COVER STORY |Photos by Alisa Murray Photography –
The Johnson Family: Jaylen, Quinisha, Jaxson, Marquis and Marquis Jr.
Quinisha Johnson vowed that this time would be different.
When Johnson found out she was expecting her son Jaxson in December 2019, her thoughts immediately turned to her previous delivery, where a poor experience left her feeling frustrated and unhappy.
That was 12 years ago, but the memories lingered on. Now that she was pregnant again, Johnson decided to do whatever it took to find a doctor – and a hospital – that would treat her with dignity and compassion.
“I just started researching on the internet, looking for a doctor who would take the time to really listen to me and answer my questions,” Johnson recalled. “Since it had been so long since my last pregnancy, I felt like a first-time mom again, and I needed someone who would take my concerns seriously and put my mind at ease.”
Her first option didn’t work out, as Johnson felt her concerns were being dismissed. But then she found Rosalyn Miller, D.O., board-certified OB-GYN at Houston Methodist Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates in Sugar Land.
“When I met Dr. Miller, I knew right away she was the right doctor for me,” said Johnson. “She was always such a pleasure to talk with. I’d show up with lists of questions, and she’d go through all of them with me until I was reassured. I never once felt rushed. She became like a family member to me; she was so comforting. I also loved the fact that her office and the hospital were close to home, making everything from routine office visits to my delivery convenient.”
Johnson’s biggest issue with her previous experience in labor and delivery centered on a lack of options for pain control. She told Miller that she didn’t want an epidural this time, which had caused her difficulties before. She wanted to create and follow a birth plan that utilized more natural methods for dealing with the pain of contractions.
“I had a very definite idea of how I wanted this birth to go, and Dr. Miller was willing to help me achieve that goal,” said Johnson. “I knew that she would help me execute the birth plan I had in mind. She would tell me, ‘I’m going to do what’s best for you and for your baby,’ and that was all I needed to know.”
Johnson had a couple of false alarms as her August 2020 due date drew close, and she visited the hospital twice thinking she was in labor. Fortunately for Johnson, Houston Methodist Childbirth Center offers a dedicated obstetrics hospitalist program that offers specialized emergency care for moms-to-be. Hospitalists are highly trained physicians who only see patients in the hospital, ensuring there is highly skilled care on-site 24/7.
“The OB hospitalists who cared for me were great,” Johnson said. “They were so helpful and patient with me. On my second visit, the OB-GYN said, ‘They reassured me that the contractions I was experiencing would not lead to labor that day.’”
That changed on Tuesday night, August 18th.
“On my third visit, I finally stayed,” said Johnson. “The nurses in the Childbirth Center were absolutely fantastic. They knew that I was not getting an epidural, so they taught me pain management techniques, like putting continuous pressure against my contractions to make them less intense. It made a big difference.”
Johnson’s husband Marquis was impressed by the staff, too. “Marquis was amazed by the hospital, the nurses and just my overall experience,” Johnson said. “He couldn’t believe how smoothly everything worked, every step of the way.”
Are you expecting a child, or plan to become pregnant soon? Join board-certified OB-GYNs Rosalyn Miller, D.O., and Elizabeth Mosier, M.D., at a virtual meet and greet on Friday, June 11th, from noon to 1 pm where
they will discuss their philosophy of care. There will be an open dialogue and Q&A discussion where you can ask any questions you may have, from birth control, family planning to women’s health and menopause.
Visit join.houstonmethodist.org/meet-ob or call 281.205.4514 for more information and to register.
The morning of August 19th, baby Jaxson arrived, and Mom, Dad and baby are doing well.
“I was really elated at my experience, from my first visit with Dr. Miller through labor and delivery,” said Johnson. “I had a plan I wanted to follow, but I didn’t foresee it being as great as it was. I told Dr. Miller that everything went so well with this baby, maybe I’ll have another one!”
Quinisha and Jaxson Johnson.
Houston Methodist Childbirth Center’s board-certified OB-GYNs provide highly specialized childbirth care for moms-to-be who want more options. A dedicated birthing team delivers the level of care moms need and are comfortable with – with the advanced care needed if challenges arise. The team is committed to each and every mom and baby’s safety.
The Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land offers:
• A highly trained obstetrics team that is dedicated to your individualized care.
• Holistic amenities, including birthing balls and aromatherapy with essential oils, to create a calming environment.
• An advanced NICU to closely monitor high-risk and premature babies.
• Breastfeeding support and childbirth classes, as well as postpartum care and education.
Each mom is assigned a specific nurse who is dedicated to her throughout the birthing experience. A neonatal nurse with specialized training is also present at every delivery to provide responsive care if needed.
For moms-to-be who prefer more holistic or alternative birthing options, Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s OB-GYNs offer personalized care – including birthing plans and natural pain control – supported by a highly trained obstetrics team dedicated to the patient experience.
“What makes the Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land so unique is that we combine first-class amenities with an outstanding staff who are passionate about moms and babies,” said Miller. “That’s a winning combination that makes each birthing experience truly special.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller or her partner, Dr. Mosier, call 281.882.3130. To learn more about the Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land, take a virtual tour or register for a class, visit houstonmethodist.org/childbirth-sl or call 281.205.4514.