Lisa Rutledge, Licensed Midwife

04/08/2025

06/01/2023

I can’t believe it’s been another year of caring for expectant mothers and their most precious babies. God gets all of the glory for each one of the little blessings born in 2022. I also want to extend a big thank you to the families who trusted me with their care this year.  
 
This photo was made possible by the amazing Meg during our celebration of the 2021 births last year. Our 2022 birth celebration is right around the corner!

08/04/2022

*WELCOME GENEVA GRACE* 
This was Kimberly’s 4th pregnancy and planned home birth. Her 3rd labor progressed so quickly that the birth team missed the birth by a minute or two. This time I met midwife Paula at her office nearby Kimberly’s home and waited while she was in early labor. Mid-afternoon we left Paula’s office to grab lunch. On our way, I received a call from Kimberly stating her labor was strong and she was unable to get comfortable. We turned around and went straight to her home. We drove as fast as we could! We arrived at Kimberly’s home at 4:34pm and were greeted at the door by Ben stating, “She beat you again!”. Geneva Grace flew into this world on January 12th, around 4:30pm. Geneva weighed 7lbs 12oz and stretched 20.5in. Congratulations Kimberly and Ben on your 2nd daughter and congrats midwife-dad Ben on your 2nd solo catch! Geneva is well-loved by her bigger siblings. 
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Midwives Lisa and Paula have been honored to “attended” all four of Kimberly’s home births. We plan to be there for our clients, but sometimes God plans otherwise! 
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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” ~ Isaiah 55:8-9

05/04/2022

*WELCOME AXL HADDON* 
The clock struck midnight and the skies erupted with the sounds and lights of fireworks, welcoming the new year 2022. Starla and Chris were preparing to go to bed, but this surprise baby was eager to join the festivities and just couldn’t wait any longer. Starla’s water broke around 5:30 and contractions soon followed. By noon, Starla was in active labor and at 2:30 the pushing stage ensued. After 17 minutes and a few strong pushes, surprise baby BOY Axl was born in the water and into dad’s waiting hands at home on January 1st, 2022, at 2:48pm. Axl weighed in at 6lbs 0.5oz, stretched 19in, and was the first baby of the Woodlands Midwife family to be born this year. Congratulations Starla and Chris on your third little man and first home birth. Congratulations also to big brothers Maddox and Rixon.  
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Birth team included midwives Jaelin and Lisa.  
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"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you." ~ Psalm 71:5-6

05/04/2022

*WELCOME CHARLOTTE JOELLE* 
Maggie and Daniel transferred into care at the beginning of her third trimester. In the last three months of her pregnancy she hired a doula and prepped her mind, body, and home, for her home birth. Labor started just before 41 weeks. During labor progress was steady while contractions were frequent and strong. After utilizing a variety of labor positions and places (stairs, bed, bathroom, birth pool) Maggie started feeling the urge to push. She started pushing and her membranes released, speeding up baby’s descent. On December 29th at 7:27am, Charlotte Joelle was born safely at home. Charlotte struggled a little with her transition from womb to world and was breathing quicker than normal. So she got her first ride in an ambulance to the hospital to check on her lungs and for closer monitoring. Maggie and Daniel did an incredible job taking turns juggling little sister at the hospital and big sister at home. Lots of prayers were spoken and Charlotte’s hospital tests came back clear, no infections and her rapid breathing resolved. We praise the Lord for bringing her back home a few days later, in good health. Charlotte weighed in at 9lbs 11oz. Congratulations to Maggie and Daniel on your home birth of your daughter, and congrats to newly-promoted, big sister Ellie.  
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Birth team included doula and photographer Candice and midwives Lisa and Leah. 
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Charlotte took a second ride in an ambulance last month and again all tests were normal. God’s hand of protection over her is evident and her life is already a sweet testimony of God’s mercy. 
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“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” ~ Psalm 40:4-5

04/04/2022

*WELCOME ARLO MARSHALL* 
After the festivities of Christmas were behind us, I felt a prompting in my spirit to travel home the evening before our original departure date. In the dawn of the morning I received a call from Cullen that Madison was well into active labor and feeling downwards pressure. I arrived a few minutes later and quickly set up for the birth as Madi breathed deeply and relaxed through her last minutes of labor. Madi intuitively moved through different positions as the baby descended and rotated through her pelvis. Her water broke and the urge to bear down was unavoidable. Less than 10 minutes later, on December 27th at 8:19am, baby BOY Arlo Marshall was born safely at home into his Father’s waiting hands. What a surprise to catch a son! Arlo weighed 9lbs 3oz and stretched 21in long. Congratulations Madi and Cullen on your first son and congratulations to big sisters Charlotte and Autumn.  
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This was midwives Lisa and Leah’s 2nd time to support Madison for a home birth. Both home births were in December!  
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“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” ~ Psalm 40:16

