It is beautiful to watch the extreme generosity of midwives in Texas and Louisiana toward each other and most especially toward birthing families. No one is asking, “What kind of midwife are you?” Midwives, regardless of credential, are working together to provide care to displaced families.

The state of Texas has temporarily lifted licensure requirements for those who are licensed in other states to come to help with disaster relief.  Learn more here.

Collaboration across credentials and disciplines happens in times of crisis, and the alphabet soup that we spend so much time worrying about disappears. We are midwives, we serve families.

The Midwives Alliance of North America, as a home to all midwives, is grateful to our membership for the outpouring of support that folks in Texas and Louisiana are receiving. We are in touch with the midwives in Texas and Louisiana offering support, we will report to you their needs, and together we will offer whatever assistance we can, as the stories continue to unfold.

Jackie Griggs, CPM, CNM finds her way in the flood to her birth center to help!

Read more about her story here at the Huffington Post.

From Brielle Epstein, LM, CPM, providing support in Austin, Texas

Brielle reports: “Midwives in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio are putting out the word that we will be offering free care to those that have been displaced (by Hurricane Harvey). Requests are slowly rolling in and we expect more as more people are able to leave Houston. April Bullock, CPM, owner of Birthwise Birthing Center in Austin, has offered her birth center for free for those needing a place to birth. There are several midwives in Houston providing prenatal and postpartum care at shelters in Houston. Central Texas Midwives is collecting birth kits and supplies.

Right now, money and gift cards are the best way to support those in need. At least two pregnant women have been sick due to not eating enough and luckily have been able to receive care and food from a midwife. We haven't figured out the best way to collect money yet but gift cards can be sent to: Family Centered Midwifery 420 W Lewis Street Conroe, TX 77301
HEB and Target gift cards can be purchased online and even sent electronically so those are good choices. Online gift cards should be sent via email here.

From Louisiana

We spoke with Carissa Keir, CPM, secretary of the Louisiana Midwife Association. She is personally concerned about clients in flooded communities. We will continue to be in contact with the leadership in Louisiana to provide support as they begin to see families displaced by the storm. In Lafayette  Lynette Elizalde- Robinson LM CPM is setting up free clinics to provide basic prenatal care, and help families find the resources they will need during their pregnancies.

Donations to relief efforts

If you would like to donate to the relief effort for Harvey but are unsure about which large scale charity to donate to Charity Watch can help you find a reputable organization.

We are all keeping the families and midwives affected by Harvey in our hearts.

It seems impossible to believe that on the heels of Hurricane Harvey comes Hurricane Irma. We have been in touch with midwives and friends in Puerto Rico and Florida and are preparing to help in whatever way we can as this storm heads their way.