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This is The Nocturness. I'm Emily Silverman.

Today I'm joined by Sarah Anna, a birth dula, educator, and poet.

Sarah has attended nearly 500 births at homes, hospitals, and freestanding birth centers. In 2024, she shared her story on stage at intersections, a live event produced by the Center for the Art of Medicine in Minneapolis.

As you'll hear, Sarah's story comes accompanied by the song Lioness, performed by Rachel Kurtz.

In my conversation with Sarah, we talk about the art and science of doula work,

why presence itself can actually change birth outcomes,

how fear, control, and surrender play out in the birthing room.

And of course, the story behind the song, Lioness.

Before we begin, take a listen to Sarah's story from Minneapolis.

It's a Saturday. I've got plans, but I'm on call. You know how it goes. Those plans are done.

I'm on my way to a birth. I drive to St. Paul up over the high bridge, over the Mississippi,

into a small residential neighborhood.

There's a small brick building, very inconspicuous. You think maybe there's a person who's done taxes for other people for 30 years in that building. But what's actually happening inside

those walls is the most wonderful ordinary miracle,

hundreds of times a year.

I'm a birth dula.

I'm at a freestanding birth center.

And I park in the back.

...