Kaitlyn

My journey to becoming a midwife began while I was a Pre-Med student with a focus in Obstetrics and Gynecology throughout college. I met my husband, got married, and became pregnant soon after, and realized quickly that I wouldn’t be attending medical school anytime soon. I gave birth to my first child in early 2008, and experienced a traumatic birth in a hospital setting. I spent my first several months postpartum gravely ill from an infection I received while in the hospital. My infection was directly related to having an epidural, so with my subsequent pregnancies I knew I wanted something completely different. I set out on a path different from what I had known, and I chose to have a homebirth with a midwife and doula, and it was an incredible and life-changing experience. It was clear the Lord was changing my path from medical care for women throughout their pregnancy and birth to holistic care through midwifery. My experience fueled my passion for natural birth and I began serving women as a Certified Birth Doula, knowing that my path was to eventually become a midwife. I wanted to integrate my passion for holistic care, with my love for obstetrics and help women achieve gentle births for both themselves and their babies. My experience as a doula forged my ability to connect with women and tend to their specific needs and desires for birth, – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I purposefully chose to become a doula prior to beginning my midwifery apprenticeship because I believe deeply that learning how to connect with women during the most intimate and sacred moments of their life would help me become the kind of midwife I knew that I wanted to be.

Through my birth experiences, both in the hospital setting and at home, as well as medicated and un-medicated, I am able to connect with and support women wherever they are on their journey into motherhood. I have attended 500+ births, which gives me an extensive overview of the needs and desires of laboring women. Midwifery is my God-given ministry, my calling, and my passion.

GINA

My love for midwifery began in the summer of 2004, when I gave birth to my third child at a birth center using a midwife. Having been physically and emotionally wounded after two previous hospital births; I found what my spirit had longed for through the wonderful care I received during my delivery at the birth center. In 2006 I became a Certified Birth Doula and began to serve women in that capacity. Knowing that my heart’s desire was to be a midwife one day I patiently waited for God to open the door for me. In 2008 I began working as a midwifery assistant. The following year I developed and managed the postpartum care team and the Lactation Program at Gentle Beginnings Birth Center. I worked there as the Postpartum Team Coordinator and Breastfeeding Specialist until February 2011. At that time, I enrolled in a midwifery program and that was the beginning of my longtime dream to help women experience the wonders of what it feels like to be lovingly cared for through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. I have now fulfilled my dream of becoming a Licensed Certified Professional Midwife.

Having experienced the full spectrum of childbirth options, with my first two in the hospital setting, the middle two at a birth center in the water, and the last in the comfort of my home; I feel that I have a unique ability to connect with women no matter their birthing choices. I have attended over 500 births, which has given me first-hand experience caring for laboring and birthing women on a safe and professional level. I am thrilled to be able to share my passion for midwifery with my clients and help them to bring the joys of a new addition into their family.

ANGELA

My name is Angela Friesen. I have been married since 1997 and have two wonderful daughters. My family is my precious gift from the Lord. My call to midwifery began in 2005 when I was invited to attend a home birth. That experience ignited a desire to serve women, who by God’s design give birth to their children in an environment of peace and love. It impacted my view of what childbirth should look like, not the beeping and alarms of machines but the songs of birth a mother sings and the soft cry a baby gives to let us know what he thinks about the whole process.

I began apprenticing in the Spring of 2005 with Susan Hulet. My academic training began with the Association of Texas Midwives in October 2006 and was completed in 2009. All the while I continued through apprenticeship attending births. Doors opened for me to train also with Christy Martin and Donna Miller. My preceptors/mentors are still available to me for counsel, consult and support, and for that I am grateful. I have attended over 400 births and have been a primary caregiver to over 170 of those families. I am licensed by the state of Texas and have received Professional Certification by the North American Registry of Midwives as well as current on my CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation.

I believe in birth. I believe in women, who by faithful diligence to care for themselves during pregnancy, are fully capable to deliver their babies in an environment where they feel peaceful and safe. I expect women to commit to physically, mentally and spiritually prepare themselves for labor and birth and everything that comes after. It’s a journey filled with blessings and I rejoice when I am allowed to be a part.

