Jamie Allbach

9/16/2017

Amanda is a knowledgable and caring doula. She was the perfect addition to our support network when family and most friends were far away. She never pressured us to do anything a specific way, but simply empowered us with information and encouragement. I would recommend her to anyone, and have total confidence that she will be a treasured ally during your pregnancy and birth!

Sandra Davidson

8/11/2017

Amanda is an amazing doula! She helped me with birthing my cute little Sage and she definitely knows her stuff! With Amanda at my side during the birth, it was a million times easier. She taught me many breathing techniques, gave me massages, and made sure I was as comfortable as I could be. I had two children prior to Sage and no doula. If I could go back and change anything about it, it would be to have a doula just like Amanda at my side. Not only is she an amazing doula, she's also an amazing friend. I could always count on Amanda to have me laughing and in a grest mood. If you're looking for an amazing doula, Amanda is your girl!

Sandra Davidson

Sarah Sundberg

8/8/2016

I am so grateful I hired Amanda for my delivery because it took a lot of stress off of me. This was my first baby and I decided I wanted to do it naturally so Amanda helped prepare me and also wrote up my birth plan. I ended up having GBS and wanted to know the best ways to keep my bag of water strong, so I texted Amanda and she was able to give me loads of information and advice on it. (Her information worked because my water didn’t break until I was pushing my baby out.) When I went into labor Amanda came to my house and did counter pressure on my lower back and hips with every contraction. With Amanda natural birth was very doable! My labor was so smooth because she made sure my labor kept progressing by suggesting different positions that helped move my baby down. Amanda did countless things to make my labor easier and I never had to ask her to do anything, she just did it, and knew exactly what I needed during each phase. Amanda is full of charity and was so kind to stay with me for more than 8 hours after my baby was born to help me recover. She truly cares about people and genuinely cared how I was feeling during the whole pregnancy/labor/recovery process. My baby was born a month ago and she still checks in to see how I’m feeling. I hope Amanda will be able to be there for all of my babies’ births because she is amazing and made birth a positive experience.

Jesica Huefner

8/2/2016

Amanda is amazing. She was my volunteer doula when I delivered baby #1 in January. I chose to do a natural birth and I seriously don't know if I could have done it without her. I hit a wall mentally and began to panic. She lightly massaged my low back, applying counter pressure, talked me through it and held my hand. She even had a chapstick with her when my lips were so dry they were hurting  (I know that sounds like a silly and insignificant thing but I never thought to put chapstick in my hospital bag and it meant a lot to me that she had a bag prepared of things I might need). She is wonderful. I would highly recommend her!

Teryl Call

7/19/2016

There aren't words to describe how thankful I am for Amanda.  She is an extremely compassionate and intuitive doula.  I hired her to attend the birth of my third baby, which was also my first homebirth.  My pregnancy was really hard emotionally, I leaned on Amanda for support, a lot.  She was always there with her wisdom and helped me find my power.  Her intuition was spot on through my pregnancy and labor.  From the moment she arrived at my home there wasn't a single contraction that she wasn't right there with her comforting touch and soft, uplifting words. It was her voice that brought me back when my own thoughts were getting in the way.  She's an “above and beyond” type of doula, I HIGHLY recommend her.  If I ever have another baby, she’ll be my doula.      

Bonnie Stay

6/21/2016

As a first time mom I knew I needed a solid support system to help me through my pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I decided that a doula would be my best option, and I am forever grateful that I found Amanda! Her support and encouragement made all the difference for me. She was so helpful in the weeks leading up to my delivery, and was always available for questions and guidance. Going over my birth plan with her helped me to feel much more prepared for all of the possibilities that may arise, and she reassured me that she would help protect my wishes. I had an incredible birth experience and was able to stay calm because of her. She worked together with my husband to help massage me and coach me through my contractions. Amanda's presence in the delivery room was instrumental in me being able to have a natural childbirth. She helped me find positions that were comfortable and made laboring productive. She also helped me to relax and breathe in between contractions so that I could continue when the next wave hit. She took the time to help explain what was happening as I progressed, and let me know when I was able to start pushing. She made me feel really comfortable and safe during such a vulnerable time, which I know helped my labor to go quicker. She is extremely kind, knowledgeable, and very professional. My nurses, doctor, and family were all happy to have her there as well. Her intuition and experience were very much appreciated by all of us. I would recommend Amanda's services to anyone who is looking to have a positive birth experience!

