All the things no one openly shares:…read more Despite how enamored I am with our little girl and all the cute pictures on Facebook, these first three weeks have been extremely stressful. Nursing has been anything but easy, and because our daughter is so tiny I have felt nothing but pressure for her to gain weight as quickly as possible... very difficult when breastfeeding is proving difficult. The onset of vasospasms so painful that it felt like a cigarette burning me straight through to my shoulder blade finally led me to make an appointment with My Pure Delivery. First of all, it was not covered by my insurance because Blue Cross Blue Shield sucks. But every dollar I paid out of pocket was worth the time they spent with me to ensure I felt comfortable utilizing the strategies they helped me master with their help. Additionally, they allowed me to come back periodically to weigh her at no additional cost so that we could monitor her weight without paying for yet another doctor's visit. I am forever grateful for the assistance My Pure Delivery gave me with a skill no one teaches you about, you are just supposed to inherently know how to do, and is perhaps the most stressful task I've ever had to do. MANY THANKS for the compassionate and patient help with breastfeeding.

It was very easy to get an appointment at my pure delivery. After my son was in the NICU and had…read moreissues feeding, we had all but thrown in the towel on breastfeeding. Pumping was also tanking my mental health. Having a quality appointment with a LC was worth every penny. The appointment was not rushed and everything was set right up for us upon arrival. After applying what we were taught, I was able to have a way more positive experience feeding my son

My wife was having a hard time with breastfeeding. Being a first time mommy it was tough in the…read morebeginning. This place help my wife get the hang of it. My wife went on to breastfeed our child for the first 12 months. She could not have done this if it weren't for them! They gave my wife the confidence & support that she needed. This experience was priceless! We are forever grateful!

Helina is absolutely amazing and I recommend her to anyone who is in need of a Lactation…read moreConsultant! She was in DC for a couple of days and lucky for us because that was around the time my son and I needed the extra attention to figure out this latching thing! It can get so frustrating in those early weeks/months and I am grateful to Helina for her patience and quick thinking to find solutions. She comes with a lot of experience and she is very knowledgeable on a number of maternal heath related subjects. She is very clear in her instructions and she reads you and your baby like a book! Within a few minutes of sitting down with her, my son and I became comfortable and at ease. The crying stopped, the discomfort and distress stopped and she made it all look so effortless! I had already been to one other lactation consultant a couple of times but after working with Helina in just one session, I never needed help with positioning and feeding again! Our session led to me feeling confident and capable at each feeding. My son is 10 months old now and he still loves to breastfeed! I attribute this to Helina helping us and believing in us. Helina will make you feel heard and give you solutions that make this breastfeeding journey a beautiful and more enjoyable one. I would give her more than five stars if I could!

Absolute best experience with Jenna. She is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. I…read morewas having issues with having my baby latch and experiencing pain/scabbing, but after support from Jenna I am pain free! She helped with so many other things, including getting us started with pumping, understanding how to bottle feed, and referring us to other providers who could support in other areas. We are so grateful to Austin City Lactation and Jenna - could not more highly recommend!

I was referred to Jenna by a retired lactation consultant. All of the lactation consultants at…read moreAustin City Lactation are registered nurses. They will travel to your home for $50, not covered by insurance. The rest of the visit is covered 100% by insurance. My milk hadn't come in while I was at the hospital, and my baby's weight dropped 10.4%. We had to supplement his feedings with donor milk and Similac Neosure as he was born at 36 weeks 1 day. After we were discharged, Jenna came to our house. At the time, our baby was still mostly on formula. Jenna helped me ramp up my milk production. Initially, she suggested my husband and I take shifts so we wouldn't have to triple feed every two hours at night. I had lost so much weight following delivery, that Jenna suggested I eat an extra 500 calories per day. She taught me how to make sure my baby had a deep latch, and to pull him in closer. She also suggested I take 2 capsules of liquid gold two to three times a day. She correctly measured my flange size so we were able to order a larger size on Amazon. She taught us how to calculate how much our baby needs to be eating according to his weight. At two months and 11 lbs 1 oz, he's supposed to be eating ~110 ml per feeding. What's really been helpful is her $1000 scale. She was able to weigh our baby before and after his feeding to ascertain how much milk he ate from breastfeeding. She suggested I take him to a Pediatric chiropractor and dentist to check his neck and lip tie respectively. She taught me how to power pump to increase milk production. Our baby's weight increased from 6 to 20 percentile, compared to other babies, in the last month. I am now breastfeeding 99%. My baby only drinks ~20 ml of Kendamil goat milk every three days if I need a break or leave the house. I've stopped pumping unless I'm going to be gone for more than two hours. When I do pump, it's around 150 ml. I am Gen X and breastfeeding almost 100%. Thank you Jenna for helping me ramp up milk production!

