Seeds of Grace Midwifery

10/01/2025

Worth a repost! Respect, care and compassion matter.

09/30/2025

Midwives and Doulas have very different roles but the same goal of an informed, educated birth where your choice and individual unique needs are honored.

You may have a midwife teach a childbirth class, but you can also have a doula teach a childbirth class. We both love education and informed choice!

Yes, Midwives care about positions, labor support and comfort. However, our main purpose is safety and using our skills and energy for healthcare and all the things that go along with it: Assessing risks, preventing risks: Taking vitals, understanding the fetal hearts tone, sign of exhaustion or infection, using herbs, IVs, medications, and oxygen. We closely watch labor progress and intervene or wait and watch as the situation indicates. We have learned a quite a bit of practical labor management skills and tricks for exhaustion and working with stalled labors and mal-positioned babies.

We are there after birth. Monitoring, watching, educating. We are doing vitals, assessing transition, monitoring bleeding .... your safety. Years of specific education and training on just maternity and newborn care. In the weeks to come, we continue that training with postpartum care. Our license covers you and baby for 6 weeks.

Doulas are also passionate about education and informed choice. They will continue to advocate and support your choices for birth. They are experts in comfort measures and support for you and your partner. Whether, it is music, hip squeezes, keeping you hydrated, giving your partner a break, helping follow your birth plan, getting the cool washcloth, the fan or the food .... they are the wind beneath many women's wings giving them the lift they need to get to the end.

They also may support you in the post-partum. Some will clean, cook or help watch kids. Their focus in your comfort and supporting you where they are able. They may provide education. They can be the extra help you need for a speedy recovery.

They DO NOT check vitals, do newborn screens, assess bleeding, monitor any health concern. They do not check oxygen, assess color of a newborn or diagnose any condition and recommend a treatment. This would be considered practicing midwifery without a license, and they may be fined (and extreme situation serve jail time). If they are a student as well as a doula, then the law requires that a midwife be present in the room. We want to protect our community and doulas from unfair responsibility.

Two roles. Two sets of responsibilities. Two professionals.
One focus for care: You!

09/30/2025

Part Two: So now that we understand a little bit of the midwifery climate that we work in..... let's discuss women's choice.

I 100% believe in women's choice for their personal care. I believe in personal accountability and responsibility.

A midwife's responsibility is to educate and inform to the best of her knowledge with a reasonable expectation of education. It is my job to discuss risks, benefits, and help you understand the repercussions to your choices. If I am asked what I would do- after a full discussion on the topic- my advice is to make the mainstream medical decision while the client educates what is the best choice for her situation. Your informed choice - your responsibility.

This includes choosing an out of hospital birth. I do not want a client that I have to convince to have a homebirth. I would love to have a conversation about the benefits and risks birthing at home and the benefits and risks birthing at the hospital. However, I want a client that knows why she wants a home birth and chooses it. Then she is also expected to take responsibility in that partnership with her midwife if one of those risks occur. (Always assuming safe evidence-based care.... I will never defend unsafe practices of a midwife or coerced care. Please if you ever feel gaslighted or guilty or left feeling anxiety or depression from a birth, I am willing to talk with you without judgment. If you just need a listening ear to process through something - I am here)

After establishing what informed choice is, let's discuss what it is not.

Not honoring the midwife's "safe space". A very informed mom decides that she doesn't want a c-section for a breech baby. She can refuse that surgery. She cannot force a midwife to attend her birth. Is it legal for the midwife to attend this birth or the midwife to terminate care? Yes. Discuss these situations ahead of time.

Having a midwife legally attend your birth regardless of your informed choice. You have the right to informed choice and refusal of a protocol or procedure. Your midwife does not!

There are two lists of regulations in the midwifery laws. There is a recommend referral and a recommend transfer. See below in comments.
In a recommend transfer: A midwife will be breaking the law to continue care. That law regulates her license; that law is in existence for the purpose of punitive consequences and sanctions. Your waiver will NOT cover her. It doesn't matter how informed or adamant you are. If there is an unfavorable outcome during this situation, a client can also file a complaint. The state will hold the midwife accountable. If she breaks the law and the birth goes great!!!.... she still broke the law and if reported, she will be held accountable.

How is she held accountable? There are detailed sanctions listed for violations up to $5000 per day for each offense and possible license revocation. There are 3 instances of jail time in midwifery law, plus references to other laws, so there may be more.

For my practice, I follow the law. My practice and my family are not worth the choice of one client. Respect is mutual. For the 42-week law that I went to Austin to fight, I am blessed to have collaboration with excellent care.

There are unsafe midwives that blame women when things go wrong. They don't give true informed choice - they don't tell the risks. They convince that it all will be fine. They make themselves look like heroes in any emergency that happens or victims of "rare" circumstances. I have come to terms with that is why we have, what I consider, ridiculous laws - to stop midwives from hurting women. Does it mean I agree with them all...absolutely not! I believe in patient autonomy. But you, the consumer, need to fight the ones you don't like. They quit listening to us.

There are also women who cannot take responsibility for their choices and don't tell the truth after a birth. Documented informed choice, written by the client, and the guidelines in the law protect the midwife as well.

