Best: Soon-To-Be Moms Winners

Best: Soon-To-Be Moms Winners north texas’ top childbirth resources B etween blogs and Facebook groups and What To Expect When You’re Expecting and friends and your mom, you might be suffering from information overload. We get it, and we can help. Every year, we her for her dedication to each birth and array of services. Espey-Mueller—a DONA- and ProDoula-trained, master-level doula—keeps up with moms after ask our readers to vote for the people and places they trust delivery through postpartum to support them on their journey to motherhood—childbirth doula support (from emotional instructors, hospitals and more. So if your head is spinning with all the resources to be found in DFW, take a look at support to pumping and bottlefeeding aid) and offers placenta encapsulation, pre-conception these recommendations, and breathe. You’ve got this. (The planning and certified lactawinners were originally announced in the February 2020 tion consulting—to name a few issue of DFWChild.) of her services. She also is a port, Tonya Buffington decided gynecologic teaching associate TARRANT COUNTY Science Center and was voted TONYA BUFFINGTON, CD – Dallas County’s “Best Childbirth RIGHT HAND DOULA Instructor” by our readers. Inspired by her own experience 107 Murray St., Dallas

Best Doulas with professional birthing supnorthdallasdoulas.com (GTA) through Texas A&M Health

DENTON COUNTY to pursue a doula certification. COLLIN COUNTY

MARIA POKLUDA, CLD – GREAT Now with 12 years of doula LAURA FORTNER, CD (DONA)

EXPECTATIONS BIRTH experience, Buffington (who has & PRODOULA CD LABOR –

With about 13 years of experiassisted at over 400 births) is a NORTH DALLAS DOULA ence serving families, Maria placenta encapsulation specialist ASSOCIATES

Pokluda’s main goal is to help and post-birth belly binder too. Though she was our Collin moms determine the best Our readers call on her for her County winner, moms all over childbirth plan for their needs. passion for assisting new moms DFW count on Laura Fortner for

Great Expectations Birth offers and families; through Right Hand her nonjudgmental support and services ranging from childbirth Doula, Buffington provides birth impressive expertise—she’s atclasses and lactation support plan assistance, labor support tended more than 400 births, into full doula care. (Readers also and breastfeeding support. cluding home and hospital births, voted Pokluda “Best Childbirth righthanddoula.com C-sections and VBACs. Part of

Instructor.”) Although she asthe North Dallas Doula Associsists families with a variety of DALLAS COUNTY ates family, she offers birth doula care needs, because of her own MELISSA ESPEY-MUELLER, services and lactation assistance experience with infertility, she PRODOULA CD LABOR & EDUfor her clients (who can get has a special passion for helping CATOR, CLE – NORTH DALLAS other services, including placenta families coping with infertilDOULA ASSOCIATES encapsulation, through NDDA). ity themselves, in addition to As owner and director of In addition to her certifications supporting families who deliver North Dallas Doula Associates, as a birth doula and lactation at hospitals and are planning Melissa Espey-Mueller offers educator, this year Fortner will

VBACs. doula services to thousands of add VBAC Link certification—begreatexpectationsbirth.com families each year; moms trust coming one of only a few doulas

in North Texas with three doula certifications. 107 Murray St., Dallas northdallasdoulas.com

Best Midwives

AMY GILES, CNM, DNP – ALLEN BIRTHING CENTER A veteran Best: Moms & Babies winner, certified nurse-midwife Amy Giles offers full maternity care at Allen Birth Center (which she co-owns with her husband), and attends births at hospitals and homes too. Her resume is impressive—in addition to having served over 1,500 families, Giles received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2018. Her birth center provides nitrous oxide for delivering mamas, along with hormone therapy and neurofeedback for clients and their families. 406 W. Main St., Allen allenbirthingcenter.com

TAYLOR HOUSER, DNP, CNM – DALLAS MIDWIFE ASSOCIATES Led by a belief that every woman deserves choices, certified nurse-midwife Taylor Houser (who holds a doctorate of nursing practice) has seven years of experience serving women and babies. Along with her mother, she founded Dallas Midwife Associates, where she offers boutique-style prenatal, labor, birth and postpartum care. Additionally, the practice provides well-woman services, including pre-conception counseling and family planning options. This year, DMA welcomed a fifth midwife to the practice and is expanding its postpartum program to offer amenities like a fitness series and support group. 3611 Swiss Ave., Suite 200, Dallas; dallasmidwifeassociates.com

