About

The mission of Lotus and Oak is to help new and expecting parents step into their power and have a birth and early parenting experience that they cherish. 

Lotus and Oak was founded to blend the best of feminine intuition with evidence-based information to help clients have an easy and enjoyable birth, and an improved postpartum experience. 

By working with a doula, you have a constant nurturing presence to provide non-medical emotional, physical and informational support.

The presence of a birth doula is proven to reduce the use of unnecessary interventions and to improve the birthing experience, increase self-confidence and reduce perinatal mood disorders.

About Sam

Sam Wilson is a behavioral healthcare executive who was called to the world of birth and parenting support after having an empowering home birth with her first baby. Sam has completed training as a doula (DONA International) and as a perinatal behavioral health coach to support expecting parents through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. 

Sam’s career in healthcare policy, advocacy, and operations motivated her to do extensive research during her own pregnancy. What she found was worse than what she already sensed - the US maternity system has overmedicalized birth, stripping women of their power and delivering worse outcomes than our parents' generation.

Thankfully, Sam also discovered a growing movement to return to birthing intuition - one that spans cultures and supports women during this life-changing chapter. Now, it’s her passion to support others on this journey.

Qualifications

  • Doula Training (DONA International)

  • Lactation for Doulas (DONA International)

  • Perinatal Behavioral Health Coach Training (FamilyWell)

  • CPD Certified Life Coach

  • CPD Certified Holistic Health Coach

  • QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Certificate

Trained in

  • Physiological birth

  • Advocacy

  • Health equity 

  • Coping skills 

  • Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

  • Trauma, including birth trauma

Every person is unique.
I am here to help you hone what is right for you.

Support with: 

  • Comfort measures for labor

  • Tools for coping

  • Natural pain management

  • Birth planning

  • Navigating the medical system

  • Self advocacy

  • Feeling overwhelmed 

  • Guilt or grief 

  • Transition to parenthood

  • Return to work 

  • Calming presence

Benefits of working with a doula

  • Advocacy

    They work for you and you alone and stay with you throughout the process. There is always someone you know and trust in the room.

  • Health

    Lower C-section and postpartum depression rates, lower use of medical interventions in labor. More likely to breastfeed.

  • Experience

    Positive feelings about your birth experience. Reassurance that what you are experiencing is normal.

Doula Services

Doula services are available within 50 miles of Old Saybrook, CT.

  • Brief meet and greet meeting

  • 1-2 Prenatal meetings (flexible-depending on clients needs)

  • Phone/Text/Email support before the birth

  • On-Call at 38 weeks

  • Full labor/birth support by Sam or mutually acceptable back-up doula

  • 1-2 hours of support after the birth

  • Phone/Text/Email support after the birth

  • 1 Postpartum visit 1-3 weeks after the baby arrives

Coaching to change your mindset, change your life.

  • Identify challenges you're facing related to pregnancy, birth, or postpartum life

  • Develop strategies to help you manage emotions, stress, or anxiety

  • Set goals for emotional well-being and personal growth

  • Focus on actionable steps you can take to feel more confident and balanced