Bethany Allen is simply marvelous at what she can do to help families get their sanity back! We have twin boys and were just zombies after 6 months of waking every 3 hours through the night. I bought the sleep books, tried to implement them and failed. Bethany came into our home, met the boys and us, talked for closed to 3 hours, answering questions and easing our minds that out babies wouldn't be screaming for hours on end for weeks at a time. She helped us feel better about our decision to move the boys into the nursery and help them sooth themselves to sleep with some gentle touches from us. As parents who follow a large portion of attachment parenting beliefs, this was tough. The result: In less than a week they were sleeping from 7pm-7am. They now sleep through teething, fevers, etc and the whole household is happier and healthier. Our only regret was not reaching out sooner. Just do it and get your sanity back!! read more

All I am doing by writing this review is expressing the sentiments of everyone else here. The ladies at ATX Doulas are incredible warrior women who will make sure that you feel empowered and safe during what is likely a pretty crazy, emotional, phenomenal time. I had never thought about having a doula at our birth until a friend mentioned to me that her doula was basically her lifesaver during her natural birth. Although I felt pretty confident that my husband and I could get through our own natural birth on the back of our prenatal classes and reading materials (ha!), we thought "why not -- it's our first, let's be prepared." Let me give you the plot line first -- if I were to have 20 babies I would still have #20 with an ATX doula assisting. Amy N. was the doula on-call when I went into labor. Things were going ok, I felt in control. But that changed pretty quickly. In a heartbeat Amy was at our house at 1am in the morning. I don't want to go into all the gory details, but it wasn't an easy labor. I was nearing on 24 hours since my water had broke and baby was coming down asynclitic. Amy was the energy in the room, making sure that the mood was chill and relaxed as I worked through the early contractions, but then forward thinking and making me feel that we could work together to keep progressing even when things were really tough. Amy made sure that I had the natural birth I wanted. She went above and beyond what I had expected -- from grabbing my phone to take pictures during those precious moments after baby arrived, running out and getting my husband and I food, and calling me several times in the following weeks to offer advice, but also just to listen. I can't say enough about Amy and the other doulas who I had the pleasure to meet in the lead up to my daughter's birth. I'm pretty confident that my daughter decided to take her sweet time traversing the birth canal so that we could spend more time with Amy. read more

I absolutely love ATX Doulas. My husband and I attended their birthing classes, infant care classes and we were lucky enough to have a birthing doula. The classes were very informative and gave us both an incredible amount of confidence during my pregnancy and labor. Our Doula, Amy, was absolutely amazing. My labor didn't go as planned (of course) but Amy kept everything on track. I know that if she weren't there, I probably would have had a c-section. She was an invaluable source of information and support. After my delivery, Amy came to my house and gave me advice on breastfeeding, showed me the proper way to use my baby wrap, walked me through using my breast pump and answered all of my postpartum questions. I felt very supported throughout my pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Seriously, get a doula. read more

