Ciarra has been our doula twice and my wife had two very beautiful births. Our kids both came quickly 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. read more

Ciarra is an amazing doula that really puts her heart and soul into her work! I had a very traumatic 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! read more

We used multiple resources from Empowered beginnings to get ahead as first time parents: Hypnobirthing Child Class, Breastfeeding class, Doula Service, Newborn sleep class, and of course the birth baby podcast. Save yourself the effort/stress of researching on your own and go straight to the experts at Empowered Beginnings. The lessons and instruction is calm, clear, and most importantly CONFIDENCE BUILDING. From day one, Empowered Beginnings helped us to enjoy the process instead of feeling overwhelmed. Our Doula answered every question, no matter how small, and gave us practical, evidence-based advice we could use immediately. We cannot imagine the pregnancy, birth, or postpartum without our Doula, Ciarra. We will use Empowered Beginnings for all of our future children!!! read more

Jes at Empowered Beginnings was so great!!! I had such a positive experience with her for overnight care and would definitely recommend her and Empowered Beginnings to anyone with a new little one looking for some help. Getting someone that is the right fit for taking care of your newborn is so important, and it was great knowing I had someone so caring and trustworthy to make sure I could catch up on sleep the nights I needed it! Plus she's just awesome. Love her and working with Ciarra on the back end was always easy and straightforward! read more

Highly, highly recommend Empowered Beginnings!! Ciarra supported us through the arrival of our second baby, and she is the best! Super informative and a wealth of knowledge, helping us to feel empowered and informed during the process. Many doulas wait for questions - not Ciarra. She was very proactive with checking in often and anticipating support needed. Her knowledge is gold and she's so generous with her time. Also, Empowered Beginnings presents a community of families and has a wealth of resources available. They are the best if you want genuine and caring support for one of the most vulnerable times for a family... 5 stars! read more

We recently had the pleasure of working with Courtney as our Doula and the Empowered Beginnings Birth Team for the birth of our child in May. Having Courtney by our side and as our go-to resource for our birth experience was one of the best decisions we made! Courtney is extremely knowledgeable, attentive, trustworthy and her super power is how comfortable she made us feel. From teaching us Spinning babies, to providing product recommendations, to answering all our questions, and to creating a calm environment at the hospital - Courtney was our biggest advocate! She played an integral role in creating and executing our birth plan and ensuring a safe and confident labor and delivery. We also participated in the 5-week HypnoBirthing class offered by Empowered Beginnings and taught by Ciarra. By completing this course we felt very prepared and knowledgeable. It helped us develop a clear vision for our birth experience and empowered us to make the best decisions for our family. read more

I could not have been more satisfied with our doula experience with Mandy through Empowered Beginnings. Additionally, the Hypnobirthing course with Ciarra helped my husband and I feel prepared for labor and delivery. And, because of Ciarra's recommendation, we were able to get in for an ECV when we learned our baby was breech, and I was able to experience the natural birth I'd planned for! ---------------- From the start of my pregnancy, I knew I wanted a doula to help guide me and my husband through unmedicated labor and delivery. We knew the moment we got off our first Zoom call together that Mandy was the right fit for us. Mandy radiates calm, she's validating, intuitive, and authentic and it's clear that she wants the best for her clients. She was a phenomenal support when I learned I had gestational diabetes and again when we learned at our 36-week ultrasound that the baby was breech. Her calm and supportive presence was invaluable at my successful external cephalic version (ECV). Mandy was my first text message when I thought I was in labor (I was!) and she knew to tell me to connect with my midwife. She met us in triage and offered a birth comb and other options for physical and emotional support while I labored. She had the gentlest way of supporting both my husband and I--she meshed perfectly into our dynamic. She also took beautifully intimate photos of Robert supporting me while I labored that I will forever cherish. What I will remember most about my experience with Mandy is how she supported me during the pushing phase, especially when I was so tired I didn't think I had the strength to continue. She knew just what to say to me, reminding me to breathe and trust my body. She quietly encouraged me to find the peace and calm I was able to tap into during earlier contractions and reminded me it was safe to breathe the baby down with all my might. She also supported me physically in every way, including holding my hand, applying ice packs to my forehead, and offering me water. Mandy fit seamlessly with my birth team and into my entire labor and delivery experience; my husband and I truly cannot imagine navigating pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of parenting without her. I'm so happy she has chosen to serve Austin as a doula. read more

