Iamthemidwife

Today begins my 40th year in Healthcare. I have been granted the opportunity to care for COUNTLESS women both in the office and deliver them in the hospital. I am overwhelmed with the sheer magnitude of knowing what I do and say to patients MATTER. I know God guides me daily and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful career he’s purposed me for.

This weekend I learned of the passing of of Dr Janell Green Smith, a black midwife from South Carolina who also cared for many women, preparing them for birth and delivering their babies. But sadly, she lost her life giving birth to her first born child. I can’t tell you how hard that hit me… it has saddened me to my core. We HAVE to do something DIFFERENT in this country to save the lives of our black mothers… it just has to change..

I have cared for so many women of color who overwhelmingly greet me with joy and relief when I sit and talk to them about their bodies and about the changes of childbirth…. I’ve prayed with them, shed tears with them, checked on them and delivered them…but it is simply not enough. I can’t be with them ALL, or see them at every visit and assure them they are in good hands… I sing the praises of my colleagues and assure them we are ALL there for them… but it’s just not enough…we as a collective body HAVE to do better… we are failing our black mommies…so it is my mission, before I retire, to change SOMETHING for black women in childbirth…..its personal.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives mourns the devastating death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM, who died from complications of childbirth. Dr. Smith was a respected midwife, scholar, and advocate whose life and work reflected a deep commitment to respectful, evidence-based, and equitable care.

That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women—regardless of education, income, or professional expertise—face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care.

We grieve Dr. Smith’s loss and recognize it as a profound failure of the systems meant to protect birthing people. In her honor, ACNM commits not only to reaffirming our values, but to intensifying our actions to dismantle racial inequities in maternal health, strengthen accountability in care systems, and work alongside Black midwives, clinicians, and communities to prevent future tragedies.

We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, loved ones, and the midwifery community. We carry her legacy forward with urgency, humility, and resolve.

Happy to be a part of the Midwifery Family in Florida, representing Advent Health for Women!

Reflections: Just waking up after a 24 hr on call shift… and let me just say… even if your name was Mary or Joseph, there was absolutely no room in the hospital ANYWHERE last night… WHERE ARE ALL THE BABIES COMING FROM??? It was truly BUSYYYYY! ijs

Happy to gather for dinner and education with colleagues!

The ending of another National Midwifery Week… Oct 6-12 2024…
Anyone that knows me knows that I love what I do…. my career in women’s health has spanned 37+ years, practicing as a midwife for 22+…. It has been my absolute pleasure to continue to empower women and to deliver legacies! With permission of these families, I love to share the joy….

Grateful for the opportunity to speak to over 350 women today at the Women’s Conference by Orange Appeal Magazine. So many new connections
and fabulous speakers!

Becoming a Mother is not easy… and BEING a Mother is even harder… but so many of you do it with such grace and patience and I salute you today. Happy Mother’s Day

May 5
International Midwives' Day was first celebrated May 5, 1991, and has been observed in over 50 nations around the world.

Iamthemidwife Master's Educated Advocate & Speaker for Women's Health. Author of “ Woman 2 Woman”, a book to empower women with knowledge about caring for their body. Using this platform of social media, I endeavor to provide education for healthy living.