A Little About Nouvelle
Midwifery & Wellness
At Nouvelle Midwifery & Wellness, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized midwifery & primary care services. We understand that your reproductive and wellness journey is unique, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team fosters a nurturing environment that prioritizes holistic wellness, informed decision-making, and individualized attention.
We offer a range of services to support your reproductive health journey and overall health, including prenatal care, labor and birth support, postpartum care, and well-person care. In addition, we also offer STD testing/treatment, lactation support services, and confirmation of pregnancy appointments. Our midwife and her team of professionals are committed to providing evidence-based care that empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
When our owner, Midwife Mika, made the decision to start her own home birth practice, it was after a lot of soul searching, mentorship, and the overwhelming desire to provide a safe space for people desiring home birth, especially for BIPOC families.
Mika is no stranger when it comes to breaking the mold and being unconventional in pursuing her dreams. This was no doubt a new adventure and challenge, one that was for shadowed in her MSN final project, owning and operating her own practice. It was all new; within that realization, the practice's name was born. Nouvelle Midwifery and Wellness, PLLC, was founded in 2024. Just as Midwife Mika has worked to nurture a new beginning for herself, she is now working to do the same for the families she now serves.
The Midwife
Shamika Saint Pierre, MSN, APRN-CNM, CLC, MLT(ASCP)
Mika is a Certified Nurse-Midwife. Prior to becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife, she worked as a Level III/IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse with cross-training in Labor and Delivery. Her early career work includes working as a Medical Laboratory Technician with an impressive and extensive research background. Midwife Mika has always had a passion for education and empowerment and is an avid supporter of informed consent, not informed compliance. She aims to utilize her extensive knowledge base to help clients find options that meet their desired needs and goals.
Mika's path to midwifery started in 2014 as she sought out providers during her own fertility and pregnancy journey. As a Certified Lactation Counselor, she has helped numerous families in their desire to breastfeed their infants and set attainable goals during their nursing relationship, both in and out of the NICU.
When she is not providing care and education to local families, she is a loving wife, mother to three beautiful children, and a devoted friend to those closest to her heart.
Midwife Mika's Philosophy of Care... "I believe pregnancy and birth is a sacred, fundamentally normal, physiological process. I commit to respect and protect the birth space, allowing labor to take its normal course, in order to help each individual birth naturally, safely, and confidently. I practice true informed consent/choice, not informed compliance. The relationship between myself as the midwife, the birthing individual, and the unborn infant(s) is sacred and will be respected at all times. Whilst keeping in line with the Midwives Model of Care™, it is my duty to ensure to the best of my ability that all parties involved will also remain safe."
Education
2023
2018
2015
2010
- Masters of Nursing Science, Midwifery; Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Bachelors of Nursing; Marymount University
- Associates of Applied Science, Medical Laboratory Technology; Greenville Technical College
- Bachelors of Science, Biology; University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Licenses and Certifications
2023
2023
2022
2019
2019
2019
2015
2015
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Texas Board of Nursing
- American Midwifery Certification Board
- Certified Lactation Counselor, Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
- Registered Nurse, Texas Board of Nursing
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program Provider; American Academy of Pediatrics
- S.T.A.B.L.E. Provider, The S.T.A.B.LE. Program
- Basic Life Support Provider American Heart Association (AHA)
- Medical Laboratory Technician: American Society for Clinical Pathology
Professional Organizations
2024
2021
2021
2020
2018
- San Antonio Area Midwife Association
- American College of Nurse-Midwives
- Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse Midwives
- National Black Midwives Alliance
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
"You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough."
-Joe E. Lewis
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of Midwife are you?
I am a Certified Nurse Midwife. This means that I am a Registered Nurse who has obtained a Master’s Nurse Midwifery for an institution that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and passed the national Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination. You can learn more by visiting: https://www.midwife.org/About-the-Midwifery-Profession
How much does it cost?
The Global Maternity fee for Home birth is $6,000. This requires a $500 retainer fee, (nonrefundable) to reserve your spot on the birth calendar. I accept a limited number of clients each month; for this reason, space is not guaranteed until the retainer is paid. The total package fee is due at 35 weeks gestation. Total package fees remain the same regardless of how far along you are in your pregnancy when starting care (Unless an alternate agreement has been made and agreed upon). Plans are available for prenatal care only should you desire this option; however, this option is only available at the initiation of care and is based on calendar availability.
How long, and often, will you see me?
Visits are typically 45 mins, and I follow a similar exam schedule you would expect within an OB office. Initial visits typically occur around the 10th to 12th week, then approximately every 4 weeks from the start of care until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28 to 38 weeks, and weekly from 38 weeks until you give birth. Once you give birth, I will see you and your baby at 24-48 hours and 2 weeks, ending with a final visit for you at 6 weeks following your birth. Additional visits outside of routine care will incur an additional cost.
When are you on call for my birth?
Once payment in full is received, I am on call for your birth from 38 – 42 weeks (unless other arrangements are made and formally agreed upon). 75% of the birth fee is due by 32 weeks gestation, with the full global payment completed by 35 weeks gestation. Failure to remit payment for services no later than the 36 week of gestation could result in termination of care due to nonpayment.
Do you take insurance?
At this time Nouvelle Midwifery and Wellness does not take insurance. We are not in network with any insurance companies. We are currently in search of a reputable biller who may be able to help you apply and file for reimbursement from your insurance company. Although we do not accept insurance to cover your home birth, you may be able to use your insurance to cover labs, ultrasounds, prescriptions, and referred care for services not directly offered by me. While the $6000 cost of care may seem expensive, it is still in many cases significantly lower than hospital-based care for most insurance plans. When considering the out of pocket cost for a hospital birth after insurance pays their portion, our fee is comparable and competitive.
What about the testing?
Nouvelle Midwifery and Wellness utilizes Quest Diagnostics for most of your laboratory testing and provides prenatal newborn genetic screening through Unity. We also provide a few different alternatives for completing GTT (Glucose Tolerance Testing). Various providers are utilized via referrals for ultrasounds and other collaborative care not provided directly by us. Some of these partners are able to accept most major insurance plans.
I don't see an answer to my question?
No problem; fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page with your questions or email directly us at NouvelleMidwiferyandWellness@gmail.com
Services
Prenatal Care
During your prenatal care visits, we will monitor your health and the health of your growing baby. I offer a range of services, either directly or by referral, including lab work, ultrasounds, and prenatal education. Confirmation of Pregnancy appointments are available for those wanting early reassurance and/or unable to be seen by the their PCM or regular OB/GYN/Midwife
Labor & Birth Support
I, in collaboration with your selected support system, provide comprehensive labor and birth support. I work with you to create a birth plan that meets your unique needs and preferences.
Postpartum Care
In the weeks following your baby's arrival, I provide postpartum care to support your physical and emotional recovery. I offer breastfeeding support, newborn care education, and postpartum depression screening.