We have SO much to thank Ciarra for - our life has seriously changed for the better. My nine-month-old woke up every 1-2 hours consistently since she was born and comfort nursed all night. She was fussy because she was tired and quite frankly so was I. Ciarra came with amazing reviews, so we decided to go with her Ciarra as our sleep consultant and we chose the gold package. I was super anxious all of it and the changes for our baby - I was not the easiest client, but she met every worry, slip, you name it with grace and guidance that helped us get through the weeks. She helped me understand wake windows and her cues and now she sleeps through the night!!! Ciarra was so responsive at all times, and I am just really grateful!!! read more

We had a A++ powerhouse birth team! Having Ciarra as part of our birth support team was one of the best decisions we made. Prelabor - Ciarra and her team were readily available via phone, text or email. They are a wealth of knowledge and have many resources including childbirth classes, hypnobirthing classes, postpartum doulas, and more, available for your needs. During labor - Our baby surprised us in labor in breech position. When Ciarra arrived at our home, she handled the news from our midwife with great confidence. Ciarra's sweet and calming presence, together with her firm, professional, and knowledgable demeanor, helped us during this important time. Ciarra held my hand and didn't leave my side during labor. She spoke positive affirmations and protected our birth plan. Ciara successfully led me to have a vaginal breech birth (VBB) at home! I am SO grateful and beyond blessed to have the birth I wanted with Ciarra by my side. She is such a light and defined my positive birth story. Words cannot express our gratitude. Thank you, Ciarra and team! read more

Ciarra was SO helpful with my 4 month old. I made some minor changes, based on her advice, and he started sleeping much better. Everyone has been happier! She was thorough and knowledgable and we are so thankful! read more

Just Do It. No hesitation! Ciarra and Samantha are incredible and I'm so blessed they were recommended by my midwife. With so many doula options it was hard at first, but the more I read about Empowered Beginnings and after meeting with them, I knew it was the perfect fit. I had a very traumatic birth experience with my first child. I was induced even though I did not medically need to be and I had a horrible 4th degree tear. I had to go to the ER and was in so much pain postpartum. I wanted my redemption birth and turned toward a Midwifery group versus OBGYN and made sure I had a doula. Thanks to Ciarra coaching me through labor and finding the right positions to push, along my midwife, choosing a natural birth and listening to my own body. I did not tear and did not require any stitches! I had the birth I dreamed of and worked so hard for. I took Ciarra's HypnoBirthing course, which was awesome and also so helpful. Ciarra and Samantha's knowledge and support was invaluable to me. I was able to achieve my goals and they were a large reason why. My baby was born with an unexpected congenital heart disease and was rushed to open heart surgery right after birth. Ciarra and Samantha continued to check in on me and offered support. Not only are they fantastic doulas, but they are amazing human beings :) Do yourself a favor and stop searching and choose Empowered Beginnings, you won't regret it! read more

I HIGHLY recommend Ciarra for sleep training! She truly changed everything in regards to my son sleeping well and through the night again. When we transitioned my almost 3 year old to a toddler bed, bed time and sleep was a mess (prior to Ciarra). My husband, my son, and I were getting terrible sleep with multiple night wakings. Bedtime would take hours, my son would not stay in his bed, and then it always ended up with us bringing him back to bed with us. We had no time to relax in the evenings and got little sleep throughout the night. On top of this, we also have an infant so I was going through postpartum as well. This lasted months and we got to a point thinking this was just how it was going to be. We then found Empowered Beginnings. We decided to go with the Gold Plan. Ciarra came up with a sleep plan for us and throughout the two weeks, she adjusted things as needed based on how my son responded. Ciarra was always available to answer any and all questions we had. I asked so many (and the same ones multiple times) and she was always extremely responsive and patient. Our son was very resistive at first but Ciarra was always there to reassure us, encourage us, and guide us in the right direction. In just a few days, we started to see improvement. He also started to nap better at school and his teachers noticed a big difference too. And in less than two weeks, my son learned to stay in his bed and he started sleeping through the night again! I did not think this was going to happen but it did with Ciarra's help! My husband and I also have our evenings back together to relax and unwind! Thank you SO much, Ciarra! For all your help and for helping all of us sleep better again, especially my son. You truly helped us in so many ways! read more

