A Z

9/15/2017

Before becoming pregnant, we never pictured ourselves having a doula. It didn’t seem like “us.” We’re very independent people, practical, and a little skeptical. So when we started interviewing doulas, we had our doubts. But when we spoke with Amethyst her authenticity was so apparent. She has a big, bubbly personality that is in pretty stark contrast to our reservedness, but we felt comfortable from the beginning. She took the time to get to know us, get a feel for our personalities, and come up with the right plan for our needs.

Amethyst was a great resource of information and very thoughtful when answering our many questions. Knowing she had our backs allowed us to focus less on learning everything we possibly could about childbirth and instead spend time getting mentally and physically prepared for parenthood.

When the big day finally arrived, Amethyst was in constant contact with us in the early stages of labor. Upon arriving at our home, it became so apparent how profound the comfort and support an experienced doula can provide. She was in total control, making sure we had everything ready for the hospital while keeping the mother-to-be feeling comfortable and safe. Once at the hospital labor progressed quickly, but throughout all of the chaos of the moment Amethyst offered a nurturing and steady hand. The doctors were gearing up for a late-stage intervention, but Amethyst kept the focus on pushing, and thanks to her guidance and support our beautiful baby boy was birthed without any interventions.

Amethyst stuck around long enough for us to feel comfortable with our new family and checked on us the following week. We watched her demonstrate her world famous swaddling technique and still dream about the homemade lactation cookies she gave us.

We highly recommend Amethyst, and should we be lucky enough to have another child, absolutely plan on working with her again.

-A&Z, parents to W

Rhiannon Clark

5/5/2017

Words cannot express how grateful I am to Amethyst for being there for us on the most exciting (any scary) day of our lives. When I first met Amethyst she instantly put me at ease with her calm and supportive demeanor. She talked us through the entire process and was very informative and able to answer all our questions. We decided that we would also have Amethyst as our hypnobirthing instructor. She came to our home to teach the classes and for our pre-birth meetings, which was so helpful as it was summer in NYC! I felt very comfortable with what I knew already about giving birth, but she was very good at answering all the questions my husband had, and informing me of all the things I hadn’t yet learned. Once I went into labor she talked me through laboring at home through the night and we met up at the hospital. I couldn’t deliver in the birthing center like I wanted because there was meconium in my water, but Amethyst helped to set the scene in the Labor and Delivery room so I felt relaxed and ready for anything. She talked me through everything which was so helpful, because being a first-time mom, I didn’t really know what was going to happen and the nurses and doctors talk so fast and don’t always clue you in. But Amethyst translated what I didn’t understand and helped to me to feel like I could conquer it all. She felt like family from the first day we met and I was so happy to have her by my side during the most scary and exciting time of my life. She talked me through all the breathing, hard and scary times, and celebrated with me through the wins. She was also my cheerleader and coach, and made me feel 100% confidant that I could do it. I have no doubt that having Amethyst by my side not only made me feel more comfortable, but made my pregnancy and delivery far less stressful and helped me to enjoy every moment. Thank you Amethyst! ~ Rhiannon & Jason Clark

Jessica Rivera

3/23/2017

As first time parents, my OB/GYN highly recommended that we work with a doula. We also had close friends who had worked with doulas with their pregnancies and deliveries and their experiences were very encouraging. I did a lot of research (interviewed 8 different doulas) and within minutes of meeting Amethyst I knew she was the right match for our family. Having Amethyst by my side as my labor progressed - reminding me how to breathe, providing calming essential oils, coaching me through my pushing, coaching my husband on how to care for me, and even helping me make hard decisions while in pain (which is very difficult to do!) was so so helpful. Amethyst is in the thick of it with you, and she won't leave your side.. Her compassion and dedication to you having a healthy and peaceful delivery is genuine.
Our sessions before I went into labor were the most valuable. We learned so much from Amethyst. She is so informed, so well-read, and very respected in this field. She's truly an expert. Our postpartum visit was also helpful and reassuring - she is a wealth of information.
Since working with Amethyst, we’ve already passed her name along to several expecting friends. There are so many unknowns as you prepare to give birth. Even if you have an excellent OB/GYN (which we did!), they can't spend as much time with you during labor as your doula can. You'll spend a lot of time with your doula, and one of the biggest pieces of advice we got was to make sure you really connect with your doula. I think Amethyst's personality is literally perfect for this role! She sparks joy and peace at just the right time and we are so blessed to have worked with her.

Jessica Niebanck

2/19/2017

From the Mom: Amethyst provided an invaluable amount of clarity and support to both the prep and the actual birthing process. She helped me to understand what to expect and how to have a voice and a choice where possible. She helped to balance the experience of giving birth in a conservative hospital environment so that I felt the benefit of simultaneous perspectives without a sense of conflict. Her optimism and humor were reliable when my own were not. My single biggest reason for wanting to hire a doula was for assistance with laboring, especially from home. Even though that didn't happen (through no fault of her own), Amethyst provided so much support in varied other ways throughout the process I still felt hiring her was completely worth it. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

From the Dad: My Wife (and I) had an unusually fast labor-birth process; The grounding and process orientation that Amethyst had provided us beforehand was invaluable. It gave a strength and grace towards what would happen, so we could role with whatever came up in the immediate. Of course having her there to help with talking to the team at the hospital- things the three of us had discussed before hand- in the moment was terrific; when our heads were spinning with how fast everything was happening. Having Amethyst walk us through various possibilities in the journey, as we planned the final weeks of pregnancy, could not have been more helpful; Amethyst has so much knowledge; wanting to go as "Crunchy" as possible but providing a base for "Real" actualities, gave us a chance to breathe into whatever came up. Thank Goodness we worked with her!

Kathryn Beers

1/18/2017

We cannot even begin to say how amazing Amethyst is!! Not only is she an excellent (seriously excellent) doula but she is a wonderful person with some of the brightest and warmest energy you will find. My husband and I had interviewed other doulas before meeting Amethyst and none of them compared. As soon as we connected with her we knew she was the right fit for us.

