Hi! My name is Samantha Kelly. I am a DONA-trained birth doula, certified lactation counselor, and certified childbirth educator, based in Kyle, Texas. I serve families all across Central Texas—from New Braunfels to North Austin.
My passion for birth work began during my second pregnancy, when I realized how important it was to feel in control of my choices. I didn’t want to be told how my birth would go—I wanted to collaborate with my care team to welcome my baby safely and joyfully. That experience changed everything for me, and I knew I wanted to walk alongside other families so they too could feel supported, informed, and empowered.
As a doula, my goal is to provide evidence-based information, compassionate presence, and steady support—always tailored to your unique journey. I’ve had the honor of supporting hundreds of families through a wide range of experiences: hospital and home births, medicated and unmedicated labors, VBACs, cesareans (planned and unplanned), inductions, surrogacy journeys, and more. I also bring experience in supporting clients navigating special circumstances such as multiples, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, IUGR, and IVF pregnancies.
No matter what kind of birth you are planning, my role is not to lead, but to walk beside you—offering encouragement, information, and care that respects your choices.
When I’m not immersed in birth work, I love spending time with my husband, David, and our two kids, Micah and Brylee. We enjoy being outdoors, gathering with loved ones, and cheering on Austin FC. Just as I treasure my own family, it’s an honor to be welcomed into yours.
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional support person. We are there to walk with you as you journey through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. We can provide education, comfort measures, and unbiased support as you make the decisions that are best for your birth and your body. We help to create a safe space, by validating, empathizing, and helping you advocate for what you need.
Doulas are also there to support the entire family – you, your partner, and anyone you are planning to have at your birth. We can help your support people to feel confident in how they care for you, by helping them to do the things they want to do, and take over for the things they are not as confident in.
Why do I need a doula?
The positive impact of doulas has been well-documented in research for decades. In 2017, Bohren and colleagues published a Cochrane review that looked at studies on doula support involving more than 15,000 participants. These 26 trials took place across 17 different countries and showed the same results: people who received continuous support during labor had better outcomes. Those benefits included lower cesarean rates, less use of pain medication, fewer babies with low Apgar scores, shorter labors, and greater satisfaction with the overall birth experience.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also recognizes the value of continuous labor support—like that provided by a doula—and recommends it as a way to improve birth outcomes and reduce cesarean births.
Overall, the care and presence of a professional birth doula can make a meaningful difference for families as they bring their baby into the world.
Why hire Samantha?
It is vitally important to choose a doula that not just has experience, but that you can get along with, feel comfortable with, and trust. Through my years of experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge to any birthing experience. I am passionate about supporting families as they go down whatever path their pregnancy and birth may take, no matter if that is home, hospital, birth center, or anywhere else. My goal is for everyone to have the opportunity to walk away from their birth feeling empowered, loved, and ready to start their new journey as parents.
Trainings and Qualifications:
- DONA Trained
- Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Certified Lactation Counselor
- GentleBirth Certified Childbirth Educator
- TENS for Labor Certified
- Spinning Babies Trained
- Evidence Based Birth Pro Member
- VBAC Facts Pro Member
- CPR/First Aid Trained