My first child was overseen and delivered by an obstetrician and I was unhappy with the experience...I did not receive the needed attention and emotional support from my doctor.

I was hoping to have a different birthing experience and came upon the Lone Star Nurse Midwives website. It sounded like a perfect match. They not only were able to manage me as a high risk patient, but I enjoyed getting to know them as real people. I had several scary episodes during this pregnancy which the midwives handled with grace and expertise...At 30 weeks it was diagnosed that my second child had severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction and would need to be delivered early. I had hoped that I could have an unmedicated birth and I realized that for the health of my child I needed to let go of that dream. I still believed I could have an enjoyable delivery though and I knew that the midwives would be the best team to provide that. I trust that my body knows how to have a baby. The midwives believed in me as well.

Four days before my induction date I had heavy vaginal bleeding and went directly to the Labor and Delivery department at the hospital where Lauren met me. I was very scared that something had happened to the baby, but there was nothing sweeter than the sound of her heartbeat and the comfort that Lauren provided me. I had an ultrasound which confirmed that I had a partial placental abruption. Lauren and I decided to have the baby early at 36 weeks and 2 days. I was taken to a room and labored through the night with my natural contractions which the bleeding had jumpstarted. I was so happy that I could experience normal contractions it was like they were giving me a hug.... After a few more hours of good contractions I was really excited and hoped I was dilated to around 7 cm but when Jan came to check me I was only at 5 cm. ... I appreciated that she was letting my body naturally do the work. The contractions were getting more painful. I started to flip out a bit and I told my husband that I was finished. I started to cry and the nurse was starting to get nervous for me so she kept running and checking when the anesthesiologist would be back.... Jan was my saving grace. She talked me back into sanity and calmly told me that it was time to bring the baby into this world. She was focused and articulate and amazing. She controlled the whole room, got me into position to push (not in the stirrups) and reassured me that I could have the baby. She changed the entire feeling of the room and though I was in a lot of pain, I was so happy. They also let me know that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) had been called and they would have to take my baby away quickly after she was born. Jan told me exactly when to push and my baby was born weighing 4 pounds 4 ounces... She was beautiful and I was so happy to finally meet her.

Lauren and Jan were amazing during the birth and it was a great experience. I recommend the Lone Star Midwives to everyone I know.

Link to Ashley's complete testimonial

I couldn’t be more happy that I discovered the website of the Lone Star Midwives after I found out I was pregnant....I have known all my life that I wanted to deliver my babies naturally with a midwife, and after interviewing several midwives, we found that Lone Star was the perfect fit. ... Our prenatal care was phenomenal. ... A healthy pregnancy is not a medical condition, and the midwives treat it as the exciting experience that pregnant women are going through. And at the same time, they are carefully looking out for the health of you and your baby. ...[Jan] was with me every step of the way. My second labor was quick and easy, but I labored long and hard the first time... I know that had a doctor been delivering my child, I probably would have ended up with a C-section. But Jan monitored my baby and me carefully; respecting our wishes for a normal birth, and that is exactly what happened. I am so thankful to her... We could not have asked for a more helpful, caring, and normal, not medical experience. As a bonus, not only were both my children delivered by Jan, but so were the children of my two good friends who also chose Lone Star! What a treat for us all!

Link to Beth's complete testimonial

We are so happy that we found the Lone Star Midwives! ... My husband was not really comfortable with a home birth and wanted more insurance that we would be safe, so we were so pleased when I stumbled across the Lone Star midwives on the internet. We interviewed them right away and knew they would fit perfectly into the birth we wanted. Our care throughout the pregnancy was like none I have ever received from any doctor. I felt like I was their only patient that day, as I was never hurried through my appointments. They really cared about what we wanted to get out of this pregnancy (besides our beautiful daughter.) We wanted a natural childbirth without medical intervention, unless it became absolutely necessary. They read our birth plan and really knew us and what we wanted... Our labor and delivery went extremely well... Jan was there to welcome with us our daughter into this world! Jan spent more time with us during labor than any doctor would have. She was there for comfort and support throughout our labor, always keeping our birth plan in mind. I wish that all women could experience the knowledge and care of the Lone Star Midwives so that they could have as positive a birth as we did.

Link to Ana's complete testimonial

I had both of my children's prenatal care and deliveries assisted by the Midwives of Lone Star Ob/Gyn and I consider both experiences to have been wonderful! I've referred several friends and they also had very good experiences.

I became pregnant with my first baby in September of 2002. I was very excited when I saw that there was a group of Midwives that I could choose for my Ob/Gyn. My husband and I scheduled an interview with them, which assured me that their philosophy about natural, spontaneous deliveries was exactly what I was looking for.

My first son was born on July 9, 2003 and delivered by Georgette Trotcheck (now retired). I labored about four hours at home, breathing through contractions and laying in different positions. ... My husband always talks about how deeply worried he was until Georgette arrived. She brought with her peace and confidence, and everyone immediately relaxed. Afterwards, I heard one nurse comment to another, "Those deliveries with the Midwives are always so good! They are incredible."

I feel very happy that I was able to deliver naturally. Jan, Lois, and Georgette did a lot to boost my self-confidence during my pregnancy, and taught me that if I trusted my body and listened to its cues, I would be able to have a very calm and positive experience. This confidence boosting, on top of my natural delivery, gave me a lot of courage for my next baby. I felt very empowered!

I also appreciated the postpartum care. ... My mom urged me to call my Midwives. ... With their help, and with support from my husband, I was able to make necessary changes to get through the difficult adjustment period and begin to really enjoy my new role as a mother.

