All expecting families can be part of our community and join our various support groups. Out-of-hospital birth is safe because we serve only low-risk people. Do you wonder if you are low-risk? If you desire midwifery care, it is worth asking if you are a safe candidate for care. Just give us a call at 972.839.9443.

Yes! For low-risk pregnancies it can be safer to birth at home than in a hospital. New Studies Confirm Safety of Home Birth With Midwives in the U.S.

I do attend breech and twin births with specific criteria. I have attended multiple breech trainings and births, and I strive to keep my skills and knowledge of breech up to date. Breech babies must be in a complete or frank breech position. I also like an ultrasound around 37 weeks to confirm the position, cord location, and estimated baby weight. There are a bit more criteria involved for twins. If you are pregnant with twins or would like more information, feel free to contact us to discuss.

According to the latest center for disease control the cesarean birth rate inthe US is 31.9% (2017), with such a high surgical birth rate, the question of how to give birth after a previous cesarean is a frequent question. The short answer is, yes! We can attend a TOLAC for a woman who has had an uncomplicated birth by surgery, with at least 18 months spacing from the surgical birth to this baby’s due date, surgical records available and willingness to see a chiropractor and other complementary providers as needed.

No, I am out of network with all insurance providers. While it may seem like giving birth at home will cost more, this is not normally the case. In most cases, it is still cheaper to give birth at home with our discounted cash pricing. I am happy to file your insurance claim so you can work with them to get reimbursed or get your payments applied to your out-of-pocket expenses. But, I cannot guarantee what your insurance company will do with the claim.

I am able to greet about 4 new humans each month. Call as soon as you get that positive pregnancy test to make sure you hold a spot. Some months are open long enough to accept people late in their pregnancy as long as they have records of care from their previous midwife or MD.

Yes, I do have a “bedside” in-office ultrasound and also refer out for ultrasounds to be read by a radiologist. I offer no-charge ultrasounds to gather basic info, like How many babies, viability in early pregnancy, head or butt down? For diagnostic ultrasounds, I refer you to one of my trusted sonographers.

Yes, I am able to discuss genetic screening, do some in-house labs, and refer out for others. Genetic testing is a rapidly growing technology, and a visit to a geneticist may be the best option for you.

Nutrition in pregnancy is one element you may be able to control. Each of us comes with a blueprint--think genetics. New research shows that blueprints can change when higher quality "building materials" are available--think epigenetics. Your baby could still be on the planet in 90+ years if he/she is built to last. No pressure! Just do your best. Eating while nauseated or with gestational diabetes can be challenging. People also wonder if their diet is adequate: vegan, vegetarian, meat and potatoes, paleo... so many questions! Let's work together to guide you through optimal nutrition in pregnancy while honoring your own diet preferences.

See our link Client Resources above and choose the option that suits your search.

Yes, I do have one that we prefer over others. You can find a complete list of our favorites here.

Yes! Every person and pregnancy are different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. I will always discuss options and give you the pros and cons of each.

As a licensed midwife in Texas, I can attend births between 37 and 42 weeks gestation. Most births occur between 38 and 41 weeks. Before 37 weeks or after 42 weeks, there can be more complications for the baby, and I refer you to our MFM, who discusses your options with you to make a plan.

No, I do not. Unfortunately, malpractice insurance is so expensive that I would have to take on far too many clients to afford it, and I would no longer be able to provide the type of care I prefer to give my clients.

Yes, if you are pregnant at this moment, please consider that your baby is completely underwater, and nobody is too concerned! Your baby is getting oxygen from the umbilical cord and in late pregnancy will practice breathing with water. A water birth is just a short extension of the womb. Once the face hits the air, the baby will take deep breaths, the small amount of amniotic fluid naturally found in the lungs is pushed out by oxygen. The lung tissue itself becomes perfused with oxygen. This is a radiant process. Most babies are born with a dusky tone and soon will pink up (this is true of all babies regardless of skin color). The water birth is for the woman's comfort and may reduce vaginal tearing. It has been called the natural epidural.

