Melissa Bates, CPM

I was called to this path in 2008. I have always felt a call to work with pregnant women/babies but when my husband and I began our own family quite early I felt my dream was to become only that, a dream. In the meantime I completed my undergraduate Business degree from Houston Baptist University and set on to work (without passion) in the corporate world. I had 3 children at this point, all induced (following due dates) and all with epidurals.
 My father was an MD and I had never considered anything different…that is until a very dear friend of mine had a complication from an epidural. That was to be the small stone that would begin rolling toward the new path. I knew I had been lucky and that I did not want an epidural in the future. I also knew I did NOT want to be induced again!
I had spoken with so many people who had labor start on its own and did not endure the magnitude of labor that those who are induced typically experience. I found myself asking “How can I avoid being induced and the allure of an epidural?” The answer, for me, was not to be in a hospital for my next delivery!
Along the way I was led to research midwifery and I found so much more than an answer for the present question; I also found a calling. The individualized care throughout the prenatal, birth and postpartum cycle were exactly what I saw myself doing! While I wanted nothing more than to jump in head first into my passion my heart told me to wait until after baby #4, so that I would experience the journey as a client and not as a student or midwife who knew what to expect or was used to operating as the care provider.
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In February 2009 I gave birth at home to our fourth child; I was not induced and I was able to accomplish my goal with the use of water (LOVE!) and the support of my husband and midwife. It was an incredible experience and was so much more intimate than the medical, sterile and disconnected way I had experienced birth previously. That summer I enrolled in the Association of Texas Midwives Midwifery Training Program and the next year began an apprenticeship.

To date I have attended over 415 births and consider it a true joy, honor and privilege to be invited to attend each woman in labor. I feel my background is unique within this community as I come wanting to encourage and educate since I came from a different mindset myself.
In September of 2014 we welcomed a new addition to our family and I had the blessing of experiencing labor & delivery from a new perspective. I learned A LOT and hope to share the knowledge with my clients. As a result I am also limiting my practice to a few births a month at this time in order to better serve both my family as well as my clients.

My Birth Philosphy


​I believe birth is a beautiful, natural process and that women have freedom and choices! I see my role as healthcare provider to educate and encourage women along their journey towards a radiant beginning. From the actual physical miracle of new life developing within to the more subtle but equally as miraculous birth of a new mother (whether this is her first child or her fifth!), my goal is to equip you for the upcoming adventure.I hope to encourage and educate in order to empower not only the couple but also the entire family.

As the parents of the unborn child I believe your healthcare is your ultimate responsibility.
I hope to partner together with you and look forward to your experiences. I believe prevention can go a long way toward avoiding certain outcomes or complications. I want you to be active in your care and communication about your desires. I will do my best in all circumstances, except where there is concern for the safety of mom/baby, to honor those requests.

While I cannot guarantee each couple who chooses to book with me will have an out-of-hospital birth, I believe everyone has a role to play, to the best of their abilities, to lend towards optimal outcomes. As a licensed midwife, I must follow state regulations that work as a frame to guide and protect. If your pregnancy should fall outside my realm of practice at any point, I will do my best to help you make alternative plans for the remainder of your pregnancy and birth. I will work to assist low risk clients in their journey throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum phase.

This was our first child, we started with an OB and decided to make the switch to a midwife halfway through our pregnancy, it was the best decision we ever made. We had a consultation with Melissa and when we walked out my husband said, I love her, I want her to be our midwife. The care that we received from Melissa was incredible, she did everything with the goal of keeping me and baby healthy and therefore safe. She talked with us and listened to us, she always addressed concerns, answered questions, was available in between appointments for concerns or questions if we needed her. During my labor and delivery, she was amazing and I know that she is the reason we had the wonderful labor and delivery we wanted and we are praying that if God blesses us with another child, He will work it out to where she can be our midwife again because I cannot imagine going through this again without her by our side. I trust her completely and know that everything she does and suggests is ultimately for my family's good; I have never had so much trust in a medical professional before. Thank you Melissa!!

-Stacy G.