Brenda was an amazing part of our birth team! She was so helpful in the months leading up to birth…read moreas she met with us and helped us come up with our birth plan. I had a ton of questions, and she was so patient, calm and direct with me about what to expect. When it came time for the big day, she was with us every step of the way. Of course our birth didn't go as we had planned, but she was so helpful in helping us navigate what was to be our new plan. She was flexible and helped me feel empowered in my decisions. Once our birth shifted gears, she totally rolled with it and seemed to know exactly what I needed. Following birth, she was so kind and caring toward us when she came over for our postpartum visit. She again answered my myriad of questions and provided really helpful advice to help navigate our new chapter. I cannot recommend Brenda enough! She is calm, kind, caring, and professional while remaining warm.

My wife and I utilized Brenda's services as both a birth doula and for postpartum care. She came…read morehighly recommended from others and we couldn't agree more - her reputation is very well-deserved. We interviewed several other doulas and the moment we finished meeting Brenda, we knew she was the clear choice. Brenda has a calm and caring demeanor and offered very helpful insight before, during and after the birth of our son. She's polite, professional and resourceful regarding techniques and products to utilize. We're very glad we had the opportunity to work with Brenda and would highly recommend her to others!

Amazing service and care! Ive learned so much to start my road to motherhood. Thanks for…read moreeverything. The service was patient, kind, and full of happiness. This is the type of care that I highly recommend for mommies.

Commenting for my friend Chiana who recently had a baby. Shay was very intentional with her…read moreservices and was extremely patient with my friend. This was my friend's first birth & I am so glad that she had such a wonderful doula who had her back throughout her journey. It really took away a lot of stress & feel that my friend was a lot more at ease when giving birth.

This was my third labor and first time using a Doula. It's one of those things that once you try -…read moreyou can't imagine another birth without one. I sort of want to fake going into labor again so I can get a massage from Kate;) My situation was a little different as I was a surrogate. It was important to me to have help and comfort as I labored, but also to have someone to explain things and keep the birth parents informed throughout the process as natural birth can be a little overwhelming if you've never experienced it. Both Kate and Jerrika are excellent at what they do, but Kate was on call and ended up as my rock during labor. She was the calm voice in my ear during each contraction, she knew the exact spot that I needed the pressure, and she just has an overall aura of calm that was especially comforting during my labor. I would highly recommend PBC to any expecting mama!

A few months before my due date and after having met and interviewed a dozen or so potential…read moredoulas, we hired Kate and Jerrika of PBC to serve as a birth doula. It was an excellent decision! Kate and Jerrika were warm and encouraging when I first met them and explained that I was planning a VBA2C. They are clearly passionate about their work as doulas and were enthusiastic about helping me achieve the birth I had planned. I especially appreciated knowing that, thanks to their call schedule, one of them would certainly be available when I went into labor. As it turned out, it was 4 a.m. when I called Jerrika and asked her to come to my house as I was in early labor and in need of some help; she answered right away and was at my house soon after that. Throughout my labor, Jerrika did a lot of the physical work of comforting me (e.g. applying counterpressure during contractions) and this was a huge help to my husband. He and I both also benefited from her calming presence during labor. When I would begin to feel antsy about the pace of my labor, Jerrika was able to reassure me from her experience that my labor was on track and happening as expected. I feel sure that Jerrika helped me to continue to labor at home for at least several hours longer than I would have done if we were left to our own devices, and this saved me from being in the far less comfortable hospital room for a significant portion of the labor. Ultimately, as I continued to labor into the late evening, it was nearing the hour when Kate would take over for Jerrika, and so Kate arrived at my delivery room at the hospital. Happily, they build in some time to overlap at the labor rather than have an abrupt 'shift change,' and as it turned out in another 30 minutes or so, my baby was born with both Jerrika and Kate there, assisting and cheering me on. It was a wonderful birth experience, and I am grateful to them for the many ways they supported me and my family that day. Thank you, PBC!

