Krystal Coyne

11/23/2024

The Birth Collective (Austin especially since she was present at my birth) have been an invaluable resource throughout my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.

Austin was the on call doula when I went into labor, and stayed with me for over 36 hours! I don’t think I would have been able to labor to completion unmediated without her encouragement and strong counter pressure! When a hospital transfer was needed, she helped me navigate the system and protected my space since I felt some anxiety after a traumatic first birth experience.

Bree helped to encapsulate my placenta and took the time to make sure I understood the dosing instructions, and Sarah even made a guest appearance at the hospital to drop off coffee and snacks for my husband.

The photos Austin delivered capture my long and complicated birth story perfectly and I am excited to share them with my son when he’s old enough. Thank you TBC, you are angels. ??

Natalie

10/7/2024

Austin made it possible for me to have the birth I wanted! As a first time mom, I had a lot of anxiety and fear around pregnancy, labor and the pain of giving birth. Austin was essential in helping educate and empower me to deliver without an epidural. I knew she had my best interests in mind and she checked in with me when things were not going exactly as I wanted them too. She was willing to advocate for me when I was unable to do so myself.  During birth Austin was calm and firm - encouraging me when I thought it would be impossible! I cannot recommend Austin enough - she is a special part of my birth story and I credit her with the positive experience I had!

Amanda Cameron

9/4/2024

Hiring Austin was nonnegotiable once we found out we were expecting. A major part of being pregnant to me meant that I was going to trust and love my birth team, regardless of the what ifs. Being pregnant was my greatest accomplishment and giving birth was going to be no different. Between the vulnerability and unknowns that come with labor and delivery, we knew having a constant presence of familiarity, calmness, and wisdom was going to help us thrive and oh my did it! Words cannot describe the love and respect we have for Austin. Her presence was irreplaceable and we have so much gratitude towards her for the unwavering support she provided us as we welcomed our sweet boy into the world. The four of us, my son included, became quite the team. She helped us navigate and advocate for myself and son and was an extra hand to hold during the whirlwind. She provided knowledge, comfort, encouragement, and even laughter during the unknown. Austin is simply the best and we feel so fortunate that our son’s birth story involved her. What she brings to your birth experience is invaluable and I cannot recommend her enough!

Dana Farrell

8/21/2024

When I found out I was pregnant, my birth vision was to go unmedicated and with as little interference as possible in a hospital setting. I also wanted my husband to be as present as possible by having someone there to take the fear of the unpredictability of labor away from him. Enter, The Birth Collective!

A fantastic trio, these ladies made me feel seen and heard about my wishes for birth. When the big day finally came, I knew I would be happy with whoever showed up to my birth.

Austin's arrival was uplifting and she immediately jumped in to help me make my sure labor lasted at home as long as possible. She timed our arrival to the hospital perfectly and I was able to labor comfortably in the hospital room and give birth the exact way I wanted to. She was my cheerleader, advocate, and all around support for both myself and my husband. He had to watch me go through the most intense hours of my life and Austin supported us the entire way. She also did all of this while taking the most AMAZING photos of our entire experience. I will cherish those photos for the rest of my life and I can’t wait to show them to my daughter and tell her about her entrance into the world.

If you’re on the fence about getting a doula, I’ll help with your decision by telling you to hire this wonderful team. Not only did I feel like I had an expert in the room with me, I also felt like a had a good friend who wanted my birth to be exactly how I envisioned it. No matter what kind of birth you’re hoping for, these ladies will support you through every stage whether it goes perfectly or totally imperfect. They almost make me want to do it all over again (almost!)

Every time I look at my little girl, I think about Austin; and that my happiness around my little one’s birth was because of her. I couldn’t have done it without her!

Nicole Gachen

7/16/2024

Hi Austin, just wanted to thank you again for all your help; you were an absolutely invaluable part of our birth experience and Tyler and I both couldn’t imagine going through all that without your help and support. I will be forever grateful for you ??
^copy and pasted text to our Doula from the day after our first baby was born. Austin is AMAZING and I was so scared going into birth. Being induced was scary and was not our plan. Labor was hard and painful. She brought a tens unit to help, and held my hand and coached me through breathing and made sure I was aware of everything that was happening with my body and my baby. Emergency C section was scary, but Austin was such a calm and reassuring presence. After baby was born she helped us navigate breasfeeding and days later she did a home visit to help us again. She is literally amazing. Oh also we didn't really want birth photos, but the ones she took were really great and we love them and now I'm so glad we have them :)

Love you Austin! 
Nicole G. 