PRECONCEPTION

Preconception visits are available for women planning on or trying to conceive. At this visit we will discuss lifestyle choices, nutrition, vitamin supplementation, exercise and optimizing your chances for conception. We can perform some of the pre-pregnancy lab work such as a pap smear, your Vitamin D and thyroid levels (if desired) and help you prepare for pregnancy issues such as morning sickness. The cost of this visit is $200.00 plus labs and if you conceive within one year of the appointment and begin care with us, we’ll apply the entire price to your midwifery fee. It’s all part of our commitment to healthy mamas and healthy babies!

PRENATAL

At Origins we believe in supporting women physically, emotionally and spiritually throughout her pregnancy. Your prenatal care is an opportunity for us to build a trusting relationship with each other, for us to educate you on the physiological process of pregnancy and birth, and for you educate us on your body, your baby, and your birth desires. All of these things work in harmony to create positive birth experiences. We laugh, we cry, and we grow together.

• •1st appointment – 28: weeks are monthly appointments
• •28 weeks – 36: weeks are bi-monthly appointments
• •36 weeks to birth of your baby: weekly appointments
• •Medical/Pregnancy History
• •Risk Assessment
• •Nutritional, Herbal, and Homeopathic Counseling
• •All lab work required by the state of Texas and any additional that are indicated
• •Urinalysis at Each Prenatal Visit
• •Blood Pressure Monitoring
• •Assessment of Fetal Heart Tones and Position of Baby
• •24-Hour Access to Your Midwives
• •Pregnancy/Childbirth Education
• •Diagnostic Sonogram Referrals
• •Breastfeeding Preparation
• •Consulting Physician Referrals as Indicated
• •Extensive Professional Referrals and Resources for All of Your Pregnancy Needs

Labor/Birth

At Origins, we believe that birth is sacred. Whether you are birthing at our luxury birth center, or at home, we will enter your birthing environment calmly and quietly, joining you as you labor. Using our vast knowledge of positional and relaxation techniques, we will support you during one of the most intimate experiences of your life. Respectful and personalized care that reflects your beliefs and birth choices.

• •Family involvement throughout the labor and birth process is welcome and encouraged
• •Labor support and comfort techniques including positional guidance, massage, hydrotherapy, and use of essential oils
• •Full clinical assessment of maternal and fetal health throughout the labor and birthing process
• •Techniques for avoiding perineal lacerations by gently guiding you through your pushing stage and the use of warm compresses and water birth
• •Perineal evaluation and if necessary, use of numbing agents and advanced suturing skills or other repair techniques
• •Immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby to promote bonding and encourage the initiation of breastfeeding
• •Delayed cord clamping to assist with transition of baby as he/she begins to breathe on their own, as well as allowing the completion of blood volume to the newborn
• •Therapeutic herbal bath for mother and newborn to aid in bonding and healing
• •Comprehensive newborn examination
• •Breastfeeding support
• •All birth attendants are current with CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation certifications and have immediate access to resuscitation equipment including oxygen
• •IV fluids and IV antibiotics available if indicated
• •Access to anti-hemorrhage medications
• •Erythromycin and Vitamin K injection available for the newborn, if indicated or requested
• •VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

Postpartum

There is nothing quite like holding your long-awaited newborn baby, studying their features, and falling in love with them as they are falling in love with you. Navigating this precious, yet often challenging season of your life can feel overwhelming at times. We are here to support, encourage, and guide you through this sacred time, not just as your midwives, but from our mother’s hearts to yours. By the time our journey comes to a close, we are woven together through the intimacy of birth, and the bond of motherhood.

• •Follow-up care appointments:  postpartum visit within the first 72 hours, and again at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks postpartum
• •Breastfeeding counseling and support
• •Newborn physical exams and weight checks
• •Metabolic newborn screening tests done at initial postpartum visit and again at the 2 week visit
• •Continued assessments of the physiological and emotional well-being of the new mother
• •Pap smears available at final postpartum visit, if needed
• •Family dynamics/Sibling advice
• •Family planning counseling
• •Documentation of birth certificate and social security filed with the state