Riann Monferrer

6/12/2016

I honestly don't know where to even begin. Amanda was the absolute most amazing help throughout my pregnancy, labor, and birth! She was always there to answer questions and offer support even through some really challenging times through my pregnancy. While I was in labor Amanda was incredibly helpful on so many different levels. I really appreciated her positive words when I would have contractions, it truly made a huge difference. She was also amazing at massaging me to help relieve some of the pain when contractions would come and reminding me to relax as best I could. Amanda was awesome at offering different ideas throughout labor to help things progress. Although my intentions were to have an unmedicated birth, things did come up. I ended up getting an epidural and even then Amanda was still incredibly supportive! She helped me still breathe and relax through contractions to calm my baby and she really helped me stay calm altogether! I look back and feel so grateful she was at my birth and a part of my pregnancy, I truly don't know how I would've gotten by without her. Amanda is an amazing doula and I would recomend her to ANYONE!

Carah Heineman Burrell

5/13/2016

Amanda is a phenomenal doula! The real deal! She came into my life right when I needed her to help give me the reassurance I lacked before I was to attempt a waterbirth with my second child.

I realized I needed someone to coach me through the birth when I started having preterm contractions at 33 weeks and they scared the living daylights out of me. I was so unprepared for the pain and so fearful of the physical toll of labor. After my preterm contractions cooled down and I was released from the hospital, I immediately started my search for a doula and found Amanda. I am so grateful that I did! Everything happens for a reason!

I think back to the day my daughter was born and so much peace and overwhelming joy fill my thoughts. Not just because I've got my sweet girl with me now, but because it actually defied all of the negative perceptions associated with childbirth while simultaneously gifting me with a labor I'd be happy to do again tomorrow. From start to finish it was one of the most blissful, spirit filled days. The spectacular birth experience I had was in large part thanks to Amanda!

I had so many affirmations swirling through my head to help prepare my mind for birth. Having Amanda there to tell them to me kept my thoughts positive and my mental state clear and free from stress. It was comforting to always have her there to apply counterpressure to my hips and massage my back. She was very in tune with what my body was doing and what I needed! Amanda is caring, knowlegable, and just all around the bomb. Huge thanks to her for making my daughter's debut to the world the best it could have ever been.

amy davis

2/18/2016

Amanda provided my family with a pleasant and supportive experience for birth of our first son. As this was my first pregnancy, I did not know what to really expect, and my husband and I debated for a long time if we needed additional help in the labor and delivery arena. We met with Amanda very late into my pregnancy and she was a joy to meet, she explained what her role would be and how she would help. My favorite was when she told my husband that she is "not his replacement" and that he would still have to work.
Despite my tardiness in contacting Amanda, when my son decided to come early she was ready and willing to help. She assisted magically through my 27+ hour labor and delivery. Her assistance made the moment about my husband and I; my husband's role was not diminished with her presence. She worked exceptionally with my Doctor and labor Nurse as well as my husband. She provided suggestions on positions and movements that would help with the labor. She reassured my husband’s actions and increased his confidence. I was so very grateful to have the extra support at my side and the increased confidence of my husband was further felt by me. Thanks Amanda for the assistance in helping to bring our bundle of joy to the world.

