Hi! I’m Amanda Hawthorne. I’m a DONA-trained Birth Doula and Certificated Lactation Educator/Counselor (CLEC) — meaning I help women and families navigate the ups and downs of birth and breastfeeding.

I worked as a volunteer doula at a birth center while earning my Bachelors of Science in Human Development at UC Davis and recently began accepting clients professionally. I’ve been happily serving San Diego since April 2017, and I’d love to learn how I can help you!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s a doula?

Per DONA, a doula is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

I draw on my professional training, knowledge, and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and, as needed, help you communicate with the staff to make sure you have the information needed to make informed decisions throughout your labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions to enhance labor progress, and help with relaxation, soothing touch, positioning, and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I work for you, not your caregiver or hospital.

Read more in my blog post here!

• What training/credentions do you have?

Volunteer Doula Training at Sutter Davis Hospital Birthing Center

DONA International Birth Doula Workshop

Rebozo Certification from The Birth Education Center

Certificated Lactation Educator/Counselor program via UCSD Extension

• Have you supported women through unmedicated birth? Medicated birth? First time moms? Home births? Water births? Cesarean birth? VBAC?

As a volunteer doula at the Sutter Davis Hospital Birthing Center, most births were attended by midwives with an OB/GYN available on an on-call basis. I supported women in a variety of contexts. Some were set on an unmedicated birth; some elected to receive epidurals; many opted to birth in the tub. Unfortunately, the birthing center was not permitted to attempted VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean), but I’d love to support you in doing so now! And though I have received education regarding Cesarean birth, I do not have first-hand experience, as all the women I supported happened to deliver vaginally.

Home Birth: Although I’m a big supporter of home birth, I’m not currently accepting such clients for liability reasons. That said, I’m happy to refer you to doulas who may be able to assist!

• What did you want/do for your own birth experience?

Not applicable. I’ve never given birth! (The beauty in the pic above is my goddaughter – that’s right, I’m also a fairy godmother in my spare time.)

• Wait, you don’t have kids?! How can you be a doula if you’ve never given birth?

Would you let a doctor who’d never had cancer treat you? Or a personal trainer who’d never needed to lose weight help you do so? I feel this way about my doula services. I may not have the personal experience of giving birth (yet!) but I am passionate about helping you do so! With my experience, my training, and my supportive nature, I like to think I make a pretