Certain of my desire to have an unmedicated birth, I knew my husband and I would need a doula. Within 10 minutes of meeting Sara, my husband said to her, "there's not a doubt in my mind that we need you!" And he was right. During the pregnancy, Sara offered a great deal of childbirth education and insight into what we could expect during labor and delivery. Apart from the "technical" side of her doula services, Sara became a very close member of our birthing team. With each prenatal visit, we felt we were cultivating a friendship in addition to a professional relationship. During the time we were laboring at home, Sara was in constant contact, offering advice and reassurance. Ready to come to our home, we detoured her to the hospital when labor progressed much more quickly than we planned. Sara met us there with a calm excitement and immediately set about creating an intimate environment - no small feat in a hospital! Throughout my pregnancy, our son was posterior and we had discussed with Sara ways to get him to turn. He was still transverse when I was complete so Sara put her coaching hat on and suggested various positions to try to get him to turn. Although it was the most excruciating part of my labor experience, Sara was encouraging and reassuring and within several minutes he'd turned into the proper position. Sara's knowledge about his positioning helped me turn our son and, in my OB's opinion, kept me from having a c-section. Our son's birth is the most amazing day we've ever experienced and I feel grateful to have had Sara with us. She is truly a gift.
-Lisa and Jason Gray
Our birth doula, Sara, was a lovely, calming force, and an important part of our team. I credit the synergy of my husband, Sara, and our midwife with giving me the courage to have an unmedicated labor and birth. They all seemed to know when to step in, and when to step back. The birth of our sweet baby was such an important day to us. Sara's support and attention helped us stay focused, and made us feel that this was an important day to her as well. We also were fortunate enough to have Sara's help for a few weeks postpartum. She was so very kind to me when I was struggling with breastfeeding. Her advice and support was invaluable. She also was more helpful that I realized at the time, fixing meals, running a few loads of laundry - things that wouldn't have happened at all if she weren't there. I thought I would be able to "do it all", but not only was I wrong about that, I didn't WANT to have to do it all. I felt like I had a wonderful friend helping me at a time when I really needed some help. Thank you Sara!!
- Tracy and Tom Haines (two births with Sara: 2009 & 2011)
Sara came highly recommended to my husband and I, as we were interested in working with a seasoned and personable doula in preparation for the birth of our first child. Our experience with Sara was nothing short of tremendous! The convenience of her coming to our home for several sessions during the pregnancy was extremely helpful, especially toward the end of the pregnancy when it became difficult to travel. The information she provided during the sessions both orally and in numerous on point articles helped make the experience not scary but highly anticipated as we felt prepared. Even when Sara was given short notice that a labor induction looked to be imminent based upon high blood pressure, which greatly scared us, she researched the issue and thoroughly and tirelessly elaborated upon our options. Sara provided us with necessary and desired knowledge, which culminated in the birth of our beautiful baby girl. Sara was, without a doubt, influential in a wonderful and especially emotional time in our lives, which is one that we will never forget and always treasure!
- Adele and Andrew Neiburg
We are thrilled to recommend Sara for anyone seeking an informed pregnancy and amazing delivery experience. While our baby gestated, she was instrumental in our labor and delivery education and was quick with answers for any questions we had. As I labored, she was a calming presence – making sure my husband and I had all the tools we needed to bring our baby into the world. Sara was right by our side the whole fantastic journey – supporting us, reassuring us and even going to bat for us (I found out later she had the nurses pulling rules and regulations to allow me back in the tub to labor after my water broke!). If we are so blessed with a sibling for our daughter, we hope Sara will be with us again for the next baby’s birth. Thank you Sara.
-Stephanie and Brendan Paget
When I was looking for a doula I came across Sara's website and just enjoyed the vibes and easy tones while reading and looking through her photo album. Once we had a meet and greet at our house I really enjoyed the relationship that my husband, Danny had and felt they both had a great connection. Both Sara and Danny are the "chill" ones while I’m the one with anxiety and stress (I guess that's the mother-to-be role!). We really enjoyed Sara sharing all her information and pulling for questions and me feeling open to asking anything...SHE KNEW ALL THE ANSWERS! So much relief and Sara also gave us books to read that she felt were helpful to have a successful mind and body for a natural birth. When the big day came I was 41+5 days preggers and ready to have this baby!! When Sara came over it was later in the night and I was having high peaks of uncomfortable moments ie, not moving out of the polar bear position on my bed! And of all the things, she wanted me to move around and get off my bed (my comfort spot that felt like my made nest). How dare she!!! But she insisted with her soft voice but stern undertone and reluctantly I followed to the bathroom where we sat together and took each other in arms and hugged out several more contractions. This is a moment I will not forget. Several hours had passed and we all decided it was time to go to the hospital to deliver our baby! Once we set up shop in our delivery room, Sara confidently took charge (in a quite manner) and rubbed my back and asked me simple questions. She made sure that everyone knew that I wanted to use the tub and my request was answered. The best thing was that no one told me I should do this or lay down like this or breathe like that. My labor was what I made of it and was naturally planned without interruptions. I was only supported in what I wanted. Within several hours we delivered our little baby girl and I was on my hands and knees and pulled her up to my chest immediately and can't express in words the wondrous feeling of holding our child! Our experience was more than a positive moment in or life and we couldn't have had the confidence and trust without our doula, Sara! Thank you Sara for all your care, friendship and love for a happy, healthy mommy and baby! We can't express our joy enough and you will always be with us and our growing family to come.
