Birth Is the Beginning of Our Community’s Story
By: Sabine Hankiewicz | Certified Birth Doula and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
What I Do — and Why It Matters
I am a DONA Certified Birth Doula and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. In plain language, that means I support families in two important ways.
As a childbirth educator, I teach expecting parents how labor works, what their options are, and what to expect in the early weeks after birth. We talk about how the body progresses through labor, ways to cope with contractions, how partners can actively help, and what postpartum recovery really looks like. Education replaces fear of the unknown with understanding.
As a doula, I provide continuous emotional and physical support during labor and birth. I do not replace doctors or nurses. I do not make medical decisions. My role is to stay focused on the birthing person and their support team — offering comfort measures, reassurance, and clear communication in a moment that can feel overwhelming.
Both roles are about the same goal: helping parents feel informed, steady, and supported.
And when parents feel steady, babies benefit.
What I See in My Work
For the past nine years, I’ve walked alongside families through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. I have seen how preparation and connection can change the tone of those early days.
When parents feel unprepared, birth can feel frightening. When they feel isolated after the baby arrives, small challenges can feel enormous.
But when parents understand what is normal and know where to turn for help, something shifts.
I’ve seen first-time parents enter a class nervous and leave saying, “Okay. I understand this now.” I’ve watched partners transform from unsure observers into confident supporters. I’ve seen families who struggled emotionally after birth get connected quickly to counseling, pediatric follow-up, and community programs because strong local relationships were already in place.
That is the power of collaboration.
No one provider can meet every need. But when our community works together, families are less likely to fall through the cracks.
Why the Early Years Matter
The time from pregnancy through age three is a period of enormous growth — for babies and for parents.
During pregnancy, parents are building expectations and confidence.
During birth, they experience one of the most intense physical and emotional events of their lives.
In the postpartum months, they are adjusting to sleep disruption, feeding questions, relationship changes, and the emotional weight of caring for a newborn.
When families are informed and supported during this season, they are more likely to:
● Recognize when they need help
● Seek support early
● Feel confident in their parenting
● Build strong, secure relationships with their babies
Birth, mental health, early childhood development, and family stability are deeply connected. We cannot talk about one without considering the others.
That is why a coordinated prenatal-to-three effort in Porter County matters so much.
A Charge to Porter County
If you are a parent, healthcare provider, educator, social worker, or community member — you are part of this story.
Supporting families from pregnancy through age three is something we build together.
We can:
● Share reliable information with expecting parents
● Normalize conversations about postpartum mental health
● Encourage families to seek support early
● Strengthen collaboration between professionals
● Invest in programs that support parents at the very beginning
When we invest in families early, we strengthen our entire community.
Birth may happen in one room on one day.
But the impact of that beginning belongs to all of us.
About the Author
Sabine Hankiewicz is a DONA Certified Birth Doula and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator serving families throughout Northwest Indiana. She provides childbirth education and labor support designed to help expecting parents approach birth and postpartum with confidence and practical preparation. To learn more, visit www.indigodoula.com.