Austin Area Birthing Center Archives | Austin Area Birthing Center

We’re growing at AABC and have added several new midwives this spring and summer to accommodate our amazing families. Lynn Ann Griffin is one of the new hires we were lucky enough to find, and we sat down with her last week to get her story.

Here’s what she told us about how she decided to become a midwife:

In nursing school, I witnessed my first birth. I was so in awe of the experience that I had to take a couple of hours and spend time alone, processing the miracle I had witnessed. The first thing I did after that was to call my mom and thank her.

I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the birth experience. I trained as a doula before I became a high-risk labor and delivery RN in Seattle at the University of Washington. I knew I eventually wanted to be trained as a midwife and when I was ready to go back to school, I chose Frontier University, in my home state of Kentucky. Frontier was the first midwifery school in America, which felt significant to me.

My clinical experience took place in Spokane, WA in a low-income setting and Mount Vernon, WA in a rural setting. My mentors were great advocates and promoters of the natural labor process.

Professionally, I am passionate about trusting the client as the expert. She knows her own body and my role is to work as a partner in her care. My job is to empower her with knowledge and assistance; we collaborate, but she is in charge of her own process. Our bodies were made for this purpose; sometimes they just need a bit of encouragement and technical help.

The feedback I get from my clients usually mentions that I “really listened” to them during this very emotionally charged event.

In my free time I like being outdoors – hiking, standup paddle boarding and spending time in the water. I am passionate about literature and music. When I have the time, I enjoy creative writing. I am learning to play the guitar but floundering.  I moved to Austin to work at the Austin Area Birth Center and I’m loving the city and the practice. AABC really nurtures both their family clients and their staff.

Austin Area Birthing Center is always looking for new ways to better serve their community of parents. In May 2014, we created Baby Love for Dads, another way for parents to learn about their infants while forming bonds with one another.

DeLora Frederickson and Jeremy Sexton are now conducting monthly Baby Love for Dads at the South Center. Watch the calendar (link here) and our Facebook page (link here) for future classes.

At Baby Love, dads learn baby massage for health and wellness as well as relaxation techniques for themselves and their infant. The instructors convey interesting tidbits about the enormous task of keeping your baby safe and healthy, but also rely on the Dads to share their experiences as new fathers. There’s conversation about the relationship between mom and dad and siblings.

Nursing moms are encouraged to come along so they can be available downstairs in the event baby gets hungry. However, if your little one bottle feeds, dads are always encouraged to let mom stay home and have some alone time.

DeLora has been working with families for over 20 years. Her classes provide a space to explore your new role as a dad, gather information, and have a good time! Her sense of humor and gentle approach to teaching will give you the opportunity to learn about yourself and your baby – as well as meet other AABC dads.

Jeremy Sexton (and his wife) birthed their son Fancher at AABC South last year. He has been exploring this new role as father with ease and curiosity. He loves to spend time with Fancher, helping to support his development while surrounding him with lots of love.

Don’t miss your chance to meet other dads who are also finding their way through early parenthood. Check the AABC calendar today for the next Baby Love for Dads.