Jessica Griffith

5/17/2024

We had the privilege of having Austin by our side for my pregnancy and birth of my daughter and I honestly can’t adequately express how much of a blessing she was and is to us. I ended up being in labor for DAYS and had to make decision after decision that I had no energy or mental capacity to make and Austin graciously walked us through it all and got us to our ultimate goal of a vaginal birth when it was seeming so impossible. While I did end up having to have interventions I was hoping to avoid, in looking back on the whole experience it’s so evident that Austin knew my hopes and goals and graciously guided me through every step of in light of those and in a way that I can confidently reflect on the whole experience and know that I did everything possible and made the best decisions needed for mine and my daughters health and safety. Besides gifting me with a birth experience I can be proud of, Austin was just such a JOY to have with us. She is kind, gentle, encouraging, patient, selfless, and a very calming presence in the face of some really tough circumstances. She has truly mastered the art of when to be the comforter and when to be firm and get you to do the damn thing! She is truly a beautiful part of our story of starting our family and we are eternally grateful for her!

Sydney Pieczynski

5/15/2024

My husband and I had the absolute BEST pregnancy/birth experience with Austyn. During our prenatal visit, Austyn thoroughly discussed the labor process and was totally open to any questions my husband and I had. Whenever I had a question, she was a text away and was ALWAYS super responsive. Due ing the early stages of labor, Austyn was extremely communicative with my husband ensuring that I was progressing appropriately and coping as best as possible. When Austyn arrived to my house, she saw me have a few contractions and said "ok it's time to go". With this being my first pregnancy, I honestly had no idea where I was at in the labor process. All I knew is that I was tired but Austyn assured that I was close. Low and behold she was right and I arrived to the hospital at 10cm. Austyn's expertise truly helped me believe in the process and myself. She was a phenomenal coach to my husband and was a strong advocate in the delivery room. Not only did Austyn ensure I was comfortable during delivery, she also captured the most inanity and special moments of my delivery. She is such a talented photographer! She stayed with us until we settled on the post partum unit and conducted a post partum visit two weeks later. Austyn made my first birth experience truly unforgettable. Everything she practices is evidence based and the most current best practices. If you are wanting to feel well prepared and empowered during your pregnancy, Austyn will absolutely help you achieve that. Thank you for an unforgettable birth, Austyn! 

Shinora Bookhart

4/22/2024

This was my second time using The Birth Collective. Austin was my doula this time around. I started having contractions but they were far apart and inconsistent. At some point though I had to vocalize through them. I texted Austin to let her know that contractions were far apart and inconsistent but I couldn't ignore them and needed to vocalize. She told me to let the midwife know and in the meantime she would come to me. When she arrived she set me up with the TENS unit (my favorite thing to distract me from the contraction pain). Then it was time to head to the birth center. 

At the birth center Austin was hands on and encouraging the entire time. I have to say I thought I didn't like being touched during labor but it didn't bother me at all. She applied counter pressure and even let me lean on her. She smelled nice too. 

I was having a difficult time giving in to the contractions and she reassured me over and over again that I was safe and my body and baby knew what to do. Without Austin I think I would have handled it a lot o worse than I did. She is amazing and she amazing photos of my birth story. Thank you so much for being supportive in my birth space. 

Kaitlyn Rutledge

2/6/2024

I highly recommend working with the Birth Collective as your doulas! I couldn't have gotten through it without them! When you work with the Birth Collective you have full access to all three doulas, Austin, Bre and Sarah! It was very helpful and reassuring knowing whenever I had a question or concern during my pregnancy I could reach out to them to ask questions! Austin attended my birth and coached me through different laboring positions, kept me calm and focused and honestly helped me through a natural labor when I thought I couldn't do it! She was amazing! Austin was there with us every step of the way and helped not only me but taught my husband how to get involved and help me through my labor and delivery. Austin also did my birth photography and videography and I am so glad we have have both to look back on to remember the special day! Bre did my placenta encapsulation and Sarah did our family lifestyle and newborn photos. I am so glad we have made such a great connection with the Birth Collective! We love you guys and we are so looking forward to having you all to help us through our next birth! 

Elizabeth Vasseur

1/8/2024

I absolutely think Austin was essential in me getting my VBAC! I can't thank her enough. Here's how it all unfolded.

We moved to Washington, when I was six months pregnant, and I immediately started looking for a midwife and a Doula. I had planned a natural birth for my first baby, but was so devastated when it ended up in a C-section.

Because I was so frustrated with my first birth, it made me really focused to find a Doula that could support my goals for a VBAC. It took me several months to decide on a midwife, and I didn’t decide on a Doula until Dec 2nd. My due date was December 31.

I submitted my birth plan on December 6th and planned to meet the Birth Collective Doulas on December 13. Little did I know that my boy would come three weeks early on December 7th.

I started texting with Austin and she was super responsive, we decided to meet at the hospital because my labor was going fast. From the moment she walked into the room she got right to work. She helped ease my labor by setting me up with the tens unit. She also offered very encouraging words and was super comforting. Because my husband had to be in the lobby with our toddler, she swapped with him a few times.

