Vandewalle

Sarah

In 2019, Sarah earned her Bachelor's degree in Midwifery, followed by a Master's degree in Educational Sciences in 2023, with a specialization in Special Needs Education and Disability Studies. Her passion for parenthood and addiction was sparked during one of her initial midwifery internships, and deepened through subsequent experiences in Special Youth Care. Sarah’s master's thesis, "Impact of khat use on pregnancy, newborns, and early childhood development: A systematic review," highlighted her commitment to understanding complex maternal health issues.

In early 2024, she embarked on a doctoral research project exploring how the perinatal period may present opportunities for change and recovery in mothers facing substance use challenges. Recently, she also began a postgraduate program in 'Perinatal Psychology,' further enriching her expertise on the transition to motherhood, common challenges during the perinatal period, and strategies for providing effective support.