Being that this was our first child we decided we wanted to find a Doula to help educate and guide us through our first birth. We knew very little and had many questions that were going unanswered with my current OB. Now having gone through this beautiful, life changing experience, my husband and I can honestly say that we hope to have Amethyst be a part of future pregnancies and births. We wanted someone who was knowledgable to guide us as well as help us achieve our desired birth. Amethyst was nothing short of spectacular and we would not have been able to achieve our birth wishes without her. She helped us overcome fears, realize and craft our desired birth plan, and aided us through navigating the medical system to accommodate our needs. Birth is magical and full of unknowns, and it was beyond valuable to have built a relationship with Amethyst, who helped us through all of our challenges. If you are thinking about having a doula, we would without a shadow of a doubt recommend this lovely lady. She is one of a kind!

Jessica Brown

1/5/2017

We were first interested in hiring Amethyst because of her extensive range of skills and services offered. Her skills and training as a Doula covered so many different types of birthing practices and techniques, such as Hypnobirthing, which we were interested in. She was also able to offer us individual personalized birth classes and encapsulate our placenta. It was amazing to be able to work with one person for all of these things as it helped us to get to know her better and have a totally cohesive prenatal, birth and post-natal, experience. When we first met Amethyst we were immediately drawn to her incredible energy. She is one of those people who radiates warmth and positivity. She made us feel instantly at ease about any concerns we had.Throughout our prenatal meetings she was incredible open to hearing about our preferences and eased any concerns we had about the birth experience. During the birth she was essential in keeping me calm, focused and motivated, never letting me doubt that I could birth my baby. In the end I was able to have the birth experience I so desired, which was at home without any medical intervention. Whether in a hospital or at home, I would highly recommend Amethyst and put all of my trust in her skills. You can tell that she truly loves her work and it show in all aspects and details of her care.

Adrienne Mitchell

12/21/2016

Amethyst was an absolute pleasure to work with for the birth of our first child. Initially, we were impressed with Amethyst's extensive training and credentials. When we met in person we clicked right away and all of her training and experience really shows, she's extremely knowledgeable. As first time parents we did not know what to expect and we were pretty anxious about birth. Amethyst provided a support system that made the birth process that much more enjoyable. She helped to prepare us in every way, and when the time came, she help us to navigate the unexpected. Amethyst's warmth and radiant demeanor shone through and she was always there to give advice, answer questions and help guide us on our journey. We couldn't speak more highly of her and would love to work with her again as we grow our family. Three words to describe Amethyst: WARM, LOVING, UNDERSTANDING. - Adrienne and Jesse M.

Stacy

12/21/2016

My husband and I had the pleasure of having Amethyst as our doula for the birth of our daughter, and I truly believe her presence is what made labor and delivery such a positive and empowering experience for me. Being a first time mom I did a ton of research on the type of birth I wanted. My husband was supportive, if somewhat skeptical, of the idea of using a doula, and we talked to several doula practices to find the right one for us. As soon as we met with Amethyst, we both knew she was who we were looking for. She had an incredibly warm yet calm energy that immediately put me at ease, and the fact that she was so experienced with natural births within a hospital setting gave my husband confidence. We both really enjoyed the prenatal visit and felt very prepared to handle the early stages of labor at home thanks to the techniques Amethyst showed us. On the day of my daughter's birth, I called and texted with Amethyst during what I thought was the early stages of labor. Just a few short hours later though, I felt like things were ramping up really quickly and that I had to push. We talked to Amethyst immediately via FaceTime and she advised us to go straight to the hospital rather than wait for her to come over first. She got to the hospital right after us and immediately came to my side to help me through each contraction. As soon as Amethyst was by my side, I felt like I could relax into my body and let it do what it already knew how to do. My daughter was born a short while later and Amethyst took the first photos of us as a family. I'm grateful to have had a short labor, but because it was so intense, having Amethyst talking me through literally each breath until my daughter was born allowed me to experience it in a calm way rather than with anxiety and fear. I was so impressed with our entire time with Amethyst from the first prenatal consultation through the postpartum visit, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula.

Kate Shamoon

12/21/2016

Amethyst is a gift. She is full of light, positivity, compassion and limitless energy. Our little family feels so lucky to have found her.

My husband and I were looking for support for the birth of our first baby but had a couple of reservations as we started our search. Any fears that we had about a doula being in opposition to hospital staff or eclipsing the partner’s role at the birth were quickly dissolved once we met with Amethyst. Doctors and nurses adore her. She helped support my husband and I as a team and believes strongly in strengthening the partners' bond leading up to delivery so that a couple can start their life together as parents in a loving and cohesive way. By the time the big day rolled around, we felt prepared, excited, and so trusting of Amethyst that I called her before I called the doctor when my water broke! I could write a novel about all the ways she supported us during that long and beautiful night (and day and then night again). She never tired, she was grounded and peaceful when I needed her to be and light and laughing when I needed a boost and she had a technique to soothe just about any issue that came up whether it be emotional or physical or somewhere in between. Not to mention the fact that she turned the hospital room into a relaxing cocoon with electric candles, aromatherapy and music. I felt safe and cared for and listened to the entire time.

I continue to feel that way. Amethyst was and is always there for us. Her visits and support post-birth have been just as valuable, if not more so, than the ones before our daughter was born. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend her!

Aleksandra Chemeris

12/18/2016

We are so grateful for everything Amethyst did for us before labor, during labor, and after labor. We are so happy that we decided to hire a doula to assist us with the birth of our first child. After watching a few documentaries and reading books on birthing, I really wanted to try my best to have a normal, unmedicated birth. Doulas were recommended for anyone going that route as they are not only your advocate at the hospital but they are an impartial, unemotional presence that help keep the couple calm and focused on their goals. Also, we wanted to keep our birth private from even our parents to avoid having their natural anxiety and concern cloud our judgment. Having Amethyst as our doula enabled us to have the BEST experience. We are so glad that we found her! Amethyst is very positive, knowledgeable, and thoughtful and she helped us so much without it ever feeling intrusive. She stayed over night with us in the hospital, reminded me of my birth preferences when my OB suggested certain procedures, and made sure that breastfeeding was successful for me before leaving us. Amethyst was always respectful of my wishes and when I decided to change my birth plan and go with an epidural, she didn't make me feel bad or push me one way or another. It was so nice to have her with us. My husband was so happy with the decision. We were the first of all our friends to hire a doula and our positive experience is now including them to also go this route. My husband was so relieved to have Amathyst with us. He said she took the pressure off of him and enabled him to enjoy the experience rather than be worried about me. He talks about the benefits of hiring a doula to every friend of ours that is expecting. We would absolutely recommend Amethyst to all our friends and family. I had a fantastic birth experience and I can't imagine going through it without Amethyst by our side.