04/04/2022

*WELCOME SIGRID MERCEDES* 
This was Marin’s 4th home birth and her longest pregnancy. With eager anticipation we waited to meet this surprise baby. Marin had been experiencing some labor signs and hinted that it may be soon. Her husband called in the evening with news of strong labor and low pressure. Soon after our arrival Marin eased into the warm water of the birth pool, with quiet and focused breathing as David applied counter pressure to her low back. Siblings were awoken from their slumber and lead to the birth room where they would soon greet their little brother or sister. Marin reached the final stage of her labor and with a few strong pushes birthed her baby into the warm water. Big sisters, big brother, aunt Amy all peered over the pool as Dad announced, “It’s a girl!”. We rejoiced and thanked God for the safe home birth of Sigrid Mercedes that evening on December 18th at 10:00. Sigrid weighed 8lbs and stretched 20.5in long. Congratulations to Marin, David, big sisters and big brother on your new little sister.  
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Midwives Lisa and Leah were honored to support Marin for a 2nd Texas home birth. 
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“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”  
~ Psalm 84:10-12 
 
“I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.” -Jo March, ‘Little Women’

01/01/2022

*WELCOME CONLEY HILL* 
Taylor’s labor began in the morning and continued with infrequent contractions throughout the day. By evening time things began to progressively intensify. A little before 2am Taylor notified me that her contractions were 3 minutes apart and strong, so the birth team and I headed over to her house.  
We were missing the liner for the birth pool so we cleaned the bath tub and Taylor used that instead. She entered the tub shortly after 3 and was 8cm. By 3:30 she was feeling the urge to push. With incredible strength and courage, Taylor roared her baby earth side. At 4:03am on December 13th, sweet Conley Hill was born safely at home. Conley weighed 7lbs 12oz and stretched 21in long. Congratulations to Taylor and Jesse on your beautiful daughter and first home birth! And a big congratulations to big brother Crew! 
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Birth team included midwives Lisa and Leah, and birth doula Shelley. 
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“I will bless the Lord at all times; 
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. Exalt the Lord with me, And let’s exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He answered me, And rescued me from all my fears.” ~ Psalm 34:1-4

31/12/2021

*WELCOME OLIVIA HOPE* 
Vanessa’s labor was initiated by spontaneous rupture of her membranes (her “water broke”). So, she worked to get contractions going and into a regular pattern. She was having some irregular contractions and was 5cm a little before midnight on November 11th. Vanessa desired to avoid a hospital induction so she took some castor oil with a snack. I set up for the birth and then left to give her some space and time to move into a more active labor pattern. About an hour later at 12:23am, Vanessa was ready for the birth team. Assisting midwife Leah arrived at 1:18am and literally seconds later, on November 12th, Olivia Hope was born safely at home. Olivia weighted 7lbs 14.5oz and stretched 20in long. Congratulations to Vanessa and Robert on your beautiful daughter and Texas home birth! Congratulations also to big brothers and sister: Elijah, Hannah, Isaiah, Robert, and Isaac. 
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Birth team included midwives Lisa and Leah. 
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“Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” ~ Isaiah 46:4

31/12/2021

*WELCOME LUCIA RUTH*
Sometimes the onset of labor follows a trend for certain mothers. And sometimes labors get quicker with each baby. For Jessica, her fourth pregnancy far surpassed her others in length. We were all a little surprised when she reached 40 weeks and then some. It was also a longer labor than her last. The birth team was able to arrive and set up prior to the birth - a challenge in past labors. Jessica labored in the quiet hours of the morning and on October 17th at 7:56am, Lucia Ruth was born safely at home. Lucia weighed 8lbs 12oz and stretched 21.25in long. Congratulations to Jessica and Will on your beautiful, new addition. Congratulations also to big sister Lily and big brothers Thomas and Matthew.
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Birth team included midwives Lisa and Leah.
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“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” ~ Philippians 1:6

30/12/2021

*WELCOME ATTICUS HANANIAH* 
Felice and Dalton had 2 previous hospital births but decided on a home birth for their 3rd baby. At 40 weeks and 2 days, Felice’s doula had to travel home and and at 40 weeks and 3 days, Felice’s husband planned to leave town for a week for work. So, by 40 weeks and 1 day, Felice was ready to begin some labor encouragement measures. Her efforts were successful and she was in active labor by nighttime. She continued labor through the night and into the morning, breathing and moving with the contractions. After some help with a cervical lip, the baby descended quickly and Atticus Hannah was born at 10:34am at home on October 8th. Atticus weighed in at 8lbs 3oz and stretched 21.25in long. Congratulations to Felice and Dalton on your second born son and first home birth! And congratulations to big brother Jesse and newly promoted, big sister Hadassah. 
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Birth team included midwives Lisa and Leah, and friend/doula Hailey.  
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"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." ~ Psalm 107:9

18/12/2021

*WELCOME OWEN EDWARD* 
Kristy’s fourth pregnancy was definitely unlike her others in regards to timing. Her pregnancies had grown shorter by one week with each baby; her third baby was born at 37 weeks and 5 days. It was definitely a test of patience and trusting the Lord’s timing. Kristy’s labor began one day before 40 weeks. Contractions were regular and close, but baby needed help rotating. Kristy started the spinning babies stretches and baby soon rotated into the perfect anterior position. Kristy continued to labor peacefully with her husband Micah for a few hours. On October 6th at 12:08pm, Micah helped catch baby and declared, “It’s a BOY!” as he placed her on Kristy’s chest. Owen Edward weighed 8lbs 4.5oz and stretched 21in long. Congratulations to Kristy and Micah on your first son and first home birth! And congratulations to beautiful big sisters Isadora, Mabel, and Edith.  
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Birth team included midwives Lisa and Leah, and sister Karly.  
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“Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” ~ Psalm 62:6