I highly recommend Empowered Beginnings ATX. For the first two months we were absolutely drowning and just trying to survive each day not knowing what the hell we were doing. On top of the struggle to adjust, PPD/PPA and postpartum OCD had a chokehold on me which made a complete nightmare situation. We came to realize we couldn't do this alone. That when Jes Gannon, who is gem of a human came in and pulled us up. I honestly do not think I could have survived without her care. Empowered Beginnings really understood the assignment when sending me Jes, she was so gentle with me and nurtured my mental health while also caring for my colicky baby. Jes always made it a point to make sure I was ok and even sat with me through panic attacks. When I was suffering from the mistreatment of mastitis, she helped me find the right doctor which saved me from a surgery. She always had the perfect advice for me as a new mom and also for my husband. Late nights with our fussy baby never phased her and she embraced the challenge like the seasoned professional she is. Thanks to Jes' knowledge, our baby can selfsooth and sleep through the night (minus her night feed). Thursday is our last night with Empowered beginnings and with Jes. Though it is bitter sweet, I feel ready and confident because I have learned so much and have been set up for success. Now that I am well rested thank to Jes, I can finally grasp the concept that I am a great mommy read more

Can I say everything? I recommend everything about Empowered Beginnings! It's taken me 2 mos since delivery to leave a review. In part because there just aren't words to describe what Ciarra and Samantha have provided for us! I'll start by saying I was 30 weeks pregnant and decided I wanted a natural birth out of a hospital setting for a multitude of reasons. Switching birth plans that late isn't ideal and makes for quite a stressful situation. Ciarra squeezed me into her calendar. In addition she accommodated 1:1 Hypnobirthing classes to help prepare me for an unmedicated, natural delivery. My spouse was incredibly busy at work due to end of year dealings. He was not able to participate in any of the classes or appointments but was to be my support person at delivery. Although again, not ideal, this team made it work. Day of delivery the birth center sent me home thinking it would be a long labor and I was only dilated to a 2. However upon getting home, things were progressing quickly and Ciarra/Samantha were able to recognize this and absolutely went above and beyond during this time. Ciarra called the midwife for me. Samantha was on call for my date but due to location Ciarra went ahead and started heading to the birthing center with intention of Samantha meeting and taking over but to ensure I wasn't delivering potentially on the side of the road haha (I kid, kinda) and to ensure I had a doula with me on arrival. As you can imagine, my husband was not prepared to be the best support person (just wasn't educated on Hypnobirthing techniques). Ciarra was able to recognize that his comments or lighthearted jokes weren't exactly what was needed at the time. She was able to give him a quick overview about the importance of my space and mindset during this time (chemicals released etc) He adjusted well, I'll say. During labor/delivery I had moments of doubt, I started to question if I was someone who could birth this way. (I had 2 prior births with epidural.) They reassured me and mentally took me with them on the, I can do it bandwagon and to trust my body/baby. They assisted with comfort in every position that my body naturally went into. Simply put, they know how to bring ease during labor. At one point I remember my spouse wondering what a doula is and is it worth the $$$. Afterall we had paid for 30 weeks of an OB, now the birthing center/midwives... did I really need doula care and Hypnobirthing?? The answer is YES. YES you do! The next day my husband who once doubted this decision sent them this text and I quote, "We are very thankful and blessed this morning. Thank you for all your assistance and love to my wife. I sincerely thank you from my entire family." There aren't really word to describe the journey you go on with your doula and how they help navigate the energy, your thoughts, and overall your entire birthing experience. We are so very grateful. In summary, communication is always a text away. The care during delivery was personal and perfectly fit to us. The follow up visit came with a sweet gift, the yummiest homemade protein balls! I relied more on my doulas than I did my OB, my midwives or any other person. I even ended up with mastitis later on and guess who was a text away?! LOL Samantha and Ciarra will forever be included in these beautiful memories we have. They will always be a fave part of our birth story! They are a gem, true treasure and you would be so lucky to have them on your team. PS I was majorly blessed to have them both at delivery! This was the first time they both were in attendance. They are truly incredible and you will be well supported with either one! read more

Samantha helped us through two healthy births. She and Ciara gave us useful consultations before and after birth, and of course were up late with us while my wife labored into the wee hours, focusing on supporting my wife in a way only a doula can during the challenging process of natural birth. They were friendly and professional at every step. read more

