are grateful for the incredible experience of raising them in their father’s home country (Romania) while promoting healthcare and educational development through faith-based ministries.
Back To The US & Birth Doula Beginnings
Returning to the U.S. in 2016, we made Tulsa our home — a city we had become familiar with and had grown to love while visiting our daughters in college. All three attended college in Oklahoma!
It was during this season that my passion for birth work ignited and led me to pursue doula certification. A mother never forgets the birth of her child(children), and although my daughters’ births were beautiful, I remember feeling like I could have used so much more information and support — but didn’t know the questions to ask. My husband and family were as supportive as they knew how to be, but were limited in their knowledge and ability. The role of a birth doula was the missing piece and inspired me to pursue this incredible work.
When I’m not on-call or supporting a birth, it’s no surprise that I still love to travel, but I’m also grateful to have roots in Tulsa. I find it to be a delightful city for doing some of my favorite things such as hanging out with family and friends, and being an active member of a local church with shared values of outreach to the community. I also enjoy cooking, going on walks, cycling, reading, and my most recent hobby, crocheting.
Birth And Refugee Work
One of the highlights of living in Tulsa has been getting to work in the birthing community. In 2021, my two worlds of birth and refugee work collided, when a fellow Doula friend and I formed a birth advocacy team with the intention of welcoming and assisting women arriving from war-torn Afghanistan. We started offering woman-to-woman companionship and support prenatally, during birth, and postpartum. In 2023, we partnered with an organization called Embrace, providing Childbirth Education curriculum with the help of an Afghan midwife, who also serves as our translator. This continues to be a meaningful role in my work as a doula, and 10% of my earnings from private clients are donated towards this ongoing service.