I’m Sarah, the Mother behind Of the Earth Doula and Of the Earth Artist. I chose the name Of the Earth because we are all of this Earth. Our society has evolved to have us believe we, as humans, are somehow separate from the natural world or indeed the flora and fauna we share it with. We must look to nature as the expert in undisturbed, physiological birth.

My first passion was art, I studied Fine Art at university and graduated in 2016. Almost my entire collection consisted of painted figurative works of the female form. I have always seen women as being full of natural beauty and magic so it felt a natural step from celebrating women through my paintings to celebrating them through matrescence. So I decided to further my understanding of the role of a doula and expand my skill set by studying with The Doula Training Foundation, I completed the course in November ‘23.

I am a mother to two beautiful children and a wife of 10 years. My journey to becoming a Doula started after the birth of my first born in 2018, I handed over my trust and my power to the NHS maternity system and consequently suffered a traumatic birth and was left with PTSD, this led me onto a long journey of discovery around all things birth and I’ve been delighted to discover many wise women and supportive communities sharing their experiences of empowering births.

My eyes were opened up to a world of reclaiming the power that is inherent within a Mother, we have the power to decide for ourselves what care our bodies and babies need. I support the woman, meaning if you want a physiological freebirth or a planned c-section, I will be there to support you every step of the way. I wholeheartedly believe the key to an empowering birth experience is through informed decision making. Whether this is their first or sixth baby Mothers need to be held, nourished and supported.

Motherhood has given me experience of a totally medicated and uninformed hospital birth and a well informed planned homebirth come hospital transfer that was 100% on my terms and not the system I birthed within. Motherhood has also given me experience with birth trauma, PTSD, 4 years of breastfeeding my own children, cord ties, cloth nappies, babywearing, gentle parenting, weaning, swaddling, car seat safety (my five year old is still rear facing).

Parenthood is full of unknowns and no one person has the answer that is why we must recreate our communities, we must come together in circles like we once did and share our collective wisdom. That is the key to Motherhood.