Kyla Grimm

12/18/2015

Mary and Amanda have been absolutely wonderful. Having just learned what a doula was when I became pregnant with my first, we decided hiring one would be in line with what we envisioned our labor experience to be. The two together as a team made such a big difference. Between them they have a large breadth of knowledge in so many areas such as car seat safety (Mary taught us how to expertly install in no time!), breastfeeding, baby wearing, labor techniques, tips for turning the stubborn breech babes, etc etc. Not only were they there for our prenatal visits and labor and delivery, they were and still are extremely helpful and responsive to any questions or concerns that pop up those first few weeks and months. Each have gladly made separate house calls to lend us items, instruct in their use, and then pick up! Both my husband and I were extremely grateful to have Amanda at my labor. She was the steady and calming presence we both needed when my water broke four weeks before my due date. She was able to reassure and coach us both, all the while gently reminding us of our birth preferences and documenting the entire experience with pictures and video. We became so comfortable and friendly with the two of them and are truly are looking forward to our 3 month postpartum visit! We really can't say enough how happy we are with our decision to hire them and would strongly recommend their services to any expecting couples!

Kimberly Bui

7/18/2014

Amanda is amazing - that's all that really needs to be said! I literally could not have had an unmedicated birth without Amanda's assistance.

When interviewing doulas, we were very cautious...as the baby that Amanda assisted with is our first born. My husband and I couldn't ask a question that Amanda didn't have an answer for, which was quite reassuring. As it turns out, her breadth of knowledge is much more extensive than she shared during our interview. Amanda knows so much about the birthing process and babies. After retaining Amanda's services, she shared so many great tips and tricks that we hadn't even thought of.

When I went into labor, I spent the first four hours figuring out whether or not I was actually in labor. As soon as my husband called Amanda, she offered to arrive at our home immediately to assist with the labor process. My husband didn't think I was in labor and told Amanda that we would call her back. The pain was intensifying, and by the time my husband called Amanda back, I felt like I was at my breaking point; I wanted the epidural! When Amanda arrived, she instantly soothed me, as she was calm, relaxed, and encouraging. I felt empowered. She knew what to do and when to do it, which was helpful not just to me, but my husband too. She shared pain management techniques that got me through the thick of it. Our plan was to labor at home as long as possible, and Amanda knew just when to head to the hospital. When we arrived, I was dilated 8.5-9cm and our beautiful baby was born 30 minutes later; perfectly timed!

During the birthing process, Amanda was everywhere: comforting me, giving me instructions, sharing our birth plan with the staff, getting items from our car, snapping photos.... She did everything for us. She is even a lactation specialist and helped with that aspect - at the hospital and at our postpartum visit! I'd love to have her assist with our next little bundle of joy - she truly is amazing.

Angel Marina Lapp

4/26/2014

Having Amanda as our doula, both for birth and especially for post-partum, was like having an extremely helpful and knowledgable friend. During my labor she was here with us for over 24 hours, starting at our home, meeting us at the birth center, and finally, when we had to transfer to the hospital she was there every step of the way. She didn't leave until we were settled in our room after the birth. She helped us navigate pushy nurses, and encouraged us every step of the way. As a post-partum doula, her advice and experience was invaluable. As first time parents, it was easy to be pressured and overwhelmed by professionals who didn't always agree with our choices. Amanda was always there to remind us of our rights as parents and to give us plenty of information and research so we could make educated decisions. Amanda is the type of person to help out in any way she can, even if it has nothing to do with taking care of the baby. When I told her I had cavities and no dental insurance, she sent me information to free clinics and cheap insurance plans, helping me know some of my options. Although we didn't need a lot of help in the end, her advice and just talking to her made our transition into being parents so much easier, and I'm looking forward to staying in contact with her. Not only was she the best doula we could ever hope for, she will remain in our hearts as a friend.

Elyse Winter

4/23/2014

Amanda was amazing! From the moment I contacted her (in my third trimester) and she responded within 10 minutes I knew she would most likely be the one. This was very important to us as we had contacted a few other Doulas that never responded, not what you want when you go into Labor.  As first time parents we wanted all the help we could get and this is why we wanted a Birth Doula. Amanda scheduled a first time appointment with us where she came right to our house to meet us and to explain her services and get our idea of what we were looking for.  We planned an at home birth so this was great that Amanda came to our home. After meeting Amanda in person we knew then and there that she was the one. There is a gut feeling you get when you meet someone who we both were comfortable with. Amanda then came to our 36 week birth plan conference at our birthing center and was in contact with us throughout the end of our pregnancy to see if there was anything she could do for us. I had gone into early labor at 38 weeks and she came to our house at 4am to help me find comfort even though my contractions were irregular. For the next 5 days Amanda was in contact with us and then spent a little more then 12 hours with us when the real labor kicked in when our little surprise baby finally arrived on April 2, 2014. We loved our Postpartum visit with Amanda also as she is so knowledgable able breastfeeding and newborn care. She answered all our questions and never made any of our time together feel rushed. She also wrote a very special letter to our Baby Boy which brought me to tears.  We HIGHLY recommend Amanda for your Birth Doula needs.

