– Alice

– Aimee

“Not only did Sarah hold me so beautifully throughout and following the premature ending of my pregnancy, she also held our family unit in the most extraordinary of ways. Sarah was there for us every step of the way. She was one of the first people that I called when I received the news of an abnormal NIPT test result from our Obstetrician. Although this too was relatively new ground for her, she leaned in, she really leaned in, in all the ways that we as a family needed her to.
The almost daily check ins, the deep listening, the allowing of fears and tears, the answering of questions, the open and honest conversations, the hand holding and the attending of appointments with us, felt so life giving for us whilst we navigated a heartbreaking situation.
Sarah was there for us at every step and stage of our journey. Her guidance, knowledge and expertise in the field, allowed us to build a unique and absolutely perfect team of medical professionals around us.
Although my pregnancy had to end early and our daughter was very sadly stillborn, the holding that Sarah provided throughout, was nothing short of exceptional. Her love, her kindness, her gentleness, her fierceness and her ability to read the room and know exactly what I needed before I did, was exactly what I and our family needed.
I felt heard, supported, understood and empowered and although the experience was heartbreakingly sad, it was also one of the most empowering of my life and one that has changed me forever.
Sarah’s extraordinary holding helped birth not only my stillborn daughter, in the most loving of ways, but also my voice, my ability to speak up for and get my needs met. In emotionally heightened situations like ours, the meeting of the needs of the birthing mother and her family is more sacred and important than ever before. They must be put first, honoured and cherished, which is exactly what Sarah did.
Sarah was present for the entirety of our birth and helped us build a birthing bubble of safety around us, for which I am eternally grateful. I never knew that birth could feel this empowering, even in the midst of such great heartbreak.
An imprint of our daughter’s tiny footprint hangs around my neck, close to my heart, on a gold pendant by a Melbourne jeweller recommended to us by Sarah. Sarah thinks of every little detail and leaves no stone unturned, in her mission to meet the needs of the mother and the wider family unit.
Sarah’s knowledge of birth and the medical systems that we exist within, is second to none. She not only brings with her decades of experience but also a powerhouse of like-minded practitioners in her back pocket. A network that she can call upon at any time to further support you and your needs.
Sarah is also a wonderful story teller who will keep you captivated by the tales of her own birth, life and travel experiences. She is also very handy with a camera and captured the most beautiful and intimate of moments throughout the birth, without me even noticing.
Thank you Sarah for supporting my family through one of the hardest experiences of our lives. We could not have done it without your love, support, knowledge, guidance and advocacy. If I could go back in time I would have had you at my two previous births. Everyone needs a doula in their corner, advocating, informing, supporting and loving on them. Someone ensuring that all needs are being met.
Sarah is a bright, shining light in the birthing space. An absolute gift. She will provide you with all the support and more that you need.
”

– Tara

“After spending a significant amount of time researching doulas to find the right fit for our family, I feel so incredibly lucky that we found Sarah. Looking back on the experience, I truly couldn’t have wished for anyone else to support us. From our very first meeting, it was clear that Sarah is an exceptionally kind, understanding and supportive person, qualities that make her an absolutely gifted doula.

Throughout my pregnancy, her guidance helped us navigate so many unknowns. She has a way of providing information that feels empowering rather than overwhelming and every single one of her recommendations turned out to be so wonderful and spot-on for what we needed.

It has been such a genuine blessing to work alongside her. Beyond her own support, Sarah went above and beyond by introducing me to a network of amazing women who also helped guide me through my pregnancy. Having that community and her steady hand by our side made all the difference in the world. We couldn’t recommend her highly enough to anyone looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable partner for their birth journey.”

– Ashley

“I went into birth believing in the power of women’s bodies, baby’s wisdom and the importance of being empowered and supported. I was desperately wanting to have a physiological birth … and as I was birthing in a private hospital, I knew that having a doula would best position me to have the best chance of the birth I dreamed of. I was scared of birthing in hospital, I was afraid of birthing in the hospital, that my choices and agency would be taken away and that interventions would happen that robbed me and my baby of an empowered birth. Sarah deeply listened to me, my hopes, my fears- and she came alongside me with gentleness, expertise, humour and tremendous kindness throughout my pregnancy. My marriage ended in late pregnancy, and she stood with me in my determination that my birth wouldn’t be robbed by this blindside of grief. She helped prepare me, and my birth team so beautifully. When my birth unfolded- she was there holding the space. Sarah knew exactly when to step forward and be active in supporting me, and when to step back and hold the team/space. She’s supported my “girl power” team to support me, and she never faltered in reading the room, she was such a safe presence. I felt so blessed – I felt like I had the “dream team” with Sarah heading up the orchestra of emotional safety in the birth room. She knew so many staff at the hospital I birthed at (Cabrini) and had a wonderful working relationship with my obstetrician Amanda Ward- this was so reassuring. They worked so well together, and I felt so beautifully supported. Sarah artfully supported me through a long pushing phase, my baby was posterior, and so I needed him to be turned using the vaccuum but I felt so prepared and so supported and so trusting- this didn’t feel scary or overwhelming. I birthed without any medication and honestly I had the most beautiful experience- it was just amazing to feel the power of birth. I got my dream: a beautiful, empowered birth. Even though I was without my husband who I had always imagined would be there- I felt anything but alone. I’m forever thankful that I chose Sarah to be my doula. Sarah is highly skilled, a beautiful person and has wonderful intuition. If you’re looking for support to go through birth feeling safe and supported- she’s your woman. Forever thankful for her giving me and my baby the best start to our life together.”

