Beijing’s Moms Bid Farewell to Sarah Lam

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Being pregnant isn’t an easy journey. The physical and emotional roller coaster can throw any woman off her game, but being pregnant abroad, sometimes without your family by your side, is downright scary at times, and finding a group that gives you the mental support and advice you need is priceless.

Fortunately for us, there are women like Sarah Lam. Lam is a passionate doula from London with a heart of gold and years of experience that she has freely shared with women in Beijing. Each week Lam opened up her home for small, intimate gatherings, where she creates a safe space for women to say anything that’s on their minds. Her WeChat group, Bump, Birth & Beyond, has given expat women from all parts of the world a place to belong and find advice.

After years of living in Beijing, Lam and her family will be moving away in a few short days. And the women she’s helped will not be letting her leave without a proper good-bye. We love you Sarah. Thank you for all you’ve done for us!

“Sarah created a community where you feel welcomed – where you can freely open up about any topic to clear your doubts, share experiences, or just vent! It’s been great to have this little “safe haven” to share the ups and downs of pregnancy and motherhood, especially since many of us haven’t been home in a long time. We’re going to miss Sarah lots! We wish her the best on this new adventure, where I’m sure she will find a way to continue helping moms around the world!” – Evelyn & Andy

“She’s a wonderful woman who has provided a way for us to connect, share knowledge, and find support, kindness, and community. She’s full of love and will be greatly missed,” – Rebecca M.

“I was a first-time pregnant mom, in a very different country, far from my family. Sarah’s group was of great support for me! Our meetings made me more confident and gave me the amazing experience of sharing my fears and concerns with other mothers. And the group is a perfect reflection of Sarah’s personality: full of kindness, affection, and smiles! ‘My house is always open to you,’ she told me. But, dear Sarah, you did for us so much more than that: you’ve opened your heart and your arms to us! I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that!” – Natalia Ferraz Granja

“Our baby group has given me much more confidence. I have a support group of people from different cultures and backgrounds but we all have one goal: being great mums. I am very grateful to be a member of this special community.” – Samantha Liu

”It was winter time in Beijing when I first stepped into Sarah’s home for the meeting. The warmth of her home eased the harshness of the Beijing winter, welcoming me and my third bump with her lovely smile and her open arms. She made healthy cinnamon rolls that calmed my busy self. It was perfectly paired with refreshing cherry tomatoes and cups of coffee and tea which she gladly offered.

My first meeting was definitely not the last! I have looked forward to Tuesdays [ever since]. Thanks a lot to the lovely German mom who added me to the group (You know who you are!). The space to be myself as a mother drew me to build a community and journey together with other moms and their babies without any judgments. That’s what I think was so special in the meetings.

Another precious reason was Sarah herself. Her gentleness and kindness along with her cozy home, paired with learnings and happy conversations, made me reserve my coffee time to be spent this way. What else could be better?

[From] knowing Sarah, I can say she is a beautiful person inside and out. She is also an artist and fascinated with “bodies.” You can see that from the works of art on the walls of her living room. It’s worth mentioning this because she embodies the acceptance of one’s self, and appreciation of the uniqueness of each one. Her personality speaks the message “It doesn’t matter what you look like, you are special. There’s no one like you and you are welcome here!

Thank you, Sarah, for welcoming me and Baby Ezekiah to your home and being part of this wonderful Bump, Birth and Beyond group! Truly unforgettable experience in my motherhood journey!” – Rocyl

“It was so nice to have a safe place and even the opportunity to interact with other moms. It is nice to know you are not alone in what you are going through as a parent, and groups like this, without judgement (which is what Sarah fostered) are invaluable.” – Tiffany Harwick

“Sarah is one of the most warm-hearted persons I know. She always finds a way to help or to cheer you up – even if it is ‘only’ with a smile or a hug. She’s an amazing hugger! Not to mention her huge wealth of experience and useful tips as a mother and doula. Everything around her is filled with love. That’s why our meetups were so important to me – in our talks before we decided to get a second baby, in the pregnancy time, and after childbirth. You come to her house with all the fears and concerns you have in this vulnerable time, and leave with a smile, plus some tears and cake-crumbs there… I am lucky to know her and very happy for people at the place she will go next.” – Juliana Schartner

Images: Juliana Schartner, Rocyl, Samantha Liu, Juliana, Natalia Ferraz Granja

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