Margot Coffey

10/26/2016

We heard about Amethyst by chance through a friend of a friend. The connection and trust we heard she established was enough for us to set up a free consultation, where we'd learn more about her. Right from the start, she was warm, grounded, and a wealth of information for new parents who had no clue what was to come.

Amethyst's years of experience and qualifications go well beyond the average doula in my opinion, and this is what initially sold us. We knew having her by our side in a hospital where we'd decided to give birth would be a tremendous asset. She was extremely well equipped to navigate that setting and be our advocate, especially since I was determined to have a natural birth, and wanted to labor as much as possible at home away from the unfamiliar hospital setting.

The final pre-natal session and the birthing day itself are what absolutely stand out as the most valuable time with Amethyst. While she's naturally a very energetic and bubbly personality, during these times Amethyst was serene and strong. Her calm, level-headed presence made me feel absolutely ready. She was a steady guiding hand whenever we needed it. My husband and I had a private and personal birthing day together, but we could not have imagined doing it without Amethyst there in the wings for us whenever we needed her. She is literally ready for anything! There is no doubt that she helped me have the natural birth I wanted, and helped me remain at home laboring as long as possible. The week following our son's birth we met one last time with Amethyst where we recounted the amazing day together and she gave us our wonderful placenta encapsulation goods and some very thoughtful gifts as well.

We are so grateful to have crossed paths with Amethyst. We would recommend Amethyst to anyone looking for an intuitive, experienced, passionate partner during this amazing time.

Gene Park

9/9/2016

When my wife told me that she wanted to hire a doula to support her through the birth of our son, I was initially a bit skeptical, but hiring Amethyst turned out to be a wonderful decision, as she proved to be an invaluable asset to us! Becoming first-time parents must truly be one of the most daunting experiences that one will face in life, and having an experienced hand in Amethyst by our side to guide us through the journey really made us feel a lot more prepared and confident about everything. We hit it off immediately with Amethyst; she is so personable, full of energy and confidence - I really cannot imagine someone not getting along with her. In our two pre-natal visits with her, she was really able to put our minds at ease by covering a lot of ground regarding what we needed to know and how to prepare, as well as answering all of our questions. While we had prepared for a natural childbirth, medical circumstances dictated that my wife have an immediate C-section. Even so, we found it extremely valuable to have Amethyst there as a resource, being suddenly thrust into a situation that we had not prepared for. She really helped put us into the right frame of mind and guided us through the afternoon and evening, sometimes interacting with and making suggestions to the hospital staff to make my wife feel comfortable. She was a very calming and soothing influence in what was otherwise one of the most chaotic days of our lives. Her post-natal follow-up was also invaluable in terms of caring for the baby, especially in those crucial first few weeks - we really learned a lot of great information from her! And, she also made herself available to answer questions for several weeks afterwards, which proved to be a great resource as well. All in all, we really cannot thank her or recommend her highly enough, and would readily hire her again! - Gene P.

Erin Mickelwaite

9/3/2016

The first time I spoke with Amethyst on the phone I had a feeling she was the one. She was so easy to talk to, had great energy and seemed so self-assured, and after my husband and I met with her we knew she would be our doula. I had a very long, 49 hour labor and Amethyst helped me get through it in many ways. She kept me believing in myself when things became intense and offered a grounded, reassuring presence. Ours was a home birth and because my labor was so long, we came close to needing to transfer to the hospital to get things moving. Towards the end of the second day, Amethyst suggested that we take a walk and showed me a technique to help my contractions get stronger. I was exhausted and feeling a little worried, but by the end of the walk things were really starting to move and I gave birth to our baby girl at home in our bed a few hours later. We are so grateful for Amethyst being a part of the amazing team that helped to make our home birth a reality. I highly recommend Amethyst if you are looking for a very experienced doula who knows her stuff and will be there for you through and through.

Liliet Prevost

8/29/2016

Few words exist to describe our amazing experience with Amethyst. She came highly recommended by our midwife for doula services and hypnobirthing classes. Amethyst is a joy to work with, she has a sweet disposition and a comforting spirit that makes you feel like if you've known her for ages. We worked with her by taking hypnobirthing classes throughout the pregnancy which highly increased our confidence level in having a home birth. She was instrumental in making my husband feel included and really was a support in helping our family enjoy the birthing event. I really looked forward to her classes and her soothing voice. We also hired Amethyst for doula services during our birth and I have to say she went above and beyond what I had come to expect. I heavily relied on her for prompts during active labor, her voice remained calm and reassuring (she never doubted my ability to give birth even when I did) she also helped massage my lower back, she spoon fed me after the birth (her food is so good!), she washed our dishes and even did grocery shopping (since the baby came early we were caught with little supplies!) this came as huge life saver in the middle of the winter. I also particularly enjoyed the postpartum visit where we got to chat about how the whole birth unfolded and I was able to process this experience as wonderful and empowering. Working with Amethyst gave me the confidence my husband and I needed to have a successful homebirth and believe that we could actually enjoy it with manageable amounts of pain. She helped lower my stress and will forever be part of our little baby boy's birth. I can best describe her as a fairy godmother! We love you Amethyst!

kate rath

8/16/2016

Like many first time moms, I didn’t know what to expect from labor. I felt fear and at other times denial (do I really have to get this baby out?!) I wanted to do it naturally but wanted to have the option to have an epidural if it became too much for me without worrying about judgement. I was hesitant to take the birth classes because I didn’t want to hear about all of the complications - I didn’t want fear added into the process. Enter Amethyst...