Maybe you're wondering if this is really worth it. Maybe you're checking your already tight baby budget and thinking this seems like an extra. Maybe you're thinking "What does a doula really DO, anyway? Some massages and encouragement? Can't I get that from literally anyone else?" Maybe you're thinking doulas are only for "crunchy" moms giving birth out in the woods. Well, let me assure you -- this will likely be one of the most important services you will ever purchase in your life. It might even be the difference between experiencing a PTSD-inducing birth and an empowering, life-affirming experience. It was for me. I came to ATX Doulas after experiencing a deeply traumatic birth previously, one that left me with absolutely crippling PTSD requiring therapy and medication. My second birth certainly looks worse on paper than my first -- I tried starting at a birth center, and had a transfer mid birth. The baby was in distress. My midwife made a critical mistake that caused me to launch into a full blown meltdown on the cusp of transition. Procedures were done to me that I didn't want, where I screamed and begged for the physicians to stop. My baby was huge, and at one point I announced that I wanted to die. I know nothing about any of that sounds beautiful or healing in any regard. But it was, and the single biggest contributor to that was my ATX Doula, Darby. Darby was a complete stranger when she walked into the birthing center, but within half an hour she became my calm in the storm - the ONLY calm in the storm. I screwed my eyes shut if anyone else approached me, because I could see the fear or stress or seriousness of the situation on the face of every other person who approached me, and it made me more afraid, and the more afraid I became the more pain I felt (I recommend you research the fear-tension-pain cycle of birth.) But I sought out her face and her hand in the havoc that surrounded me, because in her words and her face and her body language I saw the only person who exuded empathy, calm, and faith no matter what was happening. She knew exactly what to say at every turn to get me into the right head space (or as close to it as I could come in my feral, adrenaline-soaked state) -- when to encourage, when to be silent and let me work, when to speak continuously, when to sympathize, how to motivate, how to talk me down. I was transferred in the middle of transition, and the hospital was the most terrifying place I could possibly be taken to, given that a hospital in Maryland is where I'd previously experienced obstetrical violence. But when we got there Darby seemed almost psychic as she changed tactics -- at one point everyone else in the room was shouting at me to calm down, stop screaming, and push for the baby, which was only making me even more frightened, but Darby told me to get mad. It was a critical moment; I didn't want the baby to come, I was terrified to push, and the baby needed to come out immediately. She tapped into the only thing that could motivate me in that moment -- how MAD I was that things weren't under my control. I pushed and my baby was born. So much of giving birth hinges on a mother's state of mind, and mine was critically fragile going into this. Do not underestimate the value of someone helping you maintain your calm, encouraging you to believe in yourself, normalizing the process, maintaining a safe space for you to birth. I cannot stress this enough. I said this to Darby in the end and I am not overstating: when my life flashes before my eyes, her face will be in that reel. If I had to go back and do it again and you told me I'd have to pay $20,000 for her services, I'd take out a mortgage and make it happen. She was invaluable. The service that doulas provide is invaluable. ATX Doulas is an investment in one of the most important events in your life. Few things could be more worthy of your money and your reverence than the support a doula provides. This will be one of the best decisions you've ever made. read more

ATX Doulas are truly amazing! We used them for our birth, for placenta encapsulation and for postpartum doula services. For the birth, I was planning on having the baby at a birth center. Once I became high risk I had to have the baby at a hospital and I had to be induced. I thought for sure I would have no choice but to have an epidural, which I did not want, but I was able to have my baby naturally. I 100% believe that is because I had Amy from ATX Doulas there helping me all the way. She was absolutely amazing, such a calming presence when necessary and suggested changes when necessary. My husband, who had never even heard the term doula before I was pregnant believes it was worth every penny and would do it again in a heartbeat! She does not replace the husbands role, she actually enhances it. The placenta encapsulation service is so convenient. They pick up the placenta, make the pills and deliver them to your house. You truly need that level of service right after you have a baby and it made it easy! I remember when I heard about the postpartum doula I didn't think I would need it. Six weeks after my baby was born I realized I was wrong. I was tired, like dog tired, and there were things I was lacking confidence in. So I had a doula come out and it was like a breath of fresh air. I answered the door in my pajamas with bags under my eyes. Kristi first held the baby and said, you can take a nap and a shower if you want. Well that is exactly what I did and it felt amazing. We then went over some of the things I needed help with, like swaddling and bathing the baby. I felt refreshed and more confident after she left. I have also used them for a date night and my baby was safe and happy when I returned!! Finding ATX Doulas has been such a blessing for my family. The women are trustworthy and knowledgeable. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking doula services. read more

ATX Doula's are amazing! They saved my sanity during the infancy period and I'm forever grateful. I'm talking to you, Kala!!!!

Upon learning that I was going to hire a doula for the birth of my first child, one of my friends replied that she doesn't need one because she has a husband. You see, I also happen to have a husband, however having a doula at the births of now both of my children was a great idea, because my husband doesn't know what to do... - when my back hurts like never before during labor; - when the birthing ball I fully intended to use just doesn't work; - when he wants to help, but doesn't know how and I can't really tell him... Having a doula made my husband's job of supporting me and "being there" so much easier. Thanks to her, he knew not to worry when he just wasn't sure if he should. Thanks to her, he was an active part of a team tasked with bringing our sons into this world. So, it was wonderful to have the help a supportive, caring person who knows what to do help me through both labors. During my first birth, which was at the hospital, my doula reminded the medical professionals in the room to place my son on my chest before whisking him away. I am forever grateful for that first memory of me gazing into his deep-blue newborn eyes and soaking up the sudden sense of calmness that overcame us both. This was our first moment of bonding. During my second birth, which took place at the birthing center, my midwife and doula worked seamlessly as a team coaching me through the intense two hours of active labor, which felt like the toughest bootcamp you can imagine. When my spirit was at its lowest, my doula told me I could do it, she told me I was doing it right, she told me I should let my body do what it wants to do. And I did, and so my big healthy baby boy was born! Thank you Amy! And thank you Tanya! And thank you Kala for, among other things, bringing the pancakes that I wanted for breakfast - they were the best-tasting pancakes I've had in my entire life! read more