Katherine Fenn

1/26/2016

Amanda is an amazing doula and hiring her was one of the best decisions I made in regards to my labor and delivery. I struggle with anxiety and with her help my husband and I were able to enjoy the birth of our daughter with a great deal of my anxiety about labor and delivery relieved with her help. Amanda puts you first as her client and she is there to support you in your decisions regarding your birth, with out forcing her own agendas. She is also very knowledgable and helps answer questions where appropriate. During my labor and delivery (and the weeks prior) she helped me feel comforted and secure as I anxiously approached my labor and when things got scary and painful during my delivery, she was right there to help me and my husband focus and stay calm. Amanda is a true professional who will go above and beyond to help you have the best experience possible as you welcome your little one into your family.

Ashley Kittrell

7/20/2015

I cannot imagine what I would have done if I didn't have Amanda Counter as my doula. Not only was she incredibly responsive with any questions leading up to my birth, she also provided me and my husband with an amazing sense of calm during an unexpected fast birth. Amanda immediately rushed to my house after a call from my husband and was able to make sure that we got to the hospital in time. This was my first birth so I couldn't tell what stage of labor I was in (I must have slept through early labor) - by the time we arrived at the hospital I dilated to a 10. If Amanda hadn't come over immediately, I don't think we would have known to go to the hospital. My active labor was only around an hour long and Amanda used amazing acupressure point techniques to alleviate any pain and was right behind me the entire time. She also made sure that my birth plan wishes were respected when my husband and I were too elated with baby post-birth to handle major decisions. I highly recommend her as a doula to anybody who is looking for somebody with amazing knowledge, great bedside manner, and who has a lot of experience volunteering with the midwives at the University of Utah – making her very comfortable with dealing with medical staff in a hospital setting.

Katie Webber

5/14/2015

I loved Amanda!  She was so involved with me my entire pregnancy!  She would check in with me often and give me solutions for differemy things that came up during my pregnancy!  She was so supportive through the entire process including going with me to L&D when my blood pressure was up and a day later being with me as they tried to induce with a foley bulb (13 hours).  A week later I went into labor and had to end up in a csection because baby was transverse but she was with me every step of the way!

Sandra Davidson

12/29/2014

Amanda was my doula during the birth of my third baby. She's funny, relaxed, and knowledgeable about the entire process.  She had many little tricks and clever ways to help me stay as relaxed and focused as possible while I was in labor.

We felt so fortunate to have her with us throughout the experience of the birth of our daughter. She helped me find the strength I didn’t know I had to have the birth experience I had envisioned. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Jade Stacey

12/28/2014

After my hematology tests indicated still dangerous blood values, it was decided that we would forgo our home birth and have our last child in the hospital. My desires for an unmedicated and unattended birth were still at the forefront of my mind and I asked Amanda Counter to be my doula. I was drawn to her own birth experiences and trusted that she would assist me (or not) in any way I needed. Because my birth plans drastically changed, I knew I would need someone to speak for me when I could not. Transition has always rendered me silent and at the mercy of my birth attendants, as I focused on the task at hand.

Labor stalled around seven cm, failure-to-progress, c-section were mentioned. Amanda indicated my preferences for a breast pump and together, we got to the work of bringing on some contractions without medication. (I remained IV free for the entire birth.) She met my needs for food, water, massage, emotional support, intuitively.  During pushing she even fished a poo out of the water- like a pro! As I brought my son into the world, Amanda gently lifted him out of the water and onto my chest. We basked in our achievement and forever cemented both our friendship and professional relationship.

A few years later, she was a stand-in for a birth I was attending as a doula; I was one week out from a double mastectomy. I brought her with me and she performed all massage and transition work, again the perfect balance to the needs of the mother (and me). The baby was born en caul into Amanda's proficient hands in the triage room of the hospital.

Amanda brings her own birth experiences, poise and grace to the birthing mother; a dedicated asset to any birth team. Her untiring devotion to the birthing woman and her knowledge of hospital/home birth protocol is unsurpassed. She changed the trajectory of my birth.