Resources

Evidence for Doulas

The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review

"...doulas have been found to reduce cesarean section frequency, low birth weight, and premature labor... Doula intervention has also been correlated with a decrease in epidural use during delivery, increased rates of breastfeeding, and the use of safety precautions for the child. The advocacy that doulas provide can increase well-being and satisfaction concerning the birthing process...This support may reduce mental health morbidities..."

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Evidence On: Doulas

"Overall, birthing people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes on average, and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth."

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Childbirth Classes

Evidence Based Birth Free Online Crash Course

Rebel Birth - six-week childbirth education course ($300)

rebelbirtheducation@gmail.com

Whole Heart Collective - seven childbirth/parenting/infant feeding classes, $30/class or $350 for a 9-month membership

whc@heartofhoustonbirth.com

The Birth Hour - Know Your Options Childbirth Course - evidence based online childbirth class

Parenting Classes

Parenting 101 - DePelchin Children’s Center (free six-week parenting class, must live in Harris, Fort Bend, or Waller counties)

Mental Health Support

Whole Heart Collective Postpartum Circle - weekly postpartum support group for members

Thursdays 11am-3pm

Shades of Blue Project (variety of online support groups)

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

833-TLC-MAMA

National Suicide Hotline

988 (call or text)

Perinatal Therapists

Uninsured/Underinsured Therapy Access

Open Path Collective - affordable therapy collective for uninsured or underinsured individuals (across the U.S.), visits ranging from $30-70 after a one-time membership fee of $65.

Grief Support

Bo’s Place - Houston support groups for miscarriage, stillbirth, and early neonatal loss (not religiously affiliated)

M.E.N.D. - Christian support group for miscarriage, stillbirth, and early neonatal loss)

A Mom’s Peace - Catholic support for pregnancy/infant loss, including burial/cremation, emotional/spiritual support

Nechama Comfort - Jewish pregnancy loss support

Adi'yah - Muslim pregnancy loss support

Dieticians

Samina Qureshi

Mindful Eats Nutrition Counseling - Intuitive Eating/Eating Disorder Dieticians

Templ Wellness

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Empower Yourself PT

Origin Physical Therapy - accepts insurance

Perinatal Chiropractors

West University Wellness - Webster Certified

Spinal Perceptions - accepts insurance/Medicaid

Invictus Chiropractic - Webster Certified

Parkway Family Chiropractic - Webster Certified

Pediatricians

Pure Pediatrics

713-497-5156

Pediatric Pod, Concierge Pediatrics

713-669-1900

Hope for Healing - Pediatric & Adult Primary Care/Functional Medicine

281-725-6767

Pearland Pediatrics

281-485-9990

Down Syndrome Resources

Down Syndrome Association of Houston - events, resources, clinics, and information

Ultrasounds

VMAX Imaging (Mobile/In-Home)

Lactation Consultants

Texas Lactation Hotline: available 24/7 for lactation support to all Texas residents

855-550-6667 or 214-670-7222

Lactation Foundation, McGovern Medical School - free lactation support visits

LF@uth.tmc.edu

713-500-2800 (option 1)

Texas Lactation Support Directory

Bay Area Breastfeeding and Education

713-496-2223

Bayou City Breastfeeding

(281) 305-0411

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Groups

Infant Formula Bank

LIFE Houston

Doula Funds

Black Maternal Fund - Doula/postpartum doula grants for Black birthing people

Harris County ACCESS Program - birth/postpartum doulas and health support for Black mothers, regardless of income

Support for Food & Beverage Industry Workers

I’ll Have What She’s Having - free preventative healthcare for food/beverage industry employees, including checkups, vasectomies, mental health care, birth control, and mammograms

Southern Smoke Foundation - emergency relief funds & mental healthcare for food/beverage industry workers (including all restaurant positions, food distribution jobs, farmers/farmworkers, beer & wine workers, etc)

Support for Military Families

Military Birth Resource Network and Coalition

Support for Agricultural Workers

National Center for Farmworker Health - Migrant Health Centers

Food Banks

Misconceptions about food pantries:

I’m not super low-income, I can’t/shouldn’t go. Many food pantries have no income requirements and ask few questions.
I should have empty cupboards or be almost starving before going to a food pantry. Even if you are able to afford all your groceries, if you find yourself putting off other expenses to buy groceries first, food pantries are a great option.
I’ll be taking away food from people who really need it. Most food pantries throw away thousands of pounds of food every year.
Going to a food pantry is shameful. Food pantries are a community resource, just like public libraries. Take from them when times are a little tough, then donate to them when times are a little better.