Family Stories

Happy Clients

Supported Over 200 Families

I believe safe care includes accessible communication. From ASL-friendly visits to thoughtful birth support, our work centers respect, autonomy, and culturally aware care — whether I’m your midwife, your doula, or the birth assistant beside your midwife.

Deaf-led care brings a different level of attentiveness to birth spaces. Support here is visual-first, communication-aware, and grounded in calm presence, informed choice, and respect for each family’s autonomy.

 

Lydia

Previous Doula Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“I know if I could sign, I absolutely would (maybe one day I’ll learn!), but Salerno could literally read my movements before I even realized what I was doing. There was something so beautiful about the way she was able to connect with me without needing words. She was so attuned to my movements and cues, and I felt completely understood without having to explain myself.”

“Even watching y’all sign back and forth was so peaceful.”

Amanda

Birth Assistant Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“I felt safe, strong, supported, and confident.”

Claryce

Previous Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“Being encouraged both verbally and visually was such a gift.”

Idella

Birth Assistant Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“She knew when to comfort and when to just let me be.”

Rebekah Covington

Previous Doula Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“Last month, my OBGYN said I would take a diabetic test and explained the procedures. I received the information through an interpreter. She wasn’t terrible. I understood it could affect the baby and place the baby at risk. Still, the information was through a third person. However, my very own doula who speaks my language, she and I had a direct conversation about this test. She gave me the formal name of this diabetes, gestational diabetes which was not visible to me during the appointment. Then, she proceeded to explaining that it’s also to discover if the mom developed diabetes during pregnancy. I never got that message. I never knew it could affect me as well until my DEAF Doula gave me direct access to the information. So, if I received a positive test via email, I would have never known to change my diet as well.”

Anonymous Client

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

Salerno we were talking about you the other day. You did amazing and going to be a GREAT midwife. I look forward to hearing about the first Deaf Midwife. Keep up the great work! 

Theophana Meddres and Terrence Paul Medders

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

“I started having contractions on October 31st, but Ignatius didn’t come until November 2nd at 9:17 am. I can’t tell you how empowering it was to have an all natural at home birth. I was in active labor for over 7 almost 8 hours before this amazing doula came and it was the final piece we needed. He came shortly after she arrived. It’s amazing how God puts people in your path throughout life.”

Lauren White Chester

Previous Doula Client

★★★★★ 5/5

[Salerno] was super understanding and supportive regardless, she calmed my fears knowing I had lost a child many years before and just needed reassurance. I ended up going into labor a couple hours before midnight, [Salerno] was available for me, and as excited as I was I think! I had no epidural because of a bad experience with my first. I was so scared and worried I couldn’t do it. [Salerno] talked me through everything, massaged my back, shoulders, and even ran her calming hands through my hair. My labor lasted twelve hours [Salerno] talked to the nurses and asked questions, she was very thorough and I trusted her completely. (Still do!) When Rayleigh came into the world she came into a calm environment with so much love. Two months later we found out that Rayleigh had a heart defect and needed open heart surgery. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever gone through, but guess who was at the hospital brining me nursing cookies and calming reassurances…[Salerno]. She is a true miracle and blessing to me and my family. This is something she has an unbelievable amount of passion for, if you hire her, you will never regret your decision!

Grace Reeder

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

Salerno, was also wonderful.

She was so kind and supportive and really added to the experience.

Shanova Terry

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

Salerno was just as wonderful-together they are an amazing duo and made every interaction feel calm and comforting.

My 6-week postpartum checkup was the best l’ve ever experienced. Asia and Salerno took her time and actually did a full physical exam, making sure I was truly okay, not just checking a box and sending me on my way.

Lesieli Maafu

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

Asia and Salerno are an incredible duo. After initially choosing hospital care for my 6th pregnancy, I realized how much I missed midwifery care and reached out to Asia late in my second trimester. She responded quickly, answered my concerns, and immediately brought me peace.

After my OB scheduled a C-section due to a transverse baby, Asia supported me through my fears, recommended Spinning Babies and inversions, and by my next appointment baby was head down and engaged. Having access to Asia’s birth pool allowed me to have a water birth again, which gave me so much comfort and peace.

They are incredibly family-oriented and included my children who were present at the birth, taking time to explain the process and even the placenta as questions came up. They also went above and beyond by ensuring newborn visits were completed the next day before an incoming winter storm so all mamas and babies were cared for.

I am so grateful for their care and would absolutely choose them again. Highly recommend.

Shanova Terry

Previous Apprentice Midwife Client

★★★★★ 5/5

Her assistant Salerno was just as wonderful—together they are an amazing duo and made every interaction feel calm and comforting. My 6-week postpartum checkup was the best I’ve ever experienced. Asia and Salerno took her time and actually did a full physical exam, making sure I was truly okay, not just checking a box and sending me on my way.


If you are considering a natural home birth and want someone you can completely trust with you and your baby, GET YOU A ASIA! She is truly one of a kind, and I will forever be thankful for her care.

Nancy & Angie Atkinson

Previous Doula Client

★★★★★ 5/5
We hired Salerno when we were on week 6 of our pregnancy, during week 5 we had some concerns and even before we hired her services she was very helpful and she gave us a lot of advices. During the whole pregnancy she sent us really helpful topics, links and exercises. During week 36 we were having some issues and Salerno came and help us and made us feel way better after she left.

During labor, we decided to deliver at a hospital and she was very supportive and made us feel very comfortable, she even decorated the room and made the ambience feel very relaxed. All the doctors and nurses were giving us great feedback about the way she assisted them.

Having a baby is very costly but for us having Salerno as a doula was worth every single dollar, she gave us guidance in times where the internet has so much conflicting information.
We had our baby couple weeks ago and she keeps checking on us during postpartum, she has even guided us in breastfeeding and made sure we feel supported during all the new mom process.
 
We recommend 1000% her services.

 

Every story here is shared in the family’s own words, with permission.

Salerno RL Salerno Martinez, LM, CPM  (She/Her/Deaf)
Licensed Midwife in the State of Texas · Certified Birth Doula
ASL-friendly | Text & VideoPhone available | Visual communication welcomed
Verify any Texas midwife's license at tdlr.texas.gov

Deaf Birth Services, LLC is a Deaf and USAF Veteran owned business.

Established in 2021 and organized as a Texas LLC in 2023.

Serving Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Burleson, Benbrook, Weatherford, Granbury, Cleburne, Keller, Hurst, Grand Prairie, Dallas and all of North Texas, with virtual doula support anywhere. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum care in ASL and English.