Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Smith.
Hi Shelby, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
started my journey to become a doula in 2020 after struggling with unexplained secondary infertility for over two and a half years. During that time, my favorite show was Call the Midwife. Watching it made me reflect on my own birth experience and how much trust women have lost in their bodies. That realization sparked something in me. I decided to become a doula—and, in a beautiful twist of fate, I found out I was pregnant that same month. Going gluten-free played a big role in restoring my fertility and showed me just how powerful the body can be when we support it naturally.
While still pregnant, I met an incredible doula who introduced me to a training called Birth With Spirit. This wasn’t a typical doula certification—it focused deeply on whole-person listening, self-awareness, and inner healing so that we can truly show up for others. That training transformed the way I approached birth work and life itself, giving me a calm, grounded mindset as I began supporting families.
After my daughter was born, I developed a chronic illness that left me bedridden for a time. I tried everything to understand what was happening, but it wasn’t until I began my own research and holistic healing that I uncovered the root cause and restored my health. That experience led me to expand my work into holistic health. I never want women to go through the same medical gaslighting, dismissive “anxiety” labels, or lack of exploration I endured.
Today, I look at each client as a whole person—with grace, compassion, and curiosity. As a doula, I help women find their voice, identify and heal from trauma (even generational trauma), and trust their body’s innate wisdom to birth. I teach advocacy, offer evidence-based information, and support all kinds of births—from unmedicated home births to hospital inductions and cesarean births.
As a holistic health practitioner, I also support women who want to feel better and couples who are trying to conceive. Together, we look at lifestyle changes, nutrition, and gentle support/education through herbs and supplements. Both sides of my work remind me daily that this is my calling, to help women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their health, and experience birth and life with confidence, balance, and trust.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In many ways, stepping into both of my roles felt natural because I was truly called to them. But like any meaningful work, it hasn’t been without its challenges.
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced as a holistic health practitioner is the lack of understanding in my area about what holistic health really means. Many people have grown accustomed to the idea that every symptom requires a prescription—and that each new medication often leads to another to manage side effects. I love showing people that sometimes healing can be simple: eating enough protein, adding quality mineral-rich salt to your water, or simply staying hydrated can make a big difference. Educating the community that holistic health isn’t “anti-medicine,” but rather about supporting the body’s natural balance, has been a continuous effort.
My training allows me to understand how herbs and supplements may interact with medications, which helps clients build a more integrative and safe wellness plan. I believe having a holistic health practitioner on your care team can make a world of difference.
In my doula work, the challenge has been similar—awareness. In Appalachia, many people don’t yet know what a doula is or how having one can completely change their birth experience. Educating the community about the role of a doula and the evidence-based benefits of support during pregnancy and birth has been something I’ve been dedicated to since day one.
We’ve been impressed with La Luna Labor & Wellness , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
La Luna Labor & Wellness was born from my own journey of healing and motherhood. What began as a calling to support women in childbirth has grown into a holistic wellness practice that serves families through every stage of life.
I offer fertility and holistic health coaching, birth doula support, childbirth education, and energetic healing sessions, all rooted in the belief that the mind, body, and spirit must be in harmony for true wellness. I also incorporate whole-food nutrition, brain retraining, and emotional healing practices to help clients uncover and release what’s holding them back from feeling their best.
What sets me apart is the deeply personal and intuitive approach I take. I’ve learned that true healing begins within and that’s the foundation of my work. I don’t recommend a ton of supplements. I meet each client where they are, meaning I don’t suggest to change their whole lifestyle because that’s not sustainable health.
I’m most proud of how my clients have approached health and birth. I’m proud that my clients leave my space feeling empowered, excited about birth and their health, parenting, and knowledgeable. I’m also very proud that I have done all my own networking, advertising/marketing, and my business was built solely by me and my hard work. That’s very rewarding. I’m proud to be the person that my community recognizes as the girl who helps people with pregnancy and babies.
I want readers to know that La Luna Labor & Wellness is more than a business, it’s a community. It’s been my goal to gather women and to support them through all stages of their lives. Women thrive in communities with each other. I want them to know that holistic health is a tool in your tool box and it can easily compliment allopathic medicine. I want readers to know that having a doula isn’t just for a homebirth. Having a professional support you during birth can help support better birth outcomes for moms and babies. My business is a judgement free zone and all are welcome. While my passion lies in supporting women, my services extend to men as well, because whole-family wellness matters.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I just want readers to know that healing is possible — no matter where you’re starting from. Whether it’s preparing for birth, restoring fertility, or simply learning how to listen to your body again, you don’t have to do it alone. My goal with La Luna Labor & Wellness is to remind people that health isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that your body is designed to heal when given the right support. I’m so grateful to serve my community and to be part of a growing movement that honors both science and intuition, both modern medicine and ancient wisdom. Most of all, I want people to feel seen, supported, and empowered in every season of life.
Pricing:
- Initial visit $100
- Follow-up $65
- Doula Package $1444
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lalunalabor.com
- Instagram: lalunalabor.wellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalunalaborwellness
