"Mercy triumphs over judgment"
Welcome to Mercy Midwifery! Here at Mercy we believe that mercy triumphs over judgment. 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 prenatal 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 growing, carrying, and birthing her baby according to her body's perfect design 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 believe that every woman should have access to quality prenatal 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 women's health 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.
The Heartbeat of Mercy
"Mercy Triumps Over Judgement"
Research indicates that African American women continue to face a staggering health disparity, being nearly four times more susceptible to pregnancy-related complications. Moreover, they are two to three times likelier to encounter preterm birth and three times likelier to deliver low birth weight infants. Shockingly, African American infants are nearly 230 percent more likely than white infants to not reach their first birthdays. Our mission is clear: Champion equity in maternal health care. We aim to eradicate racial gaps in maternal and infant outcomes by creating and expanding equitable access to prenatal care in at risk communities both nationally and abroad. Every woman, regardless of her demographic background, deserves access to quality healthcare for herself and her baby. Our heartbeat is simple: There's a table called Mercy, and there's a seat with your name on it. Whoever you are, wherever you're from.....You're welcome here.
Hablamos Español
Nos sentimos honrados de que esté aquí. Gracias por elegirnos para ser parte de su familia. ¡Esperamos poder servirle y conocer a su nuevo bebé pronto!
Prenatal Care
The Mercy Midwifery emphasizes equitably accessible prenatal care as the core of our service offerings. We use a dynamic approach to family centered maternity health care, offering both in person prenatal appointments in the state of Texas and telehealth consults in multiple states across the country. We work diligently to develop personalized care plans to meet needs as uniquely designed as you. We establish prenatal passport systems, connecting you and your family with birth partners in a variety of settings. Whether you choose to birth at home, at a birth center, or in the hospital, your prenatal care starts here. We offer a la carte appointments and birth consulting options to meet the needs of diverse populations from all walks of life.
Services
The Birth Bridge
The Mercy Midwifery believes that every family should feel empowered to safely birth where and how they choose with the provider of their choice. We couple our comprehensive prenatal care with a prenatal passport that enables us to "bridge the gap" between equitable, culturally attentive prenatal care and labor and delivery (birth) services. Your complete prenatal passport includes all of your prenatal appointments, labs, and sonograms. When you go into labor, and a couple of weeks prior, we give full report to the team at your chosen birth location. Our hope is that you feel empowered in your process.
Postpartum Care
Your postpartum care with The Mercy Midwife continues well beyond your baby's "birth" day. While you have now added a new member to your home team, your access to us as your providers continues. We remain on call for your family throughout the duration of your postpartum care. Parenthood often comes with plenty of questions and concerns, and you can rest assured that we are here to navigate this new season with you. 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.