Our Empowered Team

 My name is Ciarra Morgan and I'm the owner of Empowered Beginnings. I am a wife and mother of two children: a twelve-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. I have experienced both sides of birth. I had my daughter in a military hospital with an epidural and I had my son unmedicated in a birthing center with a midwife and doula. The level of preparedness was night and day which made all the difference. I took HypnoBirthing classes during my pregnancy with my son and credit the outcome of this birth to the Mongan Method. I was so empowered by the experience I had that I immediately began feeling lead to help other women achieve their perfect birth. My goal isn't to give you my birth experience, it is to prepare you for your unique birth so you can achieve what you are looking for. I have experience supporting birth at many different hospitals and birth centers in the Austin area. I have supported a wide range of situations including medicated and unmedicated birth, adoption, c-section, VBAC, elective induction, medically necessary induction, and many special circumstances (twins, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, IUGR, IVF, etc.).
Being your doula means I am connected with you from the moment we meet and you can contact me throughout your pregnancy. My intention is not to take over the role of your birth companion but to support both of you. I provide physical, emotional and informational support to the birthing person and birth companion. I would be honored to serve you and your family for your pregnancy and birth.  

• Tiny Love Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
• HypnoBirthing Certified Educator - HypnoBirthing International
• Certified Hypno-Doula - Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis
• Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant - Center for Pediatric Sleep Management
• Spinning Babies Trained
• TENS for Labor Trained - DoulaVersity
• Certified Birth and Bereavement Doula - Stillbirthday University
• Austin Birth Awards Honoree - 2020
• Austin Birth Awards Nominee - 2021
• Professional Membership - Central Texas Doula Association (previously held positions on the board: Vice President and Secretary)
• Professional membership - Evidence Based Birth
• Continuing Education (including by not limited to) - Vaginal Birth after Cesarean, Rebozo in Pregnancy and Labor, Gender Affirming Workshop, Babywearing Workshop, Evidence Based Care, PROM and GBS and the Newborn Hour, Induction vs Expected Management for PROM at term, Breastfeeding Basics

 My name is Samantha, and I am a birth doula, GentleBirth trained childbirth instructor, wife, and mama to two! My journey to birth-work began after having my first child, when I desperately wanted to learn more about birth and learn how to be more in control of my experience. I dove into learning everything I could, started listening to podcasts, researching standards and practices for birth in other countries, and listening to birth stories from other women. Because of all of that, when I found myself pregnant with my daughter, I knew some of the things that I wanted to do differently. I hired a doula early in my pregnancy and it truly made all of the difference for me. She taught me how to ask questions, how to take control, and how to listen to myself. Through that experience, and the passion I felt learning about birth, I decided I wanted to pursue doula work as well, so that I could help other birthing people have the experience they desire.
My goal as your doula is create a relationship built on trust and compassion, and to support both you and your birth companion throughout the pregnancy and birth experience. I want you to feel empowered to make the choices that will help you to achieve the birth you dream of, whether that is an epidural the moment you walk in the hospital, or an unmedicated home birth with a midwife. I will provide physical, educational, and emotional support throughout your journey, from the moment we meet until you are tucked in your own bed at home after your delivery. I would be honored beyond measure to walk this path with you! 

• Certified Birth Doula - DONA
• Childbirth Educator  - GentleBirth 
• TENS for Labor Trained - DoulaVersity
• CPR/First Aid Certified 
• Professional membership - Central Texas Doula Association  - Currently Secretary of the Board
• Professional membership - Evidence Based Birth
• Continuing Education (including by not limited to) - Vaginal Birth after Cesarean, Rebozo in Pregnancy and Labor, Gender Affirming Workshop, Babywearing Workshop, Evidence Based Care, PROM and GBS and the Newborn Hour, Induction vs Expected Management for PROM at term, Breastfeeding Basics

Hey there! I’m Courtney and I am a birth & postpartum doula, wife, and mother to an almost one-year-old baby girl. Having always been interested in birth work, I knew that I had to follow the calling after the birth of my daughter. I delivered her in a birthing center, without a doula, and I regretted not having one. I had done all the research I could, but when it came down to the moment I had trouble getting out of my own head. Especially in those first few weeks postpartum, I struggled mentally and emotionally and really needed more support than the bare minimum that is too often given to new parents.  I saw the birth world through a different lens after my experience, and I knew in my soul that this is the work that I was made to do. Pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period is a transformative time that needs a special kind of care, and the care and comfort that a doula provides is second to none. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has the best birth and postpartum experience possible. I will use all of my training, experience, and passion to ensure that you have all the support you need and that you feel heard and wholly nurtured. It is such an incredible gift to witness the divine power of birth. I would be honored to help guide you through this incredible journey!

• Trained Full Spectrum Doula - Doula Trainings International
• B.S. Nutritional & Exercise Sports Science - Texas State University
• CPR & First Aid Certified