Testimonial for Amanda Echols
'Baby Z' was born last December and she made me and my husband first time parents. The road to her finally being in our arms was over a 3 year process of heartbreak and disappointment, but which ended with pure JOY. By my 3rd trimester, I realized that despite all my preparations, I needed someone to be my practical support through this first time process. I did a fair bit of research looking for the 'best' doula; talking to friends and having them share their experiences. I found Amanda through The Authentic Birth Center and she came very highly recommended, so I wasted no time in contacting her. What I appreciated most after that first inquiry was how quickly she got back to me. We set up our first coffee chat, and from that conversation alone, listening to her experiences and marveling at her knowledge, I knew 'she was the one'! I signed all the paperwork, and scheduled our future chats. 'Baby Z' made her entry into this world a week early, and having had at least two 'prep sessions' with Amanda, the night my water broke, I was excited, but felt strangely calm. Calm because Amanda had already walked me through what to expect and how we could respond. When we got to the hospital, I was able to recall from memory all of Amanda's advice on laboring positions and breathing. While I appreciated my own husband and the wonderful nurses, I was overjoyed to see Amanda walk in. Through breathing, massages and scents, labor was more bearable than I thought. Until it wasn't! Amanda supported me through my personal requests and was that calm presence I needed in the room. My favorite memory even as I type this, is during the final pushes to meet our little girl, I looked at Amanda and said "Can you count with me?". In return I was given a calming smile, and a squeeze of the hand, "Of course I will". Besides my own husband, Amanda's face is the one I remember walking me patiently through this surreal process and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Thank you Amanda!
-Genelle
May 19, 2020
Amanda Echols
Owner of Faithful Haven Doula Collective
Birth Fee: $1750
