Meet Sarah
Owner, Coastal Cradle Doula Care
Hello! I'm Sarah, a wife, mother, and a certified birth doula living in Gloucester County, Virginia. I'm deeply passionate about holistic health, natural alternatives, and supporting families as they journey through the transformative events of pregnancy and childbirth.
When my husband and I, after many years of trying to grow our family and experiencing early losses, found ourselves expecting in May of 2020, we were ecstatic — unfortunately, we also found ourselves in the beginnings of a difficult year of COVID lockdowns and uncertainties. I had always been inclined to have an unmedicated birth experience, but with the increasingly probable prospect of giving birth in a hospital in the middle of a pandemic, he and I decided to plan for a home birth.
I prepared for childbirth as though I was planning to scale Mt. Everest. I devoured every book I could about what to expect during labor and delivery (particularly Ina May's "Spiritual Childbirth" and Grantly Dick-Read's "Childbirth Without Fear"), listened to numerous first-person accounts, and followed all of the tips for physical and emotional comfort as I approached the big day. When my labor spontaneously began at home one Friday night, it hit fast and hard — my midwife only made it in time for the birth by a few minutes!
Ultimately, had I not prepared myself for what to expect physically and mentally, and discussed with my husband how to best help me during labor, I believe my birthing experience would have been very different from how it turned out. Rather than feeling fearful or anxious (being essentially alone during my labor while my husband made phone calls to the midwife, heated water for my birthing pool, and made the environment calm and comfortable), I focused on recalling the stories of women who had perfectly described the sensations and physical changes I was then experiencing. I found comfort in the breathing techniques and reminders to submit to the ebbs and flows of intensity that I had read and heard about, and I found strength recalling that I was in the company of billions of women over thousands of years who had not just lived through childbirth, but felt positively transformed by it.
While this is not the birthing experience for all women, I believe it can and should be. I became a birth doula to help all women and their families feel safe, prepared, and confident (maybe even downright excited!) to give birth. Whether you want your experience to be in a hospital with pain management medication, or unmedicated at home or at a birth center, you are entitled to informed consent, respect for your decisions, and personalized attention and care, and I would be honored to be the birth doula that advocates for and supports you to achieve the peaceful, empowered birth experience that all women deserve.
When my husband and I, after many years of trying to grow our family and experiencing early losses, found ourselves expecting in May of 2020, we were ecstatic — unfortunately, we also found ourselves in the beginnings of a difficult year of COVID lockdowns and uncertainties. I had always been inclined to have an unmedicated birth experience, but with the increasingly probable prospect of giving birth in a hospital in the middle of a pandemic, he and I decided to plan for a home birth.
I prepared for childbirth as though I was planning to scale Mt. Everest. I devoured every book I could about what to expect during labor and delivery (particularly Ina May's "Spiritual Childbirth" and Grantly Dick-Read's "Childbirth Without Fear"), listened to numerous first-person accounts, and followed all of the tips for physical and emotional comfort as I approached the big day. When my labor spontaneously began at home one Friday night, it hit fast and hard — my midwife only made it in time for the birth by a few minutes!
Ultimately, had I not prepared myself for what to expect physically and mentally, and discussed with my husband how to best help me during labor, I believe my birthing experience would have been very different from how it turned out. Rather than feeling fearful or anxious (being essentially alone during my labor while my husband made phone calls to the midwife, heated water for my birthing pool, and made the environment calm and comfortable), I focused on recalling the stories of women who had perfectly described the sensations and physical changes I was then experiencing. I found comfort in the breathing techniques and reminders to submit to the ebbs and flows of intensity that I had read and heard about, and I found strength recalling that I was in the company of billions of women over thousands of years who had not just lived through childbirth, but felt positively transformed by it.
While this is not the birthing experience for all women, I believe it can and should be. I became a birth doula to help all women and their families feel safe, prepared, and confident (maybe even downright excited!) to give birth. Whether you want your experience to be in a hospital with pain management medication, or unmedicated at home or at a birth center, you are entitled to informed consent, respect for your decisions, and personalized attention and care, and I would be honored to be the birth doula that advocates for and supports you to achieve the peaceful, empowered birth experience that all women deserve.
Ready to Dive In?
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Every birth journey is sacred and unique, and I’m here to support yours with gentle care, judgement-free support, and a passion for contributing to positive birth experiences.
Whether you’re looking for guidance, emotional support, or just a listening ear, I’d love to connect and explore how Coastal Cradle Doula Care can nurture and empower you and your growing family. Reach out today for a free consultation – I look forward to being part of this beautiful journey with you. |