I had Christin come to my home for about 8 weeks when i was just 4 days post partum, every time i…read morethought i learned it all she had a new trick or way to help me feed my son more efficiently. We are now going on 14 1/2 months of breast feeding. I couldn't have done it without the milk diva team. They also assisted with his lip tie reversal which was a very traumatic experience for me. They helped by providing guidance and an SLP to help me with some exercises to perform after the procedure. I can't recommend milk diva enough!!!

My first experience with Milk Diva was with a lactation consultant named Morgan, and she was…read moreawesome! Gave me loads of information and made me feel really comfortable and supported. We scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next week. However, a few days later I was notified via text and email that Morgan was no longer with the company. A huge bummer, but my care was transferred to the CEO of the company Naiomi. At this point I was a bit worried about whether the person who runs the company would really have enough time/availability to handle patients, but I thought it was admirable that she was willing to take on the load of Morgan's patients (like a good leader should!) and we scheduled a time to meet. The problem came the day of our scheduled appointment. It was scheduled for 1pm. Just before 9am on the same day, someone from Milk Diva reached out to me to ask if we could move our appointment up to 12pm instead. I replied that if 1pm no longer worked I'd be open to scheduling a different day entirely since baby had kept me up all night. Their response? That they charge a $120 fee for any appointment changes that are made after noon the day prior to the appointment. Which is exactly what THEY were attempting to do - change my appointment last minute. Milk Diva folks, did you not see how scummy that was that you would tell me I need to pay you to change my appointment last minute when you were the ones who initiated trying to change the appointment last minute? I only offered up another day because YOU reached out to ME to try to change the time, so it seemed a reschedule would be mutually beneficial. Super grossed out by the whole thing, and I will not be scheduling another appointment.

With covid I was very upset that I couldn't have a one on one with a lactation consultant but Cathy…read moremade me feel so much better even on FaceTime. It was very personable and helpful. My milk supply had slowed down a lot during my son's three week out. I freaked out because before I was leaking all the time and going through multiple breast pads a day. I was able to pump after feeding and store milk. Then all of a sudden I didn't even need pads. When I pumped it didn't even fill the bottom of the bottles. I was devastated and reached out to my OB who gave me Cathy's number and I'm so glad they did. In less than 24 hours all of Cathy's advice and recommendations paid off because I was pumping 1- 1.5 ounces and my breast are leaking again and I can tell a huge differences in my son's feeding. He is feeding better and for not as long. He actually seems like he is getting full which he wasn't a day ago. I'm so grateful to Cathy! As a first time mom she really gave me peace of mind. Highly recommend!

I have to agree with Tiffany T who reviewed on her experience in that it felt very clinical and not…read morepersonal at all. From the beginning of the experience to the end I felt as though I was just another appt and person she had to see. For example, she asked me how many times a day I pumped in addition to BF. I stated how my daughter at 9 weeks seemed to want to feed every 1.5-2 hours, and she would nurse for an hour each time, so I would get only a little time in between so I was maybe pumping 2x a day. I started to quietly cry at this point, mainly due to stress and exhaustion. Instead of being met with "Hey its ok don't cry, this is why you are here we are going to figure this out" she said absolutely nothing and just quickly slid a box of tissues over and continued her questions. I WAS CRYING, you can't even comfort me and say its ok? She then said no less than 3x that because I was using nipple shields she felt "my supply was compromised". Being a lactation consultant she more than anyone should know that stress does not help with breastfeeding. Why would you continue to say that to me? Why wouldn't you instead say "So because you've been using nipple shields there is a chance your supply could be low but we can do things to help rectify that if that proves to be true." I had to finally say after the third time of her using that "compromised" crap that I think its fine its going to be ok and hey, even IF my supply is low I haven't dried up so we can bring it back up. We did a before and after weigh in of my daughter after I nursed her there and she backtracked quickly on the low supply thing because my daughter took in well over the ounces suggested. She also told me that my daughter had a tongue tie and I had to get into an ENT dr ASAP to get it snipped. I went in and he said that she in fact did NOT have a tongue tie and he would not feel comfortable snipping anything. So frustrating. The only thing I felt she truly helped with was the push to get me to give up the nipple shields. I think that this entire experience would have been so much better had she exhibited a little compassion and empathy and not been so clinical and robotic.

Austin Doula Care is truly exceptional…read more From the moment we began working with Chelsea, Kim, and Chrys at Austin Doula Care, I felt deeply supported, informed, and cared for. Chelsea was our primary doula during pregnancy and birth, and Chrys supported us postpartum. Chelsea's presence during pregnancy and birth was grounding, empowering, and steady. She listened without judgment, shared knowledge without pressure, and held space in a way that made me feel calm, capable, and strong. She helped me trust my body and myself. Chrys's postpartum care was just as transformative. They cared not only for our baby, but for me: My healing, my emotions, my confidence as a new mother. They normalized the hard moments, celebrated the wins, and helped me feel healthy, supported, and seen during such an important time. If you are looking for doulas who are knowledgeable, compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and deeply respectful of your journey, I cannot recommend Austin Doula Care enough. I will forever be grateful for them!