Amethyst was recommended to us by my friend who had a great experience with her as a birth doula. My husband and I met with Amethyst in our home and as soon as she left we both breathed a sigh of relief and agreed to hire her. We signed up for her birth classes - the big bonus is that the classes were in our home where my husband and I could feel relaxed and ask questions. She teaches hypnobirthing which is an approach to labor that uses visualization exercises focused on keeping you relaxed during labor so your body and mind can do what they need to do. It also includes clear ways that your partner can support you during labor and beforehand.

And then labor comes….I can tell you this, I felt 100% physically and emotionally supported by Amethyst at the most vulnerable I have ever been. She supported my husband as the primary support person. I felt both of them there as back up and it made all the difference to my experience and to my ability to complete labor naturally. Amethyst took away the guess work of how to deal with the hospital, she was our advocate and support and a warm and loving presence during labor.

Amethyst has truly answered a calling she is made for. We can’t recommend her highly enough. Post labor came to our home to show us swaddling and other newborn care techniques. All in all - she was a true gift to our family and to the safe delivery of our son.

Jessica Tallman

8/1/2016

Amethyst was the perfect choice for our family. After interviewing three doulas, we selected her for her warm and fun personality and the genuine interest she showed in our wishes and helping us achieve a safe and healthy delivery. She was very intentional about making time to get to know us leading up to our birth. As with every labor and delivery, ours has unexpected turns. Amethyst was present, calm, and encouraging - even during the tough moments. She was a wonderful partner to my husband and me and far exceeded our expectations. We pass her name on to anyone we know in the market for a doula. Amethyst, we are forever grateful for the care you gave to our family before, during, and after the most important time of our lives.

Ben Rutkevitz

7/30/2016

We were inspired to hire Amethyst as a Doula because we wanted someone experienced who would be on our side during the delivery day. We felt it was important to have someone on our team that we knew was looking out for our interest and not the hospital's. What we ended up getting was that and so much more. We are so grateful for all the help that Amethyst provided. Prior to the delivery day, Amethyst had two prep sessions with us at our apartment. These sessions made us so much more comfortable about what to expect on delivery day. She also guided us on preparing our birth plan.

I get emotional when I think about how helpful Amethyst's support was on the delivery day. I don't know what we would have done without her. I can confidently say that hiring Amethyst was one of the best decisions we ever made.

After the delivery, Amethyst helped us by preparing placenta pills and coming over for a follow up session. In this session she not only provided great tips on taking care of our newborn she facilitated a conversation that helped us get closure on the entire labor day and delivery process.

I would 100% recommend Amethyst to anyone who is pregnant and considering getting a Doula.

Scarlett Cussell

7/27/2016

We found Amethyst online and after reading her long list of glowing testimonials and seeing how much experience she has in so many areas of child birth we knew we had to meet her. We were greeted by her beautiful warmth and open, enthusiastic personality during our first meeting. We knew immediately that we wanted to hire her as our doula. We had a couple of at-home visits with Amethyst in the weeks leading up to our due date.
When I began early labor, Amethyst was always on the end of the phone to answer any questions I had and would check in with me frequently. When my labor FINALLY turned active, we went to the birthing center and called Amethyst to join us there. The moment she entered the room, she got straight to work with coaching Alex and I through the unknown territory of giving birth. She turned down the lights, got out my favorite essential oils, put on the soft sound of the ocean on her speakers in the background and gave my back, legs and feet a massage. Combined with her calming presence, I was immediately filled with the confidence that I could have the birth I had been dreaming of and that I had the best team next to me for the journey. We welcomed our sweet BIG (9.7lb) baby boy at 5:22am after nine hours of active labor and almost two hours of pushing. Amethyst stayed with us for at least 2 hours after the birth to help us with the initial latch and to navigate the first moments of our new lives as parents. Both Alex and I know without a doubt that we couldn’t have done it without Amethyst by our sides and so we say to anyone considering hiring a doula, hire Amethyst!! She will instill confidence in your pregnancy and your ability to give birth. We will never forget what she did for us and how lucky we are to have a healthy baby boy to share our most wonderful birth story with. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your beautiful spirit and hard work Amethyst!

Leila Guenancia

5/20/2016

My husband and I were expecting our first child together and wanted to keep the birth as natural as possible. At the recommendation of friends and my doctor we started interviewing doulas. The moment Amethyst walked into our apartment we could tell she was the doula for us. Her positive attitude and peaceful energy put us both at ease immediately. We spent most of our first session together laughing. I was never nervous about the actual birth process and wanted to keep everything as relaxed and calm as possible. Amethyst really understood that. She picked up on the type of couple my husband and I are and immediately used that to guide us through our birth. Nothing about my birth went according to plan, except that a baby came out at the end, but it was beautiful and Amethyst was a part of that. She kept the laughter and love going, always knowing when to step in or take a step back. She was available, loving and supportive. I’ll never forget looking up at her and my husband after the last push; we were all crying and laughing with pure joy. - Leila & Kevin

Taegin Reisman

5/12/2016

My husband and I hired Amethyst to be our Labor Doula as well as our Hypnobirthing instructor. We met with several doulas, and hired Amethyst based on her experience, outgoing personality, and positive energy. I wanted a birth experience that could be as relaxed and as noninvasive as possible while still being in a hospital setting. Amethyst was supportive and did an amazing job explaining the birth process to my husband, who was originally skeptical of my plans. What comforted both of us is that Amethyst had assisted women with a range of birth experiences from c-sections to planned epidurals to completely natural births and that she was not judgmental in towards any woman’s choice.

My labor ended up lasting for 39 hours and with the skills I learned in Hypnobirthing, I was able to stay relaxed and AT HOME for the majority of that time. Amethyst was with us at the hospital and made the delivery room very peaceful by dimming the lights and using essential oils. My husband especially relied on her when he was not sure what to do, and the two worked together well throughout the entire process. The birth of my daughter was an amazing experience that I will never forget, and Amethyst was an integral part of that, and my family will always be grateful to her.

