Sarah McRell Doula Profile

I really cannot find words adequate to express my appreciation for Sarah and all that she did leading up to and during my labor. She was incredibly helpful and supportive; well beyond what my husband and I had expected. When my pregnancy went past my EDD, Sarah checked in frequently to offer support. My labor was very long and Sarah was there through it all. I don't know how she remained so calm, focused, and together after being up for days on end, but she did. After I gave birth, she helped with breastfeeding and stayed to make sure that we had everything we needed, even though she must have been exhausted and hungry herself. Sarah was simply amazing.
 

Sarah McRell is a super-doula. Her role was pivotal in my birth experience, as I am a single parent. Upon our initial meeting I immediately felt at ease with Sarah. I knew she was someone I could trust and confide in. I always looked forward to our meetings to go over the birth plan and talk about all things birthing. I had originally planned/hoped for a natural birth (a water birth), but that's not what nature had intended. I was in labor for 30 hours with Sarah constantly acting as my advocate; I finally succumbed to the Pitocin, then the epidural and eventually a Cesarean due to the cord being wrapped around my daughter’s neck twice. Sarah stayed with me during the most grueling hours, and even overnight. She was my crutch, my friend, and my doula when I needed someone to lean on the most (literally). Sarah was by my side the entire time! Words do not do justice for the wonderful experience she enabled me to have. I cannot praise Sarah enough.

 I had an incredible birth experience with Sarah and was so happy to have the additional support through labor and for the first few hours after delivery. Sarah was very supportive of my hopes of a natural birth and gave me great suggestions at our visit and in emails to help me prepare for labor (this was my first baby). Sarah was incredible during labor, especially as contractions sped up and became very intense. She gave suggestions on ways to breathe and coached me through transition as my body started to tense. She was great at letting my husband take front and center with supporting me and just stayed at my side reassuring and offering encouragement. One of my favorite things that Sarah did was to gently rub my legs/arms during and after contractions. I loved the constant touch and felt so comforted knowing that she was at my side. Sarah was great about stepping up support when contractions were incredibly hard and taking cues from me on what I really liked. 

Sarah also stayed with me after the delivery while the baby and husband were in the nursery. At this point the midwife and nurses had left the room, so it was so nice to have her by my side. We talked about how great labor went and she also made sure I didn't feel abandoned. It was so nice to have her with me until my husband and baby returned. 

I absolutely loved having Sarah at my birth and have already recommended her to a few friends who are expecting babies in the next few months. Having her there took pressure off my husband to do everything for me and allowed both of us to enjoy labor (well as much as I could enjoy labor). Sarah was respectful of my birth plan and supportive the entire way through labor. I also felt very comfortable with Sarah and would happily hire her again for my next birth if in Boston.

I had a fantastic experience with Sarah.  She was very helpful and supportive in the weeks prior giving birth.  My baby was transverse and she offered many helpful suggestions for getting the baby to turn.  I was hoping for a VBAC but in the end my 9 lb 8 oz son just didn't have the room to turn so I ended up with another C-section.  I did go into labor on my own, however, and Sarah was able to help ease me through the back pains that I was having until it was time to go to the operating room.  She was unable to be with me in the operating room due to hospital policy but was with me again in recovery.  I feel that this birth experience was much more positive than my first c-section and I have Sarah largely to thank for this.  If we have another child, I would use Sarah's services again.  

Sarah was our doula this past summer (June 24th, 2010)  for the birth of our son, Grady.  She was compassionate, warm, knowledgable, kind and eased our minds during and leading up to the birth experience.  She was truely invested in making sure we were comfortable with the process.  I would very much want to use Sarah as our doula for our other children (although it's tough to imagine having another baby any time soon!)