Scotland Birth and Baby - Shannon Stellhorn, Keeper of a Sacred Birth

30/08/2026

Spots available tomorrow. Want a cuppa and chat with those who get it? Hope to see you there. ❤️ - Shannon

What's on at LATNEM this week

We have 3 Face to Face Support Groups week commencing Monday 31st August. Take a look to see if you have one in your area and come along for a chat and a cuppa. If you can't make one in person we also have LATNEM LATER on Thursday evening at 8.30pm

Click the link to get more information and book your spot.

http://latnem.eventbrite.com

They are lovely, relaxed spaces designed for you to prioritise your wellbeing and find a friendly listening ear. Any Mum who needs support with her mental health is welcome to come along.

08/08/2026

Let’s talk about realistic birth affirmations.

I was chatting with one of my birth keeper clients recently. She’s now in her due window — that beautiful, exciting, sometimes very long stretch of waiting where you know your baby could arrive any day.

We talked about affirmations, and it got me thinking about how often we see affirmations that sound something like:

“My birth will be easy.”
“My body will birth my baby effortlessly.”
“Everything will go exactly as planned.”

And while there can absolutely be power in positive thinking, I don’t think we always do women a favour when we make birth sound like something we can guarantee with the right mindset.

Because what happens if birth isn’t easy? What happens if it is intense, unexpected, long, complicated, or simply different from what you imagined? You haven’t failed. Your body hasn’t failed. Your mindset wasn’t wrong.

This is why I love realistic affirmations.

Instead of promising ourselves a particular outcome, we can remind ourselves of the things that remain true regardless of how birth unfolds:

-I don’t have to be fearless to give birth.
-I can do hard things without pretending they aren’t hard.
-I can take this one contraction, one breath, one moment at a time.
-I can change my plans if circumstances change.
-A change of plans does not mean I have failed.
-I can feel afraid and still move forward.
-I don’t have to prove anything during birth.
-I can meet whatever comes, one moment at a time.

To me, these are affirmations that prepare rather than promise.

They don’t tell you that birth will be a certain way.

They remind you that you are capable of navigating whatever birth brings.

And perhaps that is a much more powerful kind of confidence.

If you’re approaching the end of pregnancy, choose a few affirmations that feel true enough to believe — not just ones that sound beautiful.

Because you don’t need to convince yourself that everything will be perfect.

You can simply remind yourself:

“Whatever comes, I will meet it one moment at a time.”

25/07/2026

Motherhood doesn’t just bring a baby.

It brings a new identity.

You may find yourself missing quiet mornings. Wondering where you went. Feeling overwhelming love and deep exhaustion all in the same moment.

None of that means you’re doing it wrong.

Birth changes more than your body.
It changes your heart, your relationships, your confidence, and how you see the world.

At Scotland Birth and Baby, I believe mothers deserve care too.

If this resonates, leave a ❤️ below so another mum knows she isn’t alone.

AberdeenshireMums

17/07/2026

Birth Trauma Awareness Week isn’t only about recognising trauma after it happens.

It’s about asking how we can prevent more mothers from leaving birth feeling frightened, powerless, or unseen.

Prevention isn’t found in one perfect birth plan.

It’s found in relationships.
In continuity of care.
In informed consent.
In respectful communication.
In slowing down enough to truly listen.
In making mothers feel safe, seen, and involved in every decision.

This is the heart behind Scotland Birth & Baby.

To create spaces where women feel informed, held, respected, and deeply cared for—not just during birth, but throughout the whole journey into motherhood.

Because every mother deserves to leave her birth knowing she mattered.

15/07/2026

One of the first steps towards healing birth trauma isn’t therapy.

It isn’t reading another book.

It isn’t “moving on.”

Sometimes, healing begins with four simple words:

“I believe your experience.”

There is something profoundly healing about telling your birth story to someone who doesn’t interrupt, minimise, compare, or explain it away.

Someone who simply listens.

As a Birth Keeper, I don’t believe every story needs fixing.

But every mother deserves to be witnessed.

Because when a woman’s story is honoured, she begins to remember that she matters too.

If no one has told you lately…

I believe your experience.
Your feelings make sense.
Your story matters.
And you deserve support.

13/07/2026

Birth trauma isn’t always about what happened. Sometimes it’s about how you were treated.

Birth can look “normal” on paper and still leave a mother carrying invisible wounds.

Perhaps no one explained what was happening.
Perhaps your questions weren’t answered.
Perhaps your instincts were dismissed.
Perhaps you felt frightened, alone, or unheard.

