In January of 2013, I found out I was pregnant with our second child, and the one thing I knew for sure about this birthing experience right off the bat- was that I was going to try for a VBAC. To do that, I knew I wanted to do two things: see a nursing midwife as my primary care, and hire a doula. I was referred to Amanda through a mutual friend and I drove to meet her with my husband one afternoon (with my three year old in tow as well). I immediately connected with Amanda's calm energy and since I'm pretty high strung, I knew that her patience and relaxed energy would positive effect my state of mind in labor- and I was so right! Amanda is an intelligent, calm, and compassionate woman, and these are qualities of her personality that you can pick up on quickly. Through twenty hours of labor, Amanda was 100% in the game with me! She was not only helping me though, she was helping my husband through the most exhausting day and night we'd ever experienced together. Amanda fed me small snacks (approved by my midwives), gently reminding me helpful things such as breathing a certain way or speaking in low tones. She helped my husband to know what I needed at certain times, like showing him how to rub my back to help with back labor (and they took turns, like my own labor team, which was awesome). At certain points I was having issues, as in my 10 lb baby was directly on my cervix before I was fully dilated, and Amanda knew exactly how to help pick the baby up a little for some relief. I can't remember a moment, in 20 hours, where I didn't feel like she had my back, where she wasn't totally attentive and talking me through everything. I gave birth to a beautiful (and big!) baby girl who weighed 10 ls 13 oz, and I got my successful VBAC. I know that I did it, but I know Amanda helped me tremdenously in getting there! And it's amazing how it bonded us, because we're friends now and stay in touch, but I'm grateful to her in a way I'll never get to express. 

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--Patty