We are a puertorrican family that relocated here after loosing Everything in a hurricane 3 years ago. When I knew I was pregnant, I immediately started looking for POC, Spanish speaking midwifes, to find out that there aren't in Sonoma and Marin county. We met Sophia and her post-partum offering made sense since we don't have relatives here to support us with our new kid. We contracted her in February.
In March, after telling my job that I was pregnant, they asked for my resignation. Is a legal practice and very common in California called non re-election. As the sole provider for my soon to be family of 5, receiving those news were heartbreaking, as I knew I would lost my maternity rights, it would be really difficult finding a job while pregnant, and I would be starting a new job 8 months pregnant. I applied for several positions around the area, and when being interviewed in person, I was rejected. I did received offers form closer towns, but the pay cut was 30k a month, leaving us with no budget to eat. And yes, my husband could find a job, to pay childcare, which doesn't make any sense. I accepted a job offer in Santa Clara and with a lot of sadness, we are moving once again, leaving our friends, our community and our reality once again abruptly.
What roles does Sophia plays? She knew everything that was going on and the emotional struggles that we were going thru, as my midwife, because is something that directly affects my pregnancy. I can see her business/contractual point of view. Her contract states that she will only refund 1k out of the 4K that I paid. I've only seen her 4 times. After telling her that We might move (I'm still in Sonoma county because we can't find a house down there), she stated that she won't travel that far An recommended virtual prenatal visits and trying to find a midwife closer to me as a back up. I said yes to the midwife part but held back on prenatal visits, as I won't risk my health nor my baby's health, also, I would still have to pay for the full service that the contract specified without receiving it. As I mentioned, after she offered this, she retracted herself saying that I created a post in a group, which I didn't and I didn't found out about this post until she wrote a letter of release of care saying that I followed her advise and reach out to the community and started a fundraiser. Again, I was blocked from this post, I never wrote anything and the twisted that information to release me from her care keeping 3k for 4 visits. This is unreasonable and she has responded with blatant cruelty and inhumane responses. In all her letters, she is lying and twisting what happened. Stating that she helped me to look for a job and counseled me, when that's not true. Her contract doesn't specify restrictions on where she can travel/don't travel. It's a poorly written contract that lacks pertinent information which leaves it open for interpretation. She is not patient centered and has acted greedy and selfish, without showing compassion for the tough situation and collaborating to the fact that POC have so much difficulty accessing home-birth. I've been more than open to negotiate with her, as she has said that she didn't had the money, but then prefers to pay a lawyer Rather than come to terms and speak to me. I'm not expecting a full refund, just what I think is fair ($2500). I'm more that happy to share conversations and letters between us and I appreciate you reading such a long post.
Update after Sophia responded: Sophia in fact did offered resolutions, and after a friend posted in Facebook without the knowledge or consent from the patient doing a fundraiser, Sophia sent a letter releasing from her care stating that they patient made this post. If you need the evidence I will gladly share it.
Also, and this is most important, I was under Sophias care and I complained about a symptom for the time being her patient and she downplayed it. I needed up in the hospital and found out that I have a chronic condition that is I had found out earlier, I would've been able to control at an earlier stage and me and my baby wouldn't be affected by it. She was negligent and is still downplaying the situation. read more