Amara's Childbirth Education and Doula Services

Amara's Childbirth Education and Doula Services Providing doula services and childbirth education classes to Hampton Roads families since 2004. www.amaradoula.com For more information: www.amaradoula.com.

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Show your babies in their costumes!

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Please post pictures of your babies in costume in the comments below! They don’t have to be my doula babies, but I especially love to see them!🥰🎃

Welcome to the world!🌎 Augustijn Pierce “Auggie”💙9-9-2510:16 am7 lb 11 oz19.5 inKatie and Stu were repeat clients of min...
10/26/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Augustijn Pierce “Auggie”💙
9-9-25
10:16 am
7 lb 11 oz
19.5 in

Katie and Stu were repeat clients of mine, but this second birth was quite different. Katie’s water broke first around 7:00 pm and she was admitted overnight. She was already dilated to 4cm so the following morning a dose of cytotec was the plan. An hour or so later, the contractions were moving closer so we did the Spinning Babies Three Balances! That kicked things up a notch to Katie retreated to the shower for 20 minutes, transitioning quickly! She returned to the bed and pushed through strong double hip squeezes, welcoming her son at 10:16 am! (almost exactly 2 hours after we began the Three Balances sequence) You did it again, holding your own through strong labor to welcome your baby without pain medication. Thank you for trusting me to be in your birth space a second time.

Welcome to the world!🌎 Maverick Ramón 💙8-30-258:43 pm6 lb 14 oz20.5 inVictoria and Hope did everything they could to pre...
10/20/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Maverick Ramón 💙
8-30-25
8:43 pm
6 lb 14 oz
20.5 in

Victoria and Hope did everything they could to prepare for the arrival of their son. They even took all the classes and had a doula. However, when blood pressure concerns arose that necessitated an induction, they quickly learned the value of flexibility. Because they had put in the preparation ahead of time, navigating the induction was more manageable. It was a very long process from start to finish - 50 hours! But even with heart rate decels and pausing and resuming pitocin, getting an epidural that wasn’t part of the original plan, Victoria’s patience, strength, and resilience were an important part of the journey. As a result, Maverick was born healthy and surrounded in such love! Kudos to some wonderful providers who were patient and measured with the process as well. It was an honor to walk this journey with you!

Did you know that your pelvic bones literally move out of baby’s way for birth? Here is a picture! This is the Rhombus o...
10/16/2025

Did you know that your pelvic bones literally move out of baby’s way for birth? Here is a picture! This is the Rhombus of Michaelis, which is a kite-shaped area on the lower back that bulges outward during the second stage of labor as the sacrum and lower lumbar vertebrae move backward to increase the size of the pelvis. Relaxin hormone surges through a woman’s body during la or (and even in pregnancy) to allow for this dynamic movement to occur! But it only works under one condition: that the woman is laboring and pushing in a position that allows for this movement to happen! There are many positions that allow for such movement: squatting, hands and knees, even side-lying. But lying in the supine position on your back does not optimize this movement. And some babies really, really need this reflex to happen in order to be born vaginally. (Think of malpositioned babies and/or larger babies.) Isn’t it amazing what your body can do??!! (📸 photo posted with permission)

As today closes, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the significance of this day. My heart aches...
10/16/2025

As today closes, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the significance of this day. My heart aches for those who have suffered loss of babies, no matter the stage of pregnancy or infancy. For I know many who have experienced such losses. I see you. I honor your motherhood journey. I am inspired by ypur strength. And I can only imagine the depth of your heartache. I pray for you. And I always hold you in my heart.💙🩷💔

If you are pregnant and due February 2026 or later, this is the class for you! Recommended by multiple Obgyn practices a...
10/10/2025

If you are pregnant and due February 2026 or later, this is the class for you! Recommended by multiple Obgyn practices and homebirth midwives, you will be prepared for anything from a straightforward unmedicated birth to one with an epidural and/pr other interventions. Your partner will have the knowledge of how to support at every stage of labor, and you will know what to expect with each stage. We explore the emotional component of labor and pregnancy, nutrition and exercise, interventions and pain management options (from the most natural to the pharmacological), postpartum expectations, and breastfeeding. Don’t miss out! Register asap. There are only 2 in-person couple spots left, but I also do offer attendance over Zoom. 👶🏻 Link in comments to register!👶🏻

Welcome to the world!🌎 Barrett Asher 💙8-16-259:29 pm6 lb 4 oz19 inKaitrin and Grey were students in my refresher childbi...
10/09/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Barrett Asher 💙
8-16-25
9:29 pm
6 lb 4 oz
19 in

Kaitrin and Grey were students in my refresher childbirth class. Kaitrin had a goal to avoid an epidural this, her third birth. Her birthing day started with erratic mild contractions that didn’t affect her day all that much. Fast forward to around bedtime, and Kaitrin’s water broke at 8:15, catapulting her into active labor in a very short time. They left for the hospital almost immediately. And when we met up there just past 9:00pm, Kaitrin was laboring hard. Thank goodness, a nurse had the presence of mind to usher Kaitrin into a L&D room rather than triage, because when they checked her at 9:15 she was already 7cm dilated! In the flurry of getting the admissions process started and attempting labs, Kaitrin zoomed to complete dilation and was soon pushing. Barrett was born at 9:29, just 14 minutes after Kaitrin was 7cm! It was a whirlwind, but an invigorating one! Kaitrin and Grey were gobsmacked by this labor, and thrilled for their mindful preparation which helped with their courage and confidence in this birth.

