My pregnancy was unplanned, so I found myself rushed to do my research. My OBGYN was vaginal birth…read morefriendly and so I felt confident that he would help make sure he did everything possible so that would delivery vaginally. In nursing school I was introduced to the idea of doulas, and knew I wanted to have the support of a doula. I went off the recommendation of a friend and found my doula and ended up meeting my midwife through her as well. I finally decided to ditch my OB at his 8th mention of c-section at our prenatal appointments. It was definitely God that placed Afua in my life and I could not be more grateful. Afua came into my life at a time that I lost my sister and mom. She was the mother figure I needed providing me with all the love, support, and tough love that mothers give. I love her approach to patient care because it is unmatched by the experience you get in mainstream healthcare. Afua treated me as family, she validated every one of my concerns no matter how silly they were. She guided me throughout my pregnancy, she provided a place for all expectant and new moms to come together and share their experiences and learn from each other and support one another. She has built her own village here in Houston. I am eternally grateful to her for the support she provided to me without fail and without hesitation. Not only did she provide me with exceptional personalized prenatal care, she safely delivered my baby in the comfort of my own home and she mended my soul. Thank you Afua! I love you!

I had my first baby with Afua and The Birthing Place, and the whole experience has been amazing. I…read morestarted my pregnancy with my long-time OBGYN, but quickly realized that there's a difference from a once-a-year appointment and ongoing, regular maternity care... And a difference in what I expected from a health care provider and what the provider was willing to give. I felt rushed during my appointments, spent the vast majority of the visits sitting alone in the waiting room or exam room waiting to be seen, just to finally get 30-60 seconds with the Doctor who barely looked up from the clipboard to ask me 'everything looks good, any questions?' before heading out of the room. I knew I wanted more personalized care from someone truly invested in my and my unborn child's wellbeing, someone who made me feel less like a number and more like a valued client, who welcomed dialogue and discussion on prenatal and birth options without judgement or a 'this is our policy' mentality. Afua and her team met all of my requirements and then set the bar higher than even I could have expected! Her prenatal care model was thorough with more frequent visits than others, which I really appreciated because as a first time mom I would come up with lots of questions. Having the bi-monthly appointments meant I was checking in on my little ones progress more often than my other pregnant friends, it helped alleviate my fears and anxiety that something was wrong and created a strong rapport with Afua. I really love how easy it is to get in touch with Afua- she personally answers all phone calls and texts, so there's no going through a front desk or multiple midwives to talk to. It's easy, efficient, and really made the prenatal (and birth!) experience comfortable. She also has monthly group prenatals, where other pregnant moms get together to discuss relevant birth and childcare topics, meet new friends, and of course eat!! I love the community feeling and getting to know other moms in the area who are also planning on delivering with a midwife. She also hosts meetings for dads, where the men have the same opportunity to mingle and get/give parenting advice. My husband and I opted for a home birth, and the whole process went so smoothly that I'm still in awe that my daughter is here, healthy, and happy, and it's all thanks to Afua.

OMG Francis and her team was the absolute BEST EXPERIENCE I could have ever imagined. This was my…read morefirst home birth and the knowledge that she gave to myself and my husband created such a calm, smooth, delivery. She has such a beautiful gift. She is connected in a way that is indescribable. She literally got to me on time and, prepped us, and was so easy to trust. She kept calm, made sure my baby was safe even while he was underwater, and guided me to a successful delivery in which I didn't tear or anything. Every step of the way she was on it. She's thorough, honest, has integrity, easy to talk to, great personality, and knows exactly what she is doing. She Brilliant at this. I love her so much and Im so grateful that she was brought into our lives.

My husband and I had a great experience with Frances and the team at full circle. It was our first…read morebirth and I'm so glad we decided to have a home birth. We were blessed to have a safe and smooth birth experience and the ladies helped me immensely during labor and during my first week of breastfeeding. I always felt genuinely cared for and understood during my prenatal appointments. They take the time to listen and chat with you, and I always felt that my decisions would be respected. The ladies always gave me amazing resources for any questions we had. I knew as soon as I met Frances that her voice would be the voice of encouragement I needed during my birth experience.

