This month’s True Beauty feature is a bit different, specifically because the featured subject has no idea she is our selection! SURPRISE TINA! To be perfectly honest, a highlight of your talents and spectacular personality is long over due here. You were my doula, my shoulder to cry on, my steady hand through every contraction with Issa. I didn’t know for sure if I would need you for my second delivery, but I shouldn’t have been so silly to question the necessity of your presence. You’re nothing short of amazing!
For those of you who don’t know, the definition of a doula is “a woman who is trained to assist another woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born.” But Tina is so, so much more than that. She’s a lactation consultant, she’s a birthing class instructor, and she’s a La Leche League leader in our community. Her presence is calming and peaceful, and just everything you could ever want while enduring the worst pain of your life. Whether that’s an all natural home birth, a hospital birth, or those first few weeks of breastfeeding. But don’t just take my words for it, we’ve pulled together women from all over the community who experienced Tina’s grace and composure first hand in their moments of need! Read on below to hear each story:
Photo Credit: Coll Street Photography
Tina is outstanding professional and devoted friend. I met Tina while on our breastfeeding journey about 6 months in. I had already given up on feeding directly but Tina gave me the confidence and encouragement I needed to continue pumping 6x a day. She listened when I needed to vent and it was a joy to serve the community with her through various events. There is no other more dedicated professional to women’s health and happiness.
-Megan Ortiz
30 weeks into my third pregnancy, I began considering a VBA2C. Tina took time out of her day to meet with me, discuss my feelings leading me to that point, and tell me what she could do to help-with NO pressure or judgement to do either style of birth. Her clear head and kind words hit the spot!
-Susie Hamilton
Photo Credit: Coll Street Photography
I breastfed my first daughter without any issues and my second daughter was formula fed. When it came time to having my son, we tried breastfeeding at the hospital but we were all becoming frustrated. I ended up bottle feeding and felt like a failure. I knew I could do more. After a week of bottle feeding I tried my hand at breastfeeding again after a visit to the doctor suggested he might have to be on soy formula, and to my surprise I was supplying and he was eating. I was freaking out with so many questions and not sure if he was latching on right that I turned to Facebook for help. Tina was highly recommended by everyone. She came on the same day, to my home, where I was one frazzled mama. She answered all my questions, helped Bradley latch on right away, and was amazing with me and our time. I needed someone to calm my fears and doubts, and she was there for me in my time of need.
-Stepfanie Cuevas
This is just a small sampling of the women and families Tina has helped. She is there with you in your most fragile moments, in the times where you think you can’t go on. She gives you the strength to keep pushing, whether it’s through breastfeeding struggles, fighting for the birth you want, or just making it through the next contraction. If you or a mama you know needs her services, I hope today’s post and words from fellow mothers will convince you that a call to her is the best decision you can make. Here’s how to find out more and get in touch with her:
Check out Tina’s business, The MILC Group’s website here.
Check out her Facebook page here.
To make an appointment or get in touch with Tina directly, call 210-960-MILC
To visit with Tina in person, find her during office hours at Go Baby Go on Broadway in San Antonio. You can even get a weighed feeding check-in on Wednesdays from 10-12, no appointment necessary, for only $10!
Have questions about a doula? Want to know if Tina offers a service you’ve been looking for? Let me know in the comments! This post is not sponsored by The MILC Group in any way, but Tina is a mama entrepreneur, hustling her booty off like the rest of us, and she can use all the support we can give her! If you are one of the many who have also experienced her grace, please share this post with your friends and family!
XO,
A
