Sara Krivanec

I made the decision to go with a doula late in my pregnancy. Having previously had multiple abdominal surgeries, including a cesarean, I decided to do everything possible to prevent another one. That’s where Sara came in. Sara provided me with resources and positivity right away. She was very supportive of my wish to have a VBAC, and she never once doubted my ability to do so. Little did I know that I would be diagnosed with severe preeclampsia at 35wks, shortly after meeting Sara in person. It became clear that I needed to deliver right away. I was given the choice to either have a repeat cesarean or be induced for a VBAC. Sara provided me with helpful information so that I was able to make informed choices. I decided to go for the VBAC, and Sara was there to support me every step of the way. Despite requiring many medical interventions, I view my daughter’s birth as a positive experience. I know that a big part of that is because I had Sara’s expertise and steady reassurance. Not only did she help us with labor and delivery, but she also provided postpartum and lactation support in the NICU and at home. I couldn’t have asked for a better doula. Our family is very grateful to have had Sara on our team.

- Stephanie

I had an amazing experience with Sara. As a second time mom that struggled with breastfeeding her first child due to oral ties, it was very important that I had a doula who could help me with lactation once baby arrived. Sara was phenomenal in labor, she went with the flow and was able to identify what my husband and I's needs were in the moment, and helped create a safe and welcoming environment for me to have my baby. Once my son was born, she and Hinde Haa (Center for Speech and Swallowing) helped me successfully exclusively breastfeed my son by supporting me and my son before and after his oral ties were released. I could not have asked for a better doula. I felt seen and heard during my pregnancy and in labor and got the postpartum lactation support that I had always wanted. Thank you Sara!!!

- Helen Kobayashi

A dream doula and a VBAC come true! Thank you, Sara! Working with Sara was one of the best decisions I made on my journey to a successful VBAC, five years after an unplanned cesarean. From the very first time we connected, I felt a deep sense of calm and reassurance like I was finally speaking to someone who truly got it. Her warmth, empathy, and confidence immediately made me feel like a VBAC was possible. Knowing that Sara had experienced her own VBAC made her support even more powerful because she had lived it. That lived experience, combined with her expertise in VBACs, all things birth and breastfeeding, made her an amazing guide and partner through every step of the journey. Sara was always available to answer questions, calm fears, and offer evidence-based information in a way that was both empowering and easy to understand. She helped me and my husband feel prepared for every possibility, which turned out to be key, because when things took unexpected turns during labor we were ready, because Sara had made sure we had talked through everything beforehand. Sara’s presence during labor was steady, comforting, and empowering. She supported me physically, emotionally, and mentally—and she was just as incredible with my husband, helping him stay grounded and involved. I would recommend Sara a million times over. She’s not just an amazing doula, she’s a calming force, an advocate, and a truly beautiful human being. I will forever be grateful for the role she played in helping me achieve the healing VBAC I had hoped for.

- Mary Scrogum

For my first pregnancy, I worked with a doula pair but when my labor went long (as they often do with first time moms) my doula had to swap out in the middle and I felt really disappointed and unstable with that shift. I found Sara for my second pregnancy and immediately knew I was in great hands. From when I first met Sara, she was super attentive, reassuring, and validating. I shared with her my disappointment about having to move from the birth center to the hospital for my first birth and she was so comforting and reassuring about how different each birth can be. She kept me grounded when I had my end-of-pregnancy anxieties about when my baby would come, and we laughed together the next morning when my water broke. Through labor I knew I could fully trust her as she guided me through movements and positions that would help bring my baby down and also get some rest. She helped my partner in finding different ways to support me, and also distracted me with little chats between surges. Ultimately, I had the birth experience I’d always pictured and felt a special kind of healing in bringing my second baby into the world! I definitely wouldn’t have had that experience without Sara by my side.

- Eugenia Lantz

Sara was amazing! I highly recommend every mom have a doula at their side. Having Sara on our team allowed my husband to truly be in the moment with me. Sara was very supportive both in and out of the delivery room. I know my labor and delivery would have been more stressful had she not been there. If you are thinking about having a doula a part of your support system, do it!