From the moment I met Chelsea and Rachael, I knew I made the right choice in coming to Austin Doula…read moreCare. Their support extended far beyond childbirth support, from pregnancy check ins, the multitude of programs and classes at the office, as well as postpartum help, made my husband and I feel well cared for and confident about the journey of pregnancy and postpartum. Rachael's support during my pregnancy and childbirth was instrumental in me feeling empowered about every decision I made. She was a sounding board for each step of the way, helped me ask the right questions when needed, and assisted in crafting a birth plan and walking through all scenarios to make sure I felt prepared and confident. I am beyond grateful for her presence during my labor and baby's birth, as well as her postpartum help as I navigated things when my husband went back to work. A huge thank you to Rachael and the whole team at Austin Doula Care, I couldn't recommend their support more.

I can't say enough wonderful things about ATX Doulas and the support they provided during my…read morepostpartum journey. Their night doula service was truly a lifeline for me and my family as my husband and I transitioned into parenthood and being first-time parents. From the very first conversation, one of the owners (Amelia) was very patient in addressing all of our questions/concerns while not being pushy about their services. We also feel heard and understood when we were matched with Kate who was not only experienced and professional, but also incredibly nurturing and thoughtful. Kate is deeply knowledgeable about newborn care and brought such a calming, confident presence into our home. She was incredibly attentive to our baby girl's needs--whether it was feeding, soothing, or diaper changes--and always handled everything with such gentle care and professionalism. Having someone like Kate gave us the rest and peace of mind we so desperately needed. It made all the difference in those early weeks of recovery and adjustment. Additionally, we appreciated how easy it's to schedule after we signed up with ATX Doulas and the flexibility they provided in modifying the typical night hour shift to better fit our family schedule. Last but not least, we are especially thankful to have Katie (one of the owners) stepped in to provide coverage one of the days that Kate wasn't available. If you're a new parent in Austin looking for reliable, compassionate support, we wholeheartedly recommend ATX Doulas. Their team is exceptional and truly dedicated to the well-being of both babies and parents. Thank you for being there when we needed it most!

From the moment I signed up for my first meet-and-greet to the moment my baby boy was placed in my…read morearms, ATX Doulas was truly exceptional. Every person my husband and I interacted with was kind, considerate, and incredibly knowledgeable. Sunshine was my birth doula, and even though we hadn't met prior to delivery, I can honestly say she was the best money I've ever spent. She helped me feel empowered throughout my induction--which was not my ideal scenario--and made sure I felt like an active participant in my birth, not just a "good patient." When the nursing staff was unavailable or less than ideal, Sunshine stepped in to help me find more comfortable positions and to encourage and educate both me and my husband during the toughest moments of labor. I cannot recommend her or ATX Doulas enough and would choose them again and again.

I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Ciarra. She holds such a special place in my…read moreheart, and five years later, I still haven't forgotten the kindness, compassion, and support she showed me during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. During COVID, my original doula was unable to attend my baby's birth, and Ciarra stepped in as her backup. Looking back, I genuinely couldn't have asked for anyone better. I was scared, overwhelmed, and facing circumstances I hadn't anticipated. Despite coming in as a backup, Ciarra took the time to read my birth plan and understand what mattered to me. Even though things didn't go as planned, she did everything she could to make sure my wishes were respected and that I felt supported. One moment I will never forget was when she reminded me that I didn't have to remove my hijab if I wasn't comfortable. As a Muslim woman of color, that simple act of thoughtfulness meant more to me than I can put into words. She didn't make me feel different, uncomfortable, or like my needs were an inconvenience. She simply saw me as a human being, a mother who deserved dignity, kindness, and respect. She made sure I had the opportunity to hold my baby and even captured precious photographs of us together. Those memories mean the world to me, especially because so much of that experience was overwhelming. And her kindness didn't end with the birth. My daughter is now five years old, and Ciarra has never forgotten her birthday. Every single year, she remembers to wish her. That speaks volumes about the kind of person she is. I've had my share of heartbreaking and disappointing experiences navigating maternity care and healthcare in the Austin area. I've encountered many people who speak about supporting and empowering women, but genuine compassion isn't always something you experience when you need it most. Ciarra didn't just talk about supporting mothers. She showed me what that support actually looks like. Of all the people I've encountered throughout my maternity care experiences in Austin, Ciarra is the one person I can wholeheartedly recommend without hesitation. If I'm ever blessed with another baby, I would want Ciarra by my side again. I trust her, and that trust means everything to me. Five years later, I still remember how she made me feel when I needed someone the most. I will forever be grateful that our paths crossed. Thank you, Ciarra, for seeing me, respecting me, and treating me with such genuine humanity and compassion.

We used multiple resources from Empowered beginnings to get ahead as first time parents:…read moreHypnobirthing 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!!!