Testimonials
Amanda was an invaluable doula in my birthing process. She provided preparation materials from BANI and home visits, helping me to feel prepared. During labor, she was there for me and kept my husband, mom, and I calm and focused through the labor and birth of my first child. I loved her hip squeeze technique and use of the Tens unit. With her assistance, I was able to have a positive, natural, healthy labor, which is exactly what I had always imagined. I hope to have her as my doula again and definitely recommend her!
Bri
Amanda attended my 1st VBAC in April of this year (2011). She was a key player in the event, even before the onset of labour. She met with me multiple times, helped me with Bowen treatments (a serious perk!), going for walks with me and encouraging me towards my goal of a VBAC. When I finally went into labour (at 42 weeks!), Amanda showed up immediately, even though she'd attended a birth the night before and had gotten virtually no sleep. She arrived at around 1500, and stayed until 2130 or later. While in attendance, she offered comfort measures such as a peppermint soaked rag during nausea in transition.
She also brought me water, and encouraged me through the whole thing. At the same time, she managed to prepare and steep my herbal bath for after the birth, prepare herbal compresses for my perineum, my peri bottle and was instrumental in the clean up after birth. She stripped the sheets and remade our bed (very nicely!) and set up the herbal sitz bath. She also offered company and nursing support after the birth of my son.
Amanda is an excellent doula. Hands down, the best out there. I don't think we will ever really know ALL the things she did and helped us with, but we are eternally grateful for her efforts in providing the best labor support out there. Thank you Amanda!
Forever in our lives and hearts,
Mike, Sara, L&J
My husband and I live in Auburn WA, we were planning a water birth at home with a midwife and doula whom we carefully chose. We came to visit Spokane for a baby shower at 34 weeks pregnancy when my water broke. I was admitted to the hospital with preeclampsia and we were feeling extremely insecure and very far from our chosen plan. We decided to try to find a Doula to come down and help us out at the last minute. We were extremely fortunate to find Amanda Smith. I was determined to maintain as much of my natural, vaginal birth as possible and it was thanks to Amanda that we succeeded in a vaginal birth. She was flexible, positive, patient, and supportive the entire 29 hour labor. If it hadn’t been for her support and guidance this birth would have ended in a c section. She helped us to navigate the daunting hospital birth system, and stand up to the overconfident bullying medical professionals there. She helped us know what questions to ask, she provided comfort measures for both my husband and I, and helped encourage me on my chosen path without judgment. She also supported us after the birth by visiting us and letting us know she was there for us if we needed her. Amanda is a priceless lady to have in your court when you go through the adventure of birth! I feel extremely fortunate to have had her in my labor room and part of Walter’s birth.
Amanda L.
We met Amanda through our Lamaze class. Before the class we hadn't thought much about using a doula. Our plan was to have a natural birth in a hospital setting with our midwife. My husband figured that we should do everything possible in order to ensure a natural experience so that even if things changed, we wouldn't have regretted not having exhausted all possible options. Amanda was such an amazing support and resource during our birth experience. She really helped me plan, to think about scenarios that had not occurred to me, and was available to answer some of the dozens of questions I had. I really enjoyed her company during labor and the tools she provided me to try to ease sciatica during labor. Our plan did change, Amanda helped ease that transition also from whatwe had planned to what happened. I honestly couldn't be more grateful for her presence! If you're on the fence, use a doula!
Jessica J.
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