- Angel Wright

Where do I even begin? Sara is nothing short of amazing. I was blessed to connect with her through my best friend, for the birth of my second child. Her kind and sincere disposition, her calming presence, and constant encouragement truly is phenomenal. Her expertise is unmatched, which I truly witnessed throughout my labor process, with the positioning of my child. She knew exactly what to do to aid in getting my baby into a better position. She has provided such encouragement to me throughout my journey, as well as supported my husband too. I cannot thank you enough Sara, as it was a true blessing to have you as my Doula during the birth of my daughter. What you do truly makes a difference, and it is evident that you were called to help mothers bring their babies into this world! I greatly appreciate you and hope you know that you are a true treasure!

- Lauren Ingle

Sara was the perfect guide for our first birth. During the sometimes chaotic time of labor, Sara held the room together. She made us feel heard and safe, even advocating for us when our midwife birth veered into OB territory. Our family highly recommends Sara!

- Eva

I had a less than ideal birthing experience during the thick of COVID, during which I was grasping for any sense of control. I knew I wanted to go a different route when I learned I was pregnant with my son. These things, combined with the perspective of being a Labor & Delivery nurse and seeing firsthand the value a doula can add to the labor and birth experience, led me to Sara. We were so fortunate to have Sara as part of our support team during this pregnancy and labor. From reassuring check ins, to hands on techniques she was there each step of the way for both me and my husband. Sara’s calm energy & unwavering support allowed me to feel comfortable in the unknown. I was able to relax and allow labor to progress knowing that Sara was there to support my choices & reiterate my birth preferences. She was available by phone as my labor began, and met me at the entrance to the hospital when we decided it was time to go in. Sara guided me through what wound up being the most beautiful labor & birth. I had the redemptive birth I dreamed of and I can never thank her enough for her support throughout. She will forever be an incredibly special person to us.

- Patty Keneagy

As an experienced Labor & Delivery nurse and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, I went into my first pregnancy and birth 3 years ago thinking I couldn't possibly need a doula. At the time, I had already been a part of hundreds of births myself and didn't think there was anything I wouldn't be prepared for. In hindsight, I couldn't have been more wrong. After a long, 40 hour induction and difficult postpartum journey with breastfeeding and postpartum anxiety, I knew as soon as my husband and I found out we were pregnant for the second time, that using a doula was a must this time around. I knew Sara professionally from working side by side together in several births, so I was incredibly lucky to already know first-hand the experience, support, and beauty that Sara could bring to a birth. Her extensive training, especially as a Certified Lactation Counselor, was also particularly important. For me, choosing her as a doula was the easiest decision throughout all of my pregnancy, and after our initial "official" meet and greet appointment, my husband was also completely on board. From the moment we signed our contract with her, I felt like Sara was there to support us every single step of the way. From frequent check ins, scheduled classes and meetings, and all the education provided, I felt so much peace and support leading up to what I was preparing to be an unmedicated birth and what I hoped would be a very different postpartum experience. On March 13, 2024, our second daughter entered the world following a labor and birth I had been dreaming of, and I simply couldn't have done it without Sara. She believed in me every step of the way, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

- Jennifer Galvis

Where do I even begin? I envisioned the day my baby would enter this world vaginally ever since I found out I’d need a c-section with my first baby. And then after a TOLAC that ended in a repeat c-section with my second, I was so fearful of never getting my vaginal birth. Insert Sara. She was so attentive when listening to my fears and desires, so knowledgeable throughout pregnancy and labor, and so reassuring about my body’s ability to do THIS. She was an advocate, a reassuring force and a friend through it all. After 26 hours of labor, I pushed my baby out. And I know that wouldn’t haven’t happened without the outstanding team I had by my side, of which Sara was a key player. You deserve the birth you’ve envisioned in your head — get one step closer with Sara on your birth team.

