Childbirth is an overwhelming process and as a new mama-to-be, you’ve got a lot of decisions to make! While you may have your partner and family support, sometimes you need an outside party too. That’s where doulas come in. If you’re unfamiliar, doulas are individuals who can offer emotional and physical support in and out of the birthing room.
Advice from doctors and your own mother is great, of course. With a doula, however, you’ll get the benefit of their extensive experience and the knowledge they won’t be at the holiday table next year to remind you of what you didn’t agree with. If you’re interested in finding the best doulas in Austin, TX, don’t worry, there are quite a few of them.
What is a Doula?
First, if you’re not quite sure what a doula is, let me enlighten you. According to DONA.org, a doula is defined as ‘a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.’
You’ve got a lot on your plate as it is, and what could be better than having someone else to help out? Depending on your arrangement, doulas can help you with daily tasks outside of childbirth as well. For example, if you have other littles at home, a doula can help you care for them after you give birth or help you with housework. You’ll need to have a consultation with a doula to figure out what services they offer.
When you’re choosing a Doula in Austin, TX, it’s important to take your time and find someone who has the same beliefs and philosophy as you do. They are supposed to be there to enhance the experience, not cause any conflict or give advice you don’t agree with. So, let’s look at the best Doulas in Austin, TX, and help you find one!
Austin Doula Care
Founded in 2013, Austin Doula Care is run by Kim Borchert and Chelsea Greenwald. Their philosophy on birth is that it’s normal, natural, and should always be supported. Along with doula services in Austin, TX, they also offer childbirth, baby feeding, and newborn classes. So, if you want to get your feet wet first, you could take a class before hiring a doula.
The mission of Austin Doula Care is to create a community where everyone is welcome and able to get the support they need during pregnancy. Sounds pretty great to me! You can contact them on their website to set up a consultation.
AustinBorn
AustinBorn is a one-stop-shop for all things doula and birthing. On top of doula services, they offer online classes for all pregnancy stages, as well as classes for partners too. Classes include one on back-to-work breastfeeding, which is something not a lot of mamas think about! Their team consists of doulas, as well as other professionals like nutritionists and yoga instructors, so you can find it all at AustinBorn.
BirthWise
BirthWise offers doula, midwife, and out-of-hospital birthing services. With 20 years of experience under their belt, they are one of the best doulas in Austin, TX. This center focuses on keeping its team and client load small, so they can offer extremely intimate care.
Empowered Beginnings
Empowered Beginnings is owned by Ciarra Moran who operates as one of the doulas, as well. According to their website, Ciarra mentors every doula on her team, and they are trained to support you during pregnancy, labor, and birth. When you contact them for services, you can interview as many doulas as you like to ensure you get the right fit. They were also named one of the Best Doulas in Austin, TX by Fresh Chalk in 2021.
Its mission is to help families feel supported t through the entire pregnancy and postpartum process up to a few years after birth. They welcome all people seeking doula services whether they are choosing a medicated or unmedicated birth.
ATX Doulas
Founded in 2013, ATX Doulas has been providing top-notch doula care for mamas ever since. ATX Doulas was created by three women who all had the same passion to provide support to women during their pregnancies. The team at ATX doulas is fairly big, so you’ll have a great chance of finding a doula you vibe with. Along with doula services, they offer placenta encapsulation, as well.
Austin Doula Collective
The Austin Doula Collective is another one of the best doulas in Austin, TX. It’s a group of women who are passionate about offering support to other pregnant women. Along with doula services they offer massages, yoga, personal training, and nutritionist assistance.
If you are interested in hypnobirthing, this may be the right doula service for you. Hypnobirthing is a relaxing method of birth that involves hypnosis. The idea is to create a spiritual and calm environment. If you’re interested in learning more, the Austin Doula Collective offers group hypnobirthing classes along with their doula services.
Central Texas Doula Association
The Central Texas Doula Association is another great place to find the best doulas in Austin, TX. It’s a volunteer-run organization with tons of available services. Their website has a directory you can go through of their doula members. The mission of the Central Texas Doula Association is focused on raising awareness of the importance of doulas and how they can benefit women during the pregnancy process. If you are a doula, you can also apply to become a member of the association to add yourself to the directory.
The Bottom Line
To sum it up, there are plenty of doulas to choose from in Austin, TX that are the best. The most important thing to consider is your wants and needs during your pregnancy. While most doulas live by the same general philosophy, finding one that you’re on the same page with is key to having the best experience possible, much like finding your perfect newborn photographer!
