The OMazing Birth
Welcome to OMazing Blog. I kick it off with a birth story. Not the birth of a baby, but the birth of my new business.
A handful of years ago, my friend Carly asked me to marry her and her fiancé Jaime. Honored by the request, I said yes. A few months after her wedding, she was pregnant. Carly told me one summer afternoon, after practicing yoga in the park that she couldn’t find a doula. She casually said, “I wish you were a doula. You’d be a great doula. Will you be my doula?”
Surprising myself, I responded , “sure!” I had no idea what being a doula entailed, but I’d do anything for Carly and I knew I’d figure it out. I attended a local weekend workshop with Salt Lake City’s doula training guru, Kristi Ridd-Young who taught me the basics. I took my new knowledge to Carly’s labor on a Sunday afternoon in November, 2016. The power and determination of Carly’s unmedicated birth inspired me to continue on the doula path. I realized that I wanted to be a surrounded by the miracle of birth and my doula support made a difference in her daughter Layla’s birth.
What did I do that afternoon that made such an impact? I showed up and served. Doula means “servant” in Greek. The essence of a doula’s work is simply being with a laboring mama and telling her that she is powerful and safe. I reminded Carly to breathe. I offered her sips of water in between contractions. I showed her husband ways to comfort her. I stayed close to Carly throughout her labor, birth and postpartum.
After that experience, I continued my training with Birth Learning and completed a twelve week Advance Doula course. I registered to certify with DONA(Doulas of North America). Six months later, I travelled to Tacoma, Washington and spent a weekend with Kelli Barr-Lylesat a childbirth education workshop. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the birthing process.
All this time, I worked at a non-profit supporting Park City’s public schools. I assisted with a few births here and there and dreamt of starting a baby business. In August, 2018 I left my job and the United States. My ten year old daughter, fourteen year old son and I moved to France for the semester. The three of us lived in a small apartment in Provence. The kids attended a French school. I practiced French yoga, shopped at local markets, planned weekend travel and blogged. My amazing husband stayed in Park City and funded our fun.
Sadie’s first day of school in France
I resisted the temptation to plan my new business at a French café. Instead, I wandered around Aix-en-Provence and practiced curiosity. The adventure was extraordinary and I returned to Park City rejuvenated and ready to start OMazing Birth.
I spent the next few months connecting with health professionals and learning the local birth landscape. I realized there some fantastic birth services in Park City however there is not a clear hub for the pregnant and prenatal community. Prenatal yoga classes are sporadic and most of the doula and childbirth classes are offered in Salt Lake City. There is an active Facebook group however, I believe there still is a need for community. New mamas need each other!
Being a passionate yogi, I wanted to incorporate prenatal yoga into my new business. In March, I attended a ten day prenatal yoga certification training in San Francisco. I returned home and started teaching classes at my house. My plan is to turn our studio apartment into a yoga studio this summer. In the mean time, I created the OMazing website and started volunteering as a doula at the University of Utah Hospital.
The volunteer work reminds me of the importance of doula support. We need more doulas in this world! I hate to think of woman laboring alone or experiencing negativity in their birth room. The medicalization of birth seems to be at an all time high. (More on that later) Therefore the need of doulas is at an all time high. Spread the word!
Last week, I supported a beautiful Cameroon woman in labor named Rose Marie. She was alone until I arrived to my volunteer shift. Together we breathed and focused on her labor. I held her hand and reminded her to trust her body.
Rose Marie admitted that she was nervous to be alone in childbirth. A few days prior, her African friend told her to pray and that her angels would send her someone, even if it was someone she did not know. She showed me the text exchange. How wild it must have been when I showed up in her room? She told me later that she knew God sent me.
I stayed with Rose Marie though the night. At 3am, after almost 36 hours in labor, the doctors rolled Rose Marie into the operating room for a cesarean section. Dressed in scrubs, I stood at her head and rubbed the spot on her forehead in between her eyes. I photographed her baby girl as she came out of her stomach before being whisked away to the NICU. Rose Marie stared at the photo while patiently to meet her baby. Her baby, Annadisa has a heart condition and is still in the NICU. She needs all of our prayers!
I arrived home at 6:30am the next morning just in time to wish my son a good day at school. I went straight to bed. As my head hit the pillow, I marveled at Divine Intervention. Was Rose Marie’s prayer that powerful? Did the angels send me to her? I believe they did but of course I don’t know. However, I know that OMazing Birth is here for a reason. I am in the right place at the right time.
Welcome! Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Sara