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

Jihan Huq CHt, HBCE

Hynobirthing Classes

sakinahbirthservices@gmail.com

832-997-4811

Parenting Classes

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

713-730-2335

parentEd@depelchin.org

Mental Health Support

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

Thursdays 11am-3pm

whc@heartofhoustonbirth.com

Shades of Blue Project (variety of online support groups)

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

833-TLC-MAMA

National Suicide Hotline

988 (call or text)

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)

info@bosplace.org

713-942-8339

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

346-235-4714

nikisha@mend.org

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

571-781-2419 or 703-347-4805

Nechama Comfort - Jewish pregnancy loss support

833-NECHAMA

support@nechamacomfort.org

Dieticians

Samina Qureshi

832-786-0654

wholesomestartrd@gmail.com

Mindful Eats Nutrition Counseling - Intuitive Eating/Eating Disorder Dieticians

832-306-3656

info@mindfuleatsnutrition.com

Templ Wellness

hello@acushenclinic.com

281-846-6334

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Empower Yourself PT

832-463-1152

karen@empoweryourselfpt.com

Origin Physical Therapy

832-307-0894

Perinatal Chiropractors

West University Wellness - Webster and Perinatal Certified

dr.ploy@westuwellness.com

Pediatric Chiropractors

West University Wellness

dr.ploy@westuwellness.com

Tortiquatics Therapy - for torticollis and plagiocephaly

keri@tortiquaticstherapy.com

832-356-9317

Pediatricians

Pure Pediatrics

dr.sara@pursepediatrics.com

713-497-5156

Pediatric Pod, Concierge Pediatrics

713-669-1900

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

hope@get2theroot.com

281-725-6767

Pearland Pediatrics

office@pearlandpediatrics.com

281-485-9990

Congenital Abnormalities Support Groups/Organizations

https://birthdefects.org/parent-services/support-groups/

Down Syndrome Resources

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

713-682-7237

info@dsah.org

Ultrasounds

Dawn Puentes, RDMS, RVT - First Peek 3D Ultrasounds (Mobile/In-Home)

firstpeek3dultrasounds@gmail.com

346-762-3845

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

Breast Pump & Baby Scale Rentals

Katy Birth Center ($70/month)

Motherhood Center ($95/month)

Infant Formula Bank

LIFE Houston

713-528-6044

2002 S Wayside

Houston, TX 77023

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.

Houston Food Bank - one of the nation’s largest food banks, locations available in all of Harris County and the surrounding counties (from Lake Jackson to Trinity, and Prairie View to east of Baytown)

Helpline: 832-369-9390

Location finder

Food Pantry Locator (multiple cities in Texas)

Contraception

Houston Health Department: Family Planning and Reproductive Health (available regardless of ability to pay)

832-393-4220

Public Assistance

WIC Info (nutrition assistance for women, children, and families)

800-942-3678

Application / Office Locater / Income Guidelines

SNAP Food Benefits, Cash Help, Medicaid: Check Eligibility

Houston Nurse-Family Partnership - free home visits for pregnant and postpartum women in Sunnyside and Acres Homes