It just seems so natural like she knew exactly what I needed, and was a step ahead, helping me get through transition and right up to pushing. She was exactly the balance I needed with the nurses, allowing me to have just those extra pushes in the tub. She was communicating with the nurses, and my husband in the lobby, while also being fully present for me. Right before my son came she swapped with my husband and stayed with my toddler in the lobby. My daughter was comfortable with her too, when she’s normally shy with strangers.

It was so empowering, and I am so blessed that Austin was able to support me with this birth. I’ll definitely hope to have her by my side if we get pregnant again!

Piper Talladay

1/5/2024

I can't say enough good things about our favorite doulas at the Birth Collective! My husband and I worked with Austin for the birth of our first son.
My goal was for a natural, intervention free birth, but ultimately I wanted to feel safe and confident the whole time! With the encouragement and support from Austin, I felt prepared going into labor, supported during the quick and intense labor, and supported postpartum. Having someone there to help advocate for us and encourage us was instrumental in feeling so positive about labor and birth!  
We are so thankful for Austin and can't reccomend her enough!

Maggie Summers

1/5/2024

This was our first baby and delivery experience. Having a history of trauma and anxiety, I felt it necessary to hire a doula. This was the best decision I made for our maternity and birthing experience. Austin from PNW Birth Collective, was the perfect fit for us. She was trauma-informed, empathetic, knowledgeable, and skillful in her approach. Most importantly, especially with my unique experience, she was a great advocate for my husband and myself. After a failed induction/vaginal delivery, she helped us accept an emergency c-section with proper preparation and asking the right questions from my health team. After a successful c-section, she was able to capture our experience with her skillful photography. We are so grateful to have these beautiful photos that she provided in addition to her doula support. We highly recommend hiring doula services through PNW Birth Collective. Every member of this team is wonderful. Due to our personal experience and having Austin, we can proudly recommend her too. Thank you for everything, Austin and birth collective team??

Kali Roselle

1/5/2024

When I first found out I was pregant, the first thing my friend recommended was hiring the birth collective as my doula team. I am beyond thankful I was pointed to their team! Not only did I get to know  who was possibly going to be at my birth but I also had someone just a text or phone call away. My husband works out of town a lot and that was a huge plus for me. Thankfully my pregnancy was pretty uneventful but the things that did come up I had an answer instantly! Austin was my saving grace, i had a quick labor and delivery. When she made it to my house, i was on the floor and she got me comfortable and then was the one corresponding with my midwife and keeping my husband moving in the right direction. Once we got to the birthing center my baby girl was born in about 30 minutes. While my husband was holding our daughter and they were doing all the things to me, Austin was the one next to me making sure I was okay and felt comfortable. After about a week i was really struggling with breastfeeding, Austin came to my house and talked about our options. Austin made me feeland safe, understood. She really was the reason we made it through those following weeks and i appreciate her, Bree and Sarah for all they are worth! Thank TBC!! 

Poorva

10/30/2023

As a first time mom, I am so grateful to have had Austin and The Birth Collective support me in my pregnancy journey and birth. My labor progressed faster than I expected, and it felt like my labor pain went from 0 to 100 in the matter of 30 minutues. Even though I was getting an epidural, it was great having Austin by my side. She knew how to help me manage my pain before I was able to get the pain medication in a way that my husband just wasn't able to (even though he was definitely doing his best!) I remember Austin being so helpful during the pushing stage, helping me get into different positions, working with the midwife to offer me encouragement, and also advocating on my behalf. Though there were some complications with my delivery, I still felt like I had a positive birth experience which I don't think would have been possible without Austin being there. I also can't complain about all the photos Austin took during the process - it was great to have those incredible moments captured forever. 

But the support of The Birth Collective goes beyond just the birth. It was so nice to be able to just text the group whenever I had a question during my pregnancy - they were always so quick to reply and offered great advice, or at least made me feel better about how things were going. We had a session with them a few weeks before the due date where they walked us through what to expect in detail and gave us a lot of helpful information. Austin also came to check up on me a few weeks postpartum, just to make sure I was doing okay and to see if I had any questions. I felt very comfortable asking her any questions - she never made me feel judged and always treated me with a lot of respect. 

I have already recommended The Birth Collective to multiple friends that are currently pregnant and will continue to do so to others. I certainly plan on hiring Austin and the team again for any future pregnancies :) 

Cecelia Zenger

10/16/2023

Austin was the birth doula for my birth this August. My labor to birth was 50 hours and Austin was a part of the entire experience. She answered my texts promptly and came to help me at the house and then through the entire experience at the hospital. She helped me and guided my husband to help through every contraction. She helped me understand my choices and documented the experience. She and her team will always be a part of our baby's life and we are so grateful. Thank you! 

