Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Jackson.
Hi Leslie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into midwifery and birth work began from a deep passion for supporting women and families during one of the most transformative times in their lives. Over the years, I saw firsthand how many families—especially within under-served communities—struggled to access personalized, respectful, and holistic maternity care. That experience inspired me to dedicate my career to creating a space where families feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
I eventually took over ownership of Birth and Wellness Center with the vision of providing safe, evidence-based, family-centered care outside of the traditional hospital setting. Building the practice has been both rewarding and deeply personal. We’ve grown through community trust, advocacy, and a commitment to improving maternal health outcomes while preserving the dignity and autonomy of the families we serve.
Today, I continue to work not only as a midwife and business owner, but also as an advocate for equitable access to out-of-hospital birth services and insurance coverage. Being recognized as the 2026 Midwife of Color of the Year for Texas was an incredible honor and affirmation of the work we are doing in our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many small healthcare businesses, especially independent birth centers, we’ve faced significant financial and systemic challenges. One of the biggest struggles has been navigating insurance reimbursement and fighting for fair compensation for the same services hospitals provide. Birth centers often deliver high-quality, cost-effective care while receiving only a fraction of the reimbursement rates, which creates enormous pressure on sustainability.
There have also been moments of emotional and physical exhaustion that come with balancing patient care, business operations, advocacy work, and personal responsibilities. Building trust within the healthcare system while simultaneously challenging inequities can be difficult. But every challenge reinforces why this work matters.
The families we serve continue to remind me that accessible, compassionate maternity care is needed, and that keeps me motivated to continue pushing forward despite the obstacles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At our birth center, we are passionate about providing holistic, family centered care that honors pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the entire parenting journey. We serve families by combining evidenced-based midwifery care with compassionate support, education, and community connection in a warm, empowering environment. Outside of maternity care, we also apply this same passion and philosophy to all of our Women’s Healthcare Services so that we can serve as many women in as many stages of life as we can.
We are known for creating a space where women and families feel truly seen, heard, and respected. Our care goes beyond appointments- we focus on building relationships, supporting informed decision making, and helping families feel confident and cared for every step of the way. We specialize in physiologic birth, personalized prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth education classes and nurturing support for growing families.
What sets us apart is our commitment to both clinical excellence and compassion-centered care. We believe birth is not just a medical event but a transformative life experience. Our approach blends professionalism, safety, culture awareness, and emotional support to create an experience that feels both empowering and deeply personal.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the community we are building- one rooted in love, trust, education, advocacy, and empowerment. We are proud to support families from many different backgrounds and life-experiences and to create a space where they feel welcomed, safe, celebrated and like a member of our family.
We want readers to know that our brand is about more than birth. It is about helping families feel supported, informed, and powerful as they move through one of life’s most important transitions. Whether someone is preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, seeking well-women care, or looking for community and education, we strive to be trusted resource and safe space for every stage of the journey.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I do not believe in good luck or bad luck. I think both good outcomes and difficult circumstances have shaped my journey. I’ve been fortunate to encounter mentors, supportive families, and community members who believed in our mission and encouraged our growth. Opportunities to advocate, collaborate, and gain recognition have opened doors that I’m incredibly grateful for.
At the same time, some of the hardest moments in business have also forced growth and resilience. Challenges with funding, insurance barriers, and the unpredictability of healthcare taught me how to adapt, problem-solve, and advocate more effectively. In many ways, what may have initially felt like a difficult circumstance ultimately strengthened both me and the business.
I believe persistence, faith, community support, and staying committed to the purpose behind the work have been the biggest driving forces in getting me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://birthandwellnesscenter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birtharlington/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birtharlington/
