In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Texas midwife Salli Gonzalez and attorney Octavia Martinez to unpack a case that should concern not only licensed midwives, but anyone with a license.

Together they discuss what happens when a midwife follows protocol, transfers appropriately, and still becomes the target?

What happens when unverified screenshots, incomplete records, and social media comments are used to justify suspending a license, without a trial?

And more importantly, what does this mean for the future of midwifery?

This conversation goes beyond the case of one midwife, and beyond what is happening in Texas. This is about the direction birth care is heading in the U.S and why we all need to pay attention.

About Salli:

My love of birth started with my own births, the first on in a typical hospital system, birthing in lithotomy in the OR in 1984. The second baby I chose a birth center and decided to take more control of my choices in birth. I gave birth in a birth center under my own terms, which included eating and drinking in labor, moving with the contractions instead of being tied to the bed with monitors, no IV and limited vaginal exams. This birth propelled me to want to share with the world that birth doesn’t have to be traumatic nor painful. I set out to educate the world, as I had four more babies at home, one of which included a breech birth under qualified hands.

It’s been my life’s work to uphold birth as a normal and natural process of the female body. I’ve taken the steps to attend as many emergency skills preparedness workshops as I can as well as many breech and twin conferences as possible. I’ve also mentored and offered my assistance to newer midwives who are also interested in learning. We are always learning and renewing our skills in midwifery. Midwifery is the future of our country. Without midwifery the true nature of women’s autonomy will be lost.

Instagram: @for_the_love_of_birth

GoFundMe: gofund.me/a54e40705

About Octavia:

Professional Background

A graduate of The University of Virginia and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Octavia began her career in Phoenix. As a felony prosecutor and civil litigator, she handled high-stakes matters ranging from commercial trucking defense to complex medical malpractice.

Her time on the defense side — working alongside institutional defendants and their counsel — gave her an understanding of how those cases are built, where the vulnerabilities lie, and what separates the attorneys who win from the ones who simply file. She brought that knowledge with her when she crossed to the plaintiff's side.

The Move to Texas

Bringing this diverse experience to the Rio Grande Valley, Octavia expanded her practice to meet the border region's unique needs. Her scope grew to cover defamation, and specialized defense for medical providers, including physicians and midwives.

South Texas presented a client population that had historically been underserved by high-quality legal representation — complex multigenerational estates, a healthcare industry with its own licensing ecosystem, and individuals whose situations required an attorney willing to engage the full weight of the law on their behalf.

Launch of the Firm

Octavia later paused her legal career to focus on stewardship: homeschooling her children and managing her family's homestead farm. However, she reactivated her license to assist a client whose legal matters had stagnated under conventional representation. That crisis highlighted the urgent need for uncompromised advocacy, leading to the launch of Octavia LaVon Martinez PLLC.

Today, she has become a resource for clients who seek an alternative to the status quo — clients who have been failed by passive representation, whose matters are too complex for a generalist, or who simply need an attorney who will fight with the same conviction they feel about their own case.

Website: octaviamartinezlaw.com

X: @OctaviaLaVon

References:

Sham Peer Review: The Leave-of-Absence Trap

Expedited Motion for Hearing (PDF)

Facebook Post and Comments

Facebook Comment #2

Media Release: TDLR Suspends Midwife’s License Following Maternal and Infant Deaths

KLTV Texas midwife requests state to reinstate license amid death investigations

Support Salli: Defend Her Midwifery License gofund.me/a54e40705

Discussed in This Episode

Midwives under fire, and why this isn’t just a Texas problem

What actually happened in the case of Salli Gonzalez

When outcomes don’t have clear causes, who gets blamed?

The Legal Reality of what is happening

Social Media as “Evidence”?

Anonymous posts, cropped screenshots, and missing context

Why this case could affect doctors, lawyers, and beyond

Licensing doesn’t mean protection

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care

This show is supported by

LMNT | Got to lmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

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#465: For All The Midwives In Texas: Fighting Injustice with Salli Gonzalez & Octavia Martinez, Esq

Birthing Instincts

#465: For All The Midwives In Texas: Fighting Injustice with Salli Gonzalez & Octavia Martinez, Esq