I can't say enough about how incredibly helpful Austin Childbirth's services were for our family. If you are on the fence as to whether to get a doula I highly recommend that you talk to them. When my wife first suggested a doula I was concerned that a doula might be "woowoo" or try to influence our decisions or approach. This was not the case at all. Prior to childbirth they offered unbiased information, introduced us to helpful tools and practices and took much of the mystery and anxiety out of child birth. During child birth the doula offered a steady and experienced hand so that my wife could focus on a safe delivery. Their techniques substantially reduced my wife's pain and in our case helped her have an unmedicated delivery. In short they helped us make an educated delivery plan and then used their experience to support our decisions relative to that plan during childbirth. Here are highlights of their service: - Met with us in our home and helped us prepare a birth plan and understand the birth process. - Were available to answer questions leading up to birth (which was particularly helpful in alleviating anxiety) - Met us at the hospital and advised throughout the labor. This was HUGE. Our doula helped us follow our birth plan, made recommendations for pain relief, did hands-on pain relief, gave me (dad) options for how to be most helpful, told us what was coming next, encouraged mom, and stayed with mom after the birth. - Stayed with us after birth until we felt comfortable -- What she didn't do (also important) was meddle in medical care or personal decisions, sideline dad or push an agenda. She had a great rapport with the hospital staff who clearly valued their help and were also glad she was there. I suggest that you talk with them if you want to learn more about the doula option. read more

My husband and I learned about this class through our prenatal care provider with Women Partners in Health. 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! read more

Brandi and Jillian are both amazing. Like another yelper wrote, "where to even begin?" 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. read more

I can tell you that, until a few months before the birth of our first child, I didn't even know what a doula was. Now, I can't even imagine going through child birth without one. My wife and I enrolled for birthing classes with Jillian. We were so impressed that we asked her for doula support. She and her teammate, Brandi helped us through the birth of our son and then provided postpartum support in our home. In fact, they still providing in-home support now, seven weeks after our son's birth. Why? Because, though we've been interviewing nannies almost daily, we can't seem to find an individual who instills the trust and comfort, provides overwhelming and unassuming support, while maintaining the highest level of professionalism that we found in Jillian and Brandi. My wife and I are very grateful to Jillian and Brandi and would highly recommend them to anyone. read more

I cannot recommend Austin Childbirth's classes and services more. As my doula, they are extremely knowledgeable, kind, listen and provide great care. My husband and I took the newborn 101 class which was extremely informative and helpful (even though I've read tons of books, I'm very glad I took this class). We both left feeling confident and provided with tons of information that wasn't overwhelming. Very well organized Easy to follow Links to all the info you need Follow up email with provided links/info Doula care- really listen to me and my needs provide great information and assistance with any questions timely, organized and above all they make me feel very comfortable. I highly recommend their classes and doula care read more

My husband and I recently took Jillian's birth class online. It was very informative and did not feel like 6 hours at all. We left the class feeling much more confident and prepared than before. Ironically we tried to hire her to be our birth Doula before we even signed up for the class and met her but she was already fully booked. We signed up for the class per our obgyn referral and realized she was who we tried to book as our birth doula. After taking the class and meeting her, I can say I would 100% recommend her for the classes or her Doula services. Her passion for this whole amazing process is so evident from meeting and talking to her that you instantly know you'd be in great hands. She has a wonderful sense of humor and comforting bedside manner on top of that. If we have another baby we are definitely going to try and hire her much earlier. read more

It was informative and well organized. I definitely recommend it to new parents. You can also ask any questions you may have. There will be other materials that will be provided after the class! read more

I had such an amazing and wonderful experience with Austin childbirth! I can not say enough good things about Brandi and Jillian. Brandi was with me during my labor and delivery and it was the best decision I have made. I was very very scared going into my first birth but she was there every step of the way to remind me that everything was ok. She was very calming and had a lot of helpful techniques to help me through the birth. I really enjoyed using the TENS unit as well. I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone and am so thankful I found them. read more

We took their classes, used their birth and postpartum doula services. They are awesome! The classes are very informative and easy to follow. The birth doula is warm and supportive. The postpartum doulas are experienced, easy to work with, and very trustworthy. As first time parents, we have learned sooo much from them, before and after birth. We are so happy that we hired them. I would highly recommend them! read more