JEAN SALA, CNM, APRN, MSN – INANNA BIRTH & WOMEN’S CARE The owner of Inanna Birth & Women’s Care (voted “Best Birthing Center” in Denton County), Jean Sala has attended close to 3,000 births. What the certified nurse-midwife loves most about her job is watching women tap into their strength during labor—and realize they have the power to tackle life’s other challenges too. In addition to midwifery care, Sala offers childbirth and CPR classes and is a certified neonatal resuscitation instructor, which gives moms and dads that extra peace of mind that their growing family is in safe hands. 1823 N. Locust St., Denton inannabirth.com

Editor’s Note: The original Denton County winner, Donnellyn Dominguez, is retiring this fall after almost 15 years of providing midwifery care to local moms. Congratulations to Dominguez on an influential career!

CARLA MORROW, DNP, CNM – FORT WORTH BIRTHING & WELLNESS CENTER With two decades of midwifery experience, Carla Morrow (who holds a doctorate of nursing practice) was chosen by readers for her dedication to supporting new moms and their families. In 2013 she founded the Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center, and she’s just opened a new practice in Arlington that offers in-hospital midwifery care. Her services range from routine prenatal visits and postpartum care to childbirth classes and lactation consulting. Morrow also provides well-woman exams and screening for anxiety and depression. 622 Hemphill St., Fort Worth fwbirthcenter.com

Best Hospitals To Have a Baby

MEDICAL CITY PLANO Moms trust Medical City Plano on the big day for its plethora of amenities, services and on-site level III NICU, should (heaven forbid) little ones need extra care upon arrival. In-room amenities include adjustable lighting, Spotify access, memory-foam beds, a kitchenette and a lounge area—after baby arrives, you might not want to leave. The hospital boasts a newborn nursery and photography services by Mom 365. Plus, to ensure every measure of safety, the labor and delivery nurses hold several life-saving certifications. Call for a virtual tour. 3901 W. 15th St., Plano medicalcityplano.com

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Our Dallas readers go to Baylor University Medical Center for its attentive physicians and comfortable amenities—for moms and their families. The New Family Center includes private rooms and a daybed for your support person. Services include nitrous oxide, wireless fetal monitoring, aromatherapy and snacks upon entering the postpartum room. After birth, baby will stay with you in the Family Center as you both receive care together. This is part of Baylor Dallas’ mission to promote education and confi-

dence between you, your family and your new baby. Baylor Dallas also recently partnered with North Dallas Doula Associates to offer childbirth classes. 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas bswhealth.com/dallaschildbirth

TEXAS HEALTH PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL DENTON Comfort is key on the big day, so Denton County families look to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton’s attentive physicians and state-of-the-art NICU and delivery rooms. The hospital renovated its neonatal unit in 2018 to allow space for moms to stay with their babies. Plus, labor and delivery rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, a rocking chair and recliner, as well as a personal bathroom; other hospital amenities include breastfeeding support. 3000 N. Interstate 35, Denton texashealth.org/denton-baby

TEXAS HEALTH HARRIS METHODIST HOSPITAL FORT WORTH When it’s time for baby, Fort Worth moms rely on Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth’s experienced and attentive delivery team (nurses check on moms about every hour during their stay, and more often when necessary) and desire to help moms give birth the way they want to—for example, the hospital offers tub births and gentle C-sections, which allow families to watch their little ones emerge from the womb. Seventeen personal maternity suites boast amenities such as a private bathroom, free internet access and a flat-screen TV so Mom feels right at home. Plus, she and her support person receive a complimentary meal to celebrate baby’s arrival. And if little ones need extra support, the hospital has a level III NICU on-site. 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth; texashealth.org

Best Birthing Centers

PLANO BIRTHPLACE At Plano Birthplace, birth suites boast comfortable beds, tubs and walk-in showers for a spa-like environment. Amenities aside, our readers trust Plano Birthplace for its certified nurse-midwives, who in case of emergency can continue to care for moms at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Plus, moms receive individualized, personal attention, as the center cares for only seven to eight moms a month. Schedule a tour online. 5172 Village Creek Drive, Suite 101, Plano; planobirthplace.com

