Meet the doula
Photo by Small Beginnings Photography and Birth Services
My name is Amanda Smith. I was 11 years old when I attended a birth for the first time. I can remember the excitement I felt as my mom and I drove the 3 hours to be with my cousin's wife in labor. I've always been passionate about all things pregnancy, birth and babies. I strive to learn all I can. I will forever be a student.
I've given birth to 4 babies of my own. I've had a natural hospital birth, a medicated hospital birth, and 2 water births at home with a midwife.
I support informed birth choices and empower my clients to birth their way. Sometimes the most popular way to birth is not always the right choice for every woman. Wherever and however a woman chooses to birth, I offer non judgmental support. I feel incredibly honored to hold space for a woman as she brings life in the world.
It was during the study and preparation for my first home birth that I discovered the role of a doula. When a doula training came to Spokane in October 2010, I was thrilled to start my journey in the birth world. Since then I have attended many types of births in hospitals, the local birth center and homes. I'm also certified in neonatal resuscitation and as a homebirth midwife's assistant. Most recently I have trained as a Birthing As Nature Intended (B.A.N.I.) practitioner and offer complete childbirth education classes, something that has been in my heart since I attended Hypnobirthing classes when I was expecting my 3rd baby.
Since February 2009 I have been a licensed massage practitioner. I work part time for Columbia Medical Associates . I have a convenient North side location were I practice massage using swedish massage, aromatherapy, prenatal massage, and deep tissue techniques. I also specialize in Bowenwork Therapy.
I've given birth to 4 babies of my own. I've had a natural hospital birth, a medicated hospital birth, and 2 water births at home with a midwife.
I support informed birth choices and empower my clients to birth their way. Sometimes the most popular way to birth is not always the right choice for every woman. Wherever and however a woman chooses to birth, I offer non judgmental support. I feel incredibly honored to hold space for a woman as she brings life in the world.
It was during the study and preparation for my first home birth that I discovered the role of a doula. When a doula training came to Spokane in October 2010, I was thrilled to start my journey in the birth world. Since then I have attended many types of births in hospitals, the local birth center and homes. I'm also certified in neonatal resuscitation and as a homebirth midwife's assistant. Most recently I have trained as a Birthing As Nature Intended (B.A.N.I.) practitioner and offer complete childbirth education classes, something that has been in my heart since I attended Hypnobirthing classes when I was expecting my 3rd baby.
Since February 2009 I have been a licensed massage practitioner. I work part time for Columbia Medical Associates . I have a convenient North side location were I practice massage using swedish massage, aromatherapy, prenatal massage, and deep tissue techniques. I also specialize in Bowenwork Therapy.
Certifications and Licenses:
- Certified Birthing As Nature Intended (B.A.N.I) practitioner
- Certified Hypno-Doula (Hypnobabies)- pending
- Registered Bowenwork Therapist- August 2009
- Licensed Massage Practitioner- April 2009
- WA massage license # MA 60082849
- Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure certified- June 2011- current
Workshops and Trainings Attended:
- Birthing As Nature Intended (B.A.N.I.) Practitioner training- February 2013
- Rebozo Techniques (shawl used for comfort and fetal positioning)- March 2012
- TENS for labor- March 2012
- Midwifery Assistant Training- November 2011
- Mother and Baby Bowen Training- June 2011
- Integrative Resuscitation of the Newborn - June 2011, May 2013
- DONA Birth Doula Workshop- October 2010