I attended two of the meet ups, one with my husband and the other with my best friend and decided shortly after to go with them for our birth. The staff were all very kind and patient with answering questions. My birth was early, and unexpected as the doctor wanted to take ver via c-section due to complications. I called ATX Doulas and got my package converted to c-section support. Cary came and helped me during the time leading up to the OR and afterwards in recovery. She helped me be calm and grieve how this wasn't my ideal birth. She worked well with the hospital staff and put lavender drops on a paper towel to help me be calm in the OR. She stayed with me until I was moved into my room and our family was settled. She also did a follow up visit about a week later and really took time to answer questions and help with breastfeeding. She additionally kept in touch via text. I also had my placenta encapsulated and was pleased with this service, too. Due to my complications, part of my placenta was sent for testing, leaving less than expected to encapsulate. They called to make sure I still wanted to do this as I'd get less capsules than average. Ultimately, I did and found it helpful with recovery. I definitely recommend ATX Doulas and hope to use them again if I have another baby. We are very grateful to Cary and the staff. read more

Awesome experience! Everything was great, from meeting them at Doulapalooza, our comfort measure class with Amy, our birth plan session with Karli and multiple prenatal visits with Kala. Kala was my doula for delivery (Krystal was her shadow) and everything was wonderful. Both of them spent the night in the hospital with us and were very encouraging during my labor. We will definitely hire ATX Doulas for our next birth. read more

I had so much trepidation about going into labor with our first child. I wanted a non-medicated, home-like birth experience but was disqualified from a couple of birthing centers because of a health issue. I feared that our birth would not be able to be at all what I'd hoped and been preparing for. Enter Cary. Her warmth and intuitive way of being with both my husband and I were a godsend. I shared my fears and desires for our birth, and she was the greatest cheerleader I could've asked for. She fed me encouraging words, kept me hydrated, adeptly handled hospital staff to advocate for me while still maintaining positive working relationships amongst us all. A week or so post-birth, she visited us at home to see how things were going. She checked in on us via text frequently as well. We felt cared for during one of the most vulnerable times of our lives. This post should be significantly longer to adequately capture all the wonderful things Cary brought to the table- including her calming & empowering demeanor, helpful tips and suggestions, and thoughtfulness in discreetly taking pictures during key moments in order to share with us later. I need to get back to my little one now; otherwise, I could quite literally go on and on about how positive our experience was. Just know that if you're lucky enough to get paired with Cary as your doula, you're in excellent hands. read more

The comprehensive services provided by ATX doulas helped me and my husband achieve the natural birth experience we'd envisioned throughout my pregnancy. The doula who attended our birth, Krystal, was an incredible support partner in the labor room. Her serene presence and gentle encouragement eased me through the most difficult parts of my labor. When I was at my most vulnerable, she reflected calmness and composure, reassuring me that my body had the innate knowledge to labor and birth naturally. She and my husband made an incredible team. He says that having Krystal there gave him confidence and the resources he needed to be a supportive partner. It would have been a very different -- and more stressful -- experience without Krystal there. We had such a positive labor and birth, and we found the ATX doulas (particularly Krystal) incredibly valuable! read more