– Sarah

“When preparing for the birth of our second child we were determined to set up the most supportive birthing team possible. I’d wanted a drug free, natural birth with my first but it had ended full of intervention. I’d never known anyone to have a doula so I was a bit nervous but after meeting Sarah I instantly felt more supported and held in the lead up to the birth, during and in those weeks after. Sarah has incredible knowledge and experience and helped us shape a birth preferences that was informed, respectful and covered all possible things that could arise. We felt so prepared and empowered.

In the lead up to the due date Sarah helped suggest therapies that might assist me and help support baby’s position. The massage and osteopathic treatments I had at Nurtured Birth were the best I’ve ever had – the whole team are incredible at what they do and understand a pregnant woman’s body like no other.

During the birth Sarah was a gentle, supportive presence for both my husband and I. She worked respectfully with the rest of our birthing team, and having someone by our side the entire labour who we knew and had built a relationship with made such a difference. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sarah and the team to any of my friends and family for their future pregnancies! Thank you so much Sarah – together we were able to experience the birth we so desperately wanted and needed”

– Kylie 2019

“My husband and I feel so lucky that our obstetrician introduced us to our Doula Sarah. We didn’t actually know what a Doula was prior to but now we tell all of our friends. Our labour was quiet long, with the support my husband and I had from Sarah I was able to have our son naturally as we had planned. Sarah provided us with the support throughout my pregnancy which helped us prepare and also the session post labour was a great way to debrief and check in. Being our first pregnancy we didn’t know what to expect but we felt very empowered with the information and knowledge Sarah shared with us from her experiences. We are so grateful to have had Sarah in the birth suite with us, she is such a beautiful soul.”

– Morgan, 2019

“Sarah was a vital member of our team. Naturally supportive, mindful and intuitive in her approach. My wife had peace of mind in the knowledge that Sarah was wholly committed to her having the birth experience that she envisaged. Importantly, the interpersonal skills is matched by professional skills. The bond that Sarah formed in a short time with my wife, will not be forgotten. And was re-enforced with our glorious second birth (at home).”

– Paul, 2019

“I had full faith and trust in sarah during my labour, without a moment of hesitation, without any doubt I was able to surrender to what was happening to my body because I had Sarah. Sarah was my strength. Sarah kept me calm, she helped me believe in myself and my body. Sarah made me feel safe, that was so important to me, the feeling of being made to feel safe and secure in whatever my environment and whatever my circumstance. Sarah gave me her undivided attention, her utmost care and both emotional and physical strength throughout my entire labour. She took every breath with me. She met all my needs. I would never have been able to have my drug free natural labour without her. She also went above and beyond my expectations after I had given birth as she would visit me at my home on a daily basis and offer tremendous support! I will remember those early days of motherhood as some of the most nurtured, supported and happiest times in my life. Sarah, thinking of you in that time still brings tears to my eyes. Thank you’. ‘Sarah has become an important part of our family and always will be. Sarah was born to do this job’. ”

– Louise and Keith, 2010

“Being a midwife I know just how important it is to have a trusting and flexible birth team. Sarah’s constant presence of energy held the space for us during labour with the perfect balance between reassurance, guidance and understanding. My husband and I felt truly supported into our journey into parenting and I know we would not have had such a beautiful, gentle homebirth without her.”

– Bella, 2011

“First and foremost I have to say that Sarah’s primary great skill as a Doula was that she truly knew how to give appropriate space to both of us. Kimi 5 As the birth partner, what I needed most from Sarah is exactly what I got: comfort, re-assurance, strength, humour and an overall feeling of being supported and nurtured. She gave me all the right cues as to how she thought I could support my partner in labour. And she did this at exactly the times where she read that I may have been feeling a little lacking in focus or direction (or just sheer exhaustion) – in terms of my role as birth partner. Most of all, Sarah’s energy was calming and empowering all at once.”