When I first met Ciarra, my husband and I were considering hiring a doula for a hospital birth. Ciarra helped me with the birth plan and encouraged us to review it with my Obgyn. My OB said a natural birth won't be an option with her. We ended up switching to a midwife's care at 30 weeks pregnant, thanks to Samanatha and Ciarra's recommendations and network. Ciarra and Samantha work as a team and you get to meet both of them during your prenatal appointments. Both are wonderful, caring, and kind human beings, who are responsive, punctual, and committed to their work. They work with many providers, which comes in handy to navigate which providers are more likely to honor your birthing preferences (ex: induction and drugs during/after labor). We took Ciarra's HypnoBirthing class and learned deep relaxation and visualization techniques that were quite useful during labor. Although my labor was long (30+ hrs) and exhausting, Ciarra reminded me that I was made to do it, encouraged to take deep breaths, and to trust the process when I doubted myself. In addition, Ciarra's light touch massage and several other body relaxation techniques felt great on my exhausted laboring body. She was also our dedicated photographer. Ciarra changed my labor experience for the better, and even though it wasn't easy labor, I am blessed and grateful Ciarra was by my side throughout the entire process. I appreciated that Ciarra always encouraged me to advocate for my preferences and kept things in perspective. If we decide to have a second kid, she'll be the first one we'll call. read more

We had the most amazing experience with Ciarra! She changed my life. My 7-month-old went from sleeping through the night to waking up every 1-2 hours. I was exhausted and just gave into him. It wasn't healthy for me and it really wasn't healthy for him! Within a few days with Ciarra, my baby was sleeping perfectly and so was I! Since he was getting great sleep, he started developing and rolling more, and is sitting up too. He just needed good sleep to help him develop and I needed good sleep to become a sane person again. I successfully did sleep training with my now toddler so if you're an experienced parent, you DO learn so much more than you already knew when working with Ciarra! You will not regret a penny you spend on her services. THANK YOU CIARRA!!!! read more

I hired Ciarra as my doula when I was around 8 weeks pregnant, and my birth experience would not have been the same without her. The pregnancy and birthing experience is one of the most, if not the most, personal and intimate moments in my life and I always felt so comfortable with Ciarra - before, during, and after my birth, even before I met her in person. I texted her with all of my nervous questions and even if it wasn't something she could help me with, it still felt good to have that support. She also spent literally probably hours with me on the phone helping us make the decision of where I should birth my baby. It was a very nerve-wracking decision for me and Ciarra always made me feel like my feelings were valid and gave me all of the information I needed to make that decision, with supporting details for both sides - her emotions completely out of it, and just supplying me with information that could help. As I moved into the third trimester we met to go over my birth details and preferences and she was totally on top of everything that could come up. She helped me feel prepared. Envisioning my birth I thought I would be able to have at least a few hours with Ciarra to labor and really be present in the last moments before my daughter arrived. To our surprise, my labor ended up being only 5 hours from start to finish, but Ciarra still made it on time with 20 minutes to spare - I was only at the birth center for an hour before my little baby arrived. During my birth I was able to focus on very little. I could hear the midwives talking but wasn't able to completely comprehend everything. I was, however, able to hear all of the supportive and encouraging words Ciarra was whispering in my ears, and it made such a big difference! Even though I didn't get to have Ciarra with me throughout the majority of my labor, the time she was with me was so helpful. While I know I could have delivered this baby without her by my side, I wouldn't have wanted to. I trust her completely and will hire her for all of my future births. I can't imagine hiring anyone else. read more