I can't say enough about ATX Doulas! I knew I wanted a doula for my delivery but wasn't quite sure how to go about choosing one. At the time, I was absolutely sure that I needed to know who the specific person was who would be part of my delivery. However, in the end interviewing and choosing a doula out of all the options got overwhelming. My husband and I decided why not go check out ATX Doulapalooza. We were skeptical but were so glad we went! (GO TO DOULAPALOOZA!) We were able to meet many of the doulas, get our questions answered, and learn about the process. I am a nurse and wanted to be sure that my doula would be part of my team and not be in conflict with the medical team while also advocating for the natural birth I wanted. After meeting these ladies it was so apparent their approach was just what I was seeking. What a great team of momma advocates! I could see how each doula had their own strengths and how we would be happy with any of them! If you are a first time delivery I suggest the childbirth class with Amy. Even though I am very knowledgeable as a nurse, it was great to be armed with information and not assume I knew everything. I passed my due date and was trying hard to avoid induction which was quite stressful for me at the time. As wonderful as my husband is, he just couldn't understand. The group support from all the doulas via text and email in that time before the birth was awesome. I did in fact go into labor on my own, Diana, who was new to the group, ended up being my Doula. She texted with me during my early labor and was ready when we called to say we needed some support. She was AMAZING! Her support of both me AND my husband during the birth was better than we could have asked for. She not only worked well with us but also with the hospital staff. In fact she was able to show my seasoned nurse some different approaches to support during natural labor to help the baby turn. Of note, my nurse and doctor BOTH commented what a wonderful calming presence Diana was and how much they appreciated her approach. She was part of our team that day and really felt more like our family. I absolutely would use ATX Doulas again for another birth! read more

I attended the Get Prepared Childbirth Series over zoom with Amy, and it was a fantastic class. The information was organized and easy to understand, with handouts to keep and refer back to later. Amy was funny and very engaging as she guided us through the information, which was vast, but I never felt overwhelmed. It was a very comprehensive class, and I highly recommend it. Thanks Amy read more

We had hoped for an intervention free birth. That turned into 72 hours of everything but cesarean, which we conquered through calm perseverance & our amazing doula Tif! She was cool, collected, & flexible. Full of great ideas to help the process move smoothly. A wealth of experience & comfort that helped us find the right path for our birth. Though it was not even close to what I expected, I wouldn't change a thing. It was a journey filled with compassion & strength I will never forget!  Don't labor without your doula! Worth every penny & more! read more

There's no way I could write a positive enough review to accurately reflect how much I recommend these awesome ladies. Having them present throughout my pregnancy with classes, advice, and support was such a blessing. I went into the birth of my first child with confidence and joy thanks to everything ATX Doulas (then: Get Babied) taught me. Tif was the doula on call when I went into labor, and she was an absolute godsend. She helped me get my head in the game when she recognized that I was in transition, and used her magic doula bag of awesomeness to keep me non-pukey and hydrated. She helped me to not murder the hospital staff as they asked me 12 billion questions while a watermelon was trying to make its way through sensitive regions. She supported all of my decisions, even when I modified the birth plan we'd worked out a few weeks earlier. She even stayed to help me make sure the newborn boob-monster was latching correctly, which was so incredibly helpful. I've already sent friends of mine to ATX Doulas, and I highly suggest that you make your way there too, internet strangers. My husband and I plan on trying for #2 this summer, and I wish I could book my doula already! You won't regret it, they are the best. read more

We used ATX Doulas in September for the birth of our daughter and could not recommend them more! Diana was with us the day of our delivery and beyond amazing!! Her techniques really helped ease the pain of the labor and helped it progress, and I felt like she was more confident about the delivery process than some of the hospital nurses! Also before delivery we really liked having the support and input of all the ladies in the coop as you could text them with any questions. Highly highly recommend ATX Doulas! read more

We used ATX Doulas for the birth of our child and had a great experience working with them- not just during labor but also with the pre-labor preparation (classes, birth plan, etc) and post-labor follow up. Their team is incredibly thoughtful about the experience and support they provide, and were a great resource to help educate us durIng the process and give us the confidence that we were making informed decisions for our child's birth read more

I loved every every text, email and call with every Doula on the ATX doula team. January made our birth a wonderful experience. Even the postpartum questions and concerns have been addressed and so helpful to us! read more

this was hands down the best money I spent having this baby. Everyone was wonderful and supportive in all the months leading up to my birth. If I had a question or concern, i would email the collective and the whole team could chime in to help me. I felt so supported by everyone and was looking forward any one of them being at my birth. Karli was the one on call the day i finally went into labor and she was amazing. She started at the birth center with me and really helped me and my husband figure out how to labor. She helped me with my transition to the hospital and was invaluable there as well. She made sure i was comfortable and in control. After 26 hours of labor, she was still holding strong and she was my rock. I can't recommend ATX Doulas and Karli enough. My husband agrees, having a doula is an amazing addition to the birth experience and ATX Doulas was amazing. read more

I used ATX Doulas for labor support in my unmedicated birth at the birthing center. The doula was amazing. She brought so much knowledge to help me progress through my labor more quickly, supported me emotionally and with comfort techniques. My husband was initially unsure we needed a doula and by halfway through he was convinced she was worth her weight in gold. read more