Jillian was the instructor of my childbirth class at my OBGYN clinic. I learned a lot from this class, and I found her instructional approach really engaging. I liked her straightforward and clear way of explaining concepts and her genuinely friendly demeanor. I ended up contacting her when my husband and I decided to hire a doula for the birth of our first child. She and her partner, Brandi, came to our home for a prenatal visit to get to know us and go over my birth plan. They were both so friendly and helpful, and I felt like they both exuded a calm and positive energy. In the weeks before my due date, they kept in contact with me and shared useful resources and articles to help me make informed decisions about my upcoming delivery, which was empowering. Brandi was the doula who attended the birth of our son, and she was amazing! She helped me and my husband by coaching us through contractions and using natural relaxation techniques like massage, focused breathing, and moving around on the yoga ball. She was very encouraging throughout the entire labor and delivery, and both my husband and I were so glad she was there. She helped to make the experience so much more positive than I expected. She also took great photos that captured the moments I wanted to remember. Both Brandi and Jillian also made a postpartum home visit to check on how we were doing with the transition to parenthood and answer any questions we had. I felt like they really were invested in making sure that we were happy with our experience before, during, and after the birth. I highly recommend their doula services for any expecting first-time parents. read more

We had an amazing and educational experience with Jillian in the Newborn Care class. Although we were virtual and ran into some technology issues, Jillian did such a great job answering all questions as they came in from the large group and making us all feel comfortable. Becoming a first time parent got a lot less scary for me after this class was over! read more

My husband and I both feel much more confident and empowered after taking the Childbirth class with Jillian! It was a great bonding opportunity for us and I feel like my husband went from being "along for the ride" to now feeling like an important, active participant in the birth process! read more

We are first time parents and have many friends have children, but this class was very helpful! We learned the details of what to expect and when to go to the hospital and most importantly pain-management techniques that your partner can help with. It was also helpful to understand all of our options and how what our hospital (Seton) will have available. It definitely helped ease any anxiety and we feel much more prepared thanks to Jillian! read more

I ordered the TENS machine to help with labor. The machine came in time, 3 weeks before estimated due date, and can be returned up to 2 weeks after estimated due date - which is a great window. I used the machine the whole time during my 42 hour back labor and 5.5 hours of pushing delivery. It was the only "medical" intervention I used - ie no Gas or Drugs. I am so so so grateful to have had it's support - it's easy to use, stays on even when you think it shouldn't, and they make the return so easy with a pre-paid return label (and easy is the name of the game when you have a newborn). I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

I can not say enough great things about Austin Childbirth Doulas aka Jillian and Brandi. As a first time mom, I was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to learn about birth, newborn care, and how my husband could play an active role in labor/delivery. I knew I wanted to attempt an unmedicated birth and heard from a friend that doulas play such a huge role in helping that happen. After meeting with them via facetime, I immediately felt comfortable with them and felt like they truly wanted to know me and my preferences. They offer a labor class, newborn care class, and partner prep class that was exactly what we were looking for and helped us feel informed and more prepared. When it came time for our baby girl to make her arrival, I ended up having to be induced. Brandi and my husband were right there next to me the entire time. I was able to meet my goal of an unmedicated birth and I truly believe it was due to the support of my husband, Brandi, and the TENS unit Austin Childbirth provides. I never knew using a TENS unit could be helpful in mitigating contractions but it actually worked! I mean, it was still very, very painful (lol) but the TENS unit made such a huge difference. My husband and I are so grateful for Jillian and Brandi and will absolutely use them again if we get to have another baby in the future. read more

We loved this class. So much great information. Thanks so much, Jillian!