It started off so well.... But I basically ended up being the doula and the support person. Between the reputation and the friendship, we really had high hopes for these doulas. In the end though, they were too busy to make it to our birth. 24 hours in the hospital and not a single pre delivery visit. Of course, they made it seem like just a coincidence and . They only wanted to be there for us by text and phone call and used every excuse, primarily the epidural but asked for enough cervical checks to annoy the nurse and the doctors, to make the case we didn't need their support. They constantly told us they come during active labor which they said is 6cm dilation but afterwards said was simply "making change". They made it feel like asking them to come would be a unnecessary budren. As a result, when waters were broken and they didn't come up right away to support this second time mom, they ended up missing the birth. 0 photos and videos of the birth. 1st birth in the hospital, extremely stressful... Ciara was making waffles that morning after a good night's rest according to her own words, with nothing else on the schedule for the day. No idea what Samantha was doing but Ciara was a friend and I assume she was planning to come and pay attention to us the following day after some sleep because she had a 4 hour class the evening before. As the support partner, it was almost impossible to constantly call them and text them about every little detail when you had doctors, nurses, midwives,residents, inventory, mistaken room popins, students, and God knows who else bothering you for information while your wife is trying to focus on labor and birthing a baby. We learned the magic words are "we need you to come now" and refuse to discuss it. Just tell them to come and hang up I guess. Screw whatever advice or warning or caution they want to give you. If you think you need them, just require they come or else they miss another birth and while it's a job for them, some of us parents only get one of these... Others are blessed to get a few more... But each one is unique from the rest and worth at least one photo. We appealed for the $950 in the contract that is due when they miss a birth due to the inability to show... They refused on the basis that I, the support person, didn't communicate cervical checks well enough.... We had 7 cervical checks in 24 hours and they were made aware of everyone. They also said that it was unpredictable a labor would progress so quickly (1hr 20mins) after breaking waters but of course do a simple Google search you find the internet and everyone in the hospital disagrees... Lastly, after we asked for our money back they basically said "we won't reach out anymore as we can tell it would upset you even more" or whatever. Really glad to be done with the gossip and drama from the birth world. Obviously, they are well informed and well reviewed Doulas. However, I've come to believe through this business relationship that a large majority of this success is due to the gas lighting and manipulation of her friends as clients and clients as friends. Just my opinion. Make your own decisions. We obviously aren't using them again at this point. read more

As a doula, Ciarra was super easy to connect with; even within our first conversion, she immediately felt like a long time friend who also happened to be a true professional - she has such an extensive wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field, and I felt so confident having her as my support system and advocate. Ciarra is incredibly supportive, kind, open minded and simply lovely to work with. She provided me with a great deal of emotional, logistical and physical support during my pregnancy and helped me achieve my goal of a natural, intervention-free delivery. I can't recommend her enough! read more

We worked with Meagan for my delivery and part of the postpartum period. We are so thankful for her help. Leading up to the delivery we talked through my goals, fears, ways to prepare and how my partner could help. She was patient and listened to all our questions and concerns. I felt like she really heard us, while providing thoughtful feedback and well researched guidance ( but was also honest if she didn't know something). She was also great at reading the room - whether it was giving me space, comforting me, offering suggestions or talking through options. Once we were at the hospital she was proactive where appropriate and worked well with the nurses to address my needs. It was such a relief to have her support after the delivery as well. Especially as a first time mom, it was so helpful mentally, physically and emotionally to have her supporting me in the process. read more

Empowered Beginnings was amazing to find. We took classes and loved them with Ciarra! Her spirit and knowledge kept us laughing and learning and preparing for baby. K'Mae, as our doula was an absolute blessing!! Her energy and strength to guide you through one of the most beautiful experiences of your life was breathtaking. She reads the room, and supports you and your partner in exactly the way it is needed. She has so much wisdom she brings to the table and uses it to ensure your comfort. She works well with the doctor/ nurses and advocates for you as discussed before birth. She helped keep the ambiance perfect as requested and just overall supported us in any and every way! We are really happy we made the decision to go with K'Mae and will definitely use her for next child's birth as well. read more

Ciarra and Samantha are the best! They prepared my wife and I for our first baby and we're a god send! I can't imagine going through this process without them. They really know all their stuff and can help you think about what type of birth is best based on your preferences, which providers you should be speaking to, how to prepare. My wife and I also decided to sign up for Ciarra's Hypnobirthing 5 week class which was amazing! They really care and have almost become extended family for me and my wife! We are so blessed to have met the team at Empowered Beginnings and can't recommend them enough! PS listen to their podcast! It's really helpful. read more

Ciarra made a lasting impact on our birthing experience. Before our delivery, she was always just a text away, regardless of how ridiculous my questions seemed. She provided a steady hand during my FTM jitters. During the labor, she stayed with us for the entire 18 hour labor at Austin Area Birthing Center. Here she provided constant support, release techniques and coaching. She moved me into advantageous labor poses and provided both my husband and I tips to relax and savor the process. While I was in active labor she was recruited by our midwives to jump in and help, which she did without a second thought. After our baby girl was born, I had to be rushed to the nearby ER from complications and Ciarra stayed with my husband to offer support in any way she could. She was a Godsend every step of the way. Can't wait to use her for baby #2 when the time comes! read more

