Since 1997 I have served as a staff midwife at Family Birth Services in Grand Prairie, Texas. In this function I provide full service maternity care to clients coming to the birth center through it's existing reputation. Prenatal care is received at the birth center and clients choose either home or birth center births—whichever is their preference.

In this capacity I especially enjoy working with women from other countries. Having lived in three foreign countries myself, I know how important communication is — especially at this time of a woman's life. If the language is anything other than Spanish, in which I am fluent, my clients bring a translator and we have a great time anyway.

I also enjoy working with first time mothers. They appreciate my approach that pregnancy and birth should be fun and educational.

Many out-of-hospital midwives are uncomfortable working with VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) clients. Although I have to spend much more time and energy with them, I consider it an honor to work with my VBAC clients.

I teach the childbirth preparation classes in English and fertility awareness class in Spanish (for those wishing natural family planning help to achieve or avoid pregnancy).

Having received an excellent education through the generosity of great midwives, I feel highly motivated to pass the gift on to new, aspiring midwives. I am actively involved in training all of the apprentices (normally three) at the Birth Center. The thrill of being there with/for them as they "catch" their first baby or solve a tricky problem is so rewarding!

I also have a growing private practice. For convenience it runs from my birth center office, giving those private clients the best facilities a midwife could offer. Any clients coming to me as a result of this web site are in the private category.

My work choices mean that I expend huge amounts of energy compared to some midwives. This would be impossible were it not for the fact that midwifery is my heart's desire. The joy I experience is equal to the energy invested!

Although my time is well taken up by my work I also serve on the Board as Secretary of the North Texas Midwives Association. Midwives need to contribute as they can to the preservation and promotion of out-of-hospital midwifery care.