Hello I'm Sarah. I'm a recognised birth doula and cover York, Malton, Scarborough and all around North Yorkshire.  I completed my training with Nurturing Birth in April 2011 and have supported over a hundred births.

I'm also a Doula UK Mentor supporting doulas through their first birth doula experiences.

I love my job and feel immensely proud to be a very busy doula in and around York. My past clients are always happy to provide a reference for me, each of whom have their own unique birth story to tell. My breadth of experience is thanks to their individuality! Here’s what they say about me…

‘My husband and I will be forever grateful to Sarah for the calm, compassionate support she gave us during our son’s birth. Sarah’s ability to “read” people is truly remarkable.’ – Laura (Home birth)

‘Words can’t properly express how grateful I am for everything you have done to support us over the last few weeks – not least at the great birth on Monday. I am convinced that without your calm encouragement, advice and reassurance I wouldn’t have had the birth experience I did – which ended up being pretty much everything I could have hoped for…Thank you thank you and thank you again – we have a wonderful baby girl and a really positive birth memory to look back on – you are brilliant!’ – Fiona (St George’s)

‘Thank you again for your unfailing support throughout our pregnancy, labour, birth and after. Your calming presence and positive manner kept us going without fear, knowing that we were well looked after.’ – Rachel (St Thomas’)

‘Sarah, in a word, is fantastic!’ – Sally (Chelsea and Westminster)

Every labour is different and the support that every person needs is unique. That’s why I get to know you and your partner before the birth and take time to understand what’s important to you. I have also supported lots of single parents through labour and birth. During your birth I stay with you as a constant support whilst giving you and your partner the privacy and space to enjoy your birth experience.

My role as your doula is to be there for you and your partner offering knowledge, experience and emotional support to you both. Together we will talk through your options, any worries you might have and discuss what you want and how I can help you to achieve that.

My aim is to do everything I can so that you have a birth that you anticipate with excitement and look back on with pride.

Birth Services:

First meeting
I like to meet in person if possible to chat through your specific needs and find out what you are looking for in a doula to see if I am the right fit for you. This is free of charge and without obligation

Antenatal
Usually we meet twice before the birth so that I can take time to understand what particular hopes and fears you have. We talk about everything from emotions in pregnancy, to practical things like writing a birth plan right through to caring for your baby and yourself after the birth.

The Birth
Ten days before your due date up until your baby is born I’m ‘on call’ for you. Then, and usually in the middle of the night and once on Christmas Day(!), I get the call that things are starting. I arrive with a few tricks up my sleeve to encourage you to relax, then unless it’s a home birth I will travel with you to the hospital or birth unit. Sometimes a partner can feel a bit ignored or concerned during labour so I make sure I keep them informed every step of the way too. I aim to work as a team with your birth partner whislt giving you the space and privacy to enjoy your birth together. I will stay with you until your baby is born and happily feeding.

Postnatal
I follow up with a visit in the first two weeks following your birth, we go through the birth story carefully together, check how feeding and sleeping is going and I can offer practical ideas to facilitate your postnatal recovery.  I’m on the end of the phone or email for the first six weeks if you need me!

 Here’s a brief list of my professional development;

• Doula UK Conference 2024, 2023, 2022
• Nurturing Birth – Nurturing Your Doula Business, April 2018
• Became a Doula UK Birth Mentor supporting new doulas, February 2018
• Natal Hypnotherapy for Birth Professionals study day with Maggie Howell, October 2014
• Birthrights: Dignity in Childbirth Forum, October 2013
• Complementary Therapies in Midwifery Practices – Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, July 2012
• Aromatherapy in Pregnancy and Birth, Massage and Acupressure for Labour – Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, July 2012
• Introduction to Reflexology and Moxibustion for breech presentation – Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, July 2012
• Breastfeeding Study Day – Breastfeeding London, Doula UK approved course, March 2012
• Birth and Postnatal Doula Course – Nurturing Birth, March 2011

I moved to North Yorkshire from London in 2016. I have attended many births at home, and in hospitals including Scarborough, York, and London hospitals Chelsea and Westminster, St George’s,  St Thomas’s and Kingston hospitals.  My birth experience includes supporting home birth, VBAC, high risk, hypnobirthing, induction, caesarean, twins and water birth.

If you would like to book an initial consultation free of charge. Please get in touch!