My Birth Journeys

Each of my pregnancies was a learning experience. Having to advocate for myself taught me the importance of empowering families to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves. As a young single mom starting out, when I had my first child in 1996, I knew I didn’t want interventions. Even though I had a physician and was in a hospital setting, I wanted my labor and birth to be natural. My doctor allowed me to do so, and after 18 hours, I had an unmedicated vaginal birth and went home 24 hours later, which was not the norm at that time.

My second birth, in 1997, went the same way, just much quicker – I was blessed with 3.5 hours of labor and went home in 24 hours. In 1998, I suffered the loss of a 16-week fetus, which humbled me and gave me empathy and compassion to walk beside moms experiencing this. After this, I was told it affected my hormones and I would not be able to have any more children. However, when I settled into this reality, God showed me He had other plans.

In 2003, I delivered twins vaginally, with the second one being breech. It was a fight, as every doctor who heard my second baby was breech wanted and highly advised my doctor to do a cesarean section, warning her that she would be making the biggest mistake of her career if she didn’t. Through my advocacy and begging her not to be influenced by others, she honored my wishes and went against the grain, allowing me to have the unmedicated vaginal/breech vaginal birth I desired.

I was blessed in 2009 with the opportunity to raise 9-year-old twins, and I also have four others that I have helped co-parent. Yes, the math is correct – 10! Currently, I am a loving grandmother to three. In 2023, I married my best friend and the love of my life, Herbie Lewis, who loves and adores me and my career.

My Journey to Midwifery

My path to becoming a midwife was long and winding. It began in 1999 when I started working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in a rural hospital, caring for patients in medical-surgical, ICU, and ER units. However, after just three months, I felt unfulfilled and considered leaving nursing altogether.

A friend's suggestion led me to a new role in a hospital-based birth center as a postpartum and nursery nurse. This experience ignited a passion within me to become a labor and delivery nurse. Unfortunately, the field was shifting to require RN licensure, prompting me to return to school.

I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) in 2002 and later completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Texas Tech University in 2005. By then, I knew I wanted to become a midwife, but as a single mother of four, I couldn't pursue online courses. Instead, I earned my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas Health Science Center (UT HSC) in Houston.

Though I enjoyed caring for and educating obstetric patients, my 15+ years of labor and delivery experience left me yearning to attend births myself. I wanted to provide complete care to my clients. In June 2020, I began exploring the requirements for a post-master's certificate. Texas Tech University guided me through the process, and I discovered I needed only three classes and clinical hours to achieve my goal.

With the university's encouragement, I applied to the program and started in August 2020. By the grace of God, I received my Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential in December 2021.

My Hobbies

In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, taking leisurely outdoor walks, and dancing the night away with country music. I'm also an avid traveler, with a special fondness for cruises.

My Affiliations

Professionally, I'm a member of the Greater Houston Midwife Alliance (GHMA). I've also been actively involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) since 2010, volunteering on the Medical Safety Committee.