Dedicated Doula Services LLC

05/20/2025

Due to an upcoming major surgery this summer, I will be unable to take any clients until I post otherwise. I am hopeful this surgery will bring me better health and better days so that I can get back to doing something I love! Thanks for being kind and understanding. 🥰

01/16/2025

This is a great program for families in and around West Virginia! Applications are open.

A new unconditional cash program has arrived in Appalachia!

The Bridge Project, a non-profit organization serving over 2,000 participants to date with access to flexible, unconditional cash, has now brought their successful program to parts of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Applications are open beginning on January 8, 2025 at 9am, for 500 moms* to receive flexible, unconditional cash for three years.

Learn more about The Bridge Project’s work to end child poverty and support economic mobility and check out the application at www.bridgeproject.org/apply




*Participants must be over 18, currently pregnant & less than 14 weeks gestation, and have an income of less than $44,000 per year.

07/31/2024

This is one of the most important aspects of your pregnancy, birth and post partum journey! It is OKAY to seek out a second opinion or different provider if you don't feel supported!

If you left your appointment feeling anything but empowered, supported, with a solid plan in place until the next visit, it is okay to get another opinion!

This goes for ANY type of provider: IBCLC, Pediatrician, OBGYN, P*P, SLP, OT, Chiropractor, etc. Any part of the care plan should be invested in YOU!

We ALL vibe with different people.
We ALL have qualities we are looking for in our providers.

Check back in with your provider and voice your concerns, then go from there!

01/03/2024

📸: . Let's set the record straight on this common misconception about Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). 🌟

🔍 Myth: Many believe that the risk of uterine rupture during VBAC is alarmingly high, causing unnecessary fear among VBAC-hopeful mothers.

Fact: The reality is that the risk of uterine rupture during VBAC is relatively low. According to studies, the incidence of uterine rupture is estimated to be around 0.2% to 1.5%, depending on various factors such as the type of uterine incision, the reason for the previous cesarean, and the management of labor. Of course, each person and birth is unique. You should discuss the risks and benefits of VBAC with your provider and make an informed decision from there.

✅ The majority of VBAC attempts are successful without any complications, and the benefits often outweigh the risks.

‼️ Reducing the risk for uterine rupture:
1. Stay away from induction unless absolutely necessary.

2. Avoid Cytotec (misoprostol) COMPLETELY.

3. Avoid providers who aggressively intervene with and manage labor.

4. Stay mobile. Walk, change position and posture when in active labor.
In early labor and if labor stalls, rest or sleep.

5. Do EVERYTHING you can to make sure your baby is in the most optimal position BEFORE labor begins.

6.. Avoid rupturing membranes if baby is not in optimal position.
Avoid an epidural if possible.

7. Have attentive labor support with you ALL THE TIME.

8. Be aware of typical labor patterns. Any stalls in labor are usually indicative that something needs to change (emotional processing, baby position, rest/sleep, and even Pitocin in some instances). Figure out what needs to change and fix it if you can. A long stall combined with high doses of Pitocin is a prime scenario for uterine rupture.

9. HONOR YOUR INTUITION. If you feel that something is not quite right or if baby’s movement is significantly decreased, insist that your provider or their staff attention to you.

12/28/2023

Congratulations to WV’s new Obstetric Patient Safety instructors! Our state recently went from 0 to 5 instructors, including Mary Beth Stewart, WV Partnership’s Outreach Education Director.
Pictured: Stewart; Kelly Dowe; Mandy Stoffel; Stacey Hensel, MD; and Robin Betler.

11/16/2023

“The tree of life” ✨

Words and image by IAPB member .photography from Gold Coast, QLD Australia.

11/05/2023

This weekend I had the absolute privilege of helping a beautiful and strong momma have a successful VBAC! She found the right providers who were VBAC supportive and at 36 weeks began her birth journey.
She had some slow progression in the beginning, but with reassurance, she trusted her body and kept her heart and mind on her goal of an all natural vaginal birth. 💪
She had a great support system in her husband as well during her entire labor process. We all worked together as a team.
Her beautiful baby boy made his entrance into the world last night. Both Momma and baby are doing great. 🩵
This is why I love what I doula!! 💜

We can't say this enough - education is power! So many women are being told they are not allowed to VBAC for reasons such as:

-GBS +
-"Big baby"
-"Small pelvis"
-Gestational Diabetes
-Reaching the 39/40 week mark
-Over 35 years of age
-Previous cesarean
-Etc.

VBAC is not desired by everyone and that's okay! However, if you do want to have a VBAC be sure to educate yourself, and get a second, third, even a fourth opinion! Don't be scared to stand up for yourself. You are strong and you will know what's best for you. Don't be bullied into a birth you don't want.

If you are looking to step up your VBAC game, we have the perfect thing for you! Our evidence based, self-paced, online course is perfect for parents who don't want to be bullied into another C-section. If you have been told you can't VBAC for any of the reasons above, check out our course so you can combat these non-evidence based reasons! Link in bio.

10/28/2023

The peanut ball is life!!

Let me tell you all about my friend, the peanut ball. Yes, you read that right {🥜 + 🏈}

Research has shown that women with a labor epidural {using a peanut ball} decreased their first stage of labor by an average of 𝟗𝟎 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒 and their second stage of labor (aka pushing!) by 𝟐𝟐 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒!!! And, who wouldn’t want that?! 🤗

And it's not just for mamas who choose to have a labor epidural! Women without a labor epidural {using a peanut ball} decreased their first stage of labor by an average of 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒 and second stage of labor by 𝟐𝟗 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒!!!! Can I get a hallelujah? 🙌🏾❤️

But that's not all!!! Women {using a peanut ball} during labor experienced a 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 in cesarean sections!!! Sign me up! 🙋🏽

The key to labor progression is *movement of your pelvis*! Your uterus + peanut ball + turning frequently = ✨ 🅜🅐🅖🅘🅒 ✨

10/16/2023

The U.S. had an infant mortality rate of 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2020, with a health disparity among Black babies at a rate of 10.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019. Black women are also almost twice as likely to experience a stillbirth as white women. During this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month, we send our love to Black Mamas and Birthing People who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.

We know the emotional and mental impact experiencing such trauma can have, which is why we are grateful that platforms such as Sisters in Loss exist! Sisters in Loss is a Maternal Child Health Education company where Black Women replace silence with storytelling about pregnancy, infant loss, and infertility. Follow them to learn more and access resources for healing and services for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. https://sistersinloss.com/

10/16/2023

In a world where we rush around and try to fit too much in, a baby’s ‘due date’ has come to be seen by some people as a kind of appointment.

Statistically, only 5% of babies are born on their due date and many healthy babies are born after this.

I sometimes suggest that people plan to do something nice on their baby’s due date; there’s a really high chance that you’ll be free to do it!

But the important thing to remember is that, on the whole, our bodies and our babies’ bodies know what they’re doing.

If you’d like more information about due dates, induction or birth in general, see www.sarawickham.com/iol

Yes, feel free to repost. We just ask that you keep the original pic, words and credit intact and don’t put Sara’s words into your own branding 💜

10/04/2023

I feel the pain and emptiness from my own personal loss, and I am always here as a safe space to just listen, cry to, or lean on. 🤍

From us to you, we are sending a little extra love. Not just this month, but always!