Amanda Webb, Doula & Birth Services

28/03/2025

One last look at the empty nursery to gather as much inspiration for the labor battle ahead of her as we loaded up to head to the birth center. Wednesday’s birth was a beautiful reminder of the circle of life after spending nearly every waking moment at the hospital with my grandma this week hearing things like inoperable tumor, pancreatic cancer and hospice. It’s been a hard and heavy week that was brightened by little Theo’s arrival - a rainbow baby and a beacon of hope and joy after a storm 💙

01/01/2025

This was a year of record growth for my little doula business!

But more importantly, I got to serve and love on 24 mamas this year who trusted me to walk with them during their most vulnerable moments. They looked to me for reassurance when they were filled with doubt and fear, and I held their hands, wiped sweat from their brow and reminded them that they were writing their baby's birth story in that moment and it would all be worth it when their baby was in their arms. Every birth was different and I learned something from each one. Some were hard, very hard. Some I still wonder what I could've done differently and hope what I did was enough to let them know they had someone in their corner, even when I didn't have all the answers.

This work isn't about the numbers (although, they are fun to see!) - but about the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. So thank you to these mamas, because while you hired me, your strength and bravery actually made a lasting impact in my life!

And a big thanks to so many community partners who helped support my mamas this year - .pt

Cheers to more beautiful births in 2025!

21/12/2024

💗

Walk into a room while I am supporting a birth and you might think that I am just sitting there doing nothing. I won’t be talking. I won’t be touching the client. I won’t be using anything in my bag.

So what am I doing exactly?

🪑 Watching mom’s breathing and sometimes breathing loudly alongside her to remind her to slow down her breath

🪑 Scanning mom’s body during the contraction to make sure that she isn’t holding any tension

🪑 Monitoring the temperature and lighting to create the peaceful environment that she desires

🪑 Calculating how long it has been since she emptied her bladder

🪑 Thinking about how long she has been in her current position and thinking about the next position that she might try

🪑 Timing contractions to see if they are longer, stronger and closer together

🪑 Thinking about when mom and her partner last had a snack

🪑 Reviewing her preferences to make sure that everything is going according to her plan

🪑 Giving the couple space to connect on an intimate level (allowing for oxytocin) and/or guiding the partner to be the lead support

🪑 Updating notes and capturing labor flow

Sometimes just being fully present is enough. Sometimes just knowing I am there in close proximity is all mom needs to be able to relax and focus on what she needs to do. Sometimes just holding space for them in an unbiased manner allows for a noticeable shift in the energy of the room.

And the list goes on….

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10/12/2024

Tonight’s birth was a white-knuckler! But this mama gave it everything she had and got her HBAC! (Home Birth After Cesarean)

She felt a contraction start and said, “okay, let’s do this” and she birthed her daughter into her husband’s hands and together they welcomed her earthside in the comfort of their home.

Happy birthday sweet Ellie! Your mama is a warrior and never gave up, even when she really wanted to!

What a joy and honor to witness this kind of strength and the miracle of birth - it never gets old! 💗

24/11/2024

And sometimes a homebirth goes from this…to this 😞

Mom and baby are both doing well and a hospital transfer was mom’s choice after dealing with excruciating pain in her side for many hours, which ultimately prevented her from being able to move or relax. Contractions were a breeze compared to this sharp, constant pain on the side of her belly.

Thankfully, a placental abruption was ruled out and after 36 hours of labor, this strong mama, pushed her nearly 10 pound baby out while standing in a lunge position in the tub at the hospital! Birth is wild and sometimes things happen that we can’t always explain. During prenatals, we always talk about the “what-ifs” and discuss a transfer plan. It doesn’t make it any less of a bummer when we have to pivot, but having a great team of support in place that can transfer with you, makes a huge difference.

Happy birthday sweet Archie boy!! Your doula loves you 🩵

18/11/2024

Had the sweetest birth early this morning at my favorite hospital. The respect and informed consent that I saw from every team member that walked through the door was a breath of fresh air. Two things that should be automatic, yet many of our area hospitals operate very differently!

I think many mamas in Moore Co don’t consider birthing at UNC a viable option because of the distance. And while it may truly be logistically impossible for some, it is worth the drive if you’re wanting a hospital-based birth!

Happy birthday sweet girl! The joy on your parent’s faces when they realized you were a girl was priceless! 🎀

12/10/2024

My favorite local baby/kid sleep gurus!

A baby’s nap game is constantly evolving and changing it seems! Here’s a handy cheat sheet of the age ranges nap transitions most commonly occur! What is your favorite nap range? I love ONE NAP!! 🎉

07/10/2024

Just caught my first baby! 🥰 A forever memory with clients who have turned into the sweetest friends for me and Johnny.

3rd birth this week and officially off-call for a few weeks 🥳

06/10/2024

THIS! Thankfully our area has a few IBCLCs who are specifically trained to assess ties/oral restrictions. They are the gold standard for lactation support and I highly recommend a visit with one *even if* baby latches well right away!

There are pediatricians who are diagnosing ties but saying it “doesn’t need correction” even though mom and baby are symptomatic. A lot of times peds will just look at the scale, possibly take a quick look in the mouth, but observing function is the best way to decide whether treatment is warranted. What it looks like doesn’t tell us how it moves. An IBCLC will watch a feed and assess structure. These pediatricians are also not treating the mother and baby DYAD since only baby is their patient. Just because baby’s number on the scale looks okay doesn’t mean mom is not having pain or there are other symptoms with baby.
If this has happened to you at the pediatrician, feel free to book an appointment on the website with one of our IBCLC’s to have your baby fully assessed.
www.nclatch.com

05/10/2024

Leaving my 2nd birth this week 🥰 This sweet mama had this sign hanging in her hallway. If she only knew how incredibly beautiful she looked as she calmly, intuitively, and powerfully birthed her baby on her own terms, in her home.

Mamas, you are stronger than you think. Your mind will give up long before your body will during labor 💪🏼

12/09/2024

Three births in one week! (Shout out to Teresa Taylor and Johnny Webb for keeping life running smoothly at home!)

Two of my August mamas ended up with September babies, and this beautiful mama went to her 39 week appointment today prepared to request a sweep, only to find out she was already 5 cm dilated! Within 3 hours, sweet baby Oskar was in her arms! She was the most chill laboring mama I have EVER seen!! Birth is so wild y’all.

Ernest, Holly Elaina, and Oskar - your doula loves you so much!! 💙🩷💙