Kelly H.

10/12/2023

Grateful is an understatement to hiring the birth collective and having Austin at my birth. She was truly the embodiment of love, help and support. My husband and I did so much birth prep, classes/books etc, but when the time came- we were so RELIEVED to rely on Austin and all the wisdom and calm presence she carried.  I was somebody who wanted an unmedicated birth and there was truly no way I could have done it without her. That is 100% the truth. The support I received wasn’t just for laboring; I felt so cared for during my pregnancy and postpartum with all my questions. Austin was a gift in every aspect and I can’t recommend her enough. You won’t regret hiring her and receiving top notch individualized support and care for such a monumental time in your life.

Brittney Dahl

7/28/2023

Austin has attended two of my births now and I would (and do) recommend her and The Birth Collective PNW to anyone and everyone having a baby. Austin is so quick to offer amazing advice and reassurance during pregnancy and always knows exactly what to say to any worries or concerns you may have; she makes you feel so important and heard. Not only is she the most calming presence that you can actually feel making a difference in your birth space, but she is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled. She has the best personality and knows when you need a strong, calming presence and when you need lightheartedness/jokes to get you through the hard work that is birth. Not to mention, she takes beautiful photos and videos to perfectly capture your birth which helped me immensely in processing my births, and seeing myself in the light that she saw me in. Austin is an absolute God-sent doula/birth photographer and I need her at all my future births! 

Abigail Dewald

7/22/2023

After a previous pregnancy loss, I knew that I wanted to have more resources and be more supported and informed for my 2nd pregnancy. Austin was my doula for labor and delivery and she was incredible. In a hospital full of people who are pushing and rushing you to make decisions, having someone there to allow you space and offer judgement-free guidance is so important. I ended up going against my original birth plan in literally almost every way, so I was nervous but Austin never judged me or made me feel bad about changing my mind. Austin was also able to help my husband be the best birth partner he could be, and of course the photos... I am so glad I have them. My daughters birth was wonderful, but a huge blur, so I am really grateful that I have photos to remember it forever. Thank you so much. ??

Hillary

6/11/2023

It is difficult to put into words the impact that our Doula, Austin, had on my birthing experience. I'm 1000% type A and went into deep, deep research mode from the moment I learned I was pregnant. It was extremely challenging for me to know that I was going to at some point to have to lean harder into needing support than I ever have before.

While my partner was a rockstar in supporting me and knowing me, Austin was the glue that brought together ensuring we were fully educated, knew when and how to advocate for what we wanted, and brought a sense of calm and a united team mindset into the delivery room. Our L&D nurses made comments multiple times about our preparedness (thanks to Birth Collective) and how much they loved partnering with Austin.

As a first time mom - our labor was complex and we earned the "prolonged labor" diagnosis... I can confidently say we most likely would've ended up in an emergency C section if it weren't for Austin and our OB. Instead, we had a beautiful 9.6lb bundle of joy and a smooth recovery. Austin is an absolute blessing.

Hannah

3/20/2023

Loved Austin as my doula! She was such a peaceful presence in the room. She answered last minute medical questions for me and helped me make decisions when I was in labor and not thinking straight. Afterwards she stayed by my side and made sure I was okay. Best decision I made was having a doula!! 

Morgan

1/8/2023

I worked with Austin for capturing photo and video of my second home birth. Working with her was such a positive experience - the zoom meetings were super helpful (I live on Vashon) and the texting was communicative and reassuring along the way.

The night of birth Austin was a miracle-worker in getting to me and her presence was delightful. Then... HOLY SMOKES the photos and videos. HOW on earth it's possible that she got that many stellar photos and videos I have no idea. I think she is testing some new tech for prosthetic extra arms. I couldn't be more in love with these images and the videos she crafted bring me right back to the best night of my life.

Her work makes it possible for me to savor the beauty and strength and challenge and magic of that night over and over again. I love sharing it with my family, friends, young son who assisted during the birth, and I can't wait to share these with my newest baby, my little partner who we captured his entrance for. Thank you thank you thank you! I can't recommend working with Austin enough. She is truly a gift to birthing people. <3

Stephanie Korver

11/9/2022

Doula Austin was absolutely an integral part of my mental attitude, comfort, confidence, and security during my birth. Like many, my birth went absolutely nothing like I envisioned it (hello precipitous, almost parking lot birth, labor!). However, despite what looked like total chaos from the outside, Austin's calm presence and confidence in me as a birthing mom helped to bring me strength and peace during my whirlwind labor. Having her there for the birth of our daughter as both a doula and photographer is a decision I'd make 100x over. I love that she'll forever be a piece of our birth story, and I am so beyond grateful for the images she captured that helped me to really go back and see the beauty of our birth.

