Sarah Reaburn

Registered Midwife, Nurse and Lactation Consultant

Prenatal care and lactation/feeding support for all babies, birthers and families in the Alberni Valley and beyond.

 Working on the Lands of  the c̓išaaʔatḥ and Hupačasath  First Nations, and broader Nuu-chah-nulth Territories

Person holding a weighted bag hanging from a hook in a bedroom, with a window in the background. 
Me and baby Wyatt hanging out at a post partum visit.

How Can I Help You?

Prenatal Education Prenatal Education
Prenatal Education

Prenatal education tailored to your needs in the comfort of your own home.

Do you have questions about how to prepare your home for a newborn, or what equipment is actually helpful? Would you like tips on how to soothe a newborn, or baby safety? We can go over evidence based ways of preparing for and coping with labour, birth and post partum. Whether it’s your first or your fourth, I would enjoy working with you to plan support for this pregnancy, labour and birth.

Sliding scale 100-150$ for a 1.5-2 hr session. Costs negotiable. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Pregnancy Care- advice, ultrasounds, blood work, referrals Pregnancy Care- advice, ultrasounds, blood work, referrals
Pregnancy Care- advice, ultrasounds, blood work, referrals

Many people from across the Pacific Rim may have questions about how to navigate pregnancy care in our area. *If you do not already have a maternity care provider I can assist with referrals, planning, and early pregnancy care. If you are considering ending a pregnancy, I can assist you to access the right organizations and support with compassion and no judgement. If you are hoping to birth in another area, I can assist with some of your prenatal care here and working with other providers for referrals and continuity. Depending on your due date, I am sometimes able to support births as well, including homebirth for low risk individuals. Please be in touch to discuss.

This is covered by MSP/BC Health Insurance Plans, no cost.

Lactation and Feeding Support Lactation and Feeding Support
Lactation and Feeding Support

Before or after baby arrives, many families have questions about lactation and baby feeding . Having support with the mechanics and emotions of breast/chest feeding can help decrease pain, anxiety and infection and can help to clarify your feeding goals. I am non judgmental re: formula and I can also provide guidance around formula use and storage and weaning. I can also help with prescriptions for pumps/formula for insurance, medication prescriptions for infections and milk supply.

(In the first 6 wks up to 4 hours of LC consulting is covered by BC Health Care. A pre-birth lactation consult can also be covered. For both you will need referral from your maternity care provider. Please contact me for form or request your health care provider emails/consults me. After 6 wks my rates are 50$/hour- sliding scale available, I am open to trades, and no one turned away if money is an issue)

Post Partum Care Only
Post Partum Care Only

Did you know that you can have a midwife for your post partum care if you deliver with an OB or out of town? If you are in Port Alberni and would like help with your post partum care x 6 weeks after delivery, please be in touch. I care for 3-4 families/month depending on space and need.

Sarah Reaburn

Mom, Aunty

RM, RN, Lacation Consultant (IBCLC)

A bit about where I come from…

My name is Sarah Pitsiulala Reaburn and I am of Celtic and Slavic ancestry.  I have been nursing in emergency, rural, remote and labour and delivery settings since 2010. Working in labour and delivery as an RN I met so many amazing professionals and was struck by the difference that well integrated and evidence based midwifery care can make. I returned to Toronto Metropolitan University to study and graduated with Honours in Midwifery. I had the pleasure of working at Strathcona Midwifery Collective on the Red and Huckleberry Teams.

My family fell in love with Port Alberni and I have worked as both a midwife and labor and delivery nurse here since 2022. I had my son Pete in 2023 and after experiencing how challenging feeding a baby can be, I decided to pursue lactation consultation and education.

A bit about my philosophy and approach…

I believe in informed consent, client choice, body sovereignty and that pregnancy and birth have the potential to be transformative rites of passage for individuals, families and communities. I also believe that for some people pregnancy and birth are medical events they want respect and compassion for. For most people, it’s a mix of both.

I have seen the difference that a supported pregnancy and post partum experience can make. I remain in awe of how unique each family constellation is, and comforted by how creating family connects us all.​The world is sweeter when families are supported in their journeys of pregnancies, births and the important work of caring for children.

Family centered and strengths based. Some Spanish and French!  Dedicated to a constant process of deepening anti-racist practice and cultural humility. LGBTQ2SI Honoring. Strengths based approach with a wide network of contacts to refer you to if we can't figure it out together. 

​         I look forward to being a part of your network of care.

A woman wearing a red beanie and plaid jacket holding a baby in a forested area during autumn. 
Our first first walk in the woods together- me and my greatest teacher- my son Pete. Post partum is such a tender time. It is an honour to be involved in your pregancy, birth and or post partum care.
A baby lying on a rumpled bed, holding a pacifier, with a backpack next to them.

Kind Words….

“"Sarah came to us as a gift- I had had 5 midwives throughout my pregnancy and just as I was going into labour she happened to be on call here in Port Alberni and delivered our baby girl seamlessly. 
During the delivery she invited my husband to include any of his cultural practices - he got to sing a Heiltsuk lullaby to our baby as she came earthside- something we will never forget. With Sarah, we felt safe, we felt seen, and we felt ready. She provided nurturing postpartum care and breastfeeding support. She empowered me to trust myself as a new mom. We are eternally grateful and we Highly recommend her services!"
- Deanna, Mike and Baby Avery.”

A woman wearing a face mask and stethoscope is examining a newborn baby on a hospital bed in a kitchen-like setting.
A newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket, lying on a person's chest, with the person breastfeeding the baby. The baby is wearing a dark cap and is looking at the person. 
“"We loved having Sarah as our midwife! She has such a beautiful and caring spirit and she made us feel so comfortable bringing our baby earth side. As an Indigenous momma I'm so grateful Sarah was by my side and supported me so well through my pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding journey. She holds a special place in our family. It is clear she loves what she does as she goes above and beyond to provide such loving care and support to the families she works alongside."  Jeanne, Mike and Baby Sky.”

A woman wearing a blue face mask holding a baby with a colorful tractor and rainbow print pajama. They are indoors near a doorway with a yellow wall on one side and a black and red door on the other. 
“The amount of support that I felt during pregnancy was beyond my expectations. I never felt any shame or pressured into anything that I didn't want to do. Would come back if I got pregnant again." -KC and Baby Asita

Close-up of a baby breastfeeding, with the baby lying on its side, eyes closed, and hand near face, wrapped in a soft blanket.

“Nico’s First Bath”- artwork by Tara Torossian,

Baby by Jeneen Frei Njootli

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. Please call if it is urgent. Otherwise allow 2-4 business days for a response. Thank you for your interest!

sprmidwife@gmail.com

778-401-6545 (pager)

250-724-2465 (fax)

Other ways to contact Me!

A lovely drawing from an older sibling after a beautiful homebirth in 2020 with my pal and colleague JaJa.

Resources and Helpful Links

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