The first red flag should have been that Misti has been in practice for about 10 years, but there are no google or facebook reviews only a dozen or so reviews on this obscure website. Why is that when she has attended 100’s of births? Where are all these women’s reviews?She doesn't keep word, doesn't follow through with things, misses appointments. Will talk like she cares about you, but her actions show something very different. I won't be using her for my next birth and wouldn't recommend her to anyone.

Submitted March 20, 2023

I just had my first baby in June & Misti was my provider. I researched several midwives in the area & after having my interview with Misti, I felt confident in choosing her as my provider. I had a wonderful experience with her throughout my entire pregnancy. She was available to answer any questions & guide me when I was unsure in my decision making. She allowed me to have autonomy over my body & the choices I made for me & my son. Working with Misti calmed my anxiety about labor & delivery, because she really felt like a friend or a part of my family. She’s even been a huge support to me after giving birth to my son.

I am very pleased with the service I received from Misti, & I am already planning to work with her again for my next pregnancy.

If you want someone to support you in your own decision-making, advocate for you, & guide & teach you in a way that you can feel confident in your choices, definitely give Misti a call.

I was nervous to have my first baby at home, but I am so glad I chose to have Misti as my provider through pregnancy, & I can’t wait to do it again. She’s great!

Submitted Sept. 12, 2022

I will continue to have all my children with Misti, she was everything I wanted in a midwife. She trusted my body and intuition and offered up a ton of information when I was faced with the typical questions through pregnancy. I felt understood and heard. She checked on me over 3 times while laboring and stayed once I was far enough in my 2 day long labor. She supported me when my labor went long and made me feel safe in the pushing phase, checking on my baby’s heartbeat between every contraction. She’s very honest, one of my favorite qualities is her transparency. I felt we had informed consent in every decision made throughout my pregnancy and birth. She’s has been amazing during my postpartum period, always able to get back to me on any questions I have about me or my baby. I couldn’t say enough good things about her and recommend her to anybody considering homebirth.

Submitted Sept. 12, 2022

I hired Misti bc I wanted a homebirth. It seemed like a great fit bc I was seeking natural care and someone who would allow me to make my own decisions about what tests/procedures I did or didn't want. I told her I was scared of hospitals and giving birth. That I had diagnosed Anxiety. Misti said she was very on board with all that and she was... until the end.

I was nearing 42w and homebirth is illegal in FL past 42w.

Leading up to 42w, Misti and I respectfully disagreed on what my due date truly was and how to proceed. I had long cycles and thought my due date was off by 5 days according to modern calculation methods and by my 20w ultrasound. I brought her up-to-date, research-based info about how off due-dates can be, how the most common calculation method used today was created in the 1800s and assumes all cycles are 28 days, etc. I wanted my baby to come when SHE was ready and developed enough. I felt confident using a modern method that took into account my individual cycle lengths and an ultrasound to calculate my due date, not something that was created in the 1800s. I was healthy & there were no concerning signs. I agreed to do non-stress tests. She said she'd change the date. A week went by, then she went back on her word and didn't tell me until the day before 42w. I was shocked.

The same day she pushed very hard for me to be induced. She knew I liked to weigh the pros/cons and research everything before I made a decision, but she never explained the cons of induction (there are plenty!). She didn't allow me informed consent. She even said, "Come on Eryn... your baby's lungs are developed enough. They're ready to come out now." This is COERCION. I was so upset my birth plan was falling apart. I wanted my labor to begin naturally. I felt that was right for MY baby and MY body. She watched me cry bc I was so stressed. Which makes what she ended up doing after this heartless.

I didn't want to let homebirth go, so I decided to seek a 2nd opinion and possible transfer of care. Maybe somebody else believed the current research on due dates and inductions.

I messaged with Maya Bence of Modern Midwives and she said she couldn't help. Didn't give a reason. She then breeched confidentiality and told Misti I had contacted her. (Dont recommend her either!)

Shortly after, Misti dropped me as a client through a cold TEXT MESSAGE that same day. Said she was aware I reached out to other midwives and she wouldnt provide me w/ emotional support at the hospital. My body shook uncontrollably bc of the stress for days until after my baby was born.

