After the birth of my 5 children, I knew that I wanted to support women during their pregnancy and birth. It didn’t feel doable for me to be a midwife with my kids being so little, so I became the first certified doula in Abilene. I witnessed over 100 births in the Big Country and saw first hand the challenges that women faced when trying to find a provider and facility that would allow them the birth options they wanted. After 8 years of doula work, I was discouraged and disappointed for them. Women in my community needed more! I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was being called into midwifery. I chose the Association of Texas Midwifery Training Program and began my education. About 9 months later, I became an apprentice at Birth and Women’s Center in Dallas, which then transitioned into Origins Birth and Wellness-Dallas. I was trained by two Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and three Certified Professional Midwives (CPM), which gave me a well-rounded perspective in caring for your growing family. There in Dallas, I cared for women of all backgrounds, socio-economic statuses and races.

I grew up in Lubbock as the daughter of a farmer and was homeschooled by my mom who had taught childbirth classes when I was a little girl. We moved to Abilene for my husband’s job and it has been my home for over 18 years. I have one teenage daughter in high school and another daughter in college, but living at home, two boys that attend Angelo State University (which inspired my 2nd office in San Angelo) and one older daughter who lives in Abilene and works full-time.

Rural areas of Texas are growing and maternal healthcare is one area that I felt needed a change.  There is a political and social struggle with midwifery care as a safe practice and I have never shied away from the challenges that come with educating a community. Currently, I am the Vice President of the Association of Texas Midwives which should show my commitment to Texas women and their ability to find midwifery care runs deep!

Photo credit goes to Caroline Casey found on Instagram @carojoyjoyjoy