Welcome to Mercy Birth & Wellness! Here at Mercy we believe that mercy triumphs over judgement. No matter how your story brought you to us, we're glad you're here. You are seen, you are safe, you are loved. As midwives, we are committed to making exceptional midwifery care accessible to all families, and we consider it an honor to guide you through an individualized and holistic approach to your prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum experience. Our prayer is that you would feel an ever present sense of peace and empowerment as you embark on this exciting journey.
Meet the Midwife
TEREE FRUGA
Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife
Owner, Founder
Hello! My name is Tereé Fruga, but everybody calls me Midwife T…or sometimes Auntie. I’m fine with all of the above.
You and I haven’t met yet, so my hope is that the next couple of paragraphs (what can I say, I’m a writer!) give you just a small glimpse of both who I am and how honored I am that you’re here. You ready? Me too! Let’s go.
Of all of the things I love about God, His artistry and creativity have to be one of my favorites. Here He designed this woman to grow and carry her child, to labor for that which she has guarded in her womb, and to birth something He spoke life and purpose to long, long ago. And then, this baby brought earthside is again nourished by the one who carried her. What an amazingly powerful design! The sight of a mother allowing her body to labor and work according to its perfect design to bring forth life is indescribably humbling. And the harvest….oh what a harvest! There is this moment when a mother takes that first look into the eyes of her sweet baby. Time stops…just for a moment. I always say that catching babies is like shaking hands with God over and over again…and each time I do, I serve as a primary witness to the fruition of His goodness.
I believe that every woman should have access to quality midwifery care, regardless of her demographic background. My heartbeat is to eliminate the racial disparity in birth outcomes among African American women and their babies. Making prenatal care easily accessible to every woman is essential in seeing this change come to pass. I have the pleasure of being able to communicate with clients in both English and Spanish, and take pride in being able to serve all different kinds of families.
My formal midwifery training began in 2012, but my work in birth started in 2003. The first 10 of those years were spent serving as labor support for families during birth and the immediate postpartum. For approximately 3 ½ years of that time, I also served as a patient care technician in labor and delivery, postpartum, and newborn nursery. I have completed a rigorous midwifery clinical apprenticeship and had the privilege of being trained under the wisdom and instruction of some of the most amazing midwives in Texas. I maintain a good relationship with my preceptors, and they continue to be a source of wisdom, counsel, and encouragement as I continue to walk in my calling as a licensed midwife. In 2015, I received my national Certified Professional Midwife credential from the North American Registry of Midwives after passing my certifying exam and was also decreed a Licensed Midwife by the state of Texas. I maintain current certification in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation as a healthcare provider. I have attended over 600 births as a licensed midwife, and nearly 3000 as a preconception, prenatal, labor/delivery, and postpartum support provider concentrated in maternal and infant health.
I have the distinct honor of being called “Mom” by four brilliantly creative sons and one brilliantly creative daughter. It is out of the outpouring of my first ministry of motherhood, that I am called to the sisterhood of midwifery and birth.
We made it to the end! Whew!
I’m so looking forward to learning all about you and your family. Can’t wait to see you soon!
All my love,
Midwife T
The Midwives Model of Care
The midwives model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The midwives model of care includes:
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monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
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providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
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minimizing technological interventions and
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identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention
The application of this woman-centered model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section
Copyright (c) 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
According to research, African American women are nearly four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications. African American women are two to three times more likely to experience preterm birth, and three times more likely to give birth to a low birthweight infant. African American infants are nearly 230 percent more likely than white infants to die before their first birthdays .
Our heartbeat is to make exceptional midwifery care accessible to EVERY woman, and to eliminate the racial disparity in birth outcomes among African American women and their babies. Providing and maintaining quality continuity of care for all women echoes our heart's desire to celebrate the unique story of each individual. We believe in empowering families through education and informed decision making, and it is our desire to see all families thrive and flourish, one healthy pregnancy and birth at a time.
Hablamos Español
Creemos que la familia es las cosa más importante del mundo, y que cada familia empieza con el nacimiento de un bebé. Podemos atender partos en su casa y también en un centro de nacimiento. Creemos que hay una partera para cada mujer y nos encantaría la oportunidad de servir su familia y su bebé.
The Heartbeat of Mercy
"Mercy Triumps Over Judgement"
Services
Prenatal Care
Labor and Delivery
Postpartum Care
During the course of your pregnancy, we will work together to establish the very best foundation to facilitate an amazing labor and birth. We use a holistic approach to family centered care, and develop comprehensive care plans that suit each woman as an individual. Good nutrition, proper hydration, and appropriate exercise are truly hallmarks of a healthy pregnancy. We will work to establish these best practices from the beginning, and will maintain them throughout the duration of your pregnancy. We will meet every four weeks until the beginning of your 3rd trimester. We will meet every other week starting at 28 weeks, and starting at 36 weeks we will meet every week until you deliver. Additional appointments will be scheduled as needed by client, or deemed necessary by the midwife. Initial blood testing is done at your first appointment, along with an in depth risk assessment and medical and pregnancy history.
Mercy Birth & Wellness offers home birth and birth center services in Texas and Oklahoma. Preparing for the arrival of your sweet baby is such a precious time. We will work together to ensure that your chosen birth space is well guarded as you prepare for this sacred event.
As you near your due date, we will continue to review "when to call the midwife". This varies for each woman. Once we determine that labor is well established, we will meet at your planned birthing place, where we will continue to provide thorough clinical assessment of both mom and baby throughout the duration of the labor, birth, and immediate postpartum periods. Healthy mommy and baby are our ultimate goals, and assessments at regular intervals throughout labor and postpartum, coupled with continuity of quality midwifery care, help us to achieve just that.
Before your birth team departs, your sweet little will have a thorough newborn exam from head to the sweetest of toes. We will ensure that both mom and baby have had nourishment, that all vital signs are within normal limits, and that detailed postpartum instructions have been given both verbally and in writing. And then, after you've worked to bring this baby earthside, we tuck you in and leave you to marvel over and enjoy your prize. Well done!
Your postpartum care with Mercy Birth & Wellness continues well beyond your baby's "birth" day. While you have now added a new member to the team, your access to us as your midwives remains the same. We remain on call for your family throughout the duration of your postpartum care. Motherhood often comes with plenty of questions and concerns, and you can rest assured that we are here to navigate them with you.
We will return to your home 48-72 hours after your birth to check on both you and baby. We will discuss your first days together, and assess how you feel you are adjusting physically, mentally, and emotionally. Subsequent visits will be scheduled at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks, with additional appointments scheduled on an as needed basis.
We consider it an honor to be able to serve your family through one of the most amazing journeys and precious gifts. From our hearts to yours: May you be ever empowered as you journey on.
Contact Mercy Birth & Wellness
By Text/Call: (817) 946-3123
By Email: mercybirth@gmail.com