Heritage Consulting STL understands that every mom needs support and encouragement.
This year is starting off with so many exciting new things on the horizon, and I am ecstatic to share all of it with you! But first, a little backstory.
In 2010, I found myself alone in the ER, giving birth in the second trimester, without a single support person to hold my hand or comfort me. A nurse scooped my son up and carried him off before I was even given the chance to see him, touch him, or hold him. Before my discharge, I asked for my son’s remains so that I could have him cremated but was told he had already been discarded with medical waste. I left with an empty womb, a broken heart, and no resources for my grief.
I turned to the internet and learned of bereavement doulas. I vowed that I would be that person for other mamas, so they would never have to feel as alone as I did. I became a doula just a couple of months later and started a support group for bereaved moms.
In 2011, it grew into support for women facing infertility, too.
It would take six years of fertility treatments and miscarriages for my rainbow to land in my arms. My life was changed in a way that is indescribable. When you want something for so long, when you have experienced the greatest heartbreaks, the most horrific tragedies, and been told, “I’m so sorry.” so many times, you start to think that maybe it’s just not meant for you, maybe you don’t deserve the goodness.
When my daughter was born, my life started anew. I realized that there was a MASSIVE lack of specialized doula support for women preparing for birth after loss or infertility, and there was a stigma that doulas are for a certain type of birth or journey. I found that many moms, just like me, were facing unique challenges that most doula organizations weren’t addressing, and there wasn’t specialized support for women like us.
I decided to change that and focused on high-risk, in-hospital birth. I took classes and poured over every bit of research that would help me help these mamas. I rebranded my all-encompassing doula business in 2019 after the birth of my second rainbow baby.
Now, it is 2023, and I am celebrating being a doula for thirteen years! I am ecstatic, humbled, and grateful to share with you that I am taking the next step in my journey. Heritage Consulting STL is launching In the Waiting, a Christian Birth and Bereavement Collective that will focus on offering Christian doulas a way to connect with families needing specialized doula support, whether it is a high-risk birth, following loss or infertility, other complications, or emotionally intricate needs.
I am also excited to share with you that we are launching a series of events this year, beginning with, “Meet the Doulas” that will take place on Sunday, March 12th, at the Sunset Hills Community Center. Families will be able to come and meet several incredible doulas of various backgrounds, and while they are there, register to receive a giveaway basket of postpartum and baby necessities.
I can’t forget to thank our incredible sponsors for helping make this event a possibility:
Forest and Meadow Herbal Shop and Clinic
Midwest Placenta Encapsulation & Keepsakes
St. Louis Women’s Physical Therapy
Be watching our Facebook page for exciting announcements such as launching our all new website, class schedule, bereavement intensive, In the Waiting launch, and future events including more meet the doulas around the metro area, and birth worker mixers.
Thank you so much for welcoming me into your community and allowing me to be a part of so many of your families! I am grateful for each of you that I have met, and I look forward to meeting even more of you and learning how I can support you.
Sarah Southards is passionate about helping mamas and babies, breaking down the taboo of stillbirth and pregnancy loss, normalizing doula support for high-risk/hospital birth, and advocating for moms experiencing pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, following infertility or loss.
When she isn’t passionately working in her birth community, she can be found volunteering, with her family of six, whipping up a batch of cookies, tackling a DIY project, or cozied up on the couch with one of her five cats.
