Me with my littlest man, Spring 2012. Trebor Sutler Photography.
ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) certified childbirth educator
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Provider (course completed through American Academy of Pediatrics)
I am an independent childbirth educator. This means that no facility (hospital or other business) is paying me. I have the freedom to give you evidence-based information without censorship that sometimes occurs from institutions that may dictate what is (or is not) taught.
I have 5 children here and 1 in heaven. Baby #1 was an unmedicated hospital birth in 2002, but I tore badly because I followed orders and pushed on my back. Later, I learned that the whole debacle was utterly preventable, and I didn't have to suffer like that in my postpartum recovery. Thus I sought homebirths with midwives for my subsequent births in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2011. We had waterbirths with each of our 4 homebirths; 2 in inflatable kiddie pools and 2 in a jacuzzi tub. I loved my homebirths! Birth is hard and painful and euphoric and wonderful and I'd do it over in a heartbeat, just to experience it all again.
We lost a baby in 2007 (missed miscarriage at 15 weeks resulting in D&C--I'd opt out of that if I had it to do over again). It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, and shaped who I am forevermore.
I am a Certified Lactation Counselor and a retired La Leche League Leader with nearly 10 years' experience breastfeeding my 5 children, including nursing during pregnancy and tandem nursing. I've overcome mastitis, thrush, nursing strikes, and more plugged ducts than I can count. I offer peer breastfeeding support and counseling to my clients via unlimited text messages, email and phone support, and, if desired, in-home visits.
Pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, and early parenting are my passions. I love nothing more than to help families get the information they need so they can make the best decisions for their situations. I support all mothers and babies and their birth plans: hospital birth, birth center birth, or homebirth; natural, unmedicated birth or epidural (planned or unplanned); cesarean section (planned or unplanned) and family-centered, baby-friendly cesarean options. I don't seek to convince moms to give birth any certain way, but rather to inform families of what comprises evidence-based care and what their full range of options are, so that they can make educated decisions on their pregnancies and births based on their own situations and circumstances and be active participants in their care.
I am the Link Queen. Regardless of how obscure a topic you need an article on, in the realm of pre-conception, fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, mothering, etc., I almost certainly have an article about it either bookmarked or pinned on one of my vast Pinterest boards. Allow me to be a resource for you. http://pinterest.com/sarahdegroff
Our family in August 2013. Aron Dunham Photography.