Brenda the Doula

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Austin, TX
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 thi

s 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!

08/14/2025

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

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!

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!

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!

07/25/2025

It never gets old bearing witness to strong mamas achieving their goals!

07/21/2025

Tired but happy!

07/07/2025

Heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover it. I don’t think there is a word that does.

It’s my understanding that the best way to help right now is to donate funds to organizations on the ground. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has set up the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Please donate!

This tragedy hits close to home. Two of my kiddos spent time when they were littles. Camp Capers is downstream from Camp Mystic. For me dropping my kiddos at camp was always bittersweet. I knew they were going to have fun AND I left pieces of my heart in the Texas Hill Country.

This weekend Camp Capers was between sessions. There weren’t any kiddos there. The counselors and staff are all safe.

I can’t fathom what the families of the children who were lost are going through right now. There are no words, only tears.

07/04/2025

My July 4th mood. I cannot celebrate this country while people within its borders are being kidnapped and held hostage. I cannot celebrate this country while politicians put money in their pockets with one hand and take food out of the mouths of children with the other. I cannot celebrate this country while those who never want for anything are given a bigger piece of the already smaller and smaller pie. I cannot celebrate this country while those with the least are forced to carry the burden of the greedy. I cannot celebrate this country while people are suffering because they cannot afford medical care. It’s all too much to bear.

06/26/2025

Happy Marriage Equality Day! Ten years ago today and my Massachusetts marriage license became legal in every state. I cannot begin to tell you how terrified I am that the current administration and Supreme Court will reverse this law of the land. That possibility haunts my dreams.

06/12/2025

Me after a wonderful birth with a repeat client! It was wonderful to have some time away from my newsfeed and from the chaos that this administration has caused.

06/01/2025

HAPPY PRIDE Y’ALL! I will always post this with my love ! It took me 39 years to figure things out and find her. I’m always proud that she’s mine!

05/23/2025

“I can’t recommend Brenda enough. With my first baby I was nervous about labor along with handling postpartum. Brenda was great at listening to my goals and concerns and giving non biased knowledge allowing us to be informed and choose the best decision for us.

When it came to the actual labor and delivery Brenda was incredible! She was prepared and ready for every part of my labor to make me as comfortable as I could be. My favorite things she used was essential oils and her light machine to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere in my delivery room. Brenda did a great job helping me manage my pain by supporting me through my contractions and advising me to ask for another epidural since the first one I received didn’t work. When it was time to push she played an instrumental role in helping me be as comfortable as possible. The nurses were even learning from her! Both teams of nurses I had (day and night shift) both said to me how amazing Brenda was and that the doulas they’ve encountered aren’t as helpful in the labor and delivery room. I had a smooth labor thanks to Brenda. I wouldn’t have had as great of an experience if it wasn’t for her.

Even though I’m more seasoned now, I will still be booking Brenda for my next pregnancy. She’s that good!”

Address

Austin, TX
78739

Telephone

+15122897196

Website

http://www.brendathedoula.com/

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