Our mission is simple:
Improve birth outcomes.
Ensure no one births alone.
GALS is dedicated to providing emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing people and healthcare providers who are under-supported in order to improve birth outcomes and strengthen families.
Our Programs
All programs are provided at no cost to families. We collaborate with health clinics, social service organizations, state benefit plans such as WIC and SNAP, and Dell Children’s Health Plan Medicaid- STAR and CHIP programs.
On Call Birth Support
Birthworkers provide support to anyone actively in labor and birthing alone or under-supported, through postpartum. This program is available 24/7, 365.
Prenatal Doula Program
Support for families and individuals beginning in pregnancy, including birth and postpartum support. This program models the traditional doula relationship for more the vulnerable families in our community.
Postpartum Doula Support
Support for individuals and families after the birth of their baby. GALS offers in home, individualized support that can include 20 or more hours of infant care, emotional support, light cleaning and cooking, as well as informational child-development support.
Jail Support Program
This partnership between GALS and the Travis County Correctional Complex provides weekly support groups (and fruits and vegetables) to those who are pregnant and incarcerated, as well as birth support if they go into labor while at TCCC, as otherwise they would be alone. Support includes lactation during incarceration- working to provide access to pumps, milk storage, and milk delivery options for the family caring for their little one.
Perinatal Childcare Program
Perinatal childcare for Black families and families of color during doctor's visits, mental health care, birth, postpartum respite care, and more. This perinatal support is offered in collaboration with the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative for families involved in GALS, Black Mamas ATX, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman, Healing Hands Community Doula Project, Partners in Parenting, LAMP and Black Mamas Village as a compliment to wrap around doula support.
Our why
What’s a Doula?
Birthworkers, or doulas, are an evidence-based way to improve birth outcomes- especially in the hospital setting. We are part of your health care team, working next to your Doctor or Midwife.
Studies show shortened labor times, lower use of epidurals or other pain medication, lower cesarean rates, and increased satisfaction with the birth experience. How do we do that? We listen to you. We answer questions. We help you get information you need to make informed choices in the moment. While most births don’t go according to “plan,” when people feel supported and in charge as labor progresses, they feel satisfied with their birth, and more confident in their ability to parent.
Get Involved
GALS is here for the community, because of community! We would love to have you join us in making Austin the safest place to give birth and raise a family.
Sign Up For Support
Families who are pregnant, birthing, or postpartum can learn more about our programs and sign up, today!
Birthwork opportunities
Learn what it takes to become a birth worker or childcare specialist, and join our mission to improve birth outcomes.
Make a Donation
These programs are made possible by people like you! Give the gift of a doula and ensure no one births alone.