Birth Doulas

Susan Allick is a United States Air Force retiree, who received her Bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University. She has birthed four children without pain medication in four different countries (first one pitocin induced). She has 17 grandchildren; and has been supporting and assisting moms with the birthing process for 8 years. She is a certified birth doula with DONA, CAPPA and Hypnobabies. She is a volunteer with Operation Special Delivery (OSD) providing free Doula service to those military wives whose spouses are deployed. She also works with San Antonio Birth Doulas, a non-profit organization providing free birth support for teens and low-income women, during their pregnancy and birthing time. She serves women who choose to birth in hospitals, birth centers or in the comfort of their own homes in San Antonio and surrounding areas.

I am a birth doula trained by DONA. I am comfortable attending medicated as well as non-medicated births and support a mother's right to choose her birth path and follow it. I have had 4 unmedicated births and am a grandparent of 6. I have breastfed all of my children and am an advocate for breastfeeding. I also am happy to provide information on cloth diapering and babywearing. I enjoy all aspects of child bearing and rearing. I am bilingual English/Spanish

Tina Castellanos has been working to empower mothers and families since 1999. Through her work as a La Leche League Leader she has assisted thousands of families in getting their first weeks and months off to a great start. Tina’s love of working with mothers and babies led her to her career as a Doula, Childbirth Educator and Lactation Consultant. Tina is a DONA Certified Birth Doula and a Postpartum Doula. She is a Bradley® Natural Childbirth Educator. She continues to work with LLL and is proud to have earned her IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Her greatest accomplishment by far is being the mother of three wonderful children. Tina feels honored to be welcomed into the most important experiences that a woman, man and family will ever have…the birth of a child. She is awed each time she watches a new life come into this world.

Ruth Castillo Dean is trained as a birth doula. She was born in California, grew up on the outskirts of Houston and now lives in northwest San Antonio with her husband and daughter. Her birth interests and skill sets include: reproductive justice, full-spectrum doula work, "Spinning Babies", self-hypnosis for management of pain, and the Lamaze 6 Healthy practices. She has a special interest in working with moms diagnosed with diabetes or gestational as she has lived (and struggled!) with a Type II Diabetes diagnosis since she was 15 years old. Ruth's goal is to help every mom birth in an aura of love and respect. She is currently pursuing certifications as a DONA birth Doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator and HypnoBabies HypnoDoula.

Tracy has been working with birthing women for twenty two years. She was a previous La Leche League Leader and Midwife Assistant and has 9 biological children ranging in age from 24 years - 8 years. She has been a certified doula (ALACE) since 1997 and is currently waiting for her re-certification as a birth and postpartum doula through DONA. She believes doing what you like is freedom and liking what you do is happiness!

I truly believe that knowledge is power! I believe that if you don't know what your options are, then you have no options! I would love to help you to explore your options while preparing a birth plan as well as be there to support you during your labor and this major life transition! I am a mother of two girls born in the hospital. I breastfed both exclusively and honestly that was my favorite part of being a mom! I worked as a lawyer for eleven years before changing careers to something that has always excited me. I am a DONA trained but not yet certified Doula. I started studying to be a midwife through the Association of Texas Midwives Training Program in September 2010 and expect to finish in late 2013. I love watching the transformation in a woman when she realizes her own power, thanks to the birthing process! A woman remembers her birthing experiences for the rest of her life--I would love to help you learn about the process and experience!

Hi, I'm Christine. I am the mother of 7 biological children (aged 7 to 24 years old) and I am passionate about supporting women so that they can achieve positive birth and parenting experiences. I am the owner of Healing Hands Massage Doula, San Antonio's premier Mobile Spa for the expecting mom. I have a Bachelors of Science from the Ohio State University in Therapeutic Recreation. I have been a Birth Doula since 2004 assisting in over 100 births in various settings, Post-Partum Doula, Licensed Massage Therapist since 2006, Certified Prenatal Massage Therapist & Certified Infant Massage Instructor. In addition I am available to provide labor education, assist the family learn to care for and bond with their newborn and provide postpartum care. I have successfully breastfed all 7 of my own babies and can help you with breastfeeding coaching. I offer in-home personalized spa services for the mother-to-be, helping to relieve the aches and pains associated with pregnancy and birth, while helping you relax and enjoy your pregnancy. If you prefer, appointments can also be made for the following locations: the San Antonio Birth Center (in the Medical Center) or the North Central location at MommyTime (in the Legacy Shopping Center 1604 & HWY 281, behind Lifetime Fitness). I provide massage by appointment only. Please call 210-854-3808 for availability. Pregnancy and birth is such a special time in a woman's life. I am honored to assist you and ease your transition to motherhood.

I’m Tiffany. I’m glad you found Viva Doulas ~ what an awesome group of women! I’m a Mom, I’m a Doula, I’m an Empowered Birth Activist. I am passionate about supporting women as they discover their Mama Bear strength! I believe in the power & wisdom of a woman's body. I believe in intuition. I believe that everything happens for a reason. And I believe that laughter always makes you feel better! I’m a DONA trained Birth Doula, the Marketing Chair for Viva Doulas, San Antonio Rally Coordinator for Improving Birth National Rally for Change and co-founder of Central Texas Birth Network. I offer birth and postpartum doula services, as well as breastfeeding support & childbirth education classes & workshops. I will inform, support and advocate for you however and wherever you choose to give birth, whether it’s in a hospital, birth center or at home, and with or without pain medication. I want you to feel confident and informed as you make choices about the birth of your baby. You will remember this birth day for the rest of your life and you will be forever transformed. It would be an honor to be a member of your birth team!

