Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Ruiz.
Hi Ana , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into midwifery is something that feels both destined and deeply personal. I was born and raised here in California as a first-generation Mexican-American, with roots tracing back to Zacatecas, Mexico. I grew up in San Bernardino County and I’m still serving that area. My paternal grandmother, Mama Nena, was the town midwife in her community. She not only attended births but also cared for people’s healing needs. She was one of the first traditional midwives in her area to seek professional nursing training, and her pioneering spirit has always been an inspiration in my life.
Even though I grew up hearing about her work, it wasn’t until years later that I truly felt the call myself. In 2015, I stumbled across a homebirth video online, and something inside me shifted. It was as if my grandmother’s hands were gently guiding me, reminding me that this was the path I was meant to walk. From that moment, I knew midwifery was more than a profession—it was a calling.
Today, I specialize in homebirth midwifery and bodywork, supporting families in the comfort of their own homes through the sacred experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum healing. What grounds my work is the belief that families deserve gentle, loving, and knowledgeable care as they welcome new life. Every time I attend a homebirth, I carry my grandmother’s legacy with me, honoring her spirit while creating my own path in service to my community
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been deeply meaningful. Becoming a Licensed Midwife requires years of commitment, intense clinical hours, and emotional strength. There were moments when the weight of it all felt overwhelming — especially navigating it as a first-generation Mexican-American with little representation in the field. I often questioned if there was space for someone like me, and financially, I had to carry the load on my own — working while attending school. It wasn’t easy, but it shaped me into someone resilient and deeply grounded in purpose.
What’s carried me through the hardest times — and what continues to guide me in serving families — is my spiritual connection to Creator, to the Holy Spirit. That relationship gives me peace and clarity, especially when life — and birth — feels unpredictable. It reminds me that this work is more than physical care. Birth is an emotional and spiritual experience too, and my mission is to honor all of that. I want every family I serve to feel empowered, supported, and reminded that they have choices, that their intuition matters, and that they’re not alone.
I’ve also been incredibly blessed with a strong support system of family, friends, and mentors who believed in me even when I doubted myself. Every challenge — whether financial, cultural, or spiritual — helped shape the midwife I’ve become today: compassionate, grounded, and deeply committed to this sacred work. Looking back, I’m grateful for every part of the journey, especially the hard parts — because they brought me here
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Licensed Midwife and bodyworker specializing in homebirth midwifery. My passion is to support families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I see birth as sacred, deserving of reverence and care. To me, it’s never just about delivering a baby — it’s about holding space for one of the most transformative moments in a family’s life.
I offer individualized, heart‑centered care, acting both as a guide and a container. My role is to help families reconnect with their intuition and inner wisdom, always putting power back into their hands. I deeply believe in protecting their rights to decide how their bodies and babies are cared for. I feel honored to walk alongside them in that process.
What sets me apart is the holistic lens — as a bodyworker, I support alignment, comfort, and healing throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Each birth or bodywork session reminds me how intimately the mind, body, and spirit intertwine — especially when families feel safe, supported, and deeply seen.
Clients often describe me as calm, grounding, and gentle. I take pride in creating nurturing spaces where people feel fully heard. What I’m most proud of is how I blend evidence‑based midwifery with cultural wisdom and deep respect for the sacredness of birth. In every birth I attend, I’m not just witnessing a baby arriving — I’m witnessing a family being born. And that is the highest honor.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Over the years, I’ve been blessed with mentors — midwives, doulas, birthworkers — who held space for me as I traversed this path. Having mentors who share cultural understanding was especially powerful; they reminded me of my roots and aligned teachings with my heritage, helping me stay grounded as both a woman and a midwife.
Some of these mentors are still part of my inner tribe, helping me grow, and stay centered in my practice.
I also owe so much to my clients. Many have witnessed my journey from the very beginning — when I was planting seeds — to where I am now. Their trust, belief, and courage in inviting me into their births have been profound gifts. Their support has often steadied me in the darkest moments. Without their faith in me, and without the guidance of mentors, I wouldn’t be here today.
Shoutout & Honor to Partería y Medicinas Ancestrales
parteriaymedicinasancestraleContact Info:
- Website: https://www.gentlewombbirth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentlewombbirth?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/Iv60bTmnhE