Leilani Davis

10/17/2022

Hiring Austin and her colleagues, the Birth Collect PNW, was hands down the best decision we made in my birth journey. They supported us through my pregnancy, helping me track information from my midwife and eased my anxiety by cheering me on and being a voice of reason when we chose to move forward with natural induction. That being said, when my time finally came - Austin went above and beyond. Labor didn’t exactly go as planned and I ended up needing a hospital transfer from the birthing center we were at. Austin truly advocated for both me and my partner. When a rude/pushy nurse started yelling questions at me (while I was having a contraction), Austin calmly stepped in asked the nurse to give us a moment and then took the time to explain our options clearly and allowed us to have our space to discuss and make a decision together. She was such a peaceful presence and both me and my husband agree that we don’t know what we would have done without Austin. I highly recommend this doula team, every single one of these ladies are a dream! They were so helpful. I am forever grateful for the pictures Austin took. A lot of what happened that day was a total blur, but these images tell a beautiful story of the hardest but most beautiful day of my life.

Aish

7/3/2022

My husband and I spoke with Austin and her fellow Birth collective doulas very late in our pregnancy. Austin, instantly put us at ease by answering all our questions and being very honest about the birthing experience. On the day of the birth, Austin helped me ease my pain through early labor and also was assertive at the right times to get me to try positions that would ease the baby's journey out. I was pretty stubborn throughout my labor and Austin worked with me and helped me deliver my baby. She guided me through transition and pushing. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without her. She also held my hand during a totally unexpected visit to the OR post delivery. All in all I'm glad I had Austin as my doula. I loved my birthing experience. And to top it all Austin documented the birth. Some parts of my labor I would've forgotten if not for her efforts of documenting it. I'm very grateful to her. 

Nicole S

5/24/2022

We absolutely loved working with Austin and The Birth Collective! Her support leading up to my daughter's birth helped me feel informed about options I had, and confident that I had lots of strategies to help me in my goal of laboring unmedicated. I also felt assured that I would have all the support I needed if I changed my mind, or ended up needing medicated pain relief. Austin was such an incredible support through my very extended early labor at home and quick progression once we reached the hospital. She helped me maintain focus and ensured I understood what was happening during labor and was a great support to my husband as well.

Austin is kind, a great listener, and a wonderfully calming presence! She was an essential part of my awesome birth experience and I can't imagine having another birth without her.

Isabella

3/20/2022

One of the best decisions in my pregnancy was working with the doula team. With hormones and life changes I felt an array of emotions and the doula team ALWAYS was there to support me and help make the best decision for me and my family. As I neared the end of my pregnancy I was diagnosed with IUGR and quite frankly I was insulted and felt disappointed in my body. However the doula team and my family came together and figured what would be best for me and baby. If it were not for the doula team I would've been confused and overwhelmed. Austin was by my side during labor. (40w+1day)I had the most empowering delivery with no pain medications because my doula had a bag (like marry poppins) of "tools" for birth. As a first time mom I had the birth of my dreams and could not have done it without my doula team. My husband also was able to enjoy this experience and saw the importance of having such a great team by your side (he said 10/10 would recommend a doula). The placenta encapsulation is also a huge benefit and allowed me to have a quick recovery. Overall the team goes above and beyond expections; the support during pregnancy/birth/postpartum, pictures/video, placenta encapsulation is all worth it. 

Whitney Card

11/18/2021

When we started looking for a doula, Austin and The Birth Collective was recommended to us over and over again. After our experience with them, I can see why! Austin was wonderful. She was kind, warm, friendly, helpful, and encouraging from the moment we met her. During my pregnancy she was always willing to answer any questions I had or talk me through any concerns, and she was responsive and available whenever I needed her. I ended up going almost a week past my due date and experienced a couple "false starts" to my labor, and she was patient and kind when I reached out to her even when it ended up being nothing. 

When I did go into labor, Austin was fantastic. Things moved really fast and were very intense by the time she got there, but her calming presence (and her TENS machine) were so helpful. She took beautiful photos, cared for me in the immediate postpartum period, and tag-teamed with my husband to provide me with the support I needed with some struggles after my baby was born. She also went above and beyond in supporting our family when I ended up in the hospital 6 days postpartum with an infection. 

Austin is knowledgeable, experienced, kind, encouraging, and supportive - everything you could possibly wish for in a doula. I can't recommend her highly enough!