We had a GREAT experience with ATX Doulas! They helped with the birth of our second child at the Austin Area Birthing Center. Our first birth was long and challenging and ultimately ended up in the hospital, so we knew we wanted a strong support team for this second experience. We had not worked with a collective before, but the Austin Area Birthing Center midwives recommended ATX Doulas highly, and we got a great feeling at the meet-the-doulas event, so we decided to give it a try. The ATX Doulas were incredibly patient, attentive, and kind throughout my labor. They showed up exactly when I started to need extra support, helped create a calm environment in our home (even with our 2-year-old and my parents also in our very small space), and helped both my husband and me stay connected and relaxed as labor progressed. They were familiar with all the particular needs/wants I had described beforehand, and also brought their own helpful tools. Their guidance allowed for many moments of space and connection during this labor and birth. I'm particularly glad that Kala encouraged me to trust my instincts and bring my 2-year-old son into the room with me at his bedtime even though I was having pretty strong contractions at that point. It was wonderful to spend time with him and snuggle him into bed before leaving for the birth center. They were both very encouraging during the most challenging and intense parts of labor, and really helped me believe I could get thorugh a natural delivery this time - which I did! I'm also really grateful to both doulas for taking photos and videos when the baby was born - I didn't think to ask anyone to do that but I'm so glad they did! They were truly wonderful. I definitely recommend them! read more

An amazing group of women who I can't recommend enough! So responsive, flexible, and supportive of all of my birth choices. They are also incredibly affordable. I can't recommend them enough!! read more

Every 5 star review for ATX Doulas is well deserved. I didn't hire a doula until I was already 37 weeks pregnant but these ladies immediately made me feel at ease with my decision. I'm a single mom and my mother was my support person, but because she is 73 we were a little concerned that her stamina might fade during my labor if it went long. We loved the fact that one of the doulas would come help me labor at home during early labor as I wanted to stay at home as long as possible. The universe had other plans as my water broke before I went into labor. I immediately called Megan who was the doula on call that day and I feel like her advice on what to do next was spot on. Megan met my mom and I at the hospital the next morning after I had spent early labor in the hospital overnight. Megan stepped in as if she had always been a part of our family, and her extensive knowledge of childbirth was extremely comforting. I had intended on having a completely natural birth but because my water broke so early, after being at the hospital for about 18 hours I was rethinking an epidural. Megan assured me that she knew I was capable of continuing without an epidural but "did I want to?" After hours of asking questions I decided that I wanted an epidural and I instantly felt good about my decision. From that point on I felt engaged and present and actually was able to enjoy the miraculous process that my body was going through. When it came time to push, having my mom, Megan, and the nurses cheering me on felt like the most powerful example of sisterhood that I've ever experienced. After only 50 minutes of pushing my darling daughter made her grand entrance and it was absolutely magical. Megan added so much to my birthing experience; she was calm, helpful, knowledgeable, personable, firm, encouraging and every other positive adjective that you can think of. I am so pleased with how everything went and will always remember childbirth as an extraordinary and wonderful time, in no small part due to Megan and ATX doulas. read more

ATX Doulas helped me before, during and after the birth of our wee one. Before: I did prenatal yoga with Yazmin every Wednesday at 6PM for about the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy. I was feeling crappy but went anyway b/c I always felt better afterward. Yazmin focuses on the mamas and helped with positioning & alternative posing. If I ever just wasn't feeling a certain move, I never felt bad about letting her know-- safe space. Winding down once a week with her in the final stretch was a highlight of my pregnancy. During: We were fortunate enough to have Bethany by our side from about 11AM *until* about 5AM the following day (that's a LOT of time!!). Even though I was at a hospital and my doctor wasn't super doula friendly, Bethany kept a positive attitude. I loved that she wasn't too coach-y but instead was extremely supportive with massages, yummy smelling cloths, etc. I ended up having to have an ER c-section at 2:30AM- she couldn't go to the OR, but was still in the room when we got wheeled back w/ babe and helped with the first latch and recovery. Bethany was the perfect facilitator for our birth story. She jotted down a quick note & time when something major happened, took little videos and snapped a few pictures-- I cherish these because I remember very little of that time. I looked at them a few months after and felt so much gratitude that she was up for being our recorder. I am glad I wasn't too attached to my birth plan b/c aside from the part that Bethany could help with (calm music, white noise maker and low lights), nothing else went as planned. From talking with other moms, this seems to be the norm. If we have another, I'll change doctors but stay Seton Main and ATX Doula support. A receipt also made this reimbursable with our flex spending account through work. After: Kristi and Amy have helped me out on several occasions with post-partum care. For me, I just needed someone to watch the babe for a couple hours so that I could go do a few things. Something about both of their personalities made me trust them completely with our child. What a relief to be able to do a few errands and take a nap and not be worried at all! Highly recommend. A receipt also got this reimbursable with our dependent care account. read more