Labor started just 1 day after the day of 42w. Baby born very healthy, 7lbs. Only 3 days after 42w! My due date couldve easily been off! After, I kept wondering if Misti would check-in to see if my baby was born healthy and I was ok since she claimed to care for us. She didn't until weeks later when she realized I had the birth pool she leant me. She pretended to care and like she never did anything saying "hope you're doing amazing and that everything with the birth went well" then asks if I can put the pool out so she can pick it up. I agreed, but told her how badly she affected me. She said she was sorry, but that my decisions made HER feel unsafe. Shouldn't it be about how the mother feels??? I said I was very unhappy and asked what could be done to make it right. I said I believed we should get a refund for the services we did not receive. Ignored!

Well, Misti didn't pick up the pool sitting on our porch for 25 days! I was going to let it all go, but that was IT. I asked for a refund again and quoted her financial agreement, which doesn't support her keeping the money. I was ignored AGAIN.

That's another thing you should know about Misti - she is SO non-responsive and unaccountable! I never said anything, but it was ridiculous. She was always saying she'd do something and not do it. It was like pulling teeth trying to get my anatomy scan results to see if my baby was healthy! I had to wait extra time bc she kept forgetting. And she'd never apologize for not following through and inconveniencing us! I would be MORTIFIED if I did that, but she was always so nonchalant.

Since she won't do what's right, Ive had to be postpartum worrying about this nonsense, spending precious time trying to get our money back through other avenues. We paid $5700 and got 11 1hr appointments. In what world does someone get paid $5700 for 11hrs when THEY CHOSE not to do the bulk of their job?

If you care about being respected, listening to your intuition, and the basic right to a 2nd opinion w/o hurting someone's ego, dont hire Misti. She is selfish and cowardly and would NEVER tolerate this for herself or her daughters. Why do it to me?

And consider the fact that reviews are turned off on her Facebook/Google Maps pages. And these other old reviews are for her birth center (closed in 2018) not her solo practice.

Submitted Sept. 7, 2022

Had a homebirth with Misti and would NOT recommend her. She slept on our couch the entire time and came in twice to check on me (which did NOT include doing the doppler heart monitoring and only consisted of her saying, "Hey, how's it going?"). She and Serena did not monitor my child until it was time to push. I had a longer labor than previous labors and was really having a rough time. What if something had been wrong with the baby and we didn't know until it was too late? I'm all for being crunchy and will continue to have my kids with a midwife but NOT with her EVER again. You still have to monitor! I could have died. Baby could have died. NEVER AGAIN. There are plenty of other midwives in St. Augustine who are not negligent. For the safety of myself and my children, I will be going to them. She's the nicest person you could ever meet and is knowledgeable on all the little things surrounding pregnancy and after birth but don't be fooled into thinking that means she has your best interest at heart and that when it comes to labor time, she'll be actually present as a quality medical professional. She's gotten lazy in her work and is not doing what a midwife should always do medically. Her exam room is a bed you lay on that looks like the quilt has never been washed. Nasty. Midwives are supposed to be 10 steps ahead at all times so they can prevent issues. She is taking major risks with people's lives. Go with someone else, trust me on this! I've been to several others who are way better so I know what they are supposed to do. I REGRET trying her. Thank God everything turned out ok but it easily may not have. I wish I had known how she did things.

Submitted Sept. 7, 2017

We had our second child at her birth center and loved her, her staff, and the experience. I would never go to anyone else for prenatal care. She's wonderful.

Submitted Dec. 23, 2014

I am currently under the care of Misti for my second pregnancy , she delivered my first child. I would never use another midwife, given the choice. My birth experience and level if care was incredible.

Submitted March 17, 2014

SO GOOOD! As a father, I was initially skeptical about not having our first baby in the hospital. However, after meeting Misti, and going to childbirth classes, I soon felt completely confident that this is the way to approach childbirth! Misti and the rest of her staff are always friendly and helpful. Every visit, we were completely informed on any little questions we might have had about what my wife was going through. On the day of the birth, we called Misti around 1:00 am to let her know that we were getting close and needed to go to the birth center. Even though she had another birth earlier that day, she greeted us when we got there with a smile and a room ready for us. She worked with my wife perfectly in getting our almost 2-foot long son out into the world. A great experience that we're getting ready for again in just 2 more months! We strongly recommend Growing Families to any pregnant couples in the St Augustine area!

Submitted Dec. 7, 2013

horrible experience. the midwife slept while I manifested through the night. they would not refund me. we could have died that night. awful, awful.

Submitted Nov. 22, 2013