Prior to getting pregnant, I always imagined I would hire a doula and pursue a natural unmedicated birth. When my husband and I found out we were unexpectedly expecting twins, I felt like I suddenly had less options available to me due to the fact that twins are generally treated as "high risk" in the US. I had a very low risk twin pregnancy and asked my OB for doula recommendations, hoping that this still might be something that could be useful for our journey. She recommended Ciarra and my husband and I knew she was a great fit for us after the first conversation. Because twin births can be unpredictable, I wanted someone who would support me whatever happens. I can absolutely say now that Ciarra was the right choice! My number one goal was to deliver my twins vaginally, with a goal for it to be unmedicated if possible. I took Hypnobirthing classes with Ciarra and felt very prepared for labor when it happened. She is very knowledgeable about what she does, responsive, caring, and informed. I went into labor during an unprecedented winter weather event in Central Texas. My delivery hospital had no water and I had to make a choice to deliver at another hospital with a care team I did not know. My labor ended up being 29 hours long with quite a few twists and turns along the way. Ciarra was a huge support both physically and emotionally throughout, while still letting my husband and I lead the way through our own journey. In the end, I had both my twins vaginally, something I think might not have happened without Ciarra's presence. Though I did end up with an epidural in the very end, it was an informed choice to help relax my pelvic floor and not one centered on pain. Ciarra made all the difference for us. Without the preparation and her expertise, I can see where I might view my birth experience very differently. As it is, I feel that I was able to advocate for myself, achieve the overall outcome I wanted, and realistically accept the difficulties my labor presented and the interventions it required. If you're considering hiring Ciarra, don't hesitate. It was by far some of the best money I have ever spent, and as a bonus, you'll get someone who wants to stay in touch and genuinely cares deeply about your family. read more

Ciarra and Samantha have been incredible supports through my pregnancy, birth, and early post-partum days. They are deeply knowledgeable and passionate and able to be calm, fun-loving, or assertive depending on what the moment calls for. They checked in weekly during my whole pregnancy. They supported me through scares and uncertainty. And I love how their partnership model allowed me to know both of my potential birth doulas. Birth is a vulnerable time and being really comfortable with Ciarra, who attended my birth, made a huge difference. Ciarra went above and beyond what I expected any doula would do to support me and help me have a safe and empowered experience. It also says a lot how much my nurses and midwives trusted her and her opinion and recommendations. Ciarra and Samantha also got me signed up for a bunch of helpful classes, from breastfeeding to infant safety and CPR and Jes Gabon's awesome newborn care class. I was so much more prepared than I would have been without them and was able to choose birthing options much more in line with my personality than my default plan. If you choose them for your pregnancy ahc birth, you will be in incredibly competent and compassionate hands. read more

I've been really fortunate and lucky to have found Empowered Beginnings -- I can't imagine how we would have gotten through this first step into parenthood without the help of Ciarra and Jes. My wife and I heavily went back and forth on whether or not we'd want to hire a doula, and initially opted not to due to all the horror stories we'd read about online. Six weeks into being brand new parents, running on minimal sleep, my wife and I wanted to seek help so we could have more time to take care of ourselves, and in turn better take care of our precious newborn baby. The idea of parenting a newborn sounds pretty trivial: you feed them, you clean them, and let them sleep. But the courses don't really prepare you for the possibility and reality of a baby who is easily fussy or cries without explanation for hours on end. It's when you're 30 hours in with minimal sleep and watching your baby, where simple actions can become really exhausting and difficult to perform. Enter Jes and Ciarra of Empowered Beginnings, who helped turn our lives around. Ciarra paid meticulous attention to our needs, and matched us with Jes, who confidently assured us that Jes would be a great fit in dealing with parents like us. Ciarra didn't lie -- Jes is nothing short of an extraordinary human being who listens to the parents' needs and goes to make sure that everyone -- even myself as a male partner, feel taken care of and given the room to flourish. My wife encountered health issues as part of breast feeding, and in hearing this, both Jes and Ciarra were able to help us navigate that and find proper, experienced medical professionals that were able to course correct everything. While these types of things aren't normally part of a standard night shift, it was extremely clear to me that Empowered Beginnings was truly invested in us succeeding as parents, and would even check in with us over days where Jes wasn't coming to watch our baby. Jes told us early on that a great night doula effectively works themselves out of a job, and sets the parents in a spot where they should feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities going forward. As corny or cheesy as that probably sounds to most people, my wife and I are super thankful for all of the assistance and help we have been given, and feel more ready now than ever to handle all the continuous joy, work, and responsibility that comes with being parents. Thank you both for everything! If and when we have another kid, we will definitely be rushing to use you again without hesitation. read more