My second son, Timothy, was born on June 4, 2005. ... Once again, throughout my pregnancy Jan, Lois, and Gloria gave me a lot of sound counsel on nutrition, stress management, positive self-talk, and how to keep my mind focused on my body's signals.

The evening of Timothy's birth my husband and I got to the hospital around 8 p.m. and I felt very calm and alert. ... Jan arrived and encouraged me to get out of the bed and do whatever felt comfortable and natural for me. Pacing felt very good. So, I paced back and forth alongside the bed. And I preferred no one to talk to me.

Jan was very intuitive with my needs as I labored. An hour after arriving at the hospital, Jan checked me again and I was 9 cm. .. Jan was an excellent coach through my intense, though quick, delivery as it turned out that Timothy was face up, had his hand to his face, and the cord around his neck. As soon as she saw the cord, she told me to stop pushing. She flipped the cord over his head, off from around his neck, then said, "Now push, Michelle! Push!" I pushed with all my might and my hefty 9 lb. 3 oz. and 21 inch baby finally was out. All I could say was, "Relief!" He was born at 9:23 p.m. without any medication assistance. And I didn't even tear.

Both experiences, from beginning to end, were just the way I would want them. My appointments never felt rushed, my husband and I could ask all the questions we had, and we felt great confidence in each of these remarkable women. It was very reassuring to me that, no matter what, even if a c-section was ordered, one of them would be there at the delivery, because of their rotating on-call schedule. I will always continue to recommend my friends to the Lone Star Midwives!

Link to Michelle's complete testimonial

Peaceful. Intimate. Seamless. Empowering. These are the words that describe the birth of my daughter, Indigo, with the Lone Star Midwives.

My first birth experience, with my son Jude, began with an induction and ended with a forceps delivery. It was the quintessential cascade of interventions that lead to a full year of recovery. When I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew that I would do things differently this time around. Rather than going back to an obstetrician, I chose to experience the midwifery model of care...

When I arrived at the hospital, Lois greeted me with a hug. She lead me to the birthing room and we chatted while she checked me. ... I felt unencumbered and free to move my body however I needed; I felt trusted....I had complete faith in Lois’ ability to guide me as I pushed my baby out.

After a grand total of ten minutes of pushing (and one hour after arriving at the hospital), my 8 lb 7 oz daughter, Indigo, was born into Lois’ hands and then placed immediately onto my chest. This early and sustained contact helped initiate breast feeding and enveloped us in a blissful calm. ... It did not feel like a hospital environment. It felt like family.

My birth could not have been more perfect...I was given the quiet, dimly lit, intimate environment that my body
sought. Most importantly, I was trusted and respected by all around me, which gifted me with a tremendous sense of empowerment. My birth experience is an one that I absolutely treasure and will always hold close to my heart.

Link to Rachel's complete testimonial

... After one too many bad experiences with doctors/providers who behaved as though I were just a “number” and in 2 cases didn’t even know my name, I hated making an appointment for anything! ...After talking 5 minutes with Lois, my preconceived ideas were blown away. For the first time I felt like I was “heard”, my questions were answered, and my overall health was addressed in a very friendly and professional manner. Amazing! ... It was throughout this pregnancy that I continued to see Lois, but also had the pleasure of meeting Jan and Amy. I was amazed to find that Jan and Amy were remarkably caring and gifted as well, and I felt so lucky to have found a group with such incredible practitioners. In October of 2007, Lois patiently coached me through a long labor with the birth of my son. She was skilled, confident, and interacted beautifully with my husband and family.... On 1/26/09, we were blessed to have our daughter born under the exceptional and composed direction of Jan Olsen. My husband, mother, and sisters and I were greatly impressed with her calm nature and command of the delivery room. She created a peaceful environment in which to bring our baby and it was an awesome thing to experience! Over the past nine years I have recommended the Lone Star Nurse-Midwives to every woman in my family and church, as well as any woman who asks for a recommendation for OB/GYN care.

Link to Autumn's complete testimonial

As an expectant mother, you are faced with thousands of choices... My pregnancy and childbirth experience taught me that the most important decision you make as a mom-to-be is your choice of health care practitioner. ... I had seen two different obstetricians before meeting with the midwives. ...At 27 weeks I finally met with the midwives and found a priceless combination of expertise, compassion, and experience. I knew I would not be compromising any aspect of my care by becoming their patient. ... Even with multiple patients giving birth at the same time I was, I knew my baby and I were a priority to Jan. Each time she was by my side, I felt a peaceful, encouraging presence. I could not imagine anyone else delivering our baby, and was thrilled I had listened to my instincts and chosen Lonestar. I believe it was the best decision I made during the pregnancy....Each time I went to Lonestar after our baby was born, the amazing staff and caring midwives were excited to see both of us, even asking for pictures! They all will always have a special place in my heart...Thank you, Lonestar Midwives and staff for all that you do for us and our babies!

Link to Heather's complete testimonial

...  I confess that I had (irrational) concerns about using midwives and not doctors with the impending birth of our first child, but I thankfully trusted my wife's decision.   Over the last 3 years you have helped us grow and deliver two wonderful babies, and we have been overwhelmed by your kindness, nurturing and knowledgeable professionalism. ... I am now a big advocate of midwifery and find myself regularly praising your care to others... Let me say thank you from everyone you guide through the experience of pregnancy and birth, your holistic care of the individual is appreciated more than you will ever know.    Thanks!

Link to Al and Leanne's complete testimonial

... As a nurse myself, it was important to me to have a provider who was highly trained and experienced and yet would be supportive of my wishes for a relaxed birthing experience. With Jan, Lois and Gloria, I got the best of both worlds.