The Midwife

01/21/2026

Great tip for expecting mamas who plan to pump!

Trust us when we say this! You’d rather have a strong and reliable breast pump covered by insurance.. than waste the covered breast pump on a wearable option that may or may not do a good job! 🥴

Wearable pumps can be helpful in your lactation journey, but we never recommend using them as the primary method for milk removal long term. There are many factors that go into long term milk production: latching baby or not, working or not, bottle feeding or not, etc.

This is a general suggestion to most moms who plan to breastfeed and/or pump, but of course- don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like more info or guidance in preparing to feed your baby! 🤎🍯

01/21/2026

There I was on the living room floor weeping as my baby cried in the other room. I was given the book, the articles, the “mom advice” only to be left with an ache in my chest. I abandoned my instincts entirely seeking the “better way”.

I read a line that said “Your baby’s disposition can be happy and content when you follow three basic rules…” and I threw the book across the room and went to my baby. Screw the rules. Something did not feel right. I need to trust my gut and care for my baby the way she asks me to. And that’s often where the magic happens.

Being a mother of 4 and 1 one the way, there is an ease on this side of the journey. No one tells me what to think or do. No one offers advice. The only thing I hear these days is the age old “Are you sure it’s not twins” comment that just really improves a women’s body image. NOT. (Please stop this nonsense already.) 🥴

But perhaps you are just starting out and seeking all the support in all the wrong places… like me. Maybe you just need permission to look inward and reflect on all the good you have witnessed in birth, motherhood, and building your nest. 🪺

These are the ✨5 things✨ I would tell my first-time-mom-self if I could.

Seasoned mothers, what would you add to this to bless a new mother as she prepares to welcome new life?

Comment below. ↓

01/16/2026

I feel like this pregnancy has been flying by. I knew the holidays would create a fast track and now that I am gearing up for February due dates it will sneak right up on us.

This time around has been so different for me; older, wiser, calmer, more confident, less hard on myself. Pregnancy at 40 has been loads easier than 25 and having 4 children who already adore this little one along for the ride has been beyond magical.

I appreciate and cherish every prayer for us, for baby V, for the birth and beyond. God is truly kind and gracious inspite of myself and my desires to give us this life. I am soaking up each moment. 🤍

01/15/2026

📢 It’s Okay To Say No. 📢

“No” is a complete sentence. Advocating for yourself and baby provides safety, certainty, and empowerment in pregnancy, birth and beyond.

👏🏼No, I do not want to be checked.
👏🏼No, I do not want that testing preformed.
👏🏼No, I do not want your mother in the room with us.
👏🏼No, my baby does not need a bath.
👏🏼No, we would like another opinion.
👏🏼No, I do not want visitors.
👏🏼No.

This is your pregnancy. Your birth experience. Your sacred time of healing. It is your God given, human right to options, education, information, informed consent and choice. And this practice is part of becoming - an empowered woman, a wise mother, an advocate for your family.

You can do this, mama!

01/15/2026

Let’s talk about vernix! 👏🏼

Vernix is the white birthday frosting substance that covers your sweet baby while they are developing in the womb. It is so much more than a mess to be wiped off the skin, but a protective barrier for them even after delivery.

The thickness of the covering depends on the gestational age of your baby. Babies born past their due date may not have as much vernix left as one born before. Regardless of amount, do your research and make a point to ask your providers NOT to wipe it off! It should be rubbed into the skin after delivery as it continues to support and protect them.

▫️Did your babies have vernix? Leave me a comment below! ◽️

Source:
Singh G, Archana G. Unraveling the mystery of vernix caseosa. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(2):54-60. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.41645. PMID: 19881987; PMCID: PMC2763724.

01/14/2026

✨5 Things to do when you find out you are pregnant✨

Seeing those 2 littles lines can be one of the best moments of your life. Once the celebrating has started you may wonder what to do next to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Here are 5 things you can do to get started on ensuring you and your growing baby have the best start, support, and education!
Congratulations, mama!

11/17/2025

2 0 2 5
What a year it has been.
Though not quite over, last week I witnessed my last 3 due dates be born until February in 24 hours. *sweating*
So many things happened this year:
Completed my first full year in private practice
Hosted 15 classes thus far and educated over 100 families on the beauty and empowerment of birth
Was welcomed to share at local Christian mom groups about biblical motherhood
Moved my birth class to to support their ministry and took the Birth Class Coordinator position
Hosted my first birth retreat on lake Palestine
My face was on billboards and I got to be in a little commercial for
Was hosted on a podcast
Got pregnant 🤣
Stayed married. Praise be to God.
Got to train with some insanely talented midwives
Took NRP twice so I could meet the GOAT Karen Strange
Did not get pulled over while driving like a nascar driver more times then I should publicly post about
Successfully got newborn hand prints -iykyk
Increased my confidence
Got to love on my kids
Lifetime achievement of over 425 attended deliveries unlocked
So thankful for a wonderful year - Not every year will or should look like this. Transports to the hospital are a necessary and important part of our skillful work as a midwife. Knowing when to move, quickly and seamlessly, before, during, and after birth is what makes this work a valuable part of our community for the low risk women who seek out of hospital care. I have had so much counsel and help from several wonderful OB providers: Dr. Cleaver, Dr. Neiman, Dr. Ayala - thank you for taking my calls, texts, counseling me, guiding, and supporting this work. Thank you for ensuring women have options, are heard, and supported well. You make this work safe for me and my clients! Thank you thank you.
Looking forward to what the Lord has in store next. 🤍