- Kelsey S

Pregnancy, labor and the birth of our little guy was everything I could have asked for! I had been planning for a VBAC and there is just so much comfort in having a doula that has achieved VBACs herself and helped many other women achieve them as well! Sara was always so responsive and provided so many great recommendations throughout my pregnancy and towards the end to help get baby in a good position and prepare my body for labor. My water broke at 39 weeks on a Thursday night and Sara was so helpful in calming my anxiety (I was most definitely not expecting my water to break before labor started), and assured us that everything was normal and we were okay to just go to bed and labor throughout the night at home. She helped us figure out the best time to head to the hospital that next morning, and comforted me the entire walk into the hospital as I needed to stop for contractions multiple times. Sara constantly made sure I was hydrated and provided cold rags for my head, so my husband could sit and comfort me while I labored in the tub. When my anxiety and doubt started to kick in she reassured me that everything was going exactly as it should and that I was getting so close to pushing! I absolutely love all of the pictures that Sara captured throughout my labor of me and my husband, and the pictures she got of my son coming out. I will forever cherish those pictures. Her support continued on throughout the postpartum period, and even checked up on us in our home being over an hour away her. I am so thankful I found Sara and truly don’t think I would have had this great of a labor or birth without her and the midwife.

- Lauren Davis

Sara was a true light during my pregnancy. What started off as a rocky path for me with a doctor I didn't trust, Sara was who I turned to and she really changed the game for me from 10 weeks pregnant. After our first conversation (and me crying three different times during our chat because she was so sweet) I hired her right away. I knew I wanted her to be part of my team and along for the ride. She was so supportive all throughout my pregnancy and after. Having her there through the birth of my first baby was so special and comforting. My husband and I learned so much from her throughout the pregnancy and we were so thankful to have her there in the hospital with us for the craziest, best day of our lives. Her postpartum visits were really amazing as well. Just to have someone that cares about you and your baby to come check on you and make sure everything's going well was such a good feeling. We loved Sara and would recommend her to anyone needing an extra loving set of hands, eyes, ears and heart!!

- Kate

I cannot recommend Sara highly enough. I already knew her from her work as a lactation counselor with my first child, so when my planned doula had a family emergency the day before my due date and Sara was her backup, I knew I was in good hands. As my due date came and went, Sara was with me every step of the way to help navigate the mental challenge of being overdue as well as managing pressure from my OB to schedule an induction. When I finally went into labor and it became clear that I was facing (my second) labor with an OP baby, Sara calmly and compassionately guided me through the long, agonizing hours of laboring at home. When the time was right, Sara came to my house and helped me and my husband do some really heavy labor at home and then make the decision to go to the hospital. Once at the hospital she worked hand-in-glove with the hospitalist midwife to support me through an unmedicated birth of my 9.5lb baby. Her job didn't end there, though - she made sure I was comfortable in the golden hour and made sure my baby had a good latch. She talked to the nurses to get me a special, life-affirming drink at the late hour in the hospital and made sure we had food coming our way before we went up to our room. Sara's support has continued postpartum, and I am so glad that she will forever be my baby's doula.

- Maggie

When we found out we were expecting for the first time, my husband and I wanted to get a doula because we had no idea what to expect from birth and labor. I am so glad we did! Sara provided information, classes, and book recommendations which made us feel informed and able to decide about the birth. With her guidance, I went from being scared about the birth process to feeling empowered. I planned to have an unmedicated hospital birth with the help of the birthing tub; however, our baby had other plans and ended up having a c-section nine days early. Even though my birth did not go the way I had planned, I felt empowered to make the best decision for our family. On short notice, Sara could join us at the hospital and prep us for what would happen. Both my husband and I felt more confident and calmer with Sara there. Sara has such a loving, gentle energy, but she can also get sh*t done, like when the doctors did not do skin-to-skin immediately after the birth. Sara stepped in and got that baby to my chest. It was what we needed at that moment. After the birth, she visited us in the hospital and at home and checked in with us multiple times by text. I felt like Sara was looking out for my baby and my emotional and physical health for weeks after the birth. If you, too, have no idea about this 'birthing thing,' I highly recommend hiring Sara. She will walk with you through this experience, supporting you every step of the way.