Ashley Condict

11/7/2021

When we found out we were expecting baby #3 (and potentially our last baby) I knew I wanted to document this birth with professional photography/videography. I went on a search and found a collective of local birth doulas. My family and I connected with them right away and knew they were meant to be a part of this journey. They were there for us throughout our entire pregnancy, there to answer any questions we had or to just check in and see how our family and pregnancy was going. Once labor began I quickly found out that Doula Austin would be the one on call for our birth (as I had seen her in my dreams many times). I was so unsure of where my labor was going so I reached out with hesitation but we all ultimately decided to head towards labor and delivery, and thankfully we did. Upon arriving at the hospital I quickly discovered that I was in transition, my waters had released and I was complete. This was all under 1 hour from the letting Doula Austin know and heading out to the hospital. She came flying through the door of our birth room just as I was getting ready to bring our first baby girl earthside. Austin was exactly who we needed, she came in with a calming presence and organically captured our birth in the most beautiful and timeless way. After she spent the full 2 hours after birth with us she offered to drop my placenta off at my home after 3:00am. This goes to show the love and dedication she has for her birth clients and the families she serves. She stayed in contact with us while editing our photos and video and sent a few sneak peak pictures in the meantime. When we received our final images and video we were blow away! I was in tears for days as I was able to see the full progression from the time she arrived. She heard all of our desires and made sure to incorporate them in her work. We are FOREVER grateful for this gift and can only dream of a day where we may work with her and The Birth Collective again. 

Kaitlyn

8/7/2021

I wholeheartedly recommend Austing and The Birth Collective, and truly can’t express enough how amazing she is!  From the time of hiring them, they were incredibly supportive and always available and responsive.  Austin was phemonenal as the doula during my labor and birth.  My labor did not go as I hoped, and she was the most encouraging and empowering, helping me process my emotions and feelings, while still holding true to my ultimate desire to have a VBAC. I can share about all the techniques Austin had to help me throughout my labor and her incredible knowledge and skill, but what I want to highlight is how in tune she was with me and what I needed in each moment, especially emotionally.  Austin was this beautiful, calm, reassuring presence that I desperately needed.  From experiencing previous loss and a traumatic c-section, I still held a lot of fear that something would happen to the baby.  There were several times during this labor that my baby had decels and when the team of nurses came in to help, and several times it was mentioned that another c-section may be needed.  This is where Austin was worth her weight in gold!  She was not only incredibly reassuring, but she calmly explained EVERYTHING that was happening.  At times when I would have spiraled because of my fear, Austin calmly reassured me and helped me process and understand what was happening.  I can’t tell you how many times I asked her, “Is the baby ok?” and how often she reassured me and told me where the baby’s heart rate was.  I am so, so grateful to her for the role she played in my labor and birth.  In the end, I had my VBAC, and I can confidently say that Austin was a HUGE reason for that.  She was my cheerleader, and her level of knowledge, experience, and calm presence was incredibly reassuring throughout.  (And wow- my birth photos are incredible!) I am so very thankful for her!

Sinath

4/4/2021

I can not say enough good things about my experience with Austin and The Birth Collective PNW. I'm pleased that a friend of mine recommended me to them. I Mainly spoke with Sarah and Austin but all 3 of the woman responded quickly and informative every time I had questions or concerns.I was extremely excited to do another natural birth and I honestly couldn't have made it without the support of Austin. She was right by my side while putting lots of pressure to help relieve my intense back labor. Austin would encourage me and tell me how great I was doing. She kept me motivated and helped me get the birth I had dreamed of!While I was pushing, Sarah was able to join us. I was so happy to have both of them by my side. It was truly a perfect birthing experience. If I'm ever pregnant again I will absolutely be hiring this team. Anyone who chooses them will not be disappointed!

Allison

1/9/2021

As a pelvic floor PT, I am well versed in the benefits and importance of working with a doula and knew before my pregnancy that this would be an important part of my future birth team. When the time came, I met with a few in my area. I immediately felt like I connected with Austin. She was easy to talk to and so supportive and encouraging about the vision I had for my birth experience. She was consistently responsive to communication from the first contact through my early postpartum period. She was always available when I needed encouragement, tips and tricks to get baby better positioned, and even made an extra trip out to our home to help get things going. She was a calming presence in the delivery room and helped me to stay focused and grounded. She helped my husband feel more confident in his role. When I came to the point that I literally thought it was impossible to continue, she responded with the perfect balance of empathy and encouragement and gave me what I needed to push through. In the end, our birth story did not go as we had hoped or planned and Austin was there on the other side to help me process the experience and move forward from it. I feel so fortunate to have been able to work with her and have her by our side in this journey. I would not hesitate to recommend her to a friend or a patient and will be calling her when we're ready to have our VBAC baby!

