We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Waldron and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Wildflower Birth & Wellness was created with the spirit of my daughter, Violet, in mind. She is my greatest inspiration and joy. Wildflowers are resilient, beautiful, and limitless; qualities that birth possesses as well. As a homebirth Certified Nurse Midwife, I provide wellness care, preconception, pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum care in the comfort of my client’s homes. Providing this in-home care was inspired by the varying care I have seen throughout the years both observationally and personally as a provider or recipient of care. The ability to care for families in their safest space is truly special.

Starting my own business was rooted in the ability to practice my profession with an independent and individualized approach. As a Certified Nurse Midwife in California we are able to work in the hospital, birthing centers and homes! When I starting my journey towards becoming a midwife, my goal was always to be a homebirth midwife. As the reality of that dream was coming true, the focus on how to start my own business and the intricacies that would require completely shifting my thought process. My education and skills are midwifery, not business ownership! And my nurse-midwifery program gave minimal insight into the process of opening and operating a small business in California. However, I knew that in order to have the freedom that would come with a homebirth midwifery practice would be worth it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Midwifery is the practice of attending those during their birthing time. Traditionally midwives have been medicine practitioners and healers throughout centuries of childbearing. For me, caring for ourselves requires looking at our health holistically. It’s our everyday practices and routines that most strongly impact our wellness. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum are no different! Being a community midwife and providing care to the families I serve allows me the privilege to gain insight into these everyday practices. My role as a midwife is to guide and foster ones relationship with themselves and their partners during their transformational rite of passage into parenthood.

I am most excited about seeing the expansion families go through when they become parents. It is a true honor to be a part of such an intimate and special process.

There have been endless lessons in my decade of birth work that have challenged me personally and professionally. The experiences that have taught these lessons have been overcome with the immense support of my peers and family. I have learned to respect my own boundaries, to better care for myself, to enjoy all of life’s small, seemingly ordinary moments and to always find the extraordinary.

I want everyone to feel supported, cared for, and trusted while I walk alongside their journey. My journey in birthwork, nursing, birthing, and parenting has led me to where I am today and I am humbled by the constant lessons I learn daily.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh there are SO many places! We LOVE Disneyland, so that would definitely be high on the list…and you can’t go there without going to Salt & Straw in Downtown Disney. We also love the beach, Crystal Cove State Beach, Doheny, and Corona Del Mar are a few that we frequent. Food wise, there are too many options…but if I had to pick a few I’d be picking Banzai Bowl, Fermentation Farm, Sidecar Donuts, Avila’s El Ranchito, Sup Noodle Bar, Organic Tree, Pizza Port, Sancho’s Tacos…I guess I can’t pick just a few! We also love visiting gardens, Sherman Library in Corona Del Mar and Huntington Library in Pasadena are so beautiful!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am beyond grateful for the love, support, and encouragement from my family. I am forever indebted to my parents; their unconditional and unwavering support has gotten me to where I am today. To my husband Tommy, I am blessed everyday by your encouragement and dedication to my joy and success. Thank you. To my sweet Violet, this is all for you.

My life was changed by the documentary, The Business of Being Born, directed by Abby Epstein and produced by Ricki Lake. This documentary was suggested by my amazing professor during my undergraduate nursing program at UC Irvine, Julie Rousseau. I watched this documentary and was inspired to be a part of the change in improving our birth satisfaction and outcomes in the US.

To the many, many, many midwives I have had the honor of working alongside…you are my heroes. Thank you for allowing me to witness your art, and thank you for fostering mine.

To my sister midwives, thank you for your love and never ending solidarity in this work.

I’d also like to Shoutout Doctor Midwife, Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, DNP, CNM, CPM. She is doing work that is humbling and inspiring to improve accessibility and outcomes in the state of Alabama all white fighting the prejudiced restrictions that continue to blockade the ability for quality, safe care. Her dedication to the cause is palpable. She is bringing the first freestanding birth center to the state of Alabama and is a total BADASS https://thebirthsanctuary.com/

Website: https://www.wildflowerbirthandwellness.com/

Instagram: @_wildflowerbirthandwellness_

Image Credits
Zo’e Cole / Aloha Mamatog

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.