Sabin: Sharing positive birth experiences

BONNERS FERRY — A positive birth experience is the ultimate goal for many moms and a doula can help moms attain that goal.

A doula is a skilled labor support person who offers emotional and physical support during birth.

Massages, reflexology and laboring in water are a few of the comfort measures doulas help with during birth, said Lori Sabin, certified doula.

After giving birth to four boys in the hospital, Sabin felt the doctors didn’t listen and wanted to help other women have a happy birth and positive birth memory.

“Birth is relevant to becoming a mom,” said Sabin. “Having a positive experience helps with confidence and being a good mom.”

Having an extra support person can make a difference especially for first time moms said Sabin. Women should have choices and a realistic viewpoint of birth said Sabin.

“Birth is not an illness,” said Sabin. “Most women don’t need to be rescued. It all organically happens.”

As a doula, Sabin helps mothers in birth centers, hospitals and at home. Ninety percent of being a doula is education and building a relationship before birth, said Sabin.

She meets at least three times with moms during pregnancy, is their constant companion during birth, helps them initially after birth and then visits them once at home after birth.

“I want women to have the information they need,” said Sabin. “Doing childbirth classes-that is key to the right information and wanting to be an active participant.”

Sabin helps moms create birth plans for their ideal birth but reminds them to stay flexible.

“Birth is a milestone, a sacred moment,” said Sabin. “The beginning of life is amazing. You never forget it.”

A love for babies naturally led Sabin to become a doula.

She is also training to be a midwife. Doulas don’t handle the medical aspect of birth, whereas midwives do handle the medical aspect.

“They go hand-in-hand,” said Sabin. “I think I can blend them well. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

In 2009, Sabin began training to be a doula and a midwife. A three-day workshop on doula practices the beginning of training for becoming a midwife and a doula. To obtain her Doula certification through Doulas of North America, Sabin was required to take classes, read books, track births, write birth stories, obtain feedback and referrals.

For her midwife training, Sabin is an apprentice under Barbara Rawlings and Kendra Scarlett of Womancare Midwives, and under Sherry Bushnell of Lavender and Roses. In May, Sabin will finish her midwife certification.

“I’m pretty lucky to have wonderful midwives,” said Sabin. “I want to be just like them.”

Nationally, two percent of women choose midwifery for a birth option and 33 percent of women have a Cesarean section, said Sabin.

“I’d like to see a more balanced maternity care,” said Sabin. “We forget what it used to be like...how we used to take care of each other. We don’t depend on others like we use to.”

Being a doula enables Sabin to support women during birth, from massaging their feet to offering encouragement that the pain is normal.

“It’s a tough job having a baby,” said Sabin. “The best aspect is being with women as they become mothers.”

• Info: Lori Sabin at 210-632-2228 or sabin.lori@yahoo.com.