Alexis Kilcup

1/5/2021

Peace. That’s where my mind was throughout my entire pregnancy and delivery because I felt supported and educated by Austin. I was hesitant at first attempting a VBAC but after many, face to face conversations, texts and question and after question Austin gave me the answers that were evidence based that would best support my birth plan. When new concerns popped up, she was there to support me. She not only supported me through education but her emotional support. She could talk me down when I felt like I was going crazy (as most of us do during pregnancy) and let me vent when I needed to. She validated my concerns and truly put my mind at ease. Although my plan of the perfect birth didn’t happen Austin guided and encouraged me to advocate for the best outcome with my provider. And my birth was perfect. It was the birth I didn’t see coming and filled my heart with so much joy. And I owe a large part to Austin for making that happen. I never thought I needed a doula. I’m a planner and thought I had all the support I needed. Austin changed that. She was the missing piece to my perfect birth. She also captured amazing photos of me and my son in those first minutes of him being earth side. Moments I will cherish forever. If you are on the fence about hiring a doula, do it. Hire Austin. She will not disappoint.  

Courtney Kotzmoyer

12/31/2020

Being a first-time mama I had no clue what to expect so I knew I wanted to have a doula on our team to have the best shot of having an enjoyable birth experience and I’m SO glad we had Austin on our team! (ESPECIALLY for my husband’s sake) I can’t count how many times he tells the story and says, “Thank goodness for Austin!” Because like myself he didn’t know what to expect with having a baby.

Things progressed so quickly for us one minute we were at church and the next I was in active labor! We were just swirling and completely out of sorts but I wasn’t stressed because I knew I had Austin and her knowledge of the whole birthing process and I could trust her to help us know what to do next. I don’t know what we would have done without her calm and assuring guidance! We are so thankful to have had her by our side as we welcomed our sweet little boy into the world and would highly recommend her to any of my closest girlfriends! You will never regret investing in your birth experience! So thankful we did!

Lacey

12/19/2020

You need Austin at your birth! In the last month of my pregnancy our previous doula had to cancel. I reached out to Austin & I felt comfortable with her right away! My water broke at 1 in the morning & she immediately responded. I couldn’t reach my midwife & she was calming & answered our questions. She met us at our birth center a few hours later. I had a really rough, long labor. I was puking non-stop, weak, and not progressing. She was prepared for everything & had so many ideas on how to cope with contractions, positions to try, rebozo, & honey sticks for when I couldn’t eat but I needed energy. She was always present & supported my husband & I. I didn’t realize that you're usually left to labor alone for most of the time at a birth center or hospital. It gave us peace of mind to have someone we trusted with us the entire time who knew everything & what was normal. I transferred to the hospital to get an epidural because my body was so weak. She had no judgment, only encouragement & info for what to expect. We had a pushy doctor who kept threatening a c-section (baby & I were healthy) & Austin kept us informed of our options. She helped us weigh the benefits of each side of any decision. I gave birth after 32 hours! Austin was awake & there for us most of that time because I couldn’t sleep & I kept asking questions lol. My husband & I agree that she is 100% the reason I didn’t have an unnecessary c-section. I've had a rough time postpartum & she's been so sweet every time I’ve reached out to her & is never annoyed with my million questions lol. If I get pregnant again, I’m calling Austin right after I tell my husband. I was the one advocating for a doula & knew it’d be helpful, but even I was surprised with how much more helpful it was to have her there than I ever thought it could be. Austin’s incredible.

Allie

11/30/2020

We are so grateful to have worked with Austin for the birth of our first child in September - I would HIGHLY recommend Austin.

Heading into the birth, we had actually hired another doula who had to cancel unexpectedly - it turned out to be an absolute blessing in disguise, because then we came across Austin :). In our first meeting, she was an absolute wealth of information about the birth process, and helped both me and my husband feel so much more knowledgeable and confident heading into the labor experience. We immediately felt at ease with her presence and approach, which is so down to earth, knowledgable, positive, and kind. She also so clearly wanted to support us in our vision and needs. 

When we got closer to and past my due date, Austin was in touch regularly, sharing ideas about getting labor going, and staying comfortable along the way. When labor finally started, Austin provided support, guidance, and strategies while I labored at home. 

Once we got to the hospital, Austin was amazing in supporting me and my husband through many hours of unmedicated labor, and then helping us to navigate a variety of changing circumstances. Although my birth ended up completely different than I ever expected, Austin's presence was calming, comforting, and gave me and my husband confidence I know we wouldn't have had on our own.

Thank you Austin!!

Ashley Ward

10/27/2020

Austin is an incredible doula and we feel so blessed to have had her support in the birth of our second child. She really put us at ease and significantly lowered our family’s stress levels. Overall we felt more healthy and prepared with Austin on our team. She provided a very well balanced perspective-  providing insight into both home birth and hospital birth. It certainly was a comfort to know that if I needed to transport to the hospital, Austin would be there to help and advocate for me. I really appreciated that she had both a clinical and holistic point of view. She listened to my past experiences at length and understood what my hopes were for this new delivery. She was very thorough about creating a plan based on what I wanted the experience to be. She was incredible at listening and I felt validated in all of my concerns, hopes, and fears. She provided emotional support throughout the ups and downs of my pregnancy. It was so valuable to have someone to talk to and connect with through the many stages of our birth experience. Austin is gifted in that she is especially empathetic and kind. She came from a place of non-judgment and understanding. Her support throughout my pregnancy and labor was invaluable.