- Ashley

My first birth with my son was traumatic, so with my second pregnancy, I knew I wanted to do things completely differently, which included having a supportive birth team and a doula I could trust and who would advocate for me. I interviewed Sara first and immediately knew she was who I was looking for. Her calm demeanor and confidence that came from her wealth of knowledge and years of experience set me at ease instantly. The comfort and evidence-based support she provided was the perfect combination. I started working with Sara early in my pregnancy and whereas I previously thought the function of a doula was centered only around labor and birth, Sara and MyBirth provided so many helpful suggestions, anecdotes, and resources leading up to the birth and weeks after, from readings, to prenatal yoga and birth preparation classes, my favorite being birth story night. Since my first birth was an induction, I wanted to experience going into labor on my own the second time. When I went a week past my due date and had to schedule an induction, Sara reminded me I could still have the low-intervention and unmedicated birth I hoped for. Miraculously, the day of induction I woke up to contractions and when it was time to go to the hospital, was told I had progressed enough to labor on my own without induction! Sara arrived soon after and guided me through positions that helped me progress through each stage of labor. She created the best birthing environment, encouraging me when labor was toughest, supporting my husband in his role, and advocating for my needs until I delivered my son. From Day 1, Sara worked to fully understand my trauma and not only knew my birth preferences, but helped bring them to fruition. The triumph I felt in having a completely unmedicated birth on my own terms was partly due to the support I received from Sara. I 1000% recommend her services to anyone seeking to have a positive birth experience.

- Sarah Kerper

Selecting Sara as my Doula was a decision I'd do over and over again. She was a kind gentle presence throughout labor. She stayed close by and through out Labor and reminded me stage after stage that my body was wonderfully working the way it should to bring my baby into the world.Shw was by me or within ear shot for every surge, moan, groan and wave. Sara was reassuring mentally and physically supportive when needed. I questioned if hiring a Doula was the right choice only until labor began. Yes, the answer is YES. Get the Doula. Get Sara. You won't regret having her by your side. Not only was she supportive and educational, she served as a great photographer, capturing my birth on camera for me. Having photos and videos of my birth was important to me. Even after birth Sara continued to follow up with me also providing lactation education to help with a positive breastfeeding experience. I am so glad I chose Sara to be my Doula.

- Taira

When my wife mentioned working with a doula I was on board, but skeptical. I imagined us being constantly encouraged to have a home birth with incense burning and being told that would be the best and most pure way to experience childbirth. I was immediately relieved at the first class to find that the whole process was focused on providing information to help each couple arrive at the plan that suited them best. Everything in the spectrum was presented as an equally good option depending on the circumstances. We worked with Emily throughout the pregnancy who was an incredible resource and a calming voice during times of uncertainty. The night Rose went into labor Emily was already at a birth so Sara was called in as her backup. As first time parents I can't tell you how incredible it was to have Emily's guidance and Sara's care at our house. While at the house, Sara coached Rose through contractions and even worked on positioning which likely allowed our baby to lift out of the pelvis and reposition. Without the two of them we very well might have been at the hospital about 24 hours too soon due to irregular contractions. Instead, thanks to Sara, we arrived at the hospital at about 10:30 PM and our daughter was born just 4 hours later. As a first-time expectant father, I can't recommend Sara, Emily, and the whole group at MyBirth enough. Thank you all for the great work that you do.

- Denver and Rose

Sara was our doula for 2 births (for our 2 wild and crazy kids). I had only a loose idea of what the value of working with a doula would be when we met Sara and learned about her background and approach to the work with families. We are so affirming to anyone who asks (or will listen) of the value and, for many families, the need to have a professional Doula as part of your birth team. A shorthand description I give is that the OB or midwife of course cares about and is looking out for the health of the mother but they are primarily focused on the baby during labor. The Doula of course cares about the baby, too! But they are truly your birthing partner (for you and for your partner/spouse). I don't know what my husband would have done without having the opportunity to work with Sara through our births. He was loving and kind and attentive but naturally had so much less EXPERIENCE with births and all the different ways they can go than a Doula with hundreds of births in her time practicing. Sara was knowledgeable, offering articles to read, tips for prenatal health and birth preparation, and never preachy. Every family will choose what's right for them and Sara offers support to find that path for yourself. And during labor she (and our awesome midwives and nurses) were such steady hands guiding our process to meet our babies.