My daughter had an unplanned C-section, and we THANK GOD that Dr. Rebecca Grace was the on-call…read morephysician. It was a traumatic experience for my daughter, and they couldn't get her regular doctor on the phone after more than 4 attempts. This was God's plan, and my daughter's plan of care was made better for it. Dr. Grace is compassionate, warm, and caring. Her bedside manner was calming and reassuring. She included my daughter in every decision made and made her feel as if she had a hand in her care. She's a testament to what a doctor should be!!! We're so grateful for her.

If you anticipate having a low-risk pregnancy and you would like a natural birth in a hospital…read moresetting, the midwives at WSH are the best! The only other midwife delivering in a hospital in the Houston area is one that works with Dr. de Ayala at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital. The 6 midwives work together in a group to care for their patients -- because they're the only hospital midwife group in Houston, they do fill up fast so you should call and register with them as a patient AS SOON AS POSSIBLE once you find out you're pregnant. I believe they take only 40 pregnant patients per month. I was very pleased with their care overall as I delivered my second baby. The reason for 4 stars and not 5 stars is just because of the few items in the "cons" list below. PROS: * The midwives treat pregnancy like a normal, natural event -- rather than a minefield loaded with risks and obstacles. They are low-intervention and this should decrease your risk of a C-section. But you can still get an epidural if you want. * They don't order a bunch of extra or unnecessary tests * They already automatically do all the things I wanted in my natural birth plan (such as: you can eat and drink during labor; intermittent fetal monitoring; birthing ball is provided; option to use hydrotherapy during labor -- there's a tub and shower in the L&D rooms; compresses and counterpressure and lubricant to decrease the risk of tearing when you push; pushing allowed in different positions; delayed cord clamping; they try not to break your water artificially unless indicated for some reason & they'll discuss it with you first to get your permission; post-delivery Pitocin is given on a case-by-case basis) CONS: * Parking can be a headache (Parking in the underground garage will cost you $8-10 per visit. Sometimes the garage gets completely full & you may circle for a while before you find a spot, or you may have to park off-site. You can buy a discounted parking pass to get up to 15% off. You could also park in the surface lot across Main St from the hospital & it's cheaper, but it fills up quickly on weekday mornings and the parking spots are tiny.) * On average, I spent about 1 hour total at each visit -- they often run behind, so it's not a quick in-and-out visit. But part of this is because the midwives take the time to talk to you and address your concerns. * There are 6 midwives, so you'll get someone different at most appointments -- then when you go into labor, you'll get whoever's on call but depending who it is, you may not have seen them in months - so they could be a little unfamiliar to you. * If you need an emergency C-section, it'll likely be done by a 3rd year resident (but these are the most experienced residents who are almost done with their program and almost ready to practice independently).

This is my 3rd midwife birth, 1st with In Bloom and 1st in USA. Excellent midwifery clinic and team…read more- the process was very similar to what I received in Ontario, Canada, where midwives and home births, are part of standard birth care. I would happily recommend this clinic. The level of care and knowledge is exceptional. Jaymee is a true expert in her field. She is calm and confident throughout the labor and birth process, a true leader when challenging situations arise. The team is very intentional, sincere, and direct. Each care option is explained and discussed with you, an active participant. You are heard. Post-partum care is gentle, responsive and supportive. They are available to help acclimate to being a new mom. If outside consultation is needed, Jaymee has developed excellent working relationships with other professionals, including physicians, to help with various challenges, if they arise. In my experience, these professionals are all supportive of home birth and midwifery care, a definite plus. If you are looking into alternatives to an OB, this clinic is number 1.