10/19/2025

Karen Strange’s teachings and training has been life changing for me! So thankful for this opportunity to learn alongside my sister midwives and professionals. 🤍

08/03/2025

I know when I first starting nursing my daughter, almost 14 years ago, I felt so much pressure to start feeding her solids at 4 months and wean as soon as possible. We stopped breastfeeding before she was even a year old.
Next babies, I received more support and education on the incredible benefits of nursing and was able to nurse my littles longer and with so much less stress.
Providing a calm, dark, safe space at the very start of life to initiate breastfeeding your little one is so critical. I educate my clients and birth class attendees to initiate feeding within 30 mins of birth. It regulates your newborn - heart rate, blood sugars, nervous system - and also clears their lungs. It’s so critical for a newborns survival. Get help. Get support. Educate yourself. And trust your intuition.
Happy Breastfeeding Month!

Breast milk is the ideal first food for a baby👶. It's safe, clean and contains antibodies which protect against dangerous illnesses.

✅ Start within 1 hour after birth 🤱
✅ Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months 🤱
✅ Continue alongside healthy family foods until the baby is at least 2 years old 🤱

05/05/2025

I had a wonderful weekend with some amazing midwife friends, learning, practicing skills, and sharing stories/memories. I found it incredible to have that many women, in one house, who genuinely love and support one another. We laughed, cried, paused the conference sessions to learn from one another and brainstorm ways to make our community safer and better.
We missed several other amazing midwives who couldn’t attend but I can’t wait for the fall.

One of our objectives is to continually pursue learning and skills education to improve quality of care and birth outcomes.
Another objective of our association is to encourage and come alongside our association members.
Our first, annual local midwives retreat was very successful in meeting both of those objectives. So successful that we're planning one every spring and fall.

And if you have never been to Three Roots Boutique in Gladewater, it is a definite must visit.

Love hanging out with these sister midwives.
Plus couldn't tag. Erin Dorr & Laura Mroz

04/25/2025

URGENT ACTION REQUESTED BY The Association of Texas Midwives
House Bill 4553 has officially been set for a hearing in the House Public Health Committee on April 28 at 8:00 A.M. in Room E2.030 at the Capitol.
House Bill 4553 threatens the autonomy of our profession under the guise of data collection. While framed as a neutral reporting bill, HB 4553 lays the groundwork for invasive oversight, misrepresentation of outcomes, and the further medicalization of midwifery care without the context or nuance necessary to accurately represent our clients or our work.
We need every midwife, student, client, and supporter to contact the public health committee and urge them to oppose HB 4553
What You Can Do Today:
1. Call the Public Health Committee – urge them to oppose HB 4553.
Phone: 512-463-0802. Contact Chairman VanDeaver directly – tell him to withdraw his support for this bill.
Email: gary.vandeaver@house.texas.gov
Phone: 512-463-0692
⸻
Call Script or Email Template:
Subject: Oppose HB 4553 – Protect Midwifery from over regulation and medicalization. Protect Family Choice
Dear [Chairman VanDeaver / Public Health Committee Member],
I am a [licensed midwife/client/family member/supporter] writing to strongly oppose House Bill 4553, scheduled for hearing on Monday, April 28. This bill, though presented as a neutral data reporting proposal, contains harmful and confusing language that would result in over regulation, redundant statistics collection, the medicalization of and the erosion of midwifery care in Texas.
Texas midwives are already held to high standards of safety and accountability. This bill duplicates existing reporting, imposes burdensome new rules, threatens privacy, and undermines informed choice in birth.
I respectfully urge you to oppose HB 4553 and support true solutions that protect safe birthing options across our state.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
⸻
We must act now. Please make your call today, and help us mobilize clients and supporters i

Added easy copy text in comment below

04/18/2025

✨✨5 Tips for a healthy pregnancy✨

Prenatal care is great, but what you do at home matters most!

Eating a whole foods, high protein diet, staying well hydrated (don't forget those minerals and cell salts!), moving your body and cultivating peace and community will ensure you feel your best - inside and out.

Check out:
Lily Nichols, RDN book Real Food for Pregnancy Book
Spinning Babies Daily Balances
Green Acres Baptist Church Square One group
The AXIA Center Mentorship and education

Our next birth and postpartum class for mothers and fathers is May 10th!