Birth trauma isn’t measured by the mode of birth or the number of interventions.

It’s measured by how safe, respected, and supported you felt.

As a Birth Keeper, I’ve learnt that one of the most healing things we can offer isn’t advice or fixing.

It’s presence.

A woman deserves to have her story believed.
She deserves someone who will sit with her without rushing her.
She deserves to know that her experience matters.

This Birth Trauma Awareness Week, may we remember that every mother’s story deserves to be heard with compassion. If this resonates with your own birth experience, know that your feelings are valid.

08/07/2026

Yesterday, while sitting with a freshly postpartum mum of two, we found ourselves talking about something I don’t think is spoken about nearly enough…

The early postpartum days with your second baby.

People often assume that because you’ve done this before, it must feel easier.

And in some ways, it does.

But your heart is learning something completely new.

You’re no longer becoming a mother—you’re learning how to mother two little people who both need you in different ways.

You may grieve the one-on-one time you had with your firstborn while falling deeply in love with your new baby. You may wonder if you’re giving enough to either child. If this is where you are, please know you’re not alone.

One of the things I shared with her yesterday was this:

You don’t have to split your love in half. Your heart grows to hold them both.

Learning how to share your time, your energy, and yourself simply takes time.

Be gentle with yourself.
Lower the expectations.
Accept the help.
Rest when you can.
Let others care for you, too.

You’re learning a new version of motherhood, and you deserve compassion, encouragement, and a village beside you.

Moments like this remind me why postpartum support matters so much.
Sometimes a mother doesn’t need more advice. She simply needs someone to sit beside her, listen, reassure her, and remind her that she’s doing far better than she believes.

With love,
Shannon ❤️

06/07/2026

Hello… or hello again.

If you’re new here, welcome. I’m so glad you’ve found your way to this little corner of the internet.

I’m Shannon, the face behind Scotland Birth & Baby and a Keeper of Sacred Birth.

I support families through one of life’s biggest transitions—pregnancy, birth, and those precious (and sometimes overwhelming) early days with a new baby.

I believe birth isn’t something to fear—it’s something to prepare for. My role is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in making the choices that feel right for you and your family.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby, growing your family, or simply looking for trusted guidance, you’re welcome here.

When I’m not talking all things birth and babies, you’ll usually find me with a cuppa in hand, exploring Scotland’s beautiful landscapes, or continuing to learn so I can offer the very best support to the families I work with.

Over the coming weeks, I’m making it a priority to show up here more—to share evidence-based information, honest conversations about birth and postpartum, behind-the-scenes moments, and the heart behind Scotland Birth & Baby. I’ll also be sharing more about the services I offer and how I can support you on your journey into parenthood.

I’d love to get to know you too. Tell me in the comments… Are you pregnant? Postpartum? Planning for the future? Or simply here because you’re passionate about birth and babies?

Thank you for being here. Your support means more than you know, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

With love,

Shannon ❤️

29/03/2026

This afternoon was spent making loads of bone broth for my family and to use to make meals for a sweet days postpartum family.

After birth, your body deserves deep nourishment—and one of the simplest, most powerful ways to support recovery is bone broth.

Here’s why it’s a postpartum superfood:

-Rich in collagen: Supports tissue healing (especially after tearing or C-section) and helps restore skin elasticity.
-Deeply hydrating: Replenishes fluids lost during the birth and supports breastmilk production.
-Packed with minerals: Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus help rebuild strength and reduce fatigue.
-Gut-healing goodness: Gentle on digestion while helping restore your gut after pregnancy and birth.
-Supports hormone balance & recovery:
Provides amino acids like glycine that promote better sleep and overall healing.

Whether homemade or high-quality shop-bought, a warm cup of broth can be a daily act of care in your postpartum journey, as you deserve to be nourished too.

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to every mother, mother-to-be, and the mothers who carry their babies in their hearts.

At Scotland Birth and Baby, I have the sacred honour of witnessing the strength, courage, and deep love that is born alongside every baby. Birth is more than a moment—it is a transformation, where a woman becomes a mother in the most powerful and beautiful way.

Today we celebrate the mothers who are nurturing new life, the experienced mothers guiding their families with wisdom, and the women who are preparing to welcome their babies into the world.

Your bodies are powerful.
Your intuition is sacred.
Your love is limitless.

May you feel supported, honoured, and deeply appreciated today and every day.

With love,
Shannon Stellhorn🩷
Keeper of a Sacred Birth
Scotland Birth and Baby