Birth in the Tradition TM, and Mother's Keeper Inc. is a community based midwifery, labor and post partum doula service offering ante partum, birth and postpartum services to low risk mother's in Georgia since 1980. Individualized, customized, and holistic prenatal care is provided on a personal basis. This includes basic clinical exams, nutritional guidance, prenatal education, labor assistance, in-home visitations, postpartum and newborn education, breast feeding support and referrals to outside resources to support a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery for the new mom. A team of professionals are available to meet your need which includes your Midwife, her assistant, an apprentice, OBGYN, Pediatrician, Lactation Specialist, Hypnobirth Instructor, Labor and Post Partum Doula's, Herbalist and Natural Path Doctor.

Specialties include, VBAC's, Water Birth, Lotus Birth, Placenta Encapsulation, Birth Photography, Herbal Knowledge & use, Belly Casting, Blessingways Planning, and Traditional Birthing Practices from various parts of the world.

Birth in the Tradition believes in returning birth to the family. This is the culmination and beginning of journey which began with the couple. The midwife is their to support the normalcy and naturalness of a healthy pregnancy and birth to the very best of her ability. She is not there to take over birth not unless her midwifery skills are required. At the same time, she is there to provide the comfort, wisdom and expertise of her craft, knowledge and skills appropriately.

Prenatal care begins once a mutual agreement has been made between the midwife and her client and continues six weeks after birth. In many cases an extended family relationship continues a lifetime.

I began my journey as a birth assistant in 1980. After giving birth to my first child (Satori) I was invited to attend my midwifes birth. Shortly after that I found myself being sought after as an Assistant. I began studying with the same midwife who had invited me to her birth and each of the five babies I birthed. My studyship took four years (although I beleive we never stop learning). This included a self paced study discipline, volunteering at a Hospital (in L&D), CPR certification process, Neonatal certification process, and affiliating myself with midwifery/childbirth education organizations, and of course following my midwife teacher to countless births. I have assisted in over 500 deliveries, some in the hospital-the majority at home. My affiliations include being a founding/original member of: Dua Afe Whole Woman Inc., The Southern Alliance of Midwives, Georgia Midwifery Association, The Internation Alliance of Midwives and Midwives Alliance of North America. I am currently the Southeastern Regioanl Director of The International Center For Traditional Childbearing, a member of ALACE, formally Informed Birth and Parenting,and Founder and CEO of Birth In The Tradition/Mother's Keeper Doula Services. I earned a BS in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University in 1979.

Traditional Midwifery is part of the original model of womancare handed down from the beginning of human time. This model has evolved and changed continuously over the centuries and is currently a vast and ever expanding tapestry of birthing consciousness. Mothers and midwives are the principle weavers. Working in concert, we preserve a model of bringing forth life with dignity and grace. Together we facilitate the creation of family and community on this planet. As midwives, we do not strive to control birth -- or each other. Rather, we allow birth to evolve freely and gracefully to its natural conclusion. In doing so, each of us -- mother, father, baby and midwife -- unfolds as a more whole and perfect human being. Midwifery calls each of us to our highest and best. In our quest to cultivate ourselves and serve others with love and respect, we facilitate important rites of passage. We empower each other and ourselves by allowing the process of life to unfold according to individual divine plan.

Birth In The Tradition's services is offered 24/7! My fees are based on a sliding fee scale and I am happy to accommodate a payment plan. I also believe in the old time granny barter system based on mutual needs. Birth In The Tradition Natural Childbirth Preparation Classes are $150.00 for the full series and $100.00 for the Weekend Refreshers Course. Wise Woman Counseling is $65.00/half hour and $115.00 for a full hour. Mother's Keeper Labor Doula/Monitrice services are $550.00. Mother's Keeper Postpartum Doula Services are $500.00 per week based on a four hour day.

BITT's Natural Childbirth Preparation Classes are taught to you with a holistic africentric approach. These classes are designed for homebirth candidates although those who choose to birth in the hospital, aspiring a natural non-invasive labor and birth experience benefit from these classes as well. The course is outlined as follows:Full Series: 1. Prenatal Caring 2. Labor and Birth / Creating a Birth Plan 3. Breathing and Relaxation Skill & Labor Support 4. Newborn and Postpartum Care Brestfeeding Couples who would like to refresh themselves can benefit from the weekend refreshers course. This course looks as follows:1. Labor and Birth / Creating a Birth Plan 2. Breathing / Relaxation Skills and Labor SupportA resource and information booklet is included in this course.This course is available on Wednesday or Sunday evenings. Classes are also available to women in their homes if they are on bed rest.

Confidential, personal consultations sessions are offered in person in my home or on the telephone in Atlanta. Wise Woman Counseling can address topics yet not limited to:1.Conscious Conception 2.Pregnacy 3.Pregnancy Crisis 4.Birth Preparation 5.Brestfeeding 6.Prenatal Nutrition and Herbology 7.Holistic Woman Care from Puberty to Menapause An appointment time for the clients desired topic is pre-arranged via email at mamasarahn@yahoo.com. Client offers three options for dates and time to me. I will call at the appointed time and session proceeds without interruption.

I represent Traditional Midwifery in a range of topics at national gatherings such as midwifery conferences, doula conferences, colleges, community symposiums and professional events. In addition to speaking and facilitating, I regularly participate in opening and closing ceremonies at The House of La Matrona's annual conference. For a list of past speaking engagements and to inquire about booking and fees, please contact me at mamasarahn@yahoo.com.

Mother's Keeper Labor and Postpartum Doula Services were both founded in the early 80's answering a need, before the Doula profession was even heard of. MK Labor Doula services was created to assist women in the natural birthing process usually performed in the hospital. The Doula is there to be of support serving as a liaison between the birthing mother/couple and the medical staff, to be an advocate, a companion, and one skilled at providing comfort. Her services may include:1. Two Prenatal home visits before the birth 2. Assisting at designing a birth plan3. Labor & Birth Assistance 4. One Postpartum Homevisit MK Postpartum Doula services was created to allow the mother to be mothered and cared for. This allows her to maximize her healing process by giving rest and relaxation. She is given this time to get to know her baby without the routine concerns of running the house. Postpartum care reduces the chances of the new mother developing Portpartum Depression and allows the father to return to work knowing that all is well at home and a home cooked meal is awaiting his return!The Postpartum Doulas role may include:1. Meal Preparation2. Laundry3. Light Home Care4. Errands5. Newborn Instructions/Assistance6. Breast Feeding Support7. Herbal Sitz Baths for mom