During the birth of my son, she knew exactly what to do and say to help me through the darkest most intense part of labor. It was a huge comfort and relief to have someone knowledgeable there to support us. We consider it a privilege to have Austin as part of our birth experience and we are immensely grateful we had her as our doula.

Melissa

9/17/2020

We are so grateful that Austin was our doula at our third birth. From start to end she was so intuitive with providing support. Whether it was back pressure, cold wash cloths, ice cubes, words of encouragement, effective coaching when I had trouble pushing, she somehow knew exactly what I needed in each moment without me even thinking of it. She did all this in the most compassionate and respectful way. It is clear that assisting women in labor is one of Austin's callings and passions. She would be such a gift to any woman in labor. Also, she is a very artistic photographer and took some amazing photos during my labor! 

Kathia Ramos

6/25/2020

If I had to give one piece of advice to a soon to be mama it would be to get a doula and Austin would be the one I recommend. When you first meet Austin you can tell how passionate she is about helping mom's. She kept me informed on everything I needed to know for my birth and continued to educate me postpartum. She is one of the main reasons I was able to birth my son at home and unmedicated like I had wanted. Labor was better than I had thought it would be because I had Austin there reassuring me when I started to doubt myself, applying pressure or figuring out different positions for me to feel more comfortable. Did I mention she was 7 months pregnant?!? She is a superwoman!! Every woman deserves to have an amazing birth and to feel empowered. I believe with Austin that is possible for anyone!??

Jessie Forbes

6/4/2020

Where do I even begin? Austin is truly one of a kind. From the very beginning she was inquisitive and eager to understand what I envisioned my ideal birth to be. She helped me explore topics I wasn’t familiar with and was my guide through the natural birth process. Austin checked in on me frequently as my pregnancy progressed, always remembering when I was eagerly awaiting results so she could be my cheerleader during those times. As we got closer to the big day and I became increasingly uncomfortable, she made time for a home visit to check in and teach us some moves to temporarily alleviate the discomfort. I seriously cannot day enough great things... then came the big day! I texted her at 5:30 am saying I thought I was in labor, within moments she was responding and arrived at our house in under thirty minutes. Needless to say, she’s the only reason we made it to our birth center instead of having an unassisted home birth! Needless to say, she is beyond amazing and you cannot go wrong in choosing her as your doula. ??

Kelsey Stephenson

4/20/2020

Let me start by saying I believe with all my heart Austin was the reason we had a successful VBAC with our son. I truly, don’t know if it would have happened with our her.

Austin was 100% involved from the day we decided to use her as our doula! She helped educate and support us every step of the way. She was knowledgeable, patient ( with my 12,000 questions, worries and fears) and the positive support I needed when I had outside negative “noise” around me.

When it came to my labor, she was my literal Angel. She was there when I needed her, she stepped back when I needed my husband. She was quite, but there every step of the way. She knew what to say/ do to support me, keep me positive and keep my eye on the prize.

She was sooooo patient as my labor was almost 40 hours ( she was with me majority of my labor and would have been there from the beginning if I needed her). She reminded me of my options when I wanted to give up and couldn’t think clearly anymore. She was my literal cheerleader as I pushed and her poor fingers were probably numb by the end of my pushing.

I can’t even put into words how much my husband and I appreciated all Austin did for us throughout our pregnancy and birth. We love her and are so grateful for her.

Kaylla

4/19/2020

Austin and I have been friends for years and to be quite honest, hiring a doula was never a part of our original birth plan. With the Corona virus amongt us, our birth plan quickly changed from an unmediated hospital birth surrounded by my immediate family and husband, to an unplanned induction with no family or visitors. Because we love Austin and trust her completely, we asked for her to step in as our doula. Throughout my intense labor, Austin was there to not only coach my husband, allowing him to help me the best he could, but was there to support me as a woman and mother. Her presence during our baby girls transition into the outside world made an exhausting/stressful/emotional experience one of the happiest days of our lives. We cannot thank her enough. Our experience with her was simply the best we could have ever hoped for! 

Bree

2/17/2020

When I first met Auston I knew instantly that she was a good fit for me! Her passion for knowledge and making sure I was aware of all the options was evident. She listens and not just listens... I mean she hears me and makes sure that your heard in birth! Austin was keen to make sure all of what we discussed prior to birth was taken into consideration and thoughtfully discussed when plans change. In birth she is caring and loving and so easy to lean into. Her strength and belief for her clients is beautiful to witness and it is evident she loves what she does. Her vbac knowledge is unparrel!!! I would reccomend Austin 100 times over!!! You will not regret having her along side you in your birth!