Believe Doulas LLC

29/07/2025

A welcoming, non-clinical space for new parents to talk honestly about the emotional side of life after birth. Come as you are!

17/07/2025

Come join us for a fun and informative class. Bring your partner and all your questions!

Register at www.Believedoulas.com

Are you expecting this year? is offering a one day birth masterclass in September at Birth & Bloom! Get all the important information about birth, postpartum and breastfeeding in a condensed all-in-one course. Visit our website to learn more & always feel free to DM with questions! 💜

10/07/2025

Have you ever wondered where the word doula comes from?💡

Its roots trace back to ancient Greece, where it originally meant “a woman who serves.

Though the word has ancient origins, it was historically not applied to what we now recognize as the doula role! In the 1970s, medical anthropologist Dana Raphael popularized the term to describe someone who supports mothers through breastfeeding and postpartum recovery. Since then, the definition has expanded to include birth doulas, postpartum doulas, full-spectrum doulas, and even end-of-life doulas, each offering non-medical, emotional, physical, and informational support during some of life’s most transformative moments.💪🏽

It’s important to acknowledge that this term was historically associated with servitude and, at times, slavery. In modern Greek, the word still literally translates to “slave.” While the term today has been redefined to reflect care, support, and strength, it’s worth acknowledging the complexity of its roots and it reminds us to be thoughtful about the words we use and their histories.

Additionally, the doula’s role today is deeply modern: centering the person, holding space, advocating for dignity, walking alongside families with compassion and purpose, and practiced as a profession rather than a social expectation.🙏🏽

We also recognize that not all doulas are women! We have many wonderful men who work as doulas.

Know someone who could learn from this? Share it with a friend and help spread the word about what doulas really do. You can also read more about it here from our Greek DONA trainer Maria Andreoulaki: https://bit.ly/4kuPrkR

15/05/2025

YES to this! Your body, your baby, your choices. So important to remember. We believe in supporting your unique path. Learn more about our doula services in the Finger Lakes region of NY at www.believedoulas.com! Thanks for sharing, Dr. Wickham!

In our modern world, we’ve developed standards and pathways and guidelines which guide the health care that is offered in systems.

But the standard path won’t be the best way for everyone.

You might not think it’s the right one for you.

Don’t forget that standards and guidelines are created so that bureaucratic systems can run smoothly.

They are only an offer and it’s ok to say, ‘that’s not right for me’.

Find out more in my book, "What's Right For Me? Making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth."

For that and loads more birth-related information, see https://www.sarawickham.com/me

10/05/2025

02/05/2025

Registration is live for our next 6 week yoga series ✨

Link in bio

02/05/2025

🌍✨ Welcome to International Doula Month 2025! ✨🌍

This May, we’re celebrating the extraordinary impact of doulas with our theme: Doulas Make the Difference: Birth, Baby, and Beyond.

From the first contraction to the first steps—and every moment in between—doulas are there. This theme honors the profound ways doulas support families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the parenting journey. Their presence brings knowledge, comfort, and strength that goes beyond the birth room—reaching across borders, cultures, and into the future of every family they support.

Throughout the month, we’ll spotlight their impact with weekly subthemes that explore the many roles doulas play, share stories from the field, and offer resources to empower our global community. We’ve also created a special International Doula Month Social Media Toolkit which we will share shortly to help you celebrate, advocate, and spread the word to your communities online.

Whether you’re a doula, a parent, or a supporter of birth justice, there’s something here for you. Let’s show the world how —not just at birth, or baby, but beyond.💜🌌

25/04/2025

Whenever you're offered a medical test, take a moment to consider what will happen with the information gained from it.

Is this something you're happy with?

Could a particular result limit your options in any way?

If a screening test shows that you are carrying group B strep bacteria, have gestational diabetes or have a higher-than-average BMI, for instance, you might be told that you can't birth where you wanted to.

Will it lead to things you don't want?

If you step on the scales - in pregnancy or at any other time - your BMI may be logged and you may find yourself being offered interventions you don't want, or being asked to attend clinics or groups.

As with everything, some people are okay with these offers or restrictions, and some are not. But care is standardised. That's why you need to think about how something and its consequences will feel to you, before you agree to it.

What are the alternatives?

There are always alternatives, including declining the test, or seeking care elsewhere.

Always remember it's your decision. You can say 'yes' or 'no' or 'I need time to think about this.'

And although not everybody realises this, you don't have to have those screening tests in the first place if you don't want them.

If you'd like to know more, or to better understand some of the wider issues around making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth, take a look at my book, "What's Right For Me? Making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth."

It was written to help women, parents and families to better understand how modern maternity care works and how you can make the decisions that are right for you.

More information at www.sarawickham.com/me

18/04/2025

The purpose of is to collectively work towards a future where all women have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during and after pregnancy. Learn more about our gestational diabetes (GDM) resources at bit.ly/3UDfNH2.

18/04/2025

18/04/2025

Are you wondering what to do when your little one is in a breech position? I've created this FREE BRM® class with effective at-home exercises specifically de...