MEET FOUR MIDWIVES SERVING FRESNO AND THE CENTRAL VALLEY
This National Midwifery Week, we talked with four midwives serving families in Fresno and the Central Valley to share a little about their work, the advice they give their patients, and the things that make midwifery so meaningful to them.
There is a large and growing body of research that shows how midwifery improves maternal and infant health outcomes. And midwives do much more than deliver babies. They provide education, listen to their patients’ concerns, support informed decision-making, and build relationships that can continue across pregnancies and postpartum journey.
Learn more about National Midwifery Week here: National Midwifery Week - American College of Nurse Midwives
Brittany Mbong, CNM
Clovis Community Medical Center, BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center
What is your favorite coffee order after a long night of births?
“Lately, a cardamom date latte, with all that pistachio on top… thanks Alchemist!”
What’s one postpartum tip you want every patient to know?
“Not all help is actually helpful. In those early postpartum days, make a plan with your partner or support person ahead of time. Everyone will be excited to meet your adorable baby, but your partner’s job is to protect your rest and be a gatekeeper.”
What is one thing you tell all your patients?
“Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself during this incredible transition to motherhood. Trust yourself, your body, and that gut feeling. It will not steer you wrong.”
Dr. Tatyana Jack Ruddock, ARNP, CNM, DNP
OBHG Midwife Site Director, Clovis Community Medical Center
@TheMelanatedMidwife
When you’re NOT catching babies, where are we most likely to find you?
“You can find me in the club, bottles full of bub. 😂 JK! When I’m not catching babies, you can usually find me at home with my feisty kitten fighting for my life, trying to create TikTok content, or curating my next perfume combination.”
What’s an interesting pregnancy or postpartum tip?
“Prepare your mind just as much as you prepare your body. There are a million tips and tricks for getting labor started, but mental preparedness and learning to surrender to the labor process are just as important. Sometimes, you have to let your body do what it was designed to do.”
What is one thing you tell all your patients?
“Treat your prenatal visits like an interview. Ask your provider anything and everything you need to know to feel confident choosing them to be part of your delivery. Write your questions down, keep a note in your phone, and bring them to your visits.
You deserve to know who is caring for you and to feel comfortable asking questions about your care.”
Peace, love, & oxytocin💜
Brittany Burris, CNM, WHNP
Inspire Health Medical Group UCSF Fresno OBGYN Resident Team
Community Regional Medical Center
What’s something about being a midwife that still gives you goosebumps?
“I have always loved the continuity of care that being a midwife brings. I am so grateful to be able to guide patients through pregnancy, labor and birth, then their postpartum journey and beyond. I also think it is wonderful to see patients through multiple pregnancies and help their family grow!”
What’s one pregnancy or postpartum tip you want every patient to know
“Plan and educate yourself about postpartum just like you do pregnancy and birth! So much emphasis and education surrounds pregnancy and birth but may leave patients feeling unprepared for postpartum.
Plan out this postpartum journey with your partner and support system. What resources do you have or may need? Who is there to support you? What do you want visiting to look like? Do you have a feeding plan? Take the breastfeeding class!
Postpartum Support International is a great organization that has a free postpartum planning class available to everyone.”
What is one thing you tell all your patients?
“Ask me all the questions! Write down your questions in between appointments so you don’t forget when you get into the exam room. I want to hear everything you are questioning or concerned about!”
Adrian Medina, CNM
Fresno Women’s Care, Family HealthCare Network
If your midwifery style had three words, what would they be?
Calm. Compassionate. Evidence-based.
What’s one pregnancy tip you want every patient to know?
“No question is too small. If something feels different or concerns you, always ask.”
What is one thing you tell all your patients?
“Your voice matters. You are your own best advocate.”