My husband and I both walked away from this class feeling much more prepared for the process of labor and childbirth. Jillian is a wonderful, friendly, relatable and funny teacher. The class has tons of helpful information, and Jillian presented it in a way that was easy to understand and digest. Would highly recommend to first time parents! read more

I just completed a virtual Prepared Labor class with Jillian which was super helpful. You don't need to download any special programs and the website she uses is super easy to use and navigate. It's great to have these resources available even during these wild COVID-19 times. She made it engaging and interesting while sharing tons of useful information that applies even right now. While it was sad not to have the class in-person, it was still totally worthwhile. I would highly recommend her classes. read more

We took the child birth classes with Jillian. She was wonderful! The class was engaging and was filled with information. She answered all our questions and gave us useful tips and information we needed to feel confident. she even gave us a tour of the Seton hospital. Highly recommend for first time parents! read more

We were a little unsure about making it through a six hour webinar, but the pacing of the class and Jillian's warm and friendly approach made the time go by quickly. Lots of takeaway info and pdfs you can hang on to for later. Especially helpful to have an instructor so familiar with Seton's protocols and room set up, supplies, etc. Thanks for a great course! read more

Excelent childbirth training. Jillian is very knowledgeable and her accent and jokes keep you informed and entertained the whole 6 hrs. She has real birth videos, tools and hands-on exercises to get you ready for the big day read more

Excellent! Informative, laid-back, chock full of necessary information and things I didn't know I didn't know. Highly recommend for expecting parents. read more

I rented the TENS unit from Jillian to use during my childbirth. It provided so much relief and helped me get through several hours of labor with a smile on my face. EVERY woman needs to try this out during their labor. Jillian was amazing and made sure I was completely comfortable in knowing how to use it once I received it. She gave me great advice and was so kind. Jillian was wonderful to work with! read more

We were concerned about taking a virtual childbirth course, but were pleasantly surprised by how informative and engaging the class was. Time flew by and we feel much more ready for childbirth that going in. read more

When we thought we couldn't handle any more parenting prep classes as we await our little girl, we were pleasantly surprised by Jillian's infant education class Saturday afternoon :)... She breezes through material in a very practical way. We also attended her labor and delivery class - quite informative and an easy set of information to digest for first-time parents. read more

My husband and I participated in the inclusive childbirth class online due to Covid-19 precautions. The class was very informative and interactive. Materials were easily shared through the platform and questions were answered throughout. It was also convenient to complete from the comfort of your home. Jillian was a great teacher and provided support even after classes. Highly recommended to prepare for the birth of baby! read more

Jillian's Inclusive Childbirth Class was exceptional and just the preparation we needed to feel confident, informed, and at peace before our labor & delivery experience. Jillian is engaging in her presentation and a wealth of knowledge about all things childbirth. She gave well-rounded, non-directive answers and information, encouraging each mom/couple to prepare and make the decisions right for our families. The 6-hour (9 AM - 3 PM) class went much quicker than I expected, with plenty of breaks and interactive elements to keep our attention (along with freedom to get comfortable & move around for all the pregnant mamas!). After finishing Jillian's class, I can truly say I feel optimistic and excited toward the labor and delivery experience, rather than the overwhelmed and terrified feelings I was expecting. Jillian effectively empowers mothers and families toward healthy, hopeful childbirth, and I am so thankful for her willingness to share her experiences and insights with us. read more

My husband and I just took the class with Jillian Silva, and we found it to be extremely helpful! Jillian's demeanor is friendly and open, she is knowledgeable about almost every aspect of the birthing process, and her presentation was detailed and thorough. We learned so much and feel much more prepared as we go into the final weeks leading up to the birth of our first child. read more

Who would have thought you could enjoy a childbirth class? Jillian is a wonderfully enthusiastic and funny teacher who greets each student with warmth and kindness. The class was incredibly informative, interesting, and often a good laugh. She has almost 20 years of experience as a childbirth educator and has accompanied numerous women through the birthing process as a doula. It's clear she's incredibly knowledgeable and open to questions of all kinds. She also has tons of tricks up her sleeve to make the process easier. It's also clear she cares about each student and respects each student's choices. She really made me and my husband feel much better prepared for what's to come. As if that wasn't enough, for each class, she brings delicious treats and has a raffle for goodies. Jillian is simply amazing! read more

We thoroughly enjoyed Jillian's classes. She was informative, kind, and unassuming. We would recommend Austin Childbirth to all of our friends and family! read more