We had such a great experience with ATX Doulas. Just knowing we had a doula made us feel so much more comfortable leading up to labor, and once labor began, Darby did an incredible job - she came over at 3 am, guided us on comfortable positions, forced us to sleep, helped my nausea with peppermint essential oils, and guided us to leave for the birth center at just the right time (we were only there a couple hours before the baby was born - which means we got to labor at home for the majority of the experience). We had such a beautiful delivery experience, and ATX Doulas was a huge part of it. It's the #1 thing I recommend friends buy for themselves when they are pregnant! read more

The sleep services from Bethany Allen were excellent and were a tremendous help to me as a first-time mom. When my son was 3 weeks old, we recognized that we had a serious sleeping problem on our hands. He would eat for 30 minutes, sleep for an hour, and it would go on like that 24 hours a day. Plus, he had his days and nights flip flopped. Needless to say, my husband and I were worn out and didn't know what to do, but we knew something had to change. We hired Bethany, she came to our home and met our baby, she wrote us a sleep plan, and stayed one night overnight so that my husband and I could get some rest. We started implementing her plan right away, which included: an eating and sleeping schedule, tools to ensure he was actively eating so there was not a question of whether or not he was hungry, and tools on how to put him to sleep and put him back to sleep if he woke up. Like most new moms, I questioned my milk supply, but after implementing her plan for 2 weeks, I was confident my milk supply was fine. She also helped me to figure out what his cries meant, especially identifying hunger vs. tired. Over the next few weeks, she stayed in touch with me by text message to answer questions and help me troubleshoot. The first week implementing the sleep plan was tough. I would say it took a good 3-4 days of consistency before we got into a good rhythm. By 6 weeks we were only waking up once in the middle of the night to eat (between 11pm-8am). A huge improvement from where we were. He is now almost 9 weeks old and he slept through the night for the first time last night! Fingers crossed this continues! Overall, great experience and I would definitely recommend Bethany at ATX Doulas. read more

Yazz was our birth doula and I can't imagine not having her with us during our birth center birth. She brought an amazing bag of tricks with her (massage balls, acupressure, hip squeezes, essential oils, rebozo shawl) and guided my husband so he could help me also. She made sure we both stayed hydrated and fed - she even went and picked up food for us! She stayed with us til the bitter end, which for me was the tear repair, and held my hand while I was getting stitched up so my husband could take care of our things, not to mention the new baby that was suddenly there! Yazz is very special to us and we will definitely be coming back to ATX Doulas for any future births. read more

Tif joined us at the hospital at about hour 18 at the hospital having gone in for an induction. She jumped right in with great ideas to change positions and distract me during contractions, and helped us to find moments to laugh (like when my mother called Matt while we were all in the shower bc she expected a grandchild by dinnertime-hilarious). Then when faced with new and different pain that fought through the epidural, she gave us so much reassurance when faced with decisions that felt like mountains we weren't prepared to climb. We opted for a c-section when told my pelvis was just too small. They were short on nurses so Tif stepped up to join us in the OR so I could have skin to skin during the delayed cord clamping despite not having a spare nurse. She was simply amazing, and we couldn't have done it without her. Tif stayed with us through the first feeding, and kept reassuring me that I made the right choice for me. I had a lot of guilt and an overwhelming feeling of failure that I couldn't push my baby out and she just kept saying this is how I birth my babies and there's nothing wrong about it. Just hearing that from someone else was a great comfort. She sent me great information with links for support as well. read more

