The Midwife

01/31/2026

📢What you really need that is not on your registry 📢

It’s so easy these days to be influenced by a bunch of well meaning (maybe) moms on the internet. We buy what they say could “save our motherhood!” but it just leaves us ill equipped and fills their wallets.

✨Less is more, sister!✨

Taking a birth class, hiring a doula, having a friend set up a meal train are investments that will support you and your partner for a successful start as family. Can a Hakka do that?? 😅

What one non-registry gift was the most helpful to you?

01/31/2026

Welcome, Baby Boy! 💙
7lbs 15oz
Your mother could tell this morning that something was changing and sure enough, at lunch time, she found herself in full labor with you. Your father was driving back from being hours away working and your midwife was flying to get by her side.
You were ready to meet your family and thankfully your sweet father made it just in time. You worked so well with your mother and gently made your entrance in the tub, right into her waiting arms. Your siblings entered the room to find out that you were a brother! There was laughter and excitement all around.
You are so alert, chatty, and calm and your siblings adore you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, Little One!

Right hand midwife:

01/30/2026

Welcome, Baby Girl! 🎀
6lbs 10oz
You surprised your mama in the wee hours of the morning with a break in your water bag. She waited patiently for her labor, supported by your prayerful and faithful father, but it never decided to start. After a long wait and lots of work, we made the hard decision to go to the hospital. With a little help from the sweetest doctors and nurses, your mama labored you quickly with a heart of worship and gratitude. She kept her birth plan as closely as she could with your father reminding her of Truth, your grandmother and aunt sharing tears of joy and words of peace. Everyone was in awe when you arrived. Small and mighty. The most peaceful little baby with curly dark hair.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, Little One. 🤍

Doula extraordinaire: Mallory Villafuerte - East Tx Crunchy-ish Doula
Thank you, Dr. Ayala and Dr. Medel 🤍

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!

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