09/30/2025

PART ONE: This is such a hot topic! I am going to break into two posts:

Let's start with a quick overview history lesson.

Midwifery has a long history starting at the birth of Texas and has never been illegal. The first lay midwifery law was established in 1983. In response in 1984, 500 midwives registered with their county clerks. In 1985, the first Midwifery manual was published by the state. This manual with the law put limits and a definition to the scope of midwifery practice.

In 1993, midwives were required to have mandatory training and continuing education. In 1997, the Texas Midwifery Board, under the Department of Health and Safety, was given the authority to oversee disciplinary action. The original board of midwives would review complaints. It was a public process that focused on improving care and training midwives. By attending these sessions, a midwife could learn how to improve their own practice. If training, or education did not work or there was a noncompliance to safety or ethical practice, a midwife could lose their license or be fined.

The licenses were transferred to TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) in 2015. This shift was made with promises of midwives still being involved in the overseeing of our licenses. This promise was not kept, and the quality of oversight was greatly diminished. (my opinion). They work to become more restrictive of midwives and ultimately women's choice in their care, while having very little working knowledge of what we do.

Example: The 42-week law. I made a trip to Austin when TDLR stepped in to make the law that any women over 42 weeks gestation MUST have physician oversight. This was a very eye-opening experience regarding this new system. TDLR had no desire to have a conversation with midwives. I had no idea what their concern about this protocol was, I wasn't allowed to ask. I had to guess their concerns, and I addressed the wrong ones. This was the new board: one ran by lawyers, the same professionals that establish non evidenced based care in hospitals. This kakistocracy did not engage, they just sat along the side wall presiding and developing laws that were for punitive action against midwives, not education or improving care. Do I think the members of this board wanted to devolve the progress in Texas .... no, I would give the benefit of the doubt that the intention was to improve.... (maybe.*). However, they removed the influence of midwives that help design and perfect good laws.

I spoke to a doctor on the board afterwards. His reasoning was that midwives need to do ultrasounds and inform woman of the risks. I informed him that I already did that, prior to this law.

Result of this law: They wanted a woman to have doctor oversight. If a pregnant women declined this: She was now without care, or a midwife would have to break the law. This law assumes that every midwife has a doctor that is willing to collaborate. There are areas where doctors will have nothing to do with midwives and definitely will not take over their client's care. Now these women have no care, but hey they can just walk into an ER.

It didn't take into account that every women is unique. There are some women that have babies after 42 weeks every. single. time. and have had no complications. The state took away a woman's choice of care. Are there more risks to going over 42 weeks.... absolutely. That is where informed consent comes into play. The risk, the benefits... the choice for the mother and the comfort level of the midwife.

But, hey, it didn't matter. They could now fine or take away the license of a rare midwife not following these protocols or giving informed consent even at the cost of lowering the quality of care of others. It was about the punitive action. Not better care. Sanction: $1,500 to $4,500 and/or a one-year probated suspension or even license Revocation.

Why does this matter in informed consent?

(maybe.*) in reference to above. There has been evidence of TDLR having an inside lawyer leaking illegal information regarding midwives to certain members of the public and mom groups. There is also a lot of discussion that the Texas Medical board has been behind many of the changes, including funding such groups. Every year they put forth legislature or recommendations to limit midwifery in Texas. Ultimately, you as the consumer have to get involved to protect your birth choice in Texas.

09/28/2025

Embrace Birth Center has two amazing midwives that will attend your birth: In a Family Way Midwifery with Bri as the new owner of the birth center. She is a favorite of many of you over the years, as I was blessed to have her as my apprentice, then partner and still as a friend and sister midwife. And not so new now: Midwife Megan Loewen : who is equally as amazing!

Motherly Transitions with Priscilla stills has an office in Nacogdoches, and now lives in Kilgore and serves the southern part of our area as well as local to where she lives.

There are lots of great midwives listed at East Texas Midwives Association

09/17/2025

I remember one of my favorite supervisors in school joked that she didn’t choose her speciality, it chose her. Her personal experience manifested a speciality that she couldn’t walk away from and was darn good at.

I always knew it would eventually be women’s health for me. Although I’ve spent the past six years seeing anything and everything under the sun, it’s been the women health issues that have kept me up at night. These are the scenarios that are choosing me and I can’t walk away.

It’s personal because I have felt the failure of conventional medicine when it comes to caring for women. Believing their pain, offering options, supporting emotional health. I have felt the failure when it comes to my own health issues with pregnancy losses and the carelessness of investigating fertility through such a narrow lens.

I have heard from too many women that they were told to go on the pill, lose weight, or start an anxiety medication, rather than be heard, be believed, and be seen as a worthwhile cause for some curiosity and root cause investigation.

When you do this work, you see what convention thinks is impossible. Regular and predictable ovulation for the first time without meds, heavy and painful periods lighten and ease without birth control, pregnancies sticking after unexplained losses, “infertile” couples achieving natural conceptions, perimenopausal symptoms loosening their grip without hysterectomies and ssris and sleep meds.