ATX Doulas provide an amazing service for expectant mothers! When I was told that I was going to be induced, Nikki (my wonderful and amazing guardian angel) met met at the hospital within 30 minutes (despite the fact that she lived quite far from Cedar Park!). She arrived bright eyed and cheery and with bag full of goodies - a balance ball and tons of essential oils, a washcloth to soak with cold water, etc! Throughout labor she was right there to supply me with peppermint oil (to keep me from vomiting) and moral support. She kept me on track to try and have a drug-free labor (I made it to 7cm before the epidural, I call that a win) and was so loving as she counted me through breathing techniques. She was truly a godsend and could not imagine doing it again without her. read more

My husband and I were getting nervous and anxious about having our first baby and we researched several doulas. After attending doulapalooza (a meet and greet that ATX doulas offers) we decided to go with them. They have several doulas and have 2 on call for each night. You can also choose a specific doula. The package we chose allowed us to meet in advance with a doula to work on our birth plan or for a postpartum visit. I met with Amy for the birth plan and she was very helpful. She brought a sample birth plan and walked me through it step by step. When I started feeling contractions, I called the doula hotline and spoke with Darby. She helped me ease the labor pains and labor from home. When my contractions got closer together and more intense my husband and I met her at our hospital. She stayed the whole time and helped us with the first latch. My labor was pretty quick compared to most but she had an overnight bag and was prepared to stay if need be. (My baby was born late afternoon so it wasn't needed). We are so grateful to Darby, Amy and the whole ATX doula team. It was great to have someone else there for us to help every step of the way. If I could give them more stars I would. If you are considering a doula, you have to go with them. read more

I am so happy we hired a doula! Like many other reviewers on here, my birth went *very* not according to plan (induction that ended with emergency c section). Our doula, Iris, was a calming and helpful person during what, at times, felt like a traumatic and scary experience. Our beautiful son was born and all ended well- but without Iris, I think the day would have been even more stressful. She did a wonderful job taking care of me, and helping my husband and I understand everything. I know it may seem like a gamble to go with a group that will ultimately randomly assign you a doula the day of your birth, but it all worked so well. I've had numerous friends tell me their doula (from atx) "just ended up being the right person for them"- I couldn't agree more. Highly recommend this group! read more

I'm so glad we decided to have a doula and I couldn't be happier with ATX doulas. Despite all of our careful planning, we were surprised by preeclampsia and had a 5 week preemie baby. Everything happened to fast, we were kind of in a panic when I called my husband at work and told him I was being admitted right away and the baby was coming early. What can I do, he asked? CALL ATX DOULAS! We had never met our Doula, Nicole, before, as she had joined the practice after the doulapalooza we attended, but she arrived quickly and immediately put as at ease. It was so important to us at that time to have a clear head to help us make sense of what was happening and make the best choices for ourselves and out baby. Our induction and delivery lasted for two very stressful days and Nicole was there for us to make sure that we had everything we needed, from a last minute birth plan to post delivery blueberry pancakes and breastfeeding support. In many ways, our birth was traumatic for all of us, and I credit Nicole with the fact that we are able to look back on it and celebrate the joy of welcoming our wonderful son into our lives, rather than be overwhelmed by the parts of it that were difficult. We don't always get the birth we plan for or hope for, but I believe every birth can be joyous and ATX Doulas is the surest way I know to achieve that. Thank you Tiff, Cary, Nicole, and everyone else on the ATX team for making our birth such a wonderful and affirming experience. read more

Mamas and mamas-to-be, you think the doula is for you? You are right, but it is also for your partner. At two thirty am when you have been pushing for more than two hours, your doula is still going to be steadfastly encouraging you. Your husband might have given up in exhaustion, but your doula will be there until after that baby is born no matter how long that takes. How do I know? Because Cary has done just that for us, twice. In fact, when were were pregnant with the second baby, my husband's only request about the pregnancy and birth was that we hire Cary. read more

Amy with ATX Doulas made my birth absolutely perfect! Her support through my pregnancy, including referrals to service providers in Austin, recommendations on various symptoms, and general support when I needed it were invaluable in the weeks leading up to my birth. I especially appreciated Amy's willingness to share information about her pregnancies and births. Her real world experience helped calm many of my worries since we had such similar experiences. I would recommend Amy and ATX Doulas to any pregnant mom. During the birth, Amy provided recommendations on positions and pain management techniques. I'm certain that the short length of the labor and delivery (4 hours) was a direct result of her suggestions and techniques. As an added and unexpected bonus, Amy took photographs of the actual delivery. I still can't believe she was able to capture such beautiful shots of such an intimate time for my family. I am so grateful to have had those moments captured - the pictures were priceless. My husband has since become one of the largest advocates for doulas. From his perspective, her support relieved a lot of the pressure on him during the birth. She provided support and directed him on how he could best comfort me - this was a huge help for the both of us! read more