Choosing Ciarra and Samantha as our doulas was the best decision I made in this pregnancy. My goal was to have an unmedicated hospital VBAC, and they were 100% supportive from the moment we met. I appreciated that their attitude was optimistic and enthusiastic without being dogmatic. I knew that if I changed my mind, they'd be right there alongside me without judgement. They truly felt like advocates for my hopes and goals. Leading up to and even after the birth, they were very communicative and served as a great resource and brain to tap into. They are incredibly responsive and warm every step of the way and check in regularly (even well into postpartum!) The day of the birth couldn't have gone better. Ciarra was with us at the hospital (and in constant communication in the very quick lead up to us meeting there). She brought great energy, spirit, and ease into the room, and we were both so thankful for her presence. What amazed me most of all, though, was how ATTUNED she was every moment to not only my physical needs but also my mental state. I get chills thinking of it today. I felt like she could read my mind (and that's pretty darn helpful when you're in active labor and can't get a word out). I believe her support and presence to both my husband and me made all the difference in how I was able to work through the experience. I felt held and empowered. I look back on that day as one of the most difficult, yet positive, experiences of my life. For someone who struggles with health-related anxiety (especially during pregnancy - oh boy, it's intense) I'm amazed by how fearless I felt in labor, and I attribute that to her supportive, positive, confident presence. If you're on the fence, go for it! Yes, having a doula can feel like a luxury & comes at a cost, but Ciarra and Samantha are worth more than all of the baby shower gear and gadgets - a great fund to add to a shower registry. Absolutely worth it. read more

We hired Empowered Beginnings for sleep training services for our second child, and it was the best decision for our family. I worked with Ciarra who nothing but patient & kind. Such an excellent communicator. She set us up with a plan that had me sleeping through the night for the first time in a many months. This brought me back to life after a rough patch. I highly recommend Ciarra and Empowered Beginnings! read more

Ciarra Morgan was amazing at helping me sleep train my daughter. I was at desperate for some help (and sleep). Within a few days my daughter went from only sleeping in my arms to sleeping in her crib 12 hours a night. What was even more amazing was that my daughter was so much calmer, happier, and learning the skills she needed at her age during the day. Our daughter had a complete transformation and I only wish I had started sooner. Ciarra was always available to answer my questions and gave me the confidence to stick to the plan and be successful. We can't thank Ciarra enough for her help! read more

We were expertly guided through pregnancy and birth by Ciarra and Samantha at Empowered Beginnings! They are patient, attentive, easy to get a hold of, and most importantly, helped us with a beautiful start to life for our baby boy! We'd recommend them to anyone who is new to understanding the options you have for birth and labor. read more

I took Hypnobirthing classes with Ciara in 2019 and her calm presence and passion made the class very information, fun, and actually had me looking forward to my childbirth with confidence. I would highly recommend hiring Ciara if you are interested in elevating your childbirth experience! read more

We loved empowered beginnings! Nikki helped us get sleep and guided us to easier nights with our second child. Nikki and Ciara we're extremely reliable and clearly communicated with us every step of the way. They made the transition from 1-2 so much easier, we can't recommend them enough! read more

We LOVED our private birth class with Ciarra. My husband and I walked away feeling prepared, calm, and ready to tackle labor, birth and postpartum. Could not recommend her enough! read more

