We’re thrilled to welcome another Sarah to the Blooma Doula team. Sarah B. is originally from Minnesota, but has been living in Denver, CO for the last 13 years with her partner Jevin, two daughters and resident cat, Whampy.  They just moved back to MN and are so excited to be near family and friends and enjoy the MN outdoors.

We wanted to get to know Sarah a little bit better!

What’s your background?
I have two degrees, one in Spanish Studies from the University of MN (Goooo GOOOOPHERS!) and a Masters in Public Administration from UND.  I spent more than a decade in nonprofit management and still do leadership coaching from time to time.  After the birth of my first daughter in 2013, I became a doula because of the amazing experience I had having the support of one during my labor.

Since then, I have taken several doula certifications, most recently a 200-hour Certified Professional Doula credential that is its first in the nation. I also specialize in Baby & Toddler Sleep Support. It’s the most painful problem I know how to solve. I feel like I have a special calling on my life to help families reclaim the joy of parenthood after sleep deprivation.

How did you first find Blooma?
I met Sarah Longacre and Blooma in 2018 when I was carrying a baby as a Gestational Surrogate.  I came in with one of my best friends to take a prenatal yoga class and I could tell something was very special about this place.  When I knew I was coming back home to MN, I reached out to Sarah since I knew it was the hub of all great things related to pregnancy and growing families.  Turns out my passions for labor, birth and baby sleep were a great compliment to the current stellar team of doulas.

What’s your favorite thing about being a doula?
I love watching families reflect back on their pregnancy, labor and birth with amazement on what they did or experienced.  A lot of clients say “I can’t believe I did that!” or “I can’t believe my partner did that!” in pure wonderstruck awe of the entire process.  Our culture doesn’t do a great job of normalizing infertility, birth, lactation, or baby sleep so it can feel like a crash course for some people.  It’s an honor to offer support and resources to families in this transitional period of life. Reflecting back with amazement and reverence for the sacred moments is my favorite thing to witness.

What are you most looking forward to becoming a Blooma Doula?
I am so excited to be on a team with a partnership approach to doula support. I also feel like I will keep learning as a doula in this environment with such talented, educated, experienced doulas in my corner.  I am excited to start Sleep Support Groups and begin teaching my gentle, evidence-based baby & toddler sleep courses in Minneapolis.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? 
I’d love to go to Bora Bora and stay in a hut over the water or anywhere with great SCUBA diving!

What’s something you learned this past year?
I learned that when I live with my values at the center, stress melts away.  It was not what I was expecting, needing to crisis-homeschool my two children; but in the end, we made choices as a family that were based on our values and we are stronger for it. Keeping our values at the center is what caused us to decide to relocate back to MN. 

What’s the first thing you’ll do once things are back to ‘normal’ (whatever that means!)?
I’m going to host a big family get together (once we unpack in Minnesota!) with games and a big appetizer spread.  I just want to talk and hug and catch up with everyone. I’m looking forward to getting to know my siblings again as humans and individuals now that we’re all grown up and in different phases of life.

Any words of wisdom for someone looking to make a big move?
My advice for anyone making a big move (physical or otherwise) is get clear on your core values – both your own and your families (two different things) and keep them in focus.  It might not make sense for anyone else, but if you chase the joy of those values, it isn’t a big move after all…it’s the next right thing.

Anything else you want to share?
I can’t wait to meet you around Blooma! I’m having a little bit of the new kid on a first day of school jitters, so please say hi! I’m so excited to see you soon!