I truly don't even know where to begin when it comes to Chiminh, she was nothing short of a gift…read moreduring one of the most vulnerable and life-changing experiences of my life. From the very beginning, she didn't just "support" me, she empowered me. She took the time to educate me on every single stage of the journey: pre-birth, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Because of her, I didn't walk into birth feeling scared or uncertain. I walked in feeling informed, prepared, and confident. One of the most impactful things she gave me was the confidence to advocate for myself. She didn't just speak for me, she taught me how to use my own voice. That is something I will carry with me forever, not just in birth, but in life. She knew exactly when to step in, when to guide, and when to simply be there. And postpartum, she continued to show up with the same care, knowledge, and compassion. Calling her a doula honestly doesn't feel like enough, she felt like a fairy godmother in human form. Someone who walked beside me, lifted me up, and made me feel capable of something so powerful. If you are considering working with Chiminh, don't hesitate. She is truly special, and I am forever grateful to have had her by my side. We love you, Chiminh.

I can't say enough about how amazing our experience was working with Chiminh! From the very first…read morecall when I reached out to Chiminh, I was so impressed with her ability to make me feel heard and at ease. She was wonderful to work with leading up to our son's birth, and worked with me to manage my stress and expectations, and to give me the information, time, and space to come up with a plan for our birthing preferences for my second child's birth (paying particularly close attention to my fears and anxieties from my first birthing experience). She was so encouraging and reassuring, handling many anxious phone calls and texts from me! I also credit the successful VBAC experience to Chiminh! She was incredibly informative and encouraging, leading up to labor and working hand in hand with my OB and nurses during the delivery process. She provided emotional support to me (and my husband), continually offered advice on how to get comfortable, what to do to help progress labor naturally, different pushing positions to try, and overall reassurance throughout the process (even with some highs and lows). She also provided amazing postpartum support care - continuing to provide emotional support for my family and me, and advice/helpful reminders around newborn care. Anytime I started to get overwhelmed, she grounded me to help me enjoy my leave. We absolutely loved working with Chiminh and cannot recommend her enough!! One last note - she also took a bunch of photos for us to document the birth which was amazing to have!

Ciarra is an amazing doula that really puts her heart and soul into her work! I had a very…read moretraumatic birthing experience with my first baby, so the second time around I knew I wanted a natural birth with a doula. Ciarra took the time to listen to my first birth story and was very compassionate and supportive of all of my wishes leading up to the birth of my son. My husband and I even took hypnobirthing classes with Ciarra. I ended up with an unmedicated VBAC with my son and Ciarra played a BIG part in that! We had an amazing experience with Empowered Beginnings!

Ciarra has been our doula twice and my wife had two very beautiful births. Our kids both came…read morequickly and Ciarra was there both times to support us through the process but also in dealing with the hospital staff who did their jobs but needed to be reminded to allow my wife the space to have the births she wished to have. I didn't know what to expect when my wife first approached me about wanting to practice hypnobirthing and have a doula but I am completely sold on the idea at this point. I'm very grateful for the work that Ciarra did for us and for teaching both me and my wife about the practice of hypnobirthing. Should we have another child, we agreed that we wouldn't change a thing.

"The important thing is, the nurse I had for the last 8 hours of labor was AMAZING and didn't leave…read moreus until my daughter was born... she would also make a rad doula." ^ That's what I wrote about Maureen in my review of the hospital where I birthed my daughter in 2015. I didn't go into details in my review of the hospital, but I'll expand here: I had been in induction and (natural) labor for more than 24 hours when I had begun what were to be many hours of transition labor. I'd stopped listening to my husband. Maureen walked into our hospital room at the beginning of her shift, and her voice and demeanor got me back to reality and focused on delivering my baby. She managed to get a very difficult patient (me) to cooperate with relaxation and pain management options, calmly guided me through difficult contractions, and reassured me when she said, "I'm not leaving you until your baby is born." For those last eight hours of my labor, she was supportive and encouraging. Any new options were always presented clearly, and she laid out options, advantages, and disadvantages quickly (and so I didn't have to listen during a contraction!). It was a total change from the previous nurses I'd had. In terms of empowerment, there were two things Maureen did during this experience that definitely stand out. The first was when she confidently said, "You are having this baby by lunchtime." Up until that point, I had no idea what time it was, and didn't want to ask about a finish line. Once she told me the end was near, I became more focused on my role in completing labor. It was just what I needed to hear. The second thing was, after delivery, when she was pushing me in the wheelchair to antepartum, she spoke with me on the walk about the whole labor process. I asked her if I was really in transition for about 10 hours, and she confirmed it, and added, "You tell everyone that. You are an amazon." Those words were something I reflected on often in the next month as I transitioned into life with a newborn. I'm excited that Maureen is now available through Empowered Birth Austin. We are planning to have another child, and figured the chances were slim that we'd manage to snag Maureen as our nurse for a second delivery at the hospital. She will definitely be a part of my next pregnancy and birth experience.

