Testimonial for Maria Armstrong, LCCE, CD
My VBAC wouldn't have been possible without Maria.
After an unwanted c-section with my first, I walked into my second birth deeply hoping for a vaginal birth. That bone-deep desire paired with the uncertainty I carried about my body's ability to birth vaginally made for an anxious pregnancy. Maria was a steadfast support throughout the whole process. She's a wealth of knowledge and resources, and shared a number of birth books that soothed my soul and helped me to manage the feelings of anxiety I was having. When my baby flipped breech at 38 weeks (my nightmare!), Maria remained calm and helped to assuage my grief and guilt. She connected me with a midwife who did a very simple and painless out of hospital ECV to get the baby back into place so that I could continue with my dream of a VBAC.
When labor came, it was long, challenging, and mostly unmedicated. Maria was a huge help with pain management, providing tools like a TENS unit and supporting my partner in manual therapies. She's well known and respected by the staff at my hospital, and was comfortable navigating the labor room and going out to find equipment and snacks without needing to look to the nurses at every turn. When I stalled, Maria helped me into new positions to encourage my labor. When I was ready to give up, she offered encouragement and perspective that helped me to keep going. On several occasions, it looked like I was going to c-section — but Maria helped me to navigate my options and choose the course that would allow me to feel like — no matter the outcome — I could know I'd left it all on the dance floor.
In the end, I got my VBAC, and came away from my birth feeling transformed — and healed. The grief I'd carried for so long after my c-section simply melted away, replaced by a sense of confidence, trust and support. I couldn't have done it without Maria, and for that I'll be forever grateful.
-Phoebe Ibeling
October 13, 2026
Maria Armstrong, LCCE, CD
Agape Birth Services
Birth Fee: $2300