There is a new Spinning Babies Parent Class on my site. Hop on before it fills to capacity of 6 couples. Learning the da...
10/03/2025

There is a new Spinning Babies Parent Class on my site. Hop on before it fills to capacity of 6 couples. Learning the daily activities, Three Balances, and Rest Smart gives far more insight than looking online. We will also go over how to open the pelvis at the various levels with practical positions to help keep labor losing forward. Lots of hands on learning so it’s ideal to attend with your partner. Fun fact: Just last week we got a baby out vaginally escaping the OR because of these techniques!
Class takes place at In Good Hands Chiropractic in Virginia Beach!

👶🏻Link in Comments to Register👶🏻

Welcome to the world!🌎 Philip Matthew 💙7-27-258:04 am6 lb 14 oz20 inKatie’s husband, Tyler, would be deployed during the...
09/15/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Philip Matthew 💙
7-27-25
8:04 am
6 lb 14 oz
20 in

Katie’s husband, Tyler, would be deployed during the time of her birth so Katie knew the support of a doula would be a wise investment. She also decided to pursue a homebirth so she could have every opportunity to birth the way she wanted. Well, birth has a way of changing plans, and Katie’s was no different. She went into labor while I was out of town, but rolled with the changes there! (Thank you to Liz Griffin for serving in my place.) Katie was in the capable hands of her midwife, Tierra. Some bleeding raised concerns, and had Tierra and Katie decide to transfer to the hospital for birth. Katie’s contractions began around 5:40am while she waited in triage. She declined cervical checks and was therefore not admitted or brought to a room. So Katie labored in that small space like a warrior for 2 1/2 hours and welcomed her son at 8:04am! And her homebirth midwife was the one who caught him. And Tyler called from the ship at 7:58 am, just in time to be virtually present to see his son born! Everything unfolded as Katie had hoped, just in a different location with a different doula. I am so proud of how Katie labored and advocated for her wishes. She showed her strength and confidence even in the midst of several changing variables. And a 2-1/2 hour labor is not easier!! Well done! Takeaways from this birth - allowing more than one support person in triage should be standard (Liz made it in eventually!), and not necessarily requiring a cervical check to establish labor when someone is showing all the signs and is a multip!

Welcome to the world!🌎 Asher Theodore 💙7-23-2512:03 pm7 lb 10 oz20.5 inAnnie and Nathan couldn’t wait to meet their baby...
09/08/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Asher Theodore 💙
7-23-25
12:03 pm
7 lb 10 oz
20.5 in

Annie and Nathan couldn’t wait to meet their baby boy! They prepared for an unmedicated birth and even took my Spinning Babies class, but their baby boy settled into the breech position. This was the second surprise after an unexpected kidney infection landed Annie in the hospital for an emergency procedure just 3 weeks before she was due! Suffice it to say, she and Nathan were already aware that unexpected things happen. They decided to do an external cephalic version, and their OB was optimistic it would work. However, the first time the doctor laid hands on Annie’s belly before any attempt to move the baby, his heart rate went down. Plans changed yet again as the ECV quickly moved to a STAT C-section. Annie and Nathan embraced the change in plans knowing they were protecting their baby by doing so, and trusting the Lord to see them through. A short while later, Asher was born! Nathan was smitten and Annie was overjoyed with happiness to hear Asher’s cry. Despite the whirlwind, they believed his birth happened the way God designed it to, and they are at peace with the journey and so in love with their healthy baby boy, who has grown A LOT on mama’s milk!

Welcome to the world!🌎 Alvina Joan Cruz 🩷7-18-2511:22 am6 lb 6 oz19.5 in Jillian and Aric were students in my 7-week cla...
08/15/2025

Welcome to the world!🌎

Alvina Joan Cruz 🩷
7-18-25
11:22 am
6 lb 6 oz
19.5 in

Jillian and Aric were students in my 7-week class so they invested a lot of time in their preparation. When the first contractions began at 2:00 am on Jillian’s due date, they were excited at the prospect of a due date baby. But there was quite the labor journey ahead. Jillian arrived at the hospital just past 10:00 pm dilated 5 cm which is excellent! She had labored a long time at home with the attentive support of Aric. And she continued to labor through strong contractions at the hospital with Aric’s steadfast support, juggling positions with her baby’s heart rate dips. At 4:00 am, after laboring 26 hours, Jillian got an epidural. And soon after, her baby had adjusted her asynclitic position and labor progressed forward. There were some stressful moments either her baby’s heart rate again but patience made all the difference as Jillian labored down gently to allow for less pushing time. And in just 30 minutes of pushing, Jillian and Aric welcomed their beautiful daughter! I am so proud of Jillian for persevering through a long labor and being flexible when necessary. Thank you for trusting me to serve your sweet family!

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Virginia Beach, VA
23456

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