I vividly remember the phone conversation we had a few weeks before my first son's due date…read more Maureen gave me tons of info about the birth process and tips for both me and my husband. I looked over all these notes again leading up to my second delivery, and she was also able to tell me how things might be different the 2nd time around. She was my go-to person to text with during the very confusing time when I thought I felt labor starting mere hours after my OB said it wasn't going to happen anytime soon (and baby did arrive later that night!). Also helpful for providing trouble shooting and advice when I thought I might be having mastitis/clogged duct. Maureen is extremely knowledgeable and caring, and I'd recommend her to anyone!

My husband and I learned about this class through our prenatal care provider with Women Partners in…read moreHealth. We registered for an all day Childbirth class complete with a Seton hospital tour-- it was a wonderfully informative day that left us feeling confident and prepared for what to expect on "Labor Day". Jillian Silva, our childbirth instructor, was communicative via email and text in the days leading up to the class and welcomed us at the door upon arrival. The class presentation was delivered through PowerPoint slides, lectures, videos and hands-on demonstrations and practice. Jillian was very knowledgeable on all points discussed during the class, and had tangible hospital items for us to view and touch for further understanding and familiarity. We covered topics such as: what to pack in your hospital and baby bag, stages of labor, relaxation techniques, responsibilities of partner, options for labor pain relief (degrees of natural and non-natural options), labor aids/tools that the hospital provides and more! Jillian, who is also a certified Doula, has such a calming and confident nature. She was professional, timely, prepared and very friendly; she even made brownies for the class! Anyone who chooses to have her presence and expertise during their labor and delivery is one lucky mama. The class was from 9am-4pm with a 30 min lunch and the hospital tour from 3-4pm. The long day was totally worth it! I walked away from the class feeling equipped to do what my body knows how to do naturally, and if and when I need support, I now know who to contact. Thanks Jillian for being a great instructor!