- Ruth Morrison

Never in a million years did I think my first birth could be as inspiring, heartwarming, and positive. My whole life I have had a good amount of fear surrounding child birth. I assumed I would be traumatized and would have to brute force my way through. Sara and MyBirth took all that away and then added an excitement and passion that makes me ready to do it again! Sara was always present and led with her heart, genuinely caring about Jesse and I as people. She invested in our story and goals. Communicating with her was always a breeze and could go on and on. Whenever challenges arose, she immediately inspired a sense of calm, trust and faith. Our birth ended up being a once in a lifetime experience that we feel blessed to have had. We can never thank Sara and MyBirth enough nor recommend them enough to others.

- Courtney Schibilia

Sara was always accessible for any questions I had throughout the entirety of my pregnancy (I hired her early!!)...I felt supported and gently guided and offered all kinds of resources to read through at each milestone I reached during pregnancy. If I was planning on a third baby I have no doubt I would hire Sara again! My home birth with Sara as my doula was interesting to say the least LOL...I was in prodromal labor for days same as with my first birth and I genuinely couldn't tell if I was in labor...my midwives had done 3 sweeps and on the last check I was told YEP you're in active labor as I was 8 cm! My contractions were irregular and varying in intensity so all I can say is I was glad I requested a third sweep because if I hadn't I probably wouldve ended up birthing my daughter with just my husband there! The only thing I would change if I could would be to have been able to tell if I was in active labor so I could've had my support there sooner. I had incredible doula support and only wished I had more time with her...I have no doubt that choosing Sara as a doula helped me both during pregnancy and birth but also postpartum with her knowledge and support with breastfeeding. If a third baby is meant to be in our family I will 100% hire her again.

- Maggie

Let me begin with…Sara is absolutely amazing and I would hands down have her with us again for any future pregnancies! From the get go I knew I wanted a doula by our side whenever my husband and I would be expecting a baby. I had an idea of what a doula was and what they could provide, but Sara goes above and beyond anything I could have imagined for that role. If you are on the fence about hiring a doula, let me help you make that decision easier….’Yes, Yes, Yes and it should be Sara’! Sara has a calming and empowering presence, which my husband and I instantly connected to and knew we would want there as we welcomed our baby boy into the world. She is packed full of knowledge all things baby, is kind and compassionate, and has many years of experience that are evident in her approach. Sara was exactly the person we wanted and needed for our parenthood journey. The delivery of our baby boy started off differently than what I was hoping for. We ended up going almost 2 weeks over our due date and had to move forward with an induction. This caused some anxiety because I was hoping to have a natural delivery and was nervous about what an induction would entail since I had learned that labor by an induction can sometimes be more intense and require extra interventions. But Sara was so supportive and listened to my concerns, and with her thoughtful words a lot of the anxiety and stress I was feeling disappeared. Our delivery of our baby ended up being everything I could have hoped for (natural, baby and mama healthy, involved spouse, peaceful, and minimal tearing), and a lot of that I contribute to Sara. I will always remember Sara’s role in the birth of our first child, and I am so thankful we had her by our side during our journey to parenthood!!

- Maria

One of the best pieces of advice I got when I became pregnant was, “Get a doula”. This being my first child, and me the type of person who likes to prepare as much as possible for every situation, I needed someone to help me navigate and stay sane. Sara was that person. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her. Not only did she calm my overthinking mind but she was my biggest advocate during birth. She set the stage for me to have the birth I desired and having her as a resource post birth was even more valuable. (Who knew they let you take the kid home with you?) Whether you work with Sara or any other doula - I feel it is essential for every woman to have a doula as part of their birth team for support and advocacy. I am so incredibly grateful that we could have Sara and MyBirth to educate and support us.

- Brittney

We chose Sara to be our doula for the birth of our first child; I was nervous about pregnancy and extremely nervous about childbirth, especially being a type one diabetic, which I worried would add another element of stress to my birth plan and labor experience--having an extra support person seemed like the right path for the birth of our daughter from the start. Having Sara as our doula created an empowering experience from the beginning; she encouraged us during pregnancy to attend a childbirth education class that wound up being really helpful (and explained her reasons behind wanting us to get this education ahead of time so well). She also kept in touch throughout the pregnancy with check-ins and helpful articles, including relevant information to discuss with my doctors regarding my high-risk type one pregnancy. Then, when my labor didn't go as planned--I was induced earlier than expected due to pre-eclampsia--Sara showed up right when I needed her, creating a calm environment for the early stages of labor. The wonderful thing about having a doula is they're there just for you, so while our nurses were checking on other patients, Sara was by my side, and her gentle demeanor and wealth of experience made me feel really safe and well cared for the entire time. I'll never forget hearing her voice when it came time to push, because she made me feel like I could absolutely do it. Her excellent support also extends to postpartum, and having an extra friend and team member during that huge adjustment period is invaluable. To my fellow type one diabetic moms and moms undertaking high-risk pregnancies, I would highly recommend having Sara in your corner!

