Texas Midwife License Suspended: Here’s Why It Is Important

I cannot believe this is still a thing here in Texas, but it is. I grew up hearing about it and I always thought the were tiny women, then one day my mom explained it to me.

Old-School Remedies and a Shot of Whiskey

Growing up, I always knew my mom’s side of the family had their own unique way of handling health issues. They didn’t run to the doctor, they were the doctor, or at least they acted like it. Got a cough? Grandma had a tea. Fever? Grandpa swore a shot of whiskey would “kill the germs that ail you.” I used to laugh at that until I found myself sipping my ginger-root tea and downing my daily vitamins, just like they did. I guess I’m turning into them more and more every day.

Wait, Midwives Are Still a Thing?

Here’s the wild part: I recently learned that midwifery, yes, that’s a real word, is still officially a thing in Texas. Like, licensed and everything. I always thought midwives were a thing of the past, something you’d only hear about in old stories from the family. Turns out, several of my aunts and cousins were delivered by midwives, and I had no idea.

A Scary Twist: Practicing Medicine Without a License

Then I saw a press release from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that shook me. They suspended the license of a midwife accused of pretending to be a gynecologist and making life-or-death medical decisions outside her legal scope. Yikes.

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Texas Takes Licensing Seriously

Apparently, midwives in Texas are licensed, but there are strict rules about what they can and can’t do. Practicing medicine without a license? That’s a big no-no. The good news is, TDLR is on top of it, inspecting and regulating nearly a million licensees across 38 professions in Texas. If you ever want to check someone’s license (or look up past violations), you can do it right on their website.

I’m Grateful for My Hospital Birth

I thank the Lord I was born in a hospital where my mom worked. Still, learning this stuff makes me realize how much the past and present blur together, especially here in Texas.