Midwives & Birth Centers
								"It's not just the making of babies, it's the making of mothers that midwives see as the miracle of birth" --Barbara Katz Rothman
						If you are looking for a different kind of birth experience or aren't sure if your provider is right for you, you may consider the care of a midwife and birthing center. Midwives offer  very personal one on one care during the Childbearing year and beyond. Midwives are especially sensitive to the emotional and physical needs of the pregnant woman, often becomimg more than a care provider but rather a life long friend. Midwives offer comprehensive care for the pregnant woman and well woman care beyond pregnancy forging life long relationships with their clients. Midwives recognize pregnancy as normal, natural and healthy therefore referring to pregnant women as clients instead of patients. They strive to create a bond of mutual trust and respect, acknowledging the pregnant womans responsibility and rights in the decisions regarding her care. Midwives are highly trained professionals able to recognize when a pregnancy moves beyond their scope of practice and when to refer or collaborate care with a physician. There are 2 different types of midwives available in Texas, and different places of practice. Direct Entry Midwives: Are generally not nurses but rather received their training thru a state approved course or through an apprenticeship under an experienced midwife. Texas licenses direct entry midwives and requires them to pass NARM (North American Registry Of Midwives) exam. Midwives practicing in Texas are required to be licensed, you can check out the credentials of a practicing midwife at  Texas Department of Health   .                                  Most Licensed Midwives or LM's catch babies in the home environment and some birthing centers. Certified Nurse Midwives: Are Nurses first with an extended education in Nurse Midwifery. They too follow normal, low risk pregnancies birth and beyond and some practice in birth centers, the home and even some hospital based practices. To learn more about the differences between midwives and the rules and regulations, or  to locate a midwife in your area visit The Association of Texas Midwives. If you are searching for an alternative to hospital birth but are unsure how a homebirth would fit into your family, Birthing Centers may be an option for your family. There are some wonderful area Birthing Centers: Lovers Lane Birth Center at Cottonwood-Richardson Family Centered Maternity Care-Garland Inanna Birth Center- Denton Family Birth Services- Grand Prairie Allen Birthing Center-Allen Homebirth Midwives: Lisa Black, LM  CPM