Israel Mirsky

3/14/2016

Amethyst is warmth and competence personified. Our first interview with her was sweet - she was feeling us out, as she does all her clients, to understand what needs and preferences we had - but it was in her second meeting with us that we began to feel how deep and considered her knowledge of pregnancy, birth and early childhood is. We could ask her about any detail of pregnancy or early childhood, any idea, practice, book, or DVD we’d heard of from parents or friends, and each time we’d get back a serious, nuanced opinion based on both research and significant personal experience. Amethyst is also seemingly master-trained or certified in pretty much anything you can get a certification for. She made us feel safe and taken care of throughout the process, and we were so grateful both for the comfort of knowing that she’d be there when the time came, regardless of what might happen with doctors switching in or out, and for her amazing help the day of the birth itself. Your mileage may vary, but Amethyst took my wife through exercises in the room that dropped our baby from high in the belly to ready to pop in about an hour, and she only had to push for about 20 minutes as a result. The doctor was stunned by how effective her techniques were at getting the baby to drop. If you want to feel and BE taken care of during your pregnancy, you cannot make a better choice than to hire Amethyst.

Marisa Lester

1/23/2016

I wanted a newborn care specialist/postpartum doula for the birth of my first son but I was daunted by the process of hiring a stranger to come into my home and care for my precious baby. So when my doula recommended Amethyst, there was a strong connection of trust. Not only did she have impressive childcare credentials, she is so incredibly warm, responsible, and honest, with additional expert knowledge of childbirth and the healing process after birth as both a birth and postpartum doula.
So really, in hiring Amethyst, both myself, and my baby were receiving the best of care and support. For the months that she spent with us, she became part of our family and cared for our baby with the same love and tenderness as that of my husband and I. Knowing that our newborn was under the safe watch of Amethyst made it so much easier to sleep at night, which was a crucial component of my recovery. Developing post-partum depression was a major concern of mine and I believe exhaustion to be a big risk factor. In that capacity, I largely credit Amethyst with helping me avoid that common affliction of new mothers. By the time night would fall, I would eagerly await Amethyst’s arrival. Not only that but she was a great resource of knowledge for us in terms of learning how to care for our newborn.

After going through the amazing experience of becoming a new parent, I really believe that having a Postpartum Doula/Newborn Care Specialist is a necessity. Amethyst is one of the best. Not only did I recover faster with Amethyst’s support, she also shared with me current childcare techniques, and helped me feel more confident as a parent. Being better rested helped our family enjoy that special newborn time that while so precious, can be frazzling and overwhelming. I recommend Amethyst with the highest of praise and strongly encourage new parents to seek her assistance.

minjung koh

1/14/2016

Amethyst was my doula and teacher of hypnobirth therapy for the birth of my baby.  Though I had planned to do a natural birth without drugs, I ended up getting a C-Section.  Despite the sudden change, Amethyst was so compassionate, patient, nonjudgmental and accomodating.  She came to the hospital and helped me relax with aromatherapy and visualization before I got wheeled away for the surgery.

I also did not plan to hire a postpartum doula, but I ended up hiring Amethyst again (because she's soooo awesome!) to help us with babycare and other domestic duties that I could not tend to.  C-Section was my first surgery (and hopefully only!) and I had no idea how much pain I would be in afterwards.  Amethyst not only took care of me, baby and other household tasks, but her daily presence also helped with my loneliness and struggle with being a first time mom.

I highly recommend Amethyst for everything!  She is a fantastic doula (both birth and postpartum), great teacher and companion to have around after birth.

Lindsay Tarquinio

1/14/2016

It’s hard to put into words how much my husband and I love Amethyst and we are so thankful that we had the chance to work with her. She is so warm and so encouraging- I have said many times since the birth of our daughter that I can’t imagine having another baby without her- she helped make the experience so wonderful.

The day that my daughter was born was the most incredible day of my life. Not only because we got to meet this tiny human that has completely stolen our hearts- but also because of the actual process of childbirth. Throughout my pregnancy, Amethyst was such a support and encouragement and was always there when I had a question or needed a listening ear. She used every resource that she had to answer any question and to give advice. She also helped my husband know how to support and encourage me through pregnancy.

On our baby’s birthday, she transformed our birthing room into a peaceful, calm space. I can not explain the value of her presence and support for both my husband and I on that day. My labor experience was so peaceful, calm and truly beautiful. I had such an amazing experience that I literally tell every expecting mother that I meet that my #1 piece of baby advice is to work with Amethyst. Many of my friends have- and they all feel the same way that I do!

Nilda Solomon

1/2/2016

We chose Amethyst because she had two important qualities we wanted as a birth advocate: she was both warm and demanding. We felt comfortable with her right away because she listened to what we envisioned as our ideal birth. She guided us in creating our birth plan by including language and specifics from her experiences with other couples. This made us feel much more confident. When the reality of a natural birth flooded me with doubt, Amethyst pushed me to meet my own goals. I said I couldn't, but Amethyst insisted I could. It was not what I wanted to hear at that moment, but it was what I had to hear. I got the exact, natural birth I wanted and I know my easy recovery is because of that. I am grateful Amethyst was there to be a part of such a transformative moment.

Sean Pfitzenmaier

12/30/2015

My wife and I met Amethyst upon the recommendation of a dear friend who had hired her to help with the birth of their first child a month prior. We met Amethyst for coffee in our neighborhood and were immediately disarmed by her confidence and sense of humor. By the end of our conversation it was clear that we needed to look no further. We hired Amethyst because we were first time parents and were absolutely clueless. I'm not one to do a lot of online birthing research, or read a ton of baby books, so the opportunity to hire an expert that we could trust (and actually enjoyed being around!) was a no-brainer. In hindsight I cannot imagine not having Amethyst by our side throughout this process. We would have been clueless, overwhelmed, and who knows how the story would have ended up. Her confidence, knowledge, dependability, and genuine love for birthing little humans was incredible- and without a doubt led to as easy (and enjoyable) birth as possible. Amethyst more than met any expectations I had. When (if) it's time for kid number two to come popping out we'll be calling Amethyst as soon as that little stick turns blue. I cannot recommend Amethyst enough for any family who hopes to navigate through all the chaos surrounding birth in a relaxed, informative, and enjoyable manner.