- Sarah

Sara was our wonderful doula for the birth of our first child. She was super helpful answering all our questions, making sure we had the resources and education to be prepared going into the birth and for the postpartum period. We had planned to have a home birth, and labor came on very quickly. Sara was a calming presence throughout labor and delivery, validating how I was feeling, providing suggestions for labor positions and coping strategies, and helping my partner to best support me. She was amazing to have as part of our birth team, and we will 100% work with her again.

- Alyssa

Sara is calm, level-headed, nurturing, and a CLC! She made me feel at ease from our very first conversation, and I could tell she was well prepared with both educational resources and her own experiences which was important to me. Sara was there for us before, during, and after the baby was born. Due to the complex path my labor took and the length of time I spent in labor, my milk didn't come in for 5 days. This was a very difficult time for me. Sara was there for me every step of the way. She helped us with the first latch in the hospital, called us on Zoom to make sure he was still latching the next day, and came out to our house twice to check on us and do a weighted feed. Even after my milk came in, she answered questions I had about breastfeeding and pumping, and I went on to take her pumping class to help me prepare for back to work. My son's birth was at times calm and peaceful, with Sara's aromatherapy going and gentle massage, and at times I was on the edge of not being able to handle it. I gripped on to my husband, Sara, and our nurse. Sara spoke calmly to me, and what I appreciated was so much was that she was honest. I remember asking her how much longer, can I do this, is it going to be okay? I trusted her so much because she had experienced this with so many women before me. She would say "You are working hard and your body is doing so well" "You can do this" "You're safe." She made me feel safe. Looking back on my labor, I ended up with many interventions I did not know I would need. I can say without a doubt, it would have been a million times harder without Sara as my doula. I also believe that she helped me achieve a vaginal birth, and without them I would have needed to deliver my son with a cesarean birth. I know for sure we will always hire a doula for any future children's births, and we hope Sara will be available when the time comes.

- Grace

I recently worked with Sara on a virtual lactation appointment. Even though we didn't meet, our long talk was enough for her to get an idea of the challenges we were facing and provide me with resources and guidance. She was very helpful and encouraging, and continued to answer my questions even after our meeting. The nipple cream she makes and sells at MyBirth is also great!

- Evelyn

The only way I could describe how invaluable Sara's services are is to quote my husband: "If her fee were 3x as expensive for our next child, I'd still pay it!" Our first baby, Roy, was born on February 10th, 2021. I can confidently say that I feel empowered by this beautiful birth experience, despite some unexpected twists and turns, because of Sara's around-the-clock support. She was there for me before the baby was born to discuss my fears and anxieties about labor and birth, always bringing a calm, level-headed, yet informed and realistic, perspective. Once I was in labor and we went to the birth center, Sara provided lots of guidance on positions to help move my baby down and into a more ideal position. This really freed up my husband to support me emotionally, as we both trusted Sara completely to guide us through the labor. Sara communicated a calm confidence in me as I labored through moments of self-doubt, like when labor stalled, or when we thought I may need a C-section. Ultimately, our son was born healthy at the birth center at a whopping 10 lb 13 oz! Sara took beautiful photos of the labor and birth that I love looking back on. After the birth, I had to transfer to the hospital due to hemorrhage, and Sara was there with me, transforming what may have been a scary moment into one where I felt proud of what I had accomplished and completely trusting of my body. I love telling my birth story to my friends because it makes me feel powerful and strong. I am confident that Sara's presence before, during, and after our birth was instrumental in shaping the outcomes of my birth and my feelings about it afterward. TL;DR Sara is amazing at what she does. She is passionate about birth and supporting new parents. HIRE A DOULA, period, but especially hire Sara if you can! :)

