My name is Sarah Rotondi Meagher (pronounced ma-har). I am a Stanford graduate, former nonprofit development professional, stay-at-home-mom of four girls, and a practicing birth doula and childbirth educator. 

I became a Doula after learning through all my own research during pregnancy how the birth process has essentially been taken away from women and put in the hands of hospitals.  Birth, when the mother is healthy and has a low-risk pregnancy, is very much a natural process and in most cases does not need to be interfered with as long as mama and baby are thriving.
 
I think many woman have lost faith in our innate ability to give birth. We have been bombarded with movies and TV shows depicting women shouting in pain in the delivery room, or their water breaking followed by a mad rush to the hospital, running red lights along the way.  We are told our pelvises aren’t the right shape, our babies are too big, we are too old, that we can’t handle labor, and that birth is dangerous. I delivered my first two babies in the hospital with a midwife/OB team. I had great experiences both times and appreciated the security of knowing I was in a hospital in case I or the baby needed medical attention. I have also seen when medical interventions or cesarean are necessary, as well as plenty of women who have had wonderful birth experiences with labor induction and epidurals. These are all choices and I support our right to decide what is best for ourselves and our babies. But I think it’s important, no matter what we choose or how labor unfolds, that we are educated about the birth experience and equipped and empowered to make these decisions -- to know that we HAVE a say, that it’s our own experience of birthing to have, and that it can be a beautiful, powerful, and deeply transformational experience. 

I see my role as part of a team — with the mother, her partner and/or family members, and the hospital if the birth takes place there. I believe it's important to gather as much information as possible during pregnancy through childbirth classes, reading, and our one-on-one meetings leading up to the birth, so that when labor day comes, you feel confident and prepared. During labor, I will help with pain management, ensure that your environment is as calm, comfortable and supportive as possible, and attend to all your needs, both physical and emotional. After the birth, I will be with you for 1-2 hours or until all is settled, and will visit you when you're back at home to reflect on the birth and continue to support you in the transition to life with a newborn.  My services as a doula may come to an end, but I will always be available for advice, referrals, questions and most importantly, a lasting friendship!