Brenda the Doula

Brenda the Doula Brenda Marlin has been helping Austin-area families find their own paths to parenthood since 2003.

Brenda offers nurturing, compassionate, nonjudgmental and inclusive care and education for all types of families. MY JOURNEY:
I'm blessed to have given birth to two amazing daughters, and during my pregnancies, births, and postpartum, I experienced the power of a community of extraordinary women as they offered me sweet assistance, attention, and advice. In 2003, I was called to become part of this profession that provides that same sort of support to growing families; so, among other things, my work as a doula gives me a way to give back. It has also helped me learn – both professionally and personally – the value in letting go: it is essential to moving forward. MY FAMILY:
I live here in Austin with my wife, Joye, and our daughters, Madelyn, Lizzie, Rachel, and Alex. Our days are full and a little crazy with work, school, martial arts, dance, theatre, and the calendar-coordination and driving duty they entail. During our treasured down-time together, we enjoy playing games – board, card, and video alike [we try to avoid the emotional kind!] – and indulging our shared fandoms. At our house, pets are cherished family members and nerdy is a great way to be!

FORMULA RECALL Your baby’s safety and well-being will always come first. We have an important update to share about ...
11/09/2025

FORMULA RECALL Your baby’s safety and well-being will always come first. We have an important update to share about our infant formula.

In response to a broader FDA investigation of infant botulism in babies across the U.S, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to initiate a voluntary recall of two batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

It’s important to know:
➡️ No direct link has been found between infant formula and infant botulism
➡️ No related toxins have been found in any ByHeart product.
➡️ This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants.

If you purchased formula from the below batches, please visit the link in our bio or email us hello@byheart.com for full details — we’ll replace any impacted cans at no cost to you.
Batch Code: 251261P2, Use by: 01 Dec 2026
Batch Code: 251131P2, Use by: 01 Dec 2026

We know this news can feel worrying, and we’re here with answers and support every step of the way. We feed our own babies ByHeart, and we take this responsibility seriously.

With love,
The ByHeart Team

This doula is off call! Here we come and for our Thanksgiving week camping trip! Wish us luck! Six nights of camping i...
11/05/2025

This doula is off call! Here we come and for our Thanksgiving week camping trip! Wish us luck! Six nights of camping in two state parks 😱 Our longest camping trip has been three nights.

Wow! South Austin St. David’s Labor and Delivery has really upped their coffee game! Mocha Latte? Yes! PLEASE! Doulas li...
11/04/2025

Wow! South Austin St. David’s Labor and Delivery has really upped their coffee game! Mocha Latte? Yes! PLEASE! Doulas live for the small things. Thanks

This is what democracy looks like!
10/18/2025

This is what democracy looks like!

I know y’all are tired of hearing this, but I’m going to say it again. I love my clients and I love my job! There is no...
10/18/2025

I know y’all are tired of hearing this, but I’m going to say it again. I love my clients and I love my job! There is nothing like holding space for the power of a birthing person and then witnessing a human coming earth side. It’s totally worth the long hours, sweet phone calls in the middle of the night, and the time spent giving hip squeezes!

Never tell the universe you are busy! Second birth in 18 hours. Luckily I got a bit of a nap and a meal between.
10/03/2025

Never tell the universe you are busy! Second birth in 18 hours. Luckily I got a bit of a nap and a meal between.

I’ve been busy with births and overnights! I keep forgetting to take a picture. Today I remembered! My best advice for b...
10/02/2025

I’ve been busy with births and overnights! I keep forgetting to take a picture. Today I remembered! My best advice for birthing people is to prepare for the unexpected. I know that sounds weird but I have my thoughts. Reach out to me if you’d like to know more about what I mean.

On Wednesday, Court and I went to Deep Eddy! I’m trying to have all the summer fun I missed out on in July. Apparently ...
08/30/2025

On Wednesday, Court and I went to Deep Eddy! I’m trying to have all the summer fun I missed out on in July. Apparently Deep Eddy is my favorite place to be lately. Pro tip: now that school started, it’s almost empty!

I got to love on my repeat clients today! This mama pushes through her fear, both literally and figuratively!
08/14/2025

I got to love on my repeat clients today! This mama pushes through her fear, both literally and figuratively!

Before the thunder rolled in, we had a grand time! They reminisced about childhood antics. There was diving for coins in...
08/13/2025

Before the thunder rolled in, we had a grand time! They reminisced about childhood antics. There was diving for coins in the deep end, splash fights in the shallow end, pool noodles used as water cannons, and even a short game of Marco Polo. Both Maddie and Lizzie are really cool people! I love to see who they’ve become! I only wish the storm had come another day 😢 PS They brought their shampoo and stuff to take showers, just like the old days!

Sometimes babies have a plan of their own! On behalf of my clients, a BIG THANK YOU to the team at and another BIG THAN...
08/08/2025

Sometimes babies have a plan of their own! On behalf of my clients, a BIG THANK YOU to the team at and another BIG THANK YOU to the L&D and Nursery nurses that made a family-centered cesarean possible for my clients!

Oh my! What a fabulous day to be in the cool water with friends! Thanks and for joining me! My schedule has been so fu...
08/01/2025

Oh my! What a fabulous day to be in the cool water with friends! Thanks and for joining me! My schedule has been so full of overnights that this was my first trip to Deep Eddy this summer. Being there did make me nostalgic for the summers when the kids were young. We would go there late afternoon and when it was time to go, we’d take showers in the women’s locker room with no roof. The kiddos thought that was the coolest thing ever! I’d bring shampoo, conditioner and soap AND their PJs. We’d roll home, ready to eat and enjoy the evening. No battles about showers. IT WAS GLORIOUS!

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Austin, TX
78739

Telephone

+15122897196

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