My husband and I attended a Doulapalooza and we were only 15 minutes into the presentation when he turned to me and said, "We're definitely getting a doula." I knew I wanted a doula from the get-go, but wanted him to be on board, too. He was! Our doula, Kala, was amazing - she was like a best friend from the moment she arrived. I got further along in my two-day labor without an epidural than I would have on my own, for sure! She taught me how to breathe and cope with contractions. I ended up getting an epidural on day two and she was totally supportive. Back to the doulapalooza - I remember a doula talking about postpartum services that they offer and I thought, "Oh, I won't need that." Uh, little did I know. At three weeks postpartum I was exhausted and my husband insisted we hire a postpartum doula. I'm so glad he did! Kristi was a life-saver. She showed up as scheduled and when I answered the door in tears - myself and the baby, she took the baby and told me I wasn't alone. Ahhh, relief. Not only was it helpful to have an extra hand, it was nice to have someone to visit with and who knows all about taking care of a baby. I'd have another baby just to work with these doulas again! read more

My husband and I attended the natural birthing class and had a really great experience! Amy was our instructor, and she was so much fun to learn from and made the time fly by. We learned so much that we didn't learn from books we had read, and it was so nice to have a resource available for questions (versus just reading info from a book). We also appreciated the practice w/ strategies and the very helpful take-home packets. I feel so much more comfortable w/ the whole process and feel very well-informed. I highly recommend this class to other parents to be! read more

My husband said that hiring a doula was the best decision we made. It took the pressure off of him, reduced both of our anxiety levels, and helped me focus on the task at hand. Tif was like an old friend/mom/nurse, all rolled into one. Her calm and soothing demeanor made all the difference. She knew what to offer and when... Seriously, it was great! read more

We were so lucky to have Amy as our doula during the birth of our first baby. The entire process, from the education classes to the birth to the post partum visits, was very positive. Without the help of all these ladies, and without Amy there during the delivery, I don't think I would have been able to have the natural birth that I wanted. Amy remembered all of our requests, and I'm so grateful that she knew to encourage my husband and me to get smoothies and go for a short walk before going to the hospital, even though the doctor insisted that I go straight there. She knew that we had plenty of time and that I would need that nourishment later in the day...and of course I did! She was so encouraging that even though I was in so much pain and so uncomfortable, I knew that I could do it and was reminded that everything that was happening was normal, and that the baby and I were going to be okay. I felt such a HUGE sense of accomplishment and excitement after he was born that I remember high-fiving her after the delivery! After the birth she stayed at the hospital as long as we needed her to and made sure I was taken care of. A few days after the birth she came to our home to check on us and answer questions we had about nursing, using the Moby wrap, etc. etc. (it's all a blur!) Then my husband had to start traveling a lot when our son was only 5 weeks old, so Bethany came quite a few times to stay the night with me so that I wouldn't have to go 5 nights in a row with no sleep. I was really able to relax with her there because I completely trusted her. We're living in Shanghai for the next 2 years and will likely have our next baby here, so I'm a little sad that we might not be needing these wonderful ladies again! :( But I absolutely recommend them to everyone I know. read more

My husband and I used ATX Doulas for the birth of our first son in May 2014. We used the on-call option instead of booking a specific doula and just figured the universe would send us the right person when the time came. The Universe and ATX Doulas ended up sending us Jillian, who was kind, supportive, and helpful. We were very happy with Jillian's help and would gladly recommend her and ATX Doulas to anyone looking to hire a doula at an affordable rate. read more

ATX Doulas are the best. We love that it is a whole team so you know someone will always be there to help. We appreciated their 24/7 hotline to ask questions, and they were always kind & patient with our "rookie" questions. We took their 2 weekend pre-birth classes and loved them. The birth plan help we got was detailed, patient, and perfect. Sarah, the doula who attended the birth, was THE MOST AMAZING DOULA EVER. She knew what to say, when to say it, how to say it, and was able to work with us and all of the hospital staff in a way that made things 100x better than it would have been without her. Our post-partum and breastfeeding visits have been very supportive and helpful. If you are searching for a doula, look no further, you are home. read more