Taryn Cardiff

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

Hello! I’m Taryn, a birth and postpartum doula born and raised great city of San Antonio! I have been a certified doula since 2022! I have a passion for helping women during the most intimate and  vulnerable moments of their lives. By being a doula, I strive to help women find their voice to have a birth experience they can look back on with joy and confidence. I am married to the most wonderful man ever created (yes, I am bias), and together we have been blessed to raise two wonderful children: Ezra and Winnifred. We also have a gigantic white fluffball cat named Bento who loves to eat any type of food (even salads…). Outside of doula work, you will find me gardening, crafting, and playing board and video games! Additionally, I am obsessed with bread baking, and have a sourdough starter that has been alive longer than my kids!

HOW DID YOU COME TO DOULA WORK?

In February 2020, my husband and I were blessed to learn we were pregnant. One month later, the world completely shut down. With the unknowns of COVID, hospitals were continually changing policies on who would be allowed to support a mother during birth. With the fear of not having my husband with me, my research on alternatives began. Through my research, I learned about doulas, birth centers, home births, and unmedicated births. I learned that childbirth can be beautiful and joyful with the right support, and I wanted to become that support for other mothers and empower them to be their own voice! Both of my births were very different; one ending in a c-section the other a VBAC. Both have helped me secure my passion for this line of work. After working as a Financial Analyst Manger for a major company, my husband and I decided to take a step of faith and go down a new path. A more rewarding path. A path I know provides true value to our community.

 WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST OR FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT DOULA WORK?

Birth is a very intimate and vulnerable moment, and I feel truly blessed to be an observer and support during that time in a family’s life. Seeing the mother learn how much she can push herself for her child is a beautiful thing to behold. As a doula, you get to witness a mother and her partner hold their baby for the first time. You get to witness the first cuddles, the first cry, and the first feed. You also get to witness and assist with the first (sometime awkward) diaper change! Overall, as a doula, you help a couple transition into a new chapter of their lives. 

WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIALTIES OR AREAS OF PARTICULAR PASSION?

Other than a certification in birth and postpartum doula, I am also certified as a Childbirth Educator and Breastfeeding Counselor. My philosophy on birth is that the more you know, the more confident you will be going into labor. So, I strive to make sure all my clients have all the information they need to make informed decisions! Additionally, I have a huge passion for breastfeeding and can empathize with women who might struggle in this area. It is my goal to help women feel confident in their ability to feed their beautiful babies!