You may have whoever you choose at your birth. Our advice on choosing guests is to limit it to people who will be there for a specific reason. Do they have anything in particular to offer? Will they give you good labor support, encouragement, and massage? Having people there who you don’t want, feel uncomfortable with, or who are negative/scared about an out-of-hospital birth often creates a challenging experience. As for children, I am glad to have children of all ages at your birth! I ask that your child has an adult there who is responsible for them and who is unattached to witnessing the birth so that they may leave with the child if necessary.

“The more cultured the races of the earth have become, so much the more positive have they been in pronouncing childbirth to be a painful and dangerous ordeal”. - Grantly Dick-Read, Childbirth without Fear I do not have pharmaceutical pain relief: epidurals or narcotics. Prepare: For American women, birth needs preparation! Take childbirth education, read positive books like Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth, watch films like The Business of Being Born, stretch your body in yoga, dance, make love, get out in nature, have quiet time, teach yourself to be patient (take breaks from your cell phone), meditate, and do nothing at times. WHAT? If birth is such a normal, natural process, why do I need so much preparation for my first unmedicated birth? Because most of us live soft lives compared to people of other times and places. Birth has fierce energy. Preparation teaches you to ride the wave of labor and meet it with your own fierce, wild self. You can do it! But you must prepare. Without preparation, birth may be perceived as a terrible, painful ordeal instead of the powerful and wondrous force that will bring your child into your arms. Support: Active labor support from me or a doula lessens the impression of pain and shortens labor. By hiring me, you will have support for your labor no matter which way nature decides to lead you. If a cesarean becomes the safest way for the baby to be born, my role becomes even more vital in providing loving postpartum support. Having a birth is an intense and challenging life event. While it can definitely be interpreted as painful, most women’s interpretation of pain is greatly affected by their environment, relationship with a care provider, level of feelings of safety or fear, and so many other factors. I have many tools for pain management, including the built relationship of trust, water, herbs, homeopathy, and massage. I also have relationships with local chiropractors and acupuncturists who may be available to help with various challenges (including pain management) if I think they may be helpful.

Approximately 90% of women who choose to give birth at home with me do so without a complication. If something comes up in your pregnancy, labor, birth, or postpartum that indicates it would be safer to be in a hospital setting, I do not hesitate to go there. Our relationship with local hospitals is such that I can join you in the hospital and continue to provide labor support in that setting as long as regulations do not prevent otherwise. If there is an actual emergency where time is of the essence (less than 1% of births that I attend), I may choose to transport by ambulance. I will discuss this possibility with you as your due date approaches. In the case of transport during labor, upon discharge from the hospital, you will continue your postpartum care with me as planned. It is one of the privileges of living in the US in the 21st century that cesarean birth is available to us when it may save the life of a mother or baby. I believe that a cesarean birth rate of 30+% is improper use of this incredible surgery. The World Health Organization recognizes the overuse of cesarean birth as a costly health crisis. Midwifery reduces unnecessary surgical births!

This is the most frequently asked question of all! It is a fearful thought to think of a nooselike experience for a baby; in most cases, the cord around the neck is more like a necklace, and in most cases, there is no harm. The cord is around the neck (nuchal cord) in about 30% of births. I simply loop it over the head during the birth process. A cord accident is a tragic but rare event. The planet has 7.5 billion people, and we all negotiated our umbilical cords.

I can care for you and your baby for the first 6 weeks of life. Most people choose to make their first appointment with a pediatrician when their baby is 8 weeks old. It’s helpful to decide on a pediatrician in late pregnancy. I have great pediatricians I can refer your family to.

No, I do not. New research has deemed it medically unnecessary. We'd be glad to provide you with more information if you have questions. We have zero judgment if you do decide to circumcise your child once you have all the info, and I can provide you with recommendations.