Dr. Sarah Leahy

birth educator, mother, artist, chiropractor

As a physician focusing on natural health, I have always had a deep trust in my body. That confidence was shaken, however, when my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I was subsequently given the label of “unexplained infertility” as I struggled to get pregnant a second time, and testing revealed no issues.

“Such a medicalized conception started me down a dangerous path.”

Feeling broken, and that I may have more success with a little medical assistance, I started the process of IUI treatments (Intrauterine Insemination). I became pregnant on the second try, but such a medicalized conception started me down a dangerous path. After the loss of both a pregnancy and the trust in my body, I was afraid, leaning on medical tests and procedures for comfort. I placed my fate in the hands of my care providers, not in myself and my ability to grow and birth a child.

So when it came time for my first son’s birth I became a victim of the medicalized maternity care system. With no other reason besides I was “taking too long”, after many hours of coercion I was eventually broken down and agreed to every intervention, followed by a c-section. I thought I was prepared to give birth in a hospital, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“I thought I was prepared to give birth in a hospital, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

What followed my traumatic birth was 2 years of PTSD, anxiety and depression - all consequences that I was never warned of. I knew from the day of my surgery that my next birth would be different.

When I became pregnant with my second son, I made a plan to GIVE BIRTH MY WAY. I knew I wanted to give birth at home, but was unable to find a home birth midwife. Then it hit me - the “aha” moment when I thought, “why can’t I just do this myself?” From there I learned everything I could about being prepared mentally and physically for birth, and ultimately gave birth to my second son unassisted in the comfort of my home. That experience changed EVERYTHING for me.

“I gave birth to my second son unassisted in the comfort of my home. That experience changed EVERYTHING for me.”

In 2018, out of a desire to learn about and help improve women’s experiences with birth, I created a private Facebook community to perform informal research. My main takeaway from this group was that the way women are treated when they are pregnant, giving birth, and postpartum is FAR WORSE than I realized. I knew something needed to be done.

And so BIRTH UPRISING was born.

Through this platform I hope to help women learn ALL of their options, not just those shared with them in a 7 minute prenatal appointment. I want to help you start motherhood off from a place of accomplishment & confidence.

Thank you for being here!