Your Birth Doula

01/21/2026

New public health data reveals a devastating reality unfolding in Texas. Harris County, home to Houston has recorded the highest maternal mortality rate for Black women in the entire United States, making it the deadliest place in the country to give birth while Black.

Between 2016 and 2020, Black mothers in Harris County died at a rate of 83.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to county public health data a figure that surpasses every other major U.S. county and far exceeds national averages. By comparison, the nationwide pregnancy-related death rate for Black women during that period was already alarmingly high, yet still significantly lower than what was documented in Harris County.

Health experts and investigators say these deaths are largely preventable and stem from a combination of delayed care, inadequate responses to medical emergencies, and systemic failures within the healthcare system. Conditions like preeclampsia, severe hypertension, and hemorrhaging when not addressed quickly can turn deadly, and Black women are statistically more likely to have their symptoms dismissed or minimized.

One of the women whose story has drawn attention to this crisis is , whose son was stillborn after she repeatedly sought help during a high-risk pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. Her experience reflects what advocates describe as a broader pattern of Black women not being believed or treated with urgency when reporting pain or warning signs.

Public health officials acknowledge that race itself is not the cause but rather the social, medical, and institutional inequities Black women face before, during, and after pregnancy. Factors such as limited access to quality prenatal care, chronic stress, implicit bias in medical settings, and gaps in postpartum monitoring all contribute to the deadly outcomes reflected in the data.

01/19/2026

01/08/2026

Read this twice.

A woman spent decades reporting pain. She was labeled “anxious.” Dismissed as a “hypochondriac.” Never properly investigated.

Only after she died did the truth come out: severe endometriosis. A real disease. A real cause. She didn’t have anxiety. She had a medical system that didn’t listen to her.

This is medical gaslighting in its most lethal form—and it’s not as rare as we all want to believe it is.

When women report symptoms, too often they’re met with judgment instead of diagnostics, bias instead of biology.

Believing women isn’t a courtesy.
It’s clinical responsibility.

01/01/2026

Shadowed Joan at St David’s until 10:45pm on December 30th when Vicki called, @ 11:00pm went straight to birth center for patient #1, patient #2 arrived, ended my work day(s) at 5:45pm on December 31st. Those babies REALLY wanted to be a part of ending 2025 on a high note! And for anyone counting, that was 30 min of sleep in 36 hrs ha. Walked in to shower off all the various things and saw Casey wrote the sweetest note on our note pad, “I’m proud of you. I see you! You’re working so hard for your dream.” I’m proud of me too. My body was rewarded with a painful hot tub soak.

12/10/2025

I don’t think we talk about D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex) enough.

When I was nursing my second baby, he would latch and I’d immediately feel this awful drop in my stomach. Almost like nausea mixed with panic. I’d get this wave of doom wash over me, like I was drowning or trapped, and for a few minutes I genuinely wanted to scream.

And then… as soon as my letdown was over, I was totally fine again.
Smiling. Nursing. Normal.

I had no idea this was an actual medical thing. I thought something was wrong with me. I felt horrible for having those feelings during something that was “supposed” to be beautiful.

But D-MER is REAL.
It’s not postpartum depression.
It’s not you “hating breastfeeding.”
It’s not you being ungrateful.
It’s literally a reflex, a sudden drop in dopamine during letdown that causes a wave of sadness, nausea, anxiety, irritability, or panic for just those few minutes.

If this is you, you’re not alone and you’re not broken.
Your body is doing something hormonal, not something emotional.
And it doesn’t make you a bad mom, not even a little bit. 🤍

Sometimes just knowing there’s a name for what you’re experiencing is enough to make you breathe again.

12/02/2025

This is what breastfeeding moms mean when talking about the scrutiny they receive.

Random things people have told me are “signs” to stop breastfeeding and why none of them are actual reasons:

“If they can ask for it, they’re too old.”
Babies communicate early. Some can sign, gesture, or talk before their first birthday. Should I have ignored all medical recommendations and handed them a cheeseburger instead? No. Development ≠ deadline.

“They’re wiggling and climbing all over you that means they’re done.”
If breastfeeding required babies to sit perfectly still, none of us would’ve made it past newborn stage. Wiggles, acrobatics, upside-down latches… that’s literally just them learning how bodies work.

“Once they turn one, it’s over.”
Apparently at midnight on their first birthday my b***s are supposed to turn into decorative pumpkins and the milk self-destructs. Meanwhile, real science says: keep going as long as it works for you and your baby.

“They bit you. Time to quit.”
Teething is rough. Exploration is normal. And no, one accidental bite does not mean I throw in the nursing towel forever. If biting ended feeding, nobody would ever survive toddlerhood.

“You’re only still breastfeeding for yourself.”
If only they knew. I do this because it calms her. Because she still falls asleep this way. Because it’s comfort, connection, regulation, nutrition all wrapped into one. This isn’t selfish; it’s responsive mothering.

Experts with actual credentials (not people who “read something once”) recommend nursing up to two years and beyond if it’s working. And guess what? It’s working for us.

So unless someone is the one up at 2am nursing a tiny breakdancer who pinches, twirls, and attempts parkour mid-latch… maybe just let moms feed their babies however works best.

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

💕💕💕

11/16/2025

Don’t worry, this dad is ready!! In the splash zone with the safety shades and everything…

11/05/2025

A new program seton is implementing, Family Connect. It’s a postpartum HOME visit! Has anyon utilized this yet?

The first few days and weeks home with a new baby can be a challenging time for all families, and research indicates that more than 90 percent of families can use some additional support. Family Connects Austin/Travis County nurses are trained to answer questions and connect families with the suppor...

10/27/2025

Midwife student life.. my daughter, husband and friend/preceptor let me practice IVs! Started one for each of them 💕