Ali Pfitzenmaier

12/30/2015

We met Amethyst 1 month before our baby Rio's expected due date. She came as highly recommended by friends who said working with Amethyst was the best decision they made... and we couldn't agree more. From our first meeting, I especially loved how family focused Amethyst is. She made clear that Rio's birth was to be our family's experience; that she would help lead us to achieving our birth goals and creating a birthing environment that Sean and I both desired. Amethyst always had a fun and energetic approach to pregnancy and birth which helped Sean and I greet Rio's arrival with joyful expectation. She is incredibly knowledgable and able to explain aspects of the birthing process which helped put each of us at ease. Sean and I decided that Hypnobirthing would be the method best suited for our family. We enjoyed each class with Amethyst and found that time very beneficial. We would (and have already!) recommend her to any expecting parents to help create an enjoyable, peaceful, and memorable birth.

M Johnsen

12/10/2015

We absolutely loved having Amethyst as our doula. She was very knowledgeable, helpful and empathetic to our specific situation. Though we did not end up delivering naturally (even after 58 hrs. of labor and not all pain). She made the experience wonderful and I really don't know what we would have done without her, especially my family and husband. I am so happy that I hired her and would again for my next little bundle of joy!

Ariana

Natalie Rodic Marsan

8/11/2015

Amethyst was an integral part and positive force for our birthing team from preparation to completion. We took private hypnobirthing classes with Amethyst and the daily hypnobirthing practice made my last couple months of pregnancy so peaceful (and I believe effective, considering what a healthy, strong baby I had). Amethyst's contribution to the actual birth experience was priceless. She established and maintained a soothing, comfortable ambiance in the hospital room with music, lighting and essential oils - even the hospital staff kept mentioning how unusually pleasant it was! My husband wanted so bad to be a part of the birth but gets really queasy with anything involving blood and with Amethsyt's help he managed to stay in the room most of the time. In the most difficult parts of labor, she provided encouragement when I needed it most. Amethyst also handled my placenta encapsulation beautifully. This was my first baby so I'm not sure how a postpartum experience would be without placenta capsules but I could tell how they were helping: more energy, balancing moods and definitely increasing milk production! And the placenta imprint is a lovely keepsake. An all-around skilled doula and lovely, caring person, I highly recommend Amethyst. She is very passionate about her work and it shows.

Domenica Ruta

8/2/2015

For my first pregnancy I was equally afraid of hospitals as I was to deliver at home. I wanted the best of both worlds - the safety and technology of a modern hospital should something go wrong but the freedom and support to let my baby and my body lead the way. The solution for me was Amethyst. She educated me during our prenatal visits in a way my doctors did not. I felt so empowered and prepared with her at my side. She gave me the tools I needed to have the birth
experience I wanted in a hospital setting. She magically transformed our hospital room into a sweet birthing center with lights and essential oils and music. Even the nurses who bustled in and out found themselves calmer and gentler in the middle of their busy shifts because of the beautiful environment she created. I had the birth experience I dreamed of because of her. She is a truly gifted doula. You are lucky to have her for this miraculous journey.

Rebecca Laurien

7/13/2015

Firstly - you should hire Amethyst. Here is why :)

After meeting Amethyst and getting to know her during our initial consultation, I knew that she would provide the love, support and guidance I needed to get me through my first birth.

What I found most wonderful about Amethyst was her knowledge of the birthing process but also her demeanor. I felt an immediate connection with her. Having someone be a part of your birth is a very personal experience and I wanted to ensure that I was engaging someone I could trust and be comfortable around throughout the birth. When you meet Amethyst, you will find her to be enthusiastic, warm, and friendly - I did!

Our first meeting ended up being the day I went into labor (although we didn’t know it at the time!). I found her recommendations for coping positions and methods to help me labor at home extremely helpful. When I called Amethyst the next morning en route to the hospital, she was quick to meet us. She helped me remain as calm and served as a welcomed facilitator between the hospital staff, recommending labor positions and being a great support. I loved the essential oils - they put me at ease (especially lavender!).

After the birth, Amethyst was a welcomed listening ear and support. She joined us at our home to discuss the birth and gave us the placenta. I ordered several placenta goodies to assist with my recovery and milk supply - pills, salve and tincture. All were professionally packaged and prepared. I also received a beautiful print using the placenta! While there is some debate on the efficacy of using the placenta, I felt that it helped bring in my milk supply. If anyone is interested in this service, I would recommend you do it.

I feel fortunate to have met Amethyst and had her as part of our journey. She will be a friend for life, and I would highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a doula, birthing coach and/or placenta encapsulation provider.

Leora Edut

6/18/2015

Working with Amethyst was such a blessing. Going blindly into my first birth I had lots of fears. At our first meeting Amethyst helped to ease my fears. She did not overwhelm me with toooo much information like many other pregnancy visits I had with other practitioners. She helped me to trust my own judgement while guiding me through questions I had. The day I went to labor was when I knew I had chosen the right doula. Amethyst was there with me for 3 days consistently encouraging me. For 6 hours of pushing she helped me change positions, held my legs, sprayed essential oils in the room and helped keep me calm, focused and feeling supported. I don’t know if I could have made it through to having my desired natural birth if it wasn’t for her. She also encouraged me to take placenta encapsulation pills which is helping me feel reenergized every day. Thank you Amethyst!

Catherine Stepto

6/13/2015

Amethyst is truly the best! I highly highly highly recommend her.  I felt her support from the very first moment we began speaking. Her experience, knowledge and skill came across in her friendly and warm way. Every meeting with Amethyst was fun and productive. After our first prenatal visit, when Amethyst gave us tons of tips for the early stages of birth, my husband and I felt we were in such good hands. As it turns out, the way I was carrying my baby, doctors advised me not to labor at home, and eventually to schedule an appointment at the hospital for a version and induction. Amethyst supported us through every step of this process. She was very prompt in responding to my updates and questions and she immediately changed her schedule to meet my changing needs. She has an impressive network and put me in touch with a fantastic acupuncturist and she gave us tons of tips for trying to turn the baby on our own. During the birth, Amethyst was with us 200%. She navigated the hospital setting with ease and was quick to make herself part of the team with doctors and nurses. I ended up having a long labor, and it was so important that Amethyst was there. She helped me manage pain through contractions, she helped me stay hydrated and positive. She helped my husband help me. She is strong, sensitive, and skilled. When I was recovering in the days after my baby was born, the doctors and midwives who helped deliver my baby came to visit us, and every one of them commented on how awesome our doula was. The midwife said she meets a lot of doulas, and Amethyst is exceptional. Amethyst encapsulated my baby's placenta. When she arrived to our postpartum visit, she brought a beautifully wrapped print and package of pills, salve and tincture. It was another example of her exceptional work. Amethyst clearly loves what she does and she puts her whole beautiful self into her work. If I were to give birth again, I would want her there!