First, I will say that I went into this class with zero expectation of what was going to happen. A dear friend of mine mentioned the word hypnobirthing and I shrugged it off. I found a doula who also encouraged a hypnobirthing course and I thought, okay maybe there's something to this. I was unable to attend the class in person but still feel like I was there weekly. Ciarra is amazing and hilarious. I learned so much more about my options, my view points, and how I reinforce the things that I want for our birth. Highly, highly recommend even if you feel it's "hocus pocus" or aren't planning on a home birth or medication free birth. The education was irreplaceable. I feel like Ciarra is a lost long friend I had been waiting to catch up with. Great investment. read more

Ciarra is an absolute gem and incredible teacher. I feel very prepared for my upcoming birth. Her energy is fantastic and I feel at ease with my future. I'm using her company for a doula and her hypnobirthing class. read more

Ciarra and Samantha were incredible from start to finish. We hired them in the beginning of the second trimester and right away they started helping us. They sent us references for midwives and after finding a midwife they always checked in on us after our appointments. Their communication was quick, effective, and nurturing. They went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of emotionally and physically throughout pregnancy and labor. At week 36 of pregnancy my partner and I had to make a difficult decision to stray from our original birth plan. Ciarra and Samantha were so helpful during that process and spent many conversations on the phone with us talking out our situation and helping us weigh the risks and benefits. When my baby came early they were there! They even managed to birth twins and my baby during the same night. If you're looking to be deeply supported and loved throughout pregnancy and labor, hire Ciarra and Samantha. You will not be disappointed. read more

I love the empowered beginnings team!!! I discovered them through instagram when I was trying to get pregnant and quickly started listening to their podcast. As soon as I knew I was pregnant (first time mom) I reach out to set up an interview. They had already taught me so much about pregnancy and birth through the podcast and I could tell they were very knowledgeable and experienced before even meeting them. The interview solidified for me that these ladies were a great fit. I did interview other birth doulas too for perspective but Empowered Beginnings was right for me. I booked them in July 2023 for my February 2024 birth and they were already filling up - do not wait to reach out and interview!! Ciarra and Samantha each specialized in different areas surrounding birth and offer a range of classes. I took Ciarra's 5-week Hypnobirthing class and definitely utilized some of the practices during my home birth. Ciarra and Samantha work as a team and were both available to me throughout my pregnancy. They helped me make informed decisions about my birth plan and even a plan B plan if we needed to transfer to the hospital - thankfully we didn't end up needing it! They alternate time on and off so you won't know which one will be at your birth until you get close to labor. I felt really good about this since I was able to build connection with both of them over the months leading up to my birth! Knowing who was going to be in my birth space was really important to me from the beginning. Samantha ended up attending my birth. Her energy in the space was perfect for what I needed. She was calm and gently encouraging. She helped with counter pressure during contractions and made sure I rested and hydrated between contractions. She offered suggestions that I always said yes to and they continuously helped with labor progression. As a first time mom I'd say having a birth team who you completely trust and who you will let guide you is so so important! read more

We absolutely love Empowered Beginnings, as the team there had such a special part in our son coming into the world! Ciarra & Sam worked as a doula team for prenatal & birth, and along the way were involved in our hypnobabies classes, checked in often, visited several times prior to birth, attended my c-section (and took photos!), and visited postpartum. We also hired Jes on their team to help with postpartum care, and we utilized her services for 6 weeks, 3 nights a week and it was a godsend. Even though I was nursing my baby, Jes would handle burping, diaper changes, getting him back to sleep, etc. It was a godsend (he didn't sleep much!). We looked forward to the nights she spent with us greatly. She was such a wealth of information on babies, she adored our son, and she was fun and hilarious to be around. We were extremely comfortable with her being in our home, in our bedroom, seeing me basically naked, etc. When/if we have another baby, we will most definitely be using the team at Empowered Beginnings again. read more

Some people like to get to the point of a review right away. After all, if you're reading this, you and your partner are likely pregnant and trying to skim through pages of "What to Expect" and endless websites for tips on baby registries all while signing up for newborn classes....and, and, and....the list can seem never-ending. For those readers, we'll get to the point: hiring Ciarra to be our doula and also train us on hypnobirthing was hands-down one of the best decisions we made during our pregnancy. We would, without a doubt and without any reservation, recommend her services to any expecting parents out there. Now, for those of you who have a little more time for reading and/or need a little more background to understand the recommendation, sit back, relax, grab a pregnancy-appropriate beverage, and read on. **For more of our review, please visit our Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.stone.9250/posts/758786508349931 read more