Yvette Hernandez CD(DONA), LCCE has been a Birth Doula since 2008. She is DONA trained and certified. She is a mother to two great kids, ages 12 and 8. Her love for birth was first instilled at the age of 14, when she was present at her sisters birth. Her goal is to help mothers feel confident and empowered during pregnancy and birth, to assist new mothers establish breastfeeding, and to help fathers discover their roles during labor, birth and the postpartum period. Yvette serves women who choose to birth in hospitals, birth centers or in the comfort of their own homes. She is a certified Lamaze childbirth educator as well. Yvette also works with San Antonio Birth Doulas, a non-profit organization. She is bilingual in Spanish/English. 210-330-9971 mamidoulato2@gmail.com

My name is Lisa Hinojosa and I am a Certified Birth Doula and a Registered Massage Therapist. I specialize in pre-natal and infant massage. Additionally, I also teach infant massage to parents. I am the mother of two children and have been married for 30 years. Besides being a Certified Birth Doula, I also hold membership in Doulas of North America (DONA), the San Antonio Breastfeeding Coalition, Code Purple, Citizens for Gentle Birth, and CIMS. I have experience supporting medicated, un-medicated, caesarean births, home births, water births, V-BAC, and teen pregnancies. I am a volunteer Doula with San Antonio Birth Doulas. Even before I had ever heard the word “Doula”, I was doing Doula work for my family and friends. It seems to be a calling for me and a natural extension of my massage work. As your Doula, I will help provide the physical, emotional, and informational support you and your partner need to have the birth experience you are looking for. I believe in the support that a Doula can provide you and your family. My philosophy is simple. I am here to support you and your partner no matter how you choose to birth.

During my pregnancy with my daughter I discovered a strength in myself and a respect for birth that has led me to support other women on their journey to motherhood. I believe in each mother's ability to make informed choices for herself and her child when she has access to solid information and supportive caregivers. I am honored to work with mothers and families prenatally, during labor and birth and postpartum. I will complete my certification in December as a birth doula with DONA and am available for birth and postpartum care.

I am a doula and childbirth educator trained through Birthing from Within and DONA. I believe that families deserve to understand the hard work it takes to navigate the many twists and turns that can arise through birth, and be equipped with tools to help them deal with whatever their birth brings them. I also believe that families deserve nourishment...physical and emotional, during the course of their labor. It is a joy to bring such nourishment to parents during this very special time in their lives. I am passionate about helping mothers prevent birth trauma through education and introspection, and about helping mothers to heal from any negative experiences that may have transpired during a past birth. That is why I have involved myself with the Improving Birth movement and ICAN, and why I started Your Voice Counts Day. I also teach group and private Birthing from Within childbirth classes to help parents mindfully prepare for birth.

I found my calling as a birth doula after the birth of my second child. My doula was such a support and a gift to my family and her support helped me have the VBAC I so desired. I knew I wanted to gift that to other families. I am a DONA certified birth doula and I also offer postpartum services. I have a servant’s heart and enjoy working with woman as they blossom into motherhood. I feel I have a sixth sense for reading people and determining their needs. My clients can trust I will give them all the support they need to empower themselves and to become their own best advocate. I get very excited when I see a mama find that inner strength and determination she wasn't sure existed and blossom into a confident, powerful mother. I love to spend time with my husband & three kids. We enjoy camping, fishing, biking and spending time with friends and family. My kids have molded me in ways I never imagined. They pushed me out of my shell and helped me find my voice to speak up for myself and others. It is such an honor to be doing this work and I thank you for reading about me.

Through the pregnancy and birth of my own daughter, I know birth to be a beautiful and unforgettable experience. To be allowed to witness the transformation that occurs at birth is an incredible honor. As a doula, I have the privilege of serving families during this memorable transition, and I am pleased to make myself available to all families, regardless of financial situation. I am a mother, DONA trained doula working towards certification, and am also a certified prenatal yoga teacher.

I am a mom of 4, DONA trained birth doula currently working towards certification. I began my doula journey in 1996, training with ALACE (now toLabor). Instead of following my dream of becoming a doula, life made other plans for me. I believe that I have been called to be a doula. I have a great amount of empathy towards women during childbirth.I am dedicated to supporting, educating, and mentoring my clients, whether they choose to birth naturally or with medication. I am currently working with San Antonio Birth Doulas, an agency that provides doula services to low income and teen moms. I love every minute of it! I want to help make your birthing experience a loving, positive memory.

My name is Monica and I am an ALACE trained Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator and Kripalu & Prenatal Yoga Instructor. I have been dedicated to serving women and families for over 16 years and have supported at over 300 births in various settings such as hospital, home and birth center as Doula and Midwifery Assistant. I became passionate for supporting women at a very young age, then after attending the birth of a very good friend in 1994, decided that this was my absolute calling. In 1995, I took a 9 month internship as a labor assistant in a local hospital and in 1996, I began work with a midwife as Midwifery Assistant for several years. I trained and certified as a Birth & Postpartum Doula in 1998 and attended the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2000 where I completed my Childbirth Education Certification and Midwifery Assistant training. I am also a trained Medical and Chiropractic Assistant and I am very involved in and passionate about overall holistic living, aromatherapy, massage and yoga. I am experienced with and trained in all aspects of pregnancy & birthing to include high-risk pregnancies and VBAC. I also have extensive experience with birthing methods such as Hypnobabies, Hypnobirthing, Bradley, Lamaze and Birthing from Within and have created a comprehensive Childbirth Education Series that integrates many elements of each into them into it. In addition to private & group Childbirth & Prenatal Yoga classes, I also offer Newborn Care classes for new parents. I am extremely grateful to have been able to and to continue to have the ability to serve so many women and their families over the years as their doula, nurturer, supporter, childcare provider & teacher. I truly thrive on serving and sharing my knowledge with others. My true passion is to see the lives of women and their families change because of the total support that I am able to offer them before, during and after their birth!