Lindsey Sams

6/7/2015

Hiring Amethyst was one of the best decisions we made during the whole pregnancy. Looking back, I cannot imagine how my birth would have gone without her – she was a ray of sunshine during some pretty difficult and scary moments.

For one, Amethyst took time to call me when certain fears popped up in my mind regarding birthing. She empathized with me and warmly assured me that my fears were not based on fact. By the end of the conversation, I felt like I had just talked to one of my best friends. I really appreciated her professional knowledge and ability to communicate with me in a reassuring way. My husband really appreciated it too!

Second, Amethyst’s presence at the birth of our son was priceless. During my birth, I was able to remain calm because SHE was calm and smiling the whole time! Amethyst spoke so sweetly to me and helped me feel more at peace.

Third is perhaps Amethyst’s most shining moment: the pushing stage. I could NOT have done it without her help. She took complete control of the room at that moment and coached me how to breathe during those intense contractions. I honestly have no idea what I would have done without her. She coached me on how to push most efficiently and encouraged me with words and smiles. All during this chaotic process, I was able to remain hopeful and optimistic because of her. I cannot sufficiently explain how much of a blessing she was to me.

There are many other wonderful things I could say about Amethyst, but there is one more thing I want to point out. Amethyst was not only nice and sweet to my husband and I, but she was nice and sweet to EVERYONE. I noticed in the hospital that she was respectful to the nurses (even if they were being a tad ridiculous) and kind to everyone she met. I think this speaks beyond Amethyst’s job role and into her character. She is genuine, pure gold and you cannot go wrong in hiring her as your doula. I recommend her 1,000%!

Katrina Long

3/28/2015

Amethyst was an absolute joy to work with. During our prenatal visits, she thoroughly explained everything about the labor and birth process and answered any questions I had about a doula and their role in the birthing process and about birth in general. She is incredibly knowledgeable. We also created a birth plan. We spoke about what to pack in my birth bag, I learned about HypnoBirthing and MANY other things that Amethyst specializes in. Her loving, funny, happy, calm presence was so soothing and very supportive to me. She made me feel so prepared for birth. While Amethyst was terrific prenatally, during the labor itself is where she really shined. She was absolutely the BEST cheerleader, coach, friend, and advocate. She was intuitive and knew exactly what I needed in each moment of the labor. We used essential oils (heavenly), Rebozo techniques (she's an expert in Rebozo and teaches workshops to other birth professionals on how to use it) and HypnoBirthing. We also practiced Breathing Techniques, dim lighting, music, and dancing! I had the non medicated vaginal birth of my dreams! Once my baby was born, we started breastfeeding which is yet ANOTHER area of expertise for Amethyst. She also encapsulated my placenta! There isn't much that Amethyst doesn't do. She is the utmost professional and clearly well respected by medical staff. Words can not truly express the gratitude I have for her support and guidance. I feel incredibly lucky to have had Amethyst by my side as my doula and would HIGHLY recommend her to everyone! She will always be in the hearts of myself and my family!

Kelley Ndoye

2/11/2015

Amythst made our birth experince a beautiful one.

When I first met Amythst, I could tell instantly that she would be the one to be there when my baby was born.  She has such a great positive, claming energy about her, she is someone you would want to be around anytime, but especially during labor.  You can tell that she loves what she does, she cannot hide her love for Mamas and Babies (and Daddys too!)

She was great during the prenatal period, answering questions and helping us prepare for our first child.  We loved having her in our home and talking with her.  She was AMAZING when it came time for the birth.  She was so supportive, she gave me the strength I needed to get through it.  I can't imagine doing it without her.  We had a LONG labor at a hospital, but Amythst came in and made created a welcoming and peaceful environment with lighting, oils, and music.  We had to make medical decisions about the birth while there and Amythst was helpful in providing us advise, even reaaching out to others in her network for more information, and fully supportive all our decisions.

We also used Amythst's encapsulation services, and we are looking forward to her Dancing for Brith classes.  We are already thinking about baby #2, and of course will book Amythst immediately.  I can't express enough how much we love her.

We laughed, we cried, we birthed a tiny human.

Mbaye Ndoye

2/6/2015

As the husband, not knowing what a doula was or their role, I did not know what to expect with a doula, or the whole birth experience.  I must say that, now knowing how a doula helps a couple (not just the wife) experience the journey of birth, Amethyst exemplifies what a doula should be. My wife gave birth to our first child on January 16th ,and we were so lucky to have Amythst be a part of it.  We cannot thank her enough for being so patient and caring, for all of her great suggestions, and for the answers to our many questions.

I would reccomend her to anyone.

Olamide Okulaja

1/25/2015

Before I start, in case you do not have the time to read my whole testimonial, AMETHYST WAS WONDERFUL!

From the moment my wife suggested Amethyst, I knew she would be a great help to my budding family. During our first interview, which held over skype, she was very friendly and was eager to answer any questions we had as a family. During the birth process, she was very encouraging when my wife's contractions started. I called her and she guided me till it was time to go to the hospital. As we got to the hospital, she was already there waiting to receive us. She had filled in the paper work tht she could and through the entire process, till birth, she was a blessing. She gave my wife the support she required that I could not provide and did not sleep a wink till the baby came (which I did shamefully for 30 minutes cause I was exhausted; and my wife insists was 1 hr!). She also came for a postnatal visit which was very helpful.

I would recommend Amethyst to anyone requiring the services of a Doula without reservations and I've already booked her services for next year (although my wife doesn't know about my plans yet!)

