A Time to be Born

Shelley C. Snyder, CD, CBE, AAHCC
Bradley Method® Instructor · Doula

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven, a time to be born..."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a
Click here for my current Bradley Method® Class Schedule

I am now working at the Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial, check out ECHN's FBC Facebook page to learn all about me!

About Me

It is my pleasure and privilege as a Childbirth Instructor and Doula to educate, equip, encourage, and empower couples to achieve their best birth experiences.

I have been working with women and families for over two decades. I am a certified Bradley Method® Natural Childbirth Instructor through the American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth (2007) and a certified Birth and Postpartum Doula (2004). Also, I am an aspiring Birth Photographer when opportunities arise. I have supported over 100 births in 7 states, in hospitals, at home, and birth centers. I have taught hundreds of students across the country.

I am a West Coast girl, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies, Psychology & Communications (2001). My social work career began in Florida in adoptions as a birth parent counselor, then as a family caseworker for the hospital’s developmental center. Here, I completed my Doula certification. Then our three children were “Bradley borned," and I was pregnant and/or nursing for the next eight years! Our firstborn (3/06) at the Toledo, Ohio Hospital and our second via water birth (10/07) and third (6/10) born at home in Michigan with a CNM. In the Midwest is where I trained to become a Bradley teacher and birthed A Time to be Born, LLC (2009). From 2010-2018, we lived in Pennsylvania, where my birth work grew and flourished serving the greater Philly area and marks the place we lost by miscarriage our fourth child (4/15). In 2019, we relocated to Connecticut where my husband of twenty-three years and the love of my life Will and I live with our three teenagers. Our oldest Nat is a junior at UConn, Aliv is dual enrolled at CT State Community College Manchester and a senior with Classical Conversations, a Classical Christian Community of homeschooling families, and Pierce is at Rockville High School. I joined ECHN's perinatal staff at Manchester Memorial Hospital (2023) and I am a certified A.C.E. Group Fitness Instructor (2024) and the hospital's teacher for Fit for Delivery and Fit after Delivery exercise classes.

My Services

Services and Fees Document ➱

Bradley Method® Natural Childbirth Classes ($100-$375)

ECHN Bradley Method® Childbirth Classes ($325, includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center)

Norah's Handcrafted Uganda Africa wooden jewelry and woven baskets

Labour Doula Services ($1000-$2100)

Various custom packages available

Birth Photography Services ($525-$1500)

Fit For Delivery exercise class, 4 week series Saturdays 11:30-12:30 at Manchester Memorial Hospital

I accept credit cards, Square, and Venmo, HSA/FSA

Class Schedule

The Bradley Method® at The Family Birthing Center

at Manchester Memorial Hospital, 6-8:30pm

Every other Tuesday August 5, 19, September 2, 16, 30, Friday October 10 (6 classes)

Every Tuesday October 14 - December 2 (8 classes)

Register Here

The Bradley Method® Group/Private in-home (Vernon, CT)

Tuesdays 6-8pm

May 27, June 3, 17, July 15, 29 (5 classes)

*note: in-home class dates are subject to change

LABOUR DAY Picnic Potluck for Southern New England Bradley Birth and Doula Families Sept. 1st Monday 1-4pm in Vernon, CT

Fit for Delivery Exercise at Manchester Hospital

See upcoming sessions in 2025

We are excited to launch a new prenatal exercise class designed for expectant mothers. Taught by Shelley Snyder, an A.C.E. Certified Group Fitness Instructor, experienced Childbirth Educator, and active Birth and Postpartum Doula.

Benefits of exercise during pregnancy include:

  • Relief of daily stress and tension
  • Increased strength, stamina and energy
  • Relief of common pregnancy discomforts
  • Less pregnancy-related back pain and improved posture
  • Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
  • Increased odds of a natural birth
  • Decreased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean surgery
  • Faster postpartum recovery
  • Helps baby weight loss
  • Improves overall fitness and strengthens heart and blood vessels

No exercise experience is necessary. Exercised can be modified based on individual needs.

Medical clearance is required so ask your Doctor or Midwife to write a note saying it's OK to exercise and bring it with you to the first class. We are sorry but without a note, you will not be allowed to participate.

Register here

Fit After Delivery exercise class

See upcoming sessions in 2025

A postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength. Individual attention is offered to help participants achieve their goals based on their own birth recovery experience. Babies from 6 weeks to 6 months are welcome and included in class as appropriate. Enjoy the added benefit of meeting other moms and receiving parenting support too! Taught by an A.C.E. Certified Group Fitness Instructor and experienced Childbirth Educator and Birth Doula.

No exercise experience is necessary. Exercises can be modified based on individual needs.

Register here

What people are saying!

Shelley made such a positive impact on my pregnancy and delivery. As our Doula, she was an amazing resource, kind, and always made me feel comfortable, supported, and empowered.
 — First time mom & elementary teacher Alyssa

Shelley is truly the best. She has such a warm, uplifting, and calm way about her that was reassuring to me. I am incredibly grateful that she was our Bradley teacher. Her course was truly invaluable. It was very comprehensive and gave me all the tools I needed to have a healthy pregnancy and unmedicated birth. She went into depth about many different topics that prepared us for important decisions throughout pregnancy and during birth. Her knowledge about all things pregnancy, birth, and babies was a gift! She made the course fun and engaging. My husband and I enjoyed going each week. I felt that Shelley really cared about each one of her students. She created a connection with us and I honestly felt lucky to have her guidance throughout the pregnancy. Having her by our side during this life changing time made the whole experience even more memorable. I recommend every parent take the Bradley course with Shelley for the best possible pregnancy and birth!
 — First time mom Carolyn, Bradley Students at ECHN

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Get in Touch!

I am currently offering childbirth classes in Vernon, CT, and Manchester, CT

(407) 341-0624 shelley@atimetobeborn.org

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