- Molly

When my husband and I first started planning for the birth of our first baby, we knew we wanted a doula. We were so happy and lucky to find and work with Sara. Preparing for the birth of a child can be so overwhelming at times. I'm someone who will stress about not just doing what I feel I need to do to prepare, but stress out that I'm "behind" or "missing something important". Sara is a knowledgeable professional so I knew I was doing whatever was needed to be prepared. She provided articles to read, recommendations for labor classes, when to start what exercises and so much more. And the whole time I felt accepted for me and my decisions. I always felt encouraged to text or call her with questions or concerns including the weeks after birth. She really was our partner in everything. She was tremendous support at home during contractions and at the hospital during the birth. She knew our Midwife already I really had a cohesive support team between the two of them and my husband. I think more than anything, I'm grateful for how she was there for my husband. I had a team supporting me during birth, but it's hard for partners to see their loved ones in pain and she was his calming anchor. I also benefited a lot from her lactation consultant knowledge. I had a lot of emotional difficulties surrounding breastfeeding. She provided me reassurance, support, and resources with my physical and emotional struggles and was just as supportive when me and my husband decided to switch our son to formula after a month. No guilt, just love.

- Devon

I was definitely not sure if hiring a doula was the right decision for my husband and I, but after meeting Sara, all of the signs pointed to this being the right choice for us! Sara played such an integral part in my third trimester anxiety and was so valuable in talking me through different obstacles that came up in the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I was always surprised at how much time she invested in our conversations (many over an hour) and I never felt like I was bothering her or she needed to cut my time or feelings short. Having an experienced birth professional to counsel me meant so much, and Sara always provided actionable things to do to ensure a (hopefully) more smooth delivery. During labor she was gentle and kind and reassuring. I felt more safe with her being there and she was informative to my husband but not pushy. Having her usher us to a beautiful birth was something I will forever be grateful for. She worked alongside our hospital birth team seamlessly too, which made me feel easygoing. In the days after my delivery, she was very supportive and communicative and helped us navigate stressful feeding challenges. If it weren't for her support in those early days, I probably would have given up breastfeeding because I wouldn't have had the knowledge and support to get through our challenges of weight gain and breast milk supplementing.

- Colleen

I have trouble putting into words the gratitude and love I feel towards Sara for her kindness, knowledge, compassion, and support. I am a first time mom who decided to embark on a home birth. Sara made our home birth not only possible but magical. During my contractions, Sara brought comfort through her touch and brought calmness through her energy and knowledge. She not only helped me but also my husband through encouragement which allowed him to play a bigger part in the birth and to feel included. With Sara's help, I felt beyond empowered and like a damn superwoman! Her support didn't stop there... After the birth, Sara helped establish a latch and then continued to provide us lactation support as I struggled with an intense oversupply. She eased my first time mom worries, encouraged me, and provided a sense of understanding that I needed in those first weeks as a mama. I am so thankful that our son came earth side surrounded by the most incredible women. He will grow up knowing how magical his birth and his birth team were.

- Sara

On April 3rd 2020, my wife, Keshia, and I welcomed our first baby, Zoé, into the world. From our very first meeting with Sara I knew she was the right doula for us. She has a very warm and calming nature. When I was 29 weeks pregnant I got diagnosed with GD. Sara was there to reassure me and decrease my anxiety. She guided me to a very helpful book and I was able to control the GD with just my diet for the rest of my pregnancy. Prior to L&D, Sara sat down with us to talk about our birth plan. She was very dedicated in supporting us and our plan. However, things don't always go as planned haha. I had an extremely long prodromal labor and my cervix was not dilating. Every time I called her crying she answered with a calming voice. With her vast knowledge she was able to suggest why I wasn't dilating. When my OB was not listening to my concerns, Sara encouraged me to continue to advocate for myself and seek help with the midwives at Henrico Doctors Hospital. During the delivery, Sara suggested different positions for pushing that helped to turn Zoé to allow for a successful vaginal delivery. After I had her, she was there for lactation and emotional support. I couldn't have imagined the journey without Sara there.

- Amanda