About Sarah
My Birth Philosophy:
I have complete faith in women's bodies and their ability to welcome babies into the world peacefully, without unnecessary interventions. Birth can be empowering, life altering, and an experience to treasure. It is my hope that all women feel loved, supported, and respected during their pregnancy and birth. Women deserve to enter motherhood and babies deserve to enter the world peacefully.
Why did I decide to become a doula?
I decided to become a doula about a year before I became pregnant with my second child.
While working on my degree in Women's Studies at Cal State Long Beach and still processing my first birth, which had occurred more than 2 years before,
I came across the idea of women supporting women during childbirth. I had had a "healthy and happy baby" but still felt so disappointed in my actual
birth experience. I realized that even though I had several family members present to support me through labor and birth, I felt completely alone.
I later figured out I was missing the support of a doula. I began to look further into the midwifery model of care and the use of doulas during labor.
I spent my entire second pregnancy researching, reading, asking questions and finding a midwife and birth center that made me feel comfortable.
During my labor and while giving birth I felt not only cared for, but also cared about. I felt loved and respected by my birth partner and the
women (my midwife and her assistant) in the room.
My peaceful birth experience was the final push I needed to answer my calling and I started on my official journey towards becoming a doula. I completed my training through DONA International in July 2009 and have been attending births since. Women should never feel alone during one of the most amazing, transformational days in their lives. I am continuously honored to share in the momentous occasion of welcoming new life.
Personal life
I absolutely adore my two boys. When I am not attending births or reading and researching about childbirth and breastfeeding topics I can be found with my family. I volunteer at my sons' schools on a regular basis and wholeheartedly believe in being involved in their education. Both of my sons are incredibly active and we can often be found at the park, baseball field and most importantly playing hockey at the ice rink. I am also extremely passionate about issues pertaining to women's health, safety and equality. In the past I have volunteered as a Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor. I am also a regular presenter at a local high school for their annual Women's Empowerment Day conference.
Qualifications/Training/Certifications
- Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Women's Studies from California State University, Long Beach
- DONA International trained Doula
- Experience with Hypnobabies and Hypnobirthing
- Experience with home birth, birth center birth, and hospital birth
- Experience with medicated, water, and natural birth