Celebrating Midwifery Week: Our Founder’s Path to Midwifery

In celebration of national midwifery week in the United States, we're capping the week off with a little interview with agency founder Sarah Pearce.

Hey Sarah. What inspired you to take the leap from doula work into midwifery training? Is there any particular birth experience or client story that contributed to this choice?

S: "I think after almost a decade of doula work and even working as a nurse, not seeing providers really get "better" at providing true informed consent and individualized care (not blaming them but the system really) so what better way to make the change I want to see [than] by doing it myself?"

How did you experience as a doula shape your approach to midwifery? S: "It provided a vast amount of hands on learning for me that just kept elevating to 'how can I support them even more/better.'

What's something about becoming a midwife that has surprised you so far?

S: "Probably how naturally it's come to me. I was typically always a bit nervous as I started something new, like nursing school, clinicals, or even just going to a hospital for the first time as a doula would be nerve wracking. Nothing about midwifery school or clinicals/apprenticeships has ever done that. I am surprisingly confident in my ability to help families have safe births at home."

How would you describe the difference between a doula's role and a midwife's? How do they compliment each other? S: "My favorite phrase would be 'the doula is up here telling you that you can do it, and the midwife is down there waiting for you to do it.' Both are important but in their different roles. One is medical focused (keeping everyone safe) and one is support focused (providing words of encouragement and helping you change positions)

'A positive birth experience' is often promoted or emphasized in doula work and midwifery. What does a positive birth experience mean in your eyes?

S: "That everyone walks away from birth physically, emotionally and spiritually happy/satisfied with their birth experience - regardless of what it looks like. If they are happy, so am I!

What’s been the most rewarding part of your midwifery training so far?

S: Getting to make connections with local (and not!) midwives, the community through my class/schooling- being able to discuss medical scenarios with others who have experienced it and can share wisdom with each other.

Going with the previous question, what’s been the most challenging part so far?

S: Being able to juggle everything - busy doula agency doing both birth and postpartum services myself, being a parent and having a home to care for, the reading, assignments and class time…oh and can’t forget The Little Resource Center, that’s a part time job AT LEAST.

How do you balance training, family life, and still running a doula agency?

S: Lots of coffee and naps.

What's your go-to caffeine fix of the moment?

S: "Columbian roast coffee with my Starbucks creamer!"

Has your perspective on birth changed since beginning midwifery school?

S: "I don’t think so. I’ve always greatly admired and been interested in all things birth for nearly 20 years now. I’m always learning and evolving but birth in its truest and rawest form is pure Magic."

Why do you think midwives (and doulas) are so vital in today’s maternity care landscape?

S: We know from studies done that the USA is one of the most dangerous places to give birth at, in fact it’s THE deadliest developed country to birth in. Most of this comes down to lack of midwives (which other countries have at the forefront of antenatal care) and our over abundance of surgeons taking care of low risk pregnancies. Having a doula can prevent a lot of the trauma that comes with birthing in the American health care system. But having a midwife as your primary care provider really gives you the greatest odds of having a less complicated birth. If you risk out and need an OBGYN, then you know it’s for a legit reason and can take comfort in the fact that is what they are there for.

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Midwives and doulas really do share the same heartbeat: compassion, advocacy, and the belief that every birthing person deserves to feel informed and empowered.

As Sarah continues her journey to becoming a midwife, we’re reminded that this work is about so much more than catching babies. It’s about holding space, building trust, and supporting families from the very beginning.

Join us in celebrating Midwife Week by showing a little love to the midwives and birth workers who make such a difference every day 💜If you’ve ever been supported by a doula or midwife, we’d love to hear your story in the comments!