Sheryl Pineiro

Birth Doula

Postpartum Doula

Babies have always been a part of Sheryl’s life as her parents fostered over 50 infants over the course of her upbringing. Sheryl grew up loving and caring for newborns, understanding the needs of premature infants as well as those born addicted to drugs.

After graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Biology, Sheryl and her husband were excited to start a family. It was during a non-stress test that Sheryl had an experience which would eventually bring her to the field of pregnancy support. Sheryl witnessed a young patient laboring alone and scared. The doctor they shared seemed distant and non-caring toward this teenager. It was truly heart-wrenching for Sheryl to witness this woman go alone into the journey of childbirth – an experience that should be empowering, but without support, can feel the opposite. The memory of her treatment remains foremost in Sheryl’s mind as she endeavors to support any woman or girl who might otherwise labor alone.

Sheryl’s own experience with pregnancy included a devastating miscarriage followed by a rainbow baby via c-section, two non-medicated VBAC births, and another unexpected c-section. While raising her 4 children (the oldest with autism), Sheryl dedicated her time to various volunteerism. One of her ventures was to co-found a nonprofit which provided resources to women and babies in need.

With her background in biology and a heart for supporting women through their pregnancies, it was the limitations during Covid that opened up a world of possibilities for Sheryl. Her daughter was pregnant and desired her mother’s support in the delivery room, but was told she could only pick one person. It seemed she had to choose between having her mother, or her husband. The only caveat was that she could have a doula in addition to her chosen support person. It was at this point Sheryl realized what her life-long passions had prepared her for – to support women in pregnancy, labor, and during their postpartum season; she became certified through an extensive course offered by New Beginnings Doula Training.

Sheryl hopes to help as many women as possible have the positive birth experiences that they deserve. She brings a thoughtful sensitivity to the emotional challenges that can arise from hormonal changes in the postpartum period, as well as from pregnancy loss and bereavement. Sheryl finds great joy in learning from other mothers as they share their pregnancy and birth stories.

Though she feels the most alive in the labor and delivery room, Sheryl spends her downtime caring for her grandchildren, writing, and gardening. Sheryl and her husband live on a lake in the Muskegon area of beautiful west Michigan.

Testimonials

I highly recommend Sheryl as a doula! She has been with me throughout my 3 pregnancies and births and I can’t imagine going through the experience without her. Sheryl is the kind of doula who will stay up with you all night through those long hours of labor when a nurse or doctor is no where to be seen, and will be helpful in every way possible, before, during, and after birth. Sheryl is passionate about the beauty of pregnancy and birth, and helping women realize the power of their own bodies and how equipped they are for the experience. I was extremely nervous in my first pregnancy, especially as I learned more about what birth/postpartum entailed. When I brought up the worries with Sheryl, she had an incredible way of helping me see the situation through a lens of empowerment and awe, as opposed to fear. I had so many questions throughout my pregnancies, but Sheryl loves discussing pregnancy and birth, so I never felt like I was bothering her! Sheryl was by my side through the entirety of my labor and delivery every time, which is a great because 2 of the 3 times, I ended up with a doctor on call that I wasn’t familiar with and had no relationship with. Sheryl was a constant voice of encouragement, especially when labor was the hardest and contractions were the fastest. I still get choked up when I think about how she didn’t say “you can do it” but rather “you ARE doing it,” which was what I needed to hear. Sheryl is also fantastic in helping in the postpartum time period as she has a special love for newborns. From what I understand, she grew up in a house that fostered babies and as a young teen spent a lot of time soothing newborns, some that were born with their mother’s addiction to cocaine and were exceptionally difficult to calm. She has a strength when it comes to persevering in helping newborns go to sleep!

Rachel