We don’t have to settle these days, although we are still often told to do so. Walk away from those providers who shame, who gaslight, who offer one and only one choice, who shoot down your ideas and brush off your intuition.

It’s been too long that women have suffered inadequate care. Today’s options in healthcare are *finally* stepping up to the plate with integrative and collaborative ways to truly heal and stop masking symptoms that are begging for your attention.

Women’s health definitely chose me. I don’t know how not to do this work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.💕

08/31/2025

This month I had two transfers - one in labor and one before. Plans change but your midwife being with you isn't one of them while it is in my control.

East Texas Midwives Association (ETMA)

Policy on Hospital Transfers and Client Support

The East Texas Midwives Association affirms that every client deserves continuity of care and respectful support during hospital transfers. In response to concerns regarding midwives abandoning clients at hospitals—whether due to freebirth situations, negligence, or misunderstanding—we wish to clarify both the law and our membership requirements.

Legal Requirements

Under Texas Midwifery Rule §115.111, a licensed midwife must:

Contact and collaborate with hospital staff and physicians to the extent possible.

Provide prenatal and labor records during the transfer of care.

ETMA Membership Standards

In addition to state law, ETMA requires its members to:

Accompany the client (or send another qualified midwife or student) to the hospital to ensure a smooth transfer until care is appropriately received.

Provide complete records at the time of transfer, either in paper or fax form. If urgent care prevents full documentation, records must be submitted as soon as possible with any necessary addendums.

Establish a postpartum plan to ensure continuity of care following the transfer.

Our midwives are committed to making each transfer as non-traumatic as possible, offering reassurance, advocacy, and compassionate presence.

Accountability and Client Communication

ETMA holds its members accountable to these standards. If a client feels this policy was not upheld, or wishes to discuss their care, all ETMA midwives welcome open communication and, when needed, mediation. We believe such dialogue strengthens our community and fosters healing and growth.

Community Support

This support is extended beyond ETMA clients. Any individual wishing to process their experience—whether with an ETMA midwife or another provider—is welcome to reach out. We can:

Provide a listening ear and guidance.

Direct clients to the relevant laws and procedures for filing a formal complaint, if appropriate.

Work toward healing, peace, and reconciliation within our community.

Commitment

Our goal is to build a safe, accountable, and connected midwifery community where clients feel supported, respected, and cared for at every stage.

08/30/2025

Welcome, sweet girl!
You certainly chose the most dramatic way to make your grand entrance! Your mama showed such strength and determination fighting for you, and your dad was an unshakable rock of support.

You are already so deeply loved and will be endlessly showered with hugs, kisses, and all the love (and dirt, slobbers, paint and bugs) from your Jedis, cowboys or knights in shining armor who are waiting for you!

08/27/2025

Ok this story kinda of terrifies me a little.
😳😳🤣

https://www.facebook.com/100052613850159/posts/1297240708706379/?app=fbl

German Woman, 66, Gives Birth to Her 10th Child — Claims Natural Conception

In an extraordinary case that has drawn global attention, a 66-year-old German woman has given birth to her 10th child, insisting she conceived naturally without the use of fertility treatments.

Alexandra Hildebrandt, a museum director from Berlin, delivered her son Philipp on March 19 at Charité Hospital via cesarean section. Weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces, the newborn is said to be healthy.

Philipp joins a large family of siblings: Svitlana (46), Artiom (36), Elisabeth (12), Maximilian (12), Alexandra (10), Leopold (8), Anna (7), Maria (4), and Katharina (2).

For Hildebrandt, who has dedicated much of her life to raising children, having a big family is a source of pride.

“A big family is not only something wonderful, but above all, it is important for raising children properly,” she said.

Contrary to concerns about her age, Hildebrandt says she has received only positive reactions from friends and relatives.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Hildebrandt revealed she has never smoked, never consumed alcohol, and never used contraceptives. She attributes her continued fertility and health to a disciplined lifestyle.

“I eat very healthily, swim for an hour every day, and walk for two hours,” she explained.

Her OB/GYN, Dr. Wolfgang Henrich, described the pregnancy as “largely uncomplicated.”

However, fertility experts emphasize that natural conception at 66 is nearly impossible. Dr. Brian Levine, a New York fertility specialist, noted that while Hildebrandt’s case is remarkable, pregnancies at such an advanced age come with serious risks, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

He suggested that conditions like polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS), which can delay menopause, might explain her continued fertility.

Hildebrandt’s story follows other recent high-profile cases of older mothers. In 2023, 70-year-old Safina Namukwaya of Uganda gave birth to twins through IVF, saying:

“There is no one that can put a limit on God’s authority and power.”

While doctors debate the biology, Hildebrandt remains focused on what matters most to her: family. For her, welcoming Philipp proves that age is no barrier to love, motherhood, and the joy of new life.

08/24/2025

Feeling nostalgia today!

And exhaustion

This change has been good worth so many bright possibilities.

but some moments...😭

08/22/2025

This brings joy to my soul and why I love my job so much! Serving women and their families brings all the emotions and some cortisol. Carissa it was truly my pleasure and a delight to walk alongside you and your family through the laughter and the tears. You are loved!

08/21/2025

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