– Richard Raber, 2012

“I approached this second birth with some amount of fear and a determination to create a positive experience, unlike the birth experience of my first child. At all times I felt Sarah was standing next to me and empowering me with her gentle but focussed way. Once she helped me let go of certain expectations, I was able to truly have an empowered birth. I can’t thank her enough for that.”

– Nemi Bishops, 2012

“If it wasn’t for Sarah I would not have been able to keep going. This was my second baby and I was scared about how it would all go as my first labour was a long and difficult one. But Sarah gave me such positive, calming affirmations that guided me so smoothly into labour and when it really got tough Sarah, along with my husband and sister were literally the arms I leaned on for support. She held me for hours walking through each contraction and did not stop believing in me. Her visualizations, strength, confidence, and her deep understanding of me as a person gave me the most precious gift, my beautiful little girl Milla. Sarah, what a truly magical journey. Thank you.”

– Simone, 2013

“After suffering tiredness & migraines for weeks during my first pregnancy, Sarah was recommended to me by my midwife; Jenny Teskey. I’d never have thought pregnancy massage could help in so many ways and cannot put in words just how grateful I am to have met Sarah. She is a professional above all but also become a friend who provided me with some much needed support & guidance whilst also helping my mind & body relax during her massage therapy.”

– Hanna, 2013

“There is no way I would have had the birth I wanted had it not been for having Sarah as my doula. When the going got tough she was a calm and strong presence for both myself and my husband and kept us both incredibly calm and relaxed up until the very end. She gave me strong visualisations that definitely gave me strength during every single contraction. I felt so supported and nurtured the entire way that I never once doubted myself and my ability to birth naturally, It was such an empowering feeling.”

– Lana, 2013

“Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards you for all you have done for my wife and myself over the past couple of days. Our experience felt surreal, however you gave us confidence and guidance during some pretty trying times which was invaluable. You made us feel safe right through out. Thankyou to your family for sharing their time with us so my family could be delivered to my arms safely. Your friendship, warmth and loved expressed towards my partner and myself will long be remembered and we will be forever grateful. I hope your now well rested and ready for the next couple, I would love to tell them what great hands they are in. So a heart felt and teary Thank you. All our love. ”

– Stephen, 2014

“My doula Sarah from Nurtured Birth was present to my life changing moment. The birth of my daughter was a big deal to my husband and I. Sarah has a special touch using her pre natal massage and she empowered me as a women and mother. She understood my needs and was such a great support. Sarah believed in my strength and innate capacity to birth naturally. I had the best birth possible on the day which created a positive birth memory and deep feeling of profound satisfaction. It is a perfect start to a lifetime of love and adventure with my child.”

– Nora, 2014

“I am truly grateful for the love, energy and honesty which Sarah surrounded me with during my pregnancy. Her support and gentle approach fostered my strong belief and determination in my womanhood and ability to strive for empowerment. I recognised the importance of being surrounded by the right support team during the birth process and Sarah helped me to achieve this in a very short space of time. Sarah also kindly offered me access to a number of different resources during this process which helped me to feel supported and loved. My husband and I are truly amazed by the unforgettable experience which we shared as our little girl arrived gently and peacefully into the world. I don’t think we would have had this opportunity present itself if we didn’t have the benefit of Sarah’s strength and positivity”

– Linda and Russ, 2014

“Without having Sarah’s support, guidance and vast pool of knowledge to tap into, I never would have had the birth experience I had hoped for. In fact, it turned out far better than I ever expected. I was booked in for an induction in the morning and instead ended up with a natural labour and water birth 8 hours later! After having my waters broken, Sarah kept me on my feet. With her prompting, my husband and I kept walking, even out of the hospital and at times up and down the hospital’s stairwell to ensure my labour would establish without additional interventions. Once labour was established, Sarah gave me and my husband the space we needed to focus on our journey, with occasional gentle prompting to keep active to ensure that everything progressed as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Before, during and after the birth, Sarah always provided the most reassuring advice and kept empowering me and my husband to make the make the right decisions for us and our new daughter. Not only was our daughter born, but we felt like we were ‘re-born’ as parents, ready to enter into this new phase of our lives.”

– Anna and Noam, 2014

“Sarah Goldberg of Nurtured Birth is a passionate believer in the possibility of empowering birth experiences. She is drawn by the age-old hearts calling to support pregnant and birthing women, their babies and families. She has a wide experience of birth, both in different cultures and now in Melbourne’s hospitals as well as home settings. She has an understanding of birth and the present birth culture; a capacity to gently guide women into their power; a warm, generous and nurturing presence and strong, sure, skilled hands to soothe and nurture through pregnancy and during birth. Women and their families will delight in their experience with her.”

-Rhea Dempsey