MEET YOUR CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR
My name is Sarah McCabe. I have been studying, researching, and learning about pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding since 1996 when, at nineteen-years-old, I gave birth to my first son, Sebastian. Honestly, my interest in "birthy" things probably began much earlier than that. I still have my mom's copy of Spiritual Midwifery, tattered to bits, with my childhood drawings throughout. Since then, I've had four more children. Each of my births have been different, and brought new perspective. My first daughter, Sophie, was born in 2005. My second daughter, Scarlett, was born in 2007. All three of these natural births were attended by Certified Nurse Midwives.
It was after my third baby was born, that I decided to enter the world of birth work, instead of returning to my career as an elementary school teacher. I trained with DONA (Doulas of North America) and Lamaze International, becoming both a Certified Doula and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. In 2008, I began attending births as a birth doula, and began teaching as a childbirth educator. I taught Prepared Childbirth classes at The Parent Center, in Salinas, until 2014, and continue to teach independent birth education classes. I provided labor and birth support, as a doula, up until my last daughter was born.
This is where my birth stories should have ended. But, in the midst of a probable mid-life crisis (ha!), we decided to have ONE more baby. This time, we planned for a homebirth with licensed midwives. I did everything "right", and yet, my second son, Griffin (2014), was born by cesarean, after a transport during active labor at home. I was completely blindsided by this birth. Because I viewed birth -natural birth- as expected, normal, the way it should be, the right way...complications were both unexpected and unprepared for. When complications arose, I felt as though I had done something wrong, or that someone else had. I looked to assign blame. It took me a long time to learn that you can "do everything right" and still end up with a cesarean.
Surprise! My last daughter arrived in 2016. We planned for another homebirth. I spent my entire pregnancy sorting through the emotions from my prior cesarean experience. I wasn't sure how to prepare my heart and mind to do this again. I wasn't sure how to expect success, while being realistic enough that I wasn't devastated again if it didn't work out. Willow was born at home. Her birth was fast and furious. Unfortunately, about an hour after her birth, I experienced a serious postpartum complication, and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. I spent three days in the ICU. Needless to say, this was an unexpected outcome.
Now I recognize that birth is designed to be natural, and functions best when undisturbed by interventions. Choices can be made to lower risk of those interventions. However, complications happen. And they can be beyond the scope of our control. We must not assume that we are above them. We should prepare. Keeping that in mind is paramount. Be proactive. Do what you can. Then let go.
My philosophy of birth is straight forward -- I still believe that, for most people, childbirth is a normal, natural, and healthy process. I believe that families deserve to be informed in all choices during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum period. When a birthing person understands more about their care, they are equipped to make the best decisions for themselves and their baby. My role, as a childbirth educator, is to help you get to that place of knowledge, and once it's time for your birth, to support you in your decisions. I believe that parents should have the opportunity to make informed choices that result in a healthy, safe, and fulfilling birth. My goal is for my clients to have a satisfying birth experience, meaning they are prepared, informed, and supported. My only agenda is to help ensure that the parents’ wishes are acknowledged, respected, and followed as much as is possible.
Having experienced nearly every kind of birth myself, I have a soft spot for families whose births didn't go according to plan. I hope to give families the language and tools to prepare for, experience, and heal from any type of birth, no matter what happens. My unique perspective, planning my own births, and working with other families, has shown me that the best advice I can give is to educate and empower yourself. Emotional support and compassionate education is key so that you can make the best choices for YOUR birth.
It was after my third baby was born, that I decided to enter the world of birth work, instead of returning to my career as an elementary school teacher. I trained with DONA (Doulas of North America) and Lamaze International, becoming both a Certified Doula and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. In 2008, I began attending births as a birth doula, and began teaching as a childbirth educator. I taught Prepared Childbirth classes at The Parent Center, in Salinas, until 2014, and continue to teach independent birth education classes. I provided labor and birth support, as a doula, up until my last daughter was born.
This is where my birth stories should have ended. But, in the midst of a probable mid-life crisis (ha!), we decided to have ONE more baby. This time, we planned for a homebirth with licensed midwives. I did everything "right", and yet, my second son, Griffin (2014), was born by cesarean, after a transport during active labor at home. I was completely blindsided by this birth. Because I viewed birth -natural birth- as expected, normal, the way it should be, the right way...complications were both unexpected and unprepared for. When complications arose, I felt as though I had done something wrong, or that someone else had. I looked to assign blame. It took me a long time to learn that you can "do everything right" and still end up with a cesarean.
Surprise! My last daughter arrived in 2016. We planned for another homebirth. I spent my entire pregnancy sorting through the emotions from my prior cesarean experience. I wasn't sure how to prepare my heart and mind to do this again. I wasn't sure how to expect success, while being realistic enough that I wasn't devastated again if it didn't work out. Willow was born at home. Her birth was fast and furious. Unfortunately, about an hour after her birth, I experienced a serious postpartum complication, and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. I spent three days in the ICU. Needless to say, this was an unexpected outcome.
Now I recognize that birth is designed to be natural, and functions best when undisturbed by interventions. Choices can be made to lower risk of those interventions. However, complications happen. And they can be beyond the scope of our control. We must not assume that we are above them. We should prepare. Keeping that in mind is paramount. Be proactive. Do what you can. Then let go.
My philosophy of birth is straight forward -- I still believe that, for most people, childbirth is a normal, natural, and healthy process. I believe that families deserve to be informed in all choices during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum period. When a birthing person understands more about their care, they are equipped to make the best decisions for themselves and their baby. My role, as a childbirth educator, is to help you get to that place of knowledge, and once it's time for your birth, to support you in your decisions. I believe that parents should have the opportunity to make informed choices that result in a healthy, safe, and fulfilling birth. My goal is for my clients to have a satisfying birth experience, meaning they are prepared, informed, and supported. My only agenda is to help ensure that the parents’ wishes are acknowledged, respected, and followed as much as is possible.
Having experienced nearly every kind of birth myself, I have a soft spot for families whose births didn't go according to plan. I hope to give families the language and tools to prepare for, experience, and heal from any type of birth, no matter what happens. My unique perspective, planning my own births, and working with other families, has shown me that the best advice I can give is to educate and empower yourself. Emotional support and compassionate education is key so that you can make the best choices for YOUR birth.