Brandi and Jillian are both amazing. Like another yelper wrote, "where to even begin?"…read more We engaged with Austin Childbirth for birth doula services. They come highly recommended, from my wife's OBGYN as well as some of the Seton Hospital staff and Shelley, also of Seton, who taught our "ABC's of Childbirth" class (recommended). I was skeptical at first. Being a traditionalist... and fearing the costs for, well everything as I stand on the edge of the financial abyss of having my first child. My wife wanted to go "all natural" for her birth which means NO PAIN MEDS. #scary At first we were considering birthing centers but that was a bit "too natural" for me. We compromised on getting a doula and having a hospital birth. The biggest benefit to me going in was that a lot of the pressure of what goes on during "go time" wouldn't be on my shoulders alone. In a large way, the doula was joining "team dad" to support mom. Having a professional who knows massages, counter-pressure exercises and other techniques to alleviate pain naturally is NOTHING SHORT OF MAGIC. Even small things like reassuring my wife that "this will pass" and coaching breathing techniques SEEMS like a small thing but when the rubber hits the road, you want that support; TRUST ME. Jillian and Brandi work as a team. From the beginning until after baby comes, Jillian and Brandi communicate via WhatsApp for any quick questions or concerns you may have. Brandi was personally present for our long session in the hospital. Brandi ... is ... AMAZING. So much so that I not only cried when hugging her as she was saying her "goodbyes" at the hospital but I also welled up a bit when she visited to check in on us after we brought baby home. (I just got a little emotional writing this.) ALTERNATIVE PAIN COPING TECHNIQUES: Brandi brought a calm positivity which is hard to explain. Early on she worked magic with massage and compression techniques, some of which she and I did together. She gave my wife coping techniques which brought her pain from an 8 down to a 3 WITHOUT MEDICINE. AGAIN: IT WAS LIKE MAGIC. The hospital staff looked on with admiration as she supported my wife, coaching her though contractions while doing lunges in the hallway at 8cm. ADVOCATE FOR MOM / FEWER INTERVENTIONS: Another thing that's important which can't be understated is that a doula is able to be an advocate for mom and her birth preferences. No slight meant for the medical staff here. The medical staff have their set of tools and protocols that they know and they will try to get you to accept them because that's their playbook. My wife was pretty adamant however about doing the fewest amount of medical interventions because each intervention makes you more statistically likely for more interventions as you careen down the rabbit hole to an unplanned c-section. A doula can help you stick with your birth preferences just by asking the right questions. Just having Brandi in the room was empowering because her goal isn't to get you in and out quick, but rather help you have the birth that you want. TENS FTW: Part of the package is that Austin Childbirth will loan you a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit for pain during your last few weeks of pregnancy and then also for use in the labor / delivery room. It works by This also was something that cut down on my wife's pain considerably. The units they provide has a "surge" button which, when pressed, will go into higher strength mode for use during contractions. My wife swears by it. Brandi stayed with us through it all and then was even willing to keep us company as long as we wanted post-partum. Both Brandi and Jillian engaged with us after we were home just to check in and Brandi even came over to our house a week afterwards to check up on us and see how things were going / see if she could help out. While we aren't planning on having another, if we do, I can't imagine not calling up Brandi and Jillian to join us on our journey.

The Post Partum Doula support we received from Austin Born's amazing Stephanie was simply perfect…read more Seriously. Perfect. Stephanie is a doula and a lactation consultant, plus her sense of calm and reassurance helped us first time parents relax a little--which is saying a lot! We arranged to have Stephanie come on our first night home from the hospital with our beautiful baby. She provided lactation advice and created a priority list for me which we hung on the master bathroom door: 1. Feed baby 2. Feed Mommy (eat/drink) 3. Sleep Seems pretty simple, but after a week of sleep deprivation, the list helped stop my "one-more-thing" syndrome. For the first time in my life I was responsible for a needy, helpless, endlessly adorable baby--my baby. Who had time for sleep? Once I got into bed I was so amped up on adrenaline I couldn't shut down. My husband had to hold me tight to turn off the humming in my mind and body. I was finally able to sleep for an hour--it was a gift. My first nap after baby, along with Stephanie's unwavering, consistently calm, reassuring presence through those first days, gave me room to breathe and think again. She was there for many other firsts too in person, via phone, and via text. And I'm thankful for all of the support. There's nothing like having an expert to guide you through this miraculous journey--hopefully you'll get a chance to be as grateful as I am. Cheers to Austin Born!

We used Austin Born prenatal and postpartum services. As new parents, the prenatal classes we…read moreattended were very informative and empowering. Unfortunately, we could not obtain maximum benefit of support groups and attend all classes due to pregnancy related illness. We did, however, feel a huge value of using Austin Born, was in the communication and correspondence with our Doula, Kim Borchert. She answered many emails, texts and calls in a very open-minded and timely manner. We were referred to amazing pregnancy specialists such as chiropractors, twin trainers and also given pain relieving techniques which greatly reduce the discomfort and frustration of carrying twins. As new parents of twins with no family nearby, our postpartum Doula service was important. Austin Born was holistic in every sense and we felt that we had not only one awesome doula checking in and supporting us in our home each day but also had a team of doulas with vast experience behind the scenes. Without Austin Born and our doula, Juanita Sawyer, we are not sure how we would've survived. From small suggestions of types of bottles to breast-feeding struggles to reflux management solutions, there is no obstacle this team can't fix. Now that our babies are older, we look back and realize the value Austin Born services is not in how many classes were attended or how many hours of doula services were provided. The value is most definitely in the knowledge, resources, accumulated experience and open-minded approach. In short, they were amazing and invaluable to us.