LOVERS LANE BIRTH CENTER For the birth center experience or birthing at home, our readers choose Lovers Lane Birth Center, a midwifery practice in Richardson (near Cottonwood Park). Located in a quiet neighborhood, the center is decorated in calming colors, like soft blue and green, plus there’s a family room and kitchen. Here, soon-to-be moms can opt to see the center’s midwives early on for prenatal visits; discussions touch on overall health, including the best diet and supplement options. The midwives typically check on moms two to three days after the birth too. Sign up online for a tour. 304 S. Cottonwood Drive, Suite A, Richardson; dallasmidwife.com

INANNA BIRTH & WOMEN’S CARE Quaint and comfy, Inanna’s birthing suites are equipped with tubs and birth balls, and moms are free to move around during labor. The center’s two certified nurse-midwives, owner Jean Sala and Elaine Candeloro, offer childbirth and CPR classes, prenatal care and gynecology services. But Dad and the kids aren’t left out—Candeloro, who is also a family nurse practitioner, can provide health care for the whole family. Call to schedule a tour. 1823 N. Locust St., Denton inannabirth.com

FORT WORTH BIRTHING & WELLNESS CENTER Located only two blocks away from Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, the Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center has plenty of Cowtown flair mixed with modern style and amenities. Founded seven years ago, the center offers services from family planning to prenatal, birth and postpartum care, which includes two- and six-week postpartum visits. The center currently has six certified nurse-midwives (with expertise in gynecology, fertility and more) who collaborate in order to support clients. 622 Hemphill St., Fort Worth fwbirthcenter.com

Best Childbirth Instructors

STACY HUTCHINS, AAHCC – BIRTHING … NATURALLY Stacy Hutchins knew birth education was her calling after having her firstborn. As part of the team at Birthing … Naturally, the mother of four teaches sevenweek classes that touch on all things childbirth, from the labor process to relaxation techniques and comfort measures. For moms who took childbirth classes

during a prior pregnancy, Hutchins offers a oneday, three-hour-long refresher course to go over the basics, such as labor stages. She is certified in the Bradley Method and Spinning Babies. birthingnaturallydfw.com

MELISSA ESPEY-MUELLER, PRODOULA CD LABOR & EDUCATOR, CLE – NORTH DALLAS DOULA ASSOCIATES As director of new parent education at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and Medical City Las Colinas, Melissa Espey-Mueller believes that the best birth is an informed and supported birth. Given her slogan and extensive experience (she’s celebrating 20 years at North Dallas Doula Associates), it’s no wonder our readers vote for her in our survey year after year. Her class menu includes just about every topic you could imagine (seriously!), from Prenatal Wellness to Rocking Dads—yep, partners are included too. Bonus: All of NDDA’s childbirth classes are now available virtually. 107 Murray St., Dallas; northdallasdoulas.com

MARIA POKLUDA, CLD – GREAT EXPECTATIONS BIRTH Certified doula and mother of four Maria Pokluda teaches natural birth classes and a breastfeeding course; she even offers private lessons through her doula agency, Great Expectations Birth. (Pokluda was also voted “Best Doula” in Denton County.) Courses focus on communication between expecting moms and their partners, and interactive lessons home in on mindfulness and physical exercises. Her full birth and breastfeeding classes are online too. greatexpectationsbirth.com

BARB DAVIS, CD-LABOR, CBE, PES – BIRTH | FORT WORTH Our readers love doula Barb Davis’ instruction, particularly the Your Best Birth Class, a one-day course on all things childbirth offered through birth | Fort Worth. Besides the in-person and virtual lessons, every new mom leaves with a free one-year membership to Natural Breastfeeding for an Easier Start. Plus, you also receive Davis’ personal cell number, so you can stay in contact throughout your pregnancy. This year, Davis is debuting the Your Best Birth Class Academy, which consists of virtual childbirth class supplements and customized classes. 4255 Bryant Irving Road, Fort Worth birthfortworth.com ●

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