Excellent experience with the virtual webinars led by Jillian. We took both the birthing and newborn care classes. Both were informative and engaging, due in large part to Jillian's wealth of knowledge and personable approach. We are based in San Antonio and not linked to this practice, but with COVID, we needed a virtual option. Our hospital canceled classes and did not replace them with with any online substitute. I feel fortunate to have found these classes. Although in-person would have been nice, I don't feel much was lost in this format. Jillian provides the slides, and lots of supplemental pdfs, weblinks, etc. that have come in handy. There are a lot of pre-recorded birthing/newborn classes out there, but I thought there would be a benefit to having a live facilitator. After taking the classes, I still feel that way. It was so helpful to be able to ask questions throughout. I highly recommend. read more

This was a wonderful class! I loved how supportive and practical Jillian was. And, we got to tour the hospital so that I left being able to visualize both the birth and the immediate post-birth care for our baby. Thank you, Jillian! read more

Jillian and team are amazing! Getting Doula support was by far the best decision we made during pregnancy. If you're unsure of doing it, just go for it, 100% sure you won't regret it. Jillian and Brandi were so professional, kind and comforting from the first day we met. They are such a great source of information before, during, and after birth.The huge plus is you get a TENS unit with their doula service. I loved the TENS unit, it made a huge difference in pain management for me, definitely makes you feel like you can control the impact of pain on your body. Jillian and Karen (training to be doula) were perfect on our birth day! I have no doubt they were a huge reason why I was able deliver my 9lb 8oz baby boy without an epidural. Not only were they a huge support for me, but also for my husband. We are both so thankful for them and would highly recommend! read more

Jillian's class was wonderful! Very informative and she presents the information in a way that makes it fun. She was very knowledgeable and kind. I am SO thankful that we took this class with her! read more

I wish I could give 100 stars to Jillian! From start to finish we received the best care from Jillian and Brandi! When we interviewed multiple doulas, we knew instantly that Jillian and Brandi were the best choice. I saw a huge difference in the way they responded to me wanting an epidural compared to the other doulas we interviewed. They came to our home and helped us come up with a birth plan, answered random questions and gave us the TENS machine (HIGHLY RECOMMEND). Fast forward a few months later I was induced and was terrified after reading induction horror stories. Jillian met us at the hospital and was worth every penny! My birth went beautifully, induction and all. I can't really put into words the comfort that came from Jillian for both my husband and myself. She also took pictures and videos that we will keep forever! At one point in my birthing experience I felt like I needed to push but my nurse had told me it wasn't time. Jillian kindly got the nurse back in the room to recheck me and sure enough it was time. Her presence and attention towards my needs were top notch. My husband and I tell everyone about Austin Childbirth because they made a scary experience one of the best experiences for our family! read more

My wife & I recently attended one of Jillian's birth classes which, like plenty of other attendees I imagine, was suggested by our ObGyn's staff. It was a Saturday class (8AM-1:30PM) and was followed by a brief tour of Seton hospital (coordinated by a Seton staff member). To be frank, going into this I knew I would learn a thing or two but I wasn't thrilled about spending a good chunk of my Saturday there. But I was pleasantly surprised at just how informative, entertaining & smooth it went. Jillian's candid, clear, and approachable style made us feel more at ease. Her slides, props and hard copy book (that you take with you) was well organized and included just the right amount of information. And she was willing and more than capable in answering everyone's questions, which we personally had several of! The time pretty much zipped by and we left feeling a hell of a lot more prepared for what was to come in a couple of months! I would very much encourage other soon to be first-time Moms & Dads to attend one of Jillian's birth classes. It is time and money well spent! read more

Our doctor's office recommended their childbirth class (they also have a baby care class, but we haven't taken that yet). The class is all day on a Saturday (from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm). It was a long day but really a wonderful class and full of really useful info to prepare for birth. Jillian Silva, who teaches the class, is really an excellent instructor and paces the class and info very well. You get a very nice spiral notebook with lots of info in it too to take home. I really enjoyed learning about some of the natural pain relief methods - they had stations set up to try out different methods and techniques. They also went over epidurals, pain medications, and c-sections, so it's really a class where anyone can benefit. After the class, a nurse did a hospital tour for us which was also nice to see the rooms and get some general info on what to do once you go into labor. Additionally, if you go on their website - they rent out TENS units if you want to try that for your labor. And Jillian and Brandi, her partner, can be hired for doula services (which includes the TENS unit use). I highly recommend the class to any first time parent! read more