There are truly no words to describe my gratitude for Jaymee, Kellie and the In Bloom team. They…read moresupported me through a strenuous home labor with unwavering care and made me feel strong and capable, avoiding the need for hospital transfer. Jaymee's use of ancient herbs and tinctures to progress my labor was amazing--they worked! When our baby was born with fluid in her lungs and nose, Jaymee calmly and expertly cleared everything, ensuring she was crying and on my chest in no time. Their attentiveness to my health and the baby's well-being was perfect and even cleaning up after the birth went far beyond my expectations. I'm so grateful to have had these incredible women by my side. They are nothing short of extraordinary!

DO NOT TRUST your care to this midwife. I find Jackie Griggs to be rude, unethical, medically…read morereckless and to have little to no regard for protecting the memory of her clients birth journey. Do yourself a favor and FIND SOMEONE ELSE to trust with your care. For those who are dubious of the circumstances surrounding my review, you will find through public records that Jackie's license was placed on probation with the Texas Board of Nursing for her actions.

I'm surprised by the negative posts regarding Jackie's quality of care. If we're doing real talk, I…read moresense she made a doula mad and some of these negative posts smell like a coup. As with any reviews, do your due diligence and form your own opinion. Pay more attention to folks who birthed with her, after all, are you a family looking for a midwife, or are you a doula looking for affirmation. You better bet a mother with a bad experience would be here reviewing for herself if she had bad things to say. Jackie was a God send for our family. She brought my little boy into the world, and I will go to her again if we are blessed with a second. She loves babies y'all. She loves being a mother. I found her very compassionate, attentive, and professional. Deliveries last a long time. Birthing naturally isn't easy. And, if you're choosing the midwife route, understand you're birthing your baby yourself, and your midwife is there to help that happen safely. My doula and I chatted about the experience after my son was born, and she said Jackie was great and also gave her the space to focus on me. Example that speaks to Jackie's character. One day during my pregnancy, I swore my baby didn't move very much. I was concerned and paranoid. I called Jackie and she was in Beaumont, on her way to Costco. She told us to meet her in the parking lot and she'd take a listen. We did just that, and Jackie was in the backseat with the ultrasound wand and goop letting me listen to my baby's heartbeat. Having a baby is a big deal. Invest your efforts into finding the right match for you and your family. You'll get so many opinions on who is awesome and who isn't. All I can say is ask questions about the experience, ask people you trust, and use that information to form your own opinion. Jackies was a nurse in a hospital. She worked there many years, and she left that setting to empower women to birth their babies under their terms. And that is what she does.

I have nothing but the highest praises to sing for Pat Jones. She is the Ina May Gaskin of Texas…read more So knowledgeable, so kind, so supportive. In 2011 we hired Pat to be our midwife for our planned HBAC (homebirth birth after cesarean). I am a birth doula and had researched VBAC birthing and homebirth for years before we became pregnant. I knew the option was safe for me and my baby. I consider finding Pat the best luck one could have! She has decades of experience as a midwife, both CPM experience before becoming a CNM, and specifically experience supporting VBACs. This was imperative for me and Pat is now and will forever be a member of our family. In the summer of 2011 I gave birth easily and calmly to my second baby with the help of my birth team (husband, doula, and Pat). I am eternally thankful to Pat for her kindness, her love, her support, and her strength. She has the most giving heart I have ever known and I consider myself lucky to know her, to have worked with her as a doula, and to have been loved and cared for by her as a birthing mother.

Amy was my homebirth midwife. She is a gem, she has such a positive attitude, and she's very…read morestraight forward with options but in a gentle, patient manner. I was using her previously and had a loss, and she was so supportive through that, when I became pregnant again I knew to call her right away. I loved her personalized care and never felt rushed with her, she explained everthing in an easy to understand way.

Amy is an excellent midwife! She was extremely knowledgeable and answered every question I had. I…read moreleft every office visit feeling confident and relaxed. She was also very considerate of my needle phobia throughout my care. When the day came for me to deliver my little boy, I knew I was safe and in very capable hands. As a first time mama, the delivery of my son was life changing and almost peaceful. I know this is in large part to the trust I had in Amy. I look forward to using her services again for more additions to our family!