- Kat & Danny Ponder
Sara was an amazing doula for us during the birth of our second child. Before our daughter was born, Sara was easily accessible to answer any questions I had. When labor began, she came right over to help us labor at home as long as possible. She was an amazingly calm yet controlling force. She also called the hospital to find out what nurses were working and what rooms were available. Because of that, we got into one of the few rooms at St. Mary's that had a tub. Once at the hospital, she continued to give my husband and I simple ways to ease the discomfort of labor. As soon as I was in transition, she used essential oils and massage to make the pain more bearable. Again, her calm voice and assurance made the process so much better. Sara was an amazing doula and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to experience a loving and nurturing natural delivery
- Rachel and Jack Pustilnik
Sara is a demonstrated professional who has a significant level of expertise in matters related to pregnancy and childbirth. Her presence at the birth of our son gave my husband and I a greater level of assurance, and provided us with a sense of peace, knowing that we had someone on site who was an advocate for our childbirth needs. Sara was a great help throughout the delivery process and provided our family with the knowledge and tools we needed to have the childbirth experience we wanted. From start to finish, Sara answered our every question and worked to ensure the best birth environment for our family.
- Michele & Jeremy Satterlund
From the moment that I met Sara, I knew that she would be a great doula for us. I felt that this was someone who was really interested in and available for her clients. My gut told me that she would be very in tune with the families she worked with, and my gut was right. From the prenatal visits through the birth of our beautiful baby, Sara helped my husband and me bring our baby into this world in a calm and confident manner. With a balance of research, reassurance, and humor, we dealt with unexpected (and at times, frightening) news regarding the health of our baby. All throughout the uncertainty of the pregnancy and delivery, Sara was a great support, knowing when to intervene and knowing when to step back and allow my husband and me to proceed as a couple. When our baby needed to be born via C-section, we immediately felt at peace with this unexpected but necessary surgery. We were confident that Sara and our midwife had exhausted all options of a natural birth, and we were grateful to be surrounded by the knowledge, experience, and comfort that they could provide. This confidence and security continued as Sara visited us during the postpartum period. To this day, we know that we feel more secure as parents since we were well prepared. Sara played a great role in helping our family start off on the right track and we look forward to working with her again if our son has a sibling.
- Audrey Short & Jason James
It is difficult to find the exact words to describe how integral Sara was to our birth. The time she spent with us and the information that she shared with Tim and I during our prenatal visits was so helpful as we worked out our final questions and fears, not only about labor and birth, but about parenting as well. With Sara's help I was able to learn how to fully trust in my body and in the birth process itself. Her guidance enabled my husband to feel more comfortable during each stage of labor and helped him to more fully support me. One of our goals was to labor at home as long as possible. Sara met us at our house when active labor had begun and she helped me to work through contractions, recommended different positions, massaged my feet and helped us decide when to leave for the hospital. I was already 10 cm dilated when we got there! Sara helped carry the relaxed atmosphere that we had created at home to the hospital. Her constant presence helped us to feel safe and stay focused and confident. Because of Sara, my labor was a beautiful and empowering experience. Neither of us, but especially Tim would ever want to have a birth without her there! Having my daughter's entrance to the world surrounded in such love and support not only made our birth experience better, but helped us to have confidence in our abilities as parents as well. Sara's support lasted through the postpartum period, where she then helped us when we had difficulties with breastfeeding. Her encouragement kept me from giving up and we are still a happily nursing pair 15 months later! Sara's help was simply indispensable as we transitioned into parents.
- Candace and Tim Stafford (two births with Sara: 2008 & 2011)
When I count my blessings, Sara is up there in the top 10. Sara (nicknamed “the baby lady” by me and my children) was recommended to me early in my 3rd pregnancy. I was going to be a single mom and while I had already given birth twice (1st time a C-Section and 2nd time a VBAC), I knew I needed some support – both in the delivery room and occasionally along the way. I met Sara and immediately felt comfortable. She took the time to listen to my story, hear out my wishes and concerns and had an uncanny way of reading between the lines. She shared her ideas and thoughts in a way that was completely non-judgmental and she even took the time to do research on areas that she wasn’t familiar with. Throughout my pregnancy Sara met with me as often as I needed and even accompanied me to doctors visits. She came to my house when I went into labor, drove me to the hospital and stayed right by my side until my child was born, which was truly a sacrifice as she was pregnant herself and she was likely almost as exhausted as I. Sara offered me guidance, companionship and support at a time when I needed it most. While I realize I hired her to do a job, I feel like she became almost a sister to me during that time. I am very thankful for Sara as she gave me the strength I needed to enjoy my pregnancy and bring my child into the world.
- Catherine Temple