Ariel Graves

4/14/2014

Amanda Cagles mother and me classes are the best. She is informative, speaks clearly and respectfully, and listens to everyone's perspective/opinion. She continually comes out with new information, is always interesting, NEVER boring, and is humorous, witch is always a great added  taste for the already intriguing conversation. If you would personally ask me I would recommend her to any body, not just a mother or soon to be mom, but any body with a thirst for information.

So if you are looking for an informative, non judgmental, and entertaining class,...Amanda Cagle's Mommy And Me classes are just for you.

Noreen Rahman

3/30/2014

It’s frightening to think what my birth experience would have been like without Amanda Cagle. I started off as a water home birth and ended up with a c-section about 50 hours after my water broke. Long story short, my birth experience was harrowing and being first time parents, we could not have gotten through it as well as we did without her.

Amanda stayed with me and my husband from a half hour after we called her to over three hours after my c-section, a time span of about 27 hours. She was ON the entire time. It takes a very strong person who has a sincere commitment and passion for birth to be able to provide the support, love and comfort that Amanda provided me and my husband. She was there to hold my hand during the most intense contractions, to help us work through the tears, fear and sorrow when we were finally told that we would have to be transferred to the hospital, to explain our options until we felt secure when faced with pushy hospital staff and to finally celebrate the birth of our baby girl. She has an abundance of information spanning from pregnancy to labor to post-partum issues.

Undoubtedly, Amanda will always have a special place in our hearts and is a true gem who can help parents make informed decisions, feel secure in one of life’s most unpredictable ventures and bring a unique sense of comfort that very few can exude.

Muhammad Ali

3/29/2014

Amanda was an absolutely amazing doula: my wife and I could not picture our birth experience without her.  After trying to go into active labor at home on a Sunday night (intention was for an at home delivery), we asked Amanda to arrive early on Monday morning.  As the labor at home turned into an attempted, normal delivery at the hospital and then ultimately into a C-section, Amanda stayed with us until early Wednesdday morning.  She provided comfort, information and a third party that truly had our interest at heart.  It was a very emotionally difficult birth experience but my wife and I were extremely grateful to have Amanda be a part of it.  We constantly tell others about how everything was so much easier with just her sheer presence and we felt more assured about every step in the journey.  If you have an opportunity to utilize her as a doula - do so!  You will not be disappointed!

Heather Jensen

3/22/2014

My husband and I count ourselves blessed to have had the birthing experience that we did and we have Amanda to thank for so much of it. I originally sought a doula for alternative pain management when I decided to deliver our sixth baby naturally but what Amanda gave us was so much more. She was instrumental in facilitating a life-changing experience for us. We finally felt empowered to deliver in the way that was most important to us and she equipped us to do so through sharing helpful resources and guiding us through the process to give us the voice we needed to get what we wanted. Her bedside manner was gentle and reassuring and she supported both my husband and me through the whole process of labor and delivery, also making sure we were comfortable and well situated after delivery. At our follow-up appointment she brought with her a letter to our baby that encapsulated our birthing experience so our little one will have her birth story forever. This is a precious keepsake that we will cherish forever. I can’t recommend Amanda highly enough – regardless of how many times you have already delivered!

Danielle Parmentier

2/28/2014

My experience with Amanda Cagle was amazing. I had a few nonmedical issues arise during the last few weeks of my pregnancy including disliking my doctor, being past due and pressured to induce, new medical tests and a 26 hour long labor\delivery. Each time I had an issue or was feeling upset\worried I'd give Amanda a call and she was always able to soothe my fears\concerns. She was able to point out the positive side in each of the seemingly doomed situations and eased my woes greatly. She was very knowledgable about the topics I raised with her and was honest about the options I had as well as those options' risks\benefits.

During labor and delivery, (which she was called at 1 am and came over asap) she was able to physically help during contraction pain with counterpressure and was able to provide guidance for me throughout the portion of labor I underwent at home in order to help ease the contraction pains.

Upon arriving to the hospital, Amanda quickly helped calm my nerves as well as reassure me during the most difficult parts of labor including some issues I ran in to while laboring more. She was very calming and stayed with me the whole time.

During delivery Amanda was extremely supportive and helped me focus on my goal despite the physical discomfort. She even stepped in to take photos of important things while I was being cared for and my husband was comforting me and the new baby.

She was fantastic moral support from start to finish and I'd recommend her services to anyone, especially those who prefer to birth naturally and\or out of the hospital environment.

naheemah mcmicheaux

2/3/2014

Amanda was truly a Godsend for our family. From the minute I spoke with Amanda on the phone I knew she was a perfect fit. She is highly knowledgeable and her love and passion for helping moms bring their miracles in the world is clearly evident. Amanda’s kindness, encouragement, and support before, during, and after our delivery was exactly what my husband and I needed. To my surprise I went into labor the same day I spoke to her and she came immediately. Our goal for our son’s birth was to do it completely natural with no interventions, and Amanda was immensely supportive in assisting us in every moment. With care and gentleness she guided my husband, showing him techniques to help ease my labor pains. She was always at my side providing words of encouragement and strength to endure the great task at hand. We cannot thank her enough because with her help we accomplished our goal and had the best birth experience, better than what we could have ever imagined. She continued her support by graciously becoming our Postpartum Doula. We are so blessed and thankful to have had such an incredible and caring person help us through one of the most precious times of our life.