I can't write enough praises for the Katy Birth Center! Every appointment is so intentional - I was…read morecared for emotionally, physically, and mentally. This team has so much to offer in education, years of knowledge and experience, access to natural supplementation, individual care, and freedom for choice in my medical decisions. In my opinion, this is the only place in the Houston area you will find such Christ centered and holistic care for pregnancy and birth. We had such a positive first pregnancy and birth experience and now a healthy and happy baby boy! Forever grateful!

LOVED the care I received here. This was my 7th birth (6th natural) and it was probably my best…read moreexperience start to finish. the midwives are so knowledgeable, caring, and personal. I recommend the Katy Birth Center to all my natural leaning mom friends.

Catrice has been a Godsend in my life with my first pregnancy. I utilized her service for at home…read morenatural birth class. She took her time to give the information and answered the many questions that I had as well as went above and beyond to provide me with additional information. Throughout our time together Catrice has felt more like a big sister with a wealth of birth knowledge. I've never felt more comfortable with a "birth practitioner" than I have with her. While we didn't utilize her doula service I felt like I did indeed have a doula with her as she was always quick to respond to my questions. PS She is a strong advocate of the daily 4-6 dates a day. As a first time mom from start to finish my birth was less than 10 hours and wasn't difficult at all. I attribute that to a lot of the information I was provided by Catrice.

From the owner: Childbirth Education classes, Breastfeeding Support, Labor and Birth Doula Care, Postpartum Doula…read moreCare, and Teen Pregnancy support servicing the Houston area.

"Everyone needs a Robin Selvera."…read more I first met Robin through her Hypnobabies birthing class. She guided us through weeks of calm, loving and encouraging support preparing us for the wonderful birth of our baby. Soon into these classes, as I began preparing my birthing plan, I knew I wanted that same steady voice with me during the critical hours to come. In the end, my birthing went every possible way other than "as planned." When family members (and even my spouse) grew weak and weary, Robin never faltered. Despite my labor lasting over multiple days and locations - she (quite literally) held my hand every step of the way. She was able to help communicate in ways my frazzled-labor-driven brain could understand what both doctors and midwives were advising. Her training and education also allowed her to help guide my body (and in turn my baby) into effective positions during the peak moments of our birthing. Robin's clear, strong support kept me in control of my birth and allowed me to make informed decisions. (Not fright-filled or bullied by all the different medical staff) Everyone needs a Robin Selvera and I would absolutely recommend any of her birth assisting services. First time moms or fifth time moms - everyone can benefit from the strong support of an incredible woman who cares.

We chose Robin as our doula after interviewing 4 or 5 women and it was one of the best choices we…read morehave made as a family. We knew we wanted a certain kind of birth but we were also open to new ideas and suggestions which Robin helped us with as we molded our delivery plan. When the day came, which ended up being 4 weeks early, Robin was a source of comfort and knowledge through the whole experience and I walked away from the delivery and recovery looking back with nothing but positive memories. I was able to labor at home for as long as I wanted and had a unmedicated birth of a healthy baby girl. When I got pregnant with our second we had friends and family ask if we would be getting a doula again since we "knew what to expect" and could do it on our own. Our answer was "yes, of course we'll be calling Robin." Although the birth of our son was a different experience altogether, Robin's council and guidance helped me feel very at peace about decisions that had to be made that day. Even my OB mentioned how much she enjoyed working with Robin and said how rare it was to find such a great doula that worked so well with hospital staff. The postpartum visits after both children came home from the hospital were wonderful and very reassuming in a time when everything is so new and challenging (can we was BREASFEEDING!). If you are looking for a Doula who doesn't speak FOR you but speaks WITH you to help make decisions and bring your baby into this world, she's your person.