About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges faced by midwives in Texas regarding legal injustices and the implications for birth care in the U.S.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Texas midwife Salli Gonzalez and attorney Octavia Martinez to unpack a case that should concern not only licensed midwives, but anyone with a license. Together they discuss what happens when a midwife follows protocol, transfers appropriately, and still becomes the target? What happens when unverified screenshots, incomplete records, and social media comments are used to justify suspending a license, without a trial? And more importantly, what does this mean for the future of midwifery? This conversation goes beyond the case of one midwife, and beyond what is happening in Texas. This is about the direction birth care is heading in the U.S and why we all need to pay attention. About Salli: My love of birth started with my own births, the first on in a typical hospital system, birthing in lithotomy in the OR in 1984. The second baby I chose a birth center and decided to take more control of my choices in birth. I gave birth in a birth center under my own terms, which included eating and drinking in labor, moving with the contractions instead of being tied to the bed with monitors, no IV and limited vaginal exams. This…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Stuart Fischbein, Midwife Blyss Young

Guests: Salli Gonzalez, Octavia Martinez

Topics covered

• midwifery
• legal issues
• birth care
• Texas midwives
• injustice
• healthcare

Keywords

• midwifery
• Texas
• legal issues
• birth care
• healthcare
• injustice
• Salli Gonzalez
• Octavia Martinez

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Texas

More episodes of Birthing Instincts

• #467: Magic Wand, The Benefits of Red Light Therapy With Liz Frey.... · May 27, 2026 · 1h 37m
• #466: Update On The Use Of TXA (Tranexamic Acid) · May 20, 2026 · 1h 27m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Birthing Instincts podcast page.