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 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!

My clients are always so generous with their donations for the  and  baby shower! This was the haul of formula from a cl...
04/25/2026

My clients are always so generous with their donations for the and baby shower! This was the haul of formula from a client. While formula isn’t the first choice for most families sometimes it is needed and SO expensive. I hope this helps families in need!

My mood tonight as I got ready for work!
04/17/2026

My mood tonight as I got ready for work!

These cuties had a great feeding and are now conked out! There is never a dull moment supporting twins 👶🏻👶🏻
04/03/2026

These cuties had a great feeding and are now conked out! There is never a dull moment supporting twins 👶🏻👶🏻

WORLD DOULA WEEK - March 22-28! To celebrate my 22+ years in this work I’m reintroducing myself 😊I’m Brenda Marlin, wife...
03/23/2026

WORLD DOULA WEEK - March 22-28! To celebrate my 22+ years in this work I’m reintroducing myself 😊I’m Brenda Marlin, wife, mama, and doula!

MY FAMILY:
My wife Joye and I were married in 2009. We have four people we brought earth side. I birthed two and my wife likes to say she spawned two. Ruby 29, Maddie 23, Rachel 22 and Lizzie 21 fill our home! We are a nerdy family. Everyone has their fandoms and games. I try to keep up with them. On the nerdy meter, I often fall behind. We have one dog and three cats, all rescued. We have our struggles and triumphs. With three young adults in the house there’s never a dull moment. Everyday they keep me honest and teach me how to human.

MY WORK:
I’ve been a doula since 2003! It’s so hard for me to believe how time has flown! I work with both birth and postpartum clients. Most of my postpartum work is helping families overnight. I am certified as a lactation counselor. I am also trained as a childbirth educator and prenatal yoga instructor. I don’t think I’ll ever be done training. At least I hope not.

FUN FACTS:
* I’m a devoted fan of Her music has shaped my life in so many ways. Joye and I first saw her open for the Indigo Girls in June 2008. The Story is our song and we played it at our wedding. Every time we see her in concert I cry when she plays it. Our obsession with her has made us
* Among my favorite shows are and I love the way both shows are explorations of nuanced, flawed characters and families that don’t always get things right but they do their best. Right now I’m also digging and The love story in Our Flag Means Death wrecks me!
* I cry easily. At movies, TV, music, when my kiddos complement me, you’ll see me with a tear in my eye. Mostly happy tears but sometimes not. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. It has taken a long time but I am finally coming to terms with that fact.
…continued in comments

Baby snuggles are the best! There’s nothing sweeter than that feeling when a baby relaxes into you and falls asleep.    ...
03/06/2026

Baby snuggles are the best! There’s nothing sweeter than that feeling when a baby relaxes into you and falls asleep.

Icepocalypse 2026 - Storms bring babies! 😳 Luckily my lovely  took me to NAMC in the late afternoon yesterday while I35 ...
01/27/2026

Icepocalypse 2026 - Storms bring babies! 😳 Luckily my lovely took me to NAMC in the late afternoon yesterday while I35 was passable. And then she came back to get me midday today! She takes such good care of me!

After a full day supporting my clients at the hospital yesterday, I get to relax in the hammock today!
01/18/2026

After a full day supporting my clients at the hospital yesterday, I get to relax in the hammock today!

Happy New Year! You are worthy! I am worthy! We are all doing our best to live life!
01/01/2026

Happy New Year! You are worthy! I am worthy! We are all doing our best to live life!

It’s a Wonderful Life!
12/27/2025

It’s a Wonderful Life!

Happy Winter Solstice Baby! Brought to Mama from Daddy’s loving hands! What a sweet family! This mama was a rockstar! 📸 ...
12/22/2025

Happy Winter Solstice Baby! Brought to Mama from Daddy’s loving hands! What a sweet family! This mama was a rockstar!

📸 by me
Shared with permission

Hi y’all! I have fallen off the IG bandwagon, again 😳 Even if I don’t post much, I’m still here. Working hard to serve t...
12/12/2025

Hi y’all! I have fallen off the IG bandwagon, again 😳 Even if I don’t post much, I’m still here. Working hard to serve the families of Austin. I LOVE my job! And I especially LOVE my clients! Hit me up if you’d like to work together.

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

Address

Austin, TX
78739

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