K. Okulaja

1/8/2015

I am a Nurse Practitioner and my husband is a physician, but my husband and I would agree that Amethyst provided a service that neither of us could have offered. While Amethyst did not take the place of my doctor nor husband; she was the reassuring non-judgmental voice and comforting assistant that is absolutely necessary during labor and delivery. I had originally planned to have a natural birth, but after 16 hours of unbearable back labor, I made the decision to have an epidural. Usually the anesthesiologist would not allow for anyone other than staff and your partner to remain in the room during a procedure, but even my anesthesiologist was impressed with Amethyst and allowed her to stay to assist me. My husband and I will attest to the fact that Amethyst was the best decision regarding choosing a doula. Our experience would not have been the same without her. I recommend Amethyst without reservation.

Kemi Okulaja

Oren Berman

12/14/2014

WE LOVE AMETHYST!

Amethyst was our doula for the birth of our first daughter, and we don't know what we would have done without her.  The baby was posterior for several weeks leading up to the labor, and with Amethyst's help (and a few tough contractions) we finally turned her just in time and had a complication-free home birth.

Amethyst helped in so many ways, both with the laboring itself and just keeping our apartment in some semblance of order and keeping mama in a good state of mind as things progressed.  Her presence was just so supportive and she gave mom lots of strength and confidence.  She also helped both of us (mom and dad) make sure we stayed hydrated and conserved our energy.

We would definitely have Amethyst again as our doula!

Matt Isison

11/13/2014

We had Amethyst to assist my wife in the birth of our son and she was awesome. The birth was unexpectedly long and arduous for medical reasons, comprised of 28 hours of labor induced by gradually increasing and painful quantities of pitocin and culminating in a C-section. A backup doula assisted us for the first ~8 hours and then Amethyst came. Despite attending a birth the day before, her energy, confidence and smile never diminished. Her amazing doula-ing skills, replete with positioning, breathing and visualization exercises, allowed my wife to deal with the pain of induced labor without an epidural for a lot longer than is normally possible. After the birth was over, she easily got the baby breastfeeding even though my wife could barely move from the anesthesia. She is quite knowledgeable about breastfeeding and gave us even more assistance when she came to see us for a postpartum visit. I definitely recommend Amethyst and feel that her services were worth several times what we paid.

claire clement

10/24/2014

From the moment I met Amethyst I knew she was 'the one'. I was searching for a doula that I could trust implicity, a doula that would bring warmth, love and empowerment to the birth of my second child. Amethyst provided all of this and so much more.

Amethyst was a wonderful nuturing support both emotionally and practically. As she shared her amazing knowledge of child birth, rebozo and essential oils, her bubbly personality made each session an absolute joy. She ensured that both my husband and I had the opportunity to share our hopes and fears for the birth; thereby empowering us to approach this amazing event with confidence and as a united team.

When the big day finally arrived, Amethyst was amazing and integral to making this birth one of the true highlights of my life. She effortlessly created an atmospshere of calm confidence through her visualisation techniques, music, candles and oils. She helped me find the inner strength to bring my child into the world in an atmosphere of peace and love.

My experience with Amethyst was truly amazing.

Tony Clement

10/22/2014

If you want your labor experience to be less stressful, more comfortable and to feel like you are a part of a team (vs. the useless man in the room), then bring Amethyst on board.  We just had our second child and having Amethyst this time round made our experience 10x more peaceful and positive. Being the guy in labor process can be pretty stressful, especially if you don't have any family close by and having Amethyst there made me feel like this was a positive, beautiful experience and not something to go grey over.

She brings experience, postitivity and practical advice to the event. And not to mention she creates an amazing environment with her mastery of essential oils and lighting. Simply. The. Best.

Eric Spoley

10/16/2014

Speaking from a husbands point of view Amethyst was great. I at first was a bit skeptical of a doula, but now I feel that it was well worth the money. While a hospital may take care of the medical needs for the birth they do not do much for the psychological needs, and there is no real attempt to keep you and your partner relaxed or make it a positive experience. If your birth goes like ours the baby will come a month early with no prior indication and you will be awake for 36 or more hours while highly stressed as you realize you are not really prepared for this.

First, as the partner you are the only person who can go into the birthing room (unless you have a doula). This means you will most likely be in comforting your partner and then running in and out constantly to give family updates, talk to nurses, fetch drinks/food etc. You may even find yourself having to run home. It was great to have Amethyst take care of some of these needs and to keep me sane, especially as everybody’s focus was on my wife not me. Amethyst was great for keeping my wife and I both relaxed and it was very comforting to know when I ran out and had to leave my wife she was there with someone that we trusted and she did not feel alone. She was also great at leading my wife through labor. During labor there are nurses a doctor and you, and you are expected to lead your partner through labor. I was by far the least qualified person in the room to do this, and in truth there are few things I am less qualified to do in the world. Without going into details this is where Amethyst really was critical and did a really fantastic job.

Amethyst, gave us confidence, which removed a lot of the stress. She also kept us relaxed by explaining what is going on and what to expect. She saw needs and took care of them before they arose and created a soothing environment.

P.S. My wife and I plan on having a second child and when we do we will be calling Amethyst back.

Jennifer Spoley

10/15/2014

We really lucked out finding Amethyst, she was absolutely amazing throughout the whole process:  prenatal visit, birth, and postpardum visit.  My daughter was born about 3 weeks early but that didn't affect Amethyst's availabilty in the least.  Being a doula is a labor of love for her and it comes through with everything she does.  I cannot imagine NOT having Amethyst at our birth and when we are ready for baby #2, we'll be calling her up (this was our first).  She is incredibly knowledgable with a wide range of techniques and ideas but will listen carefully as to what you want for your birth and will support you whole heartedly.  PLUS - she is so caring and attentive and FUN - seriously, she has a great personality and I am so happy that she was part of our birth.  I cannot believe how calm she kept me during my 24+ hour labor and never seemed to tire.  All of the nurses at the hospital loved coming into our birthing room because Amethyst created such a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere; with lighting, essential oils, and her pleasant and positive demeanor.

I can't recommend Amethyst enough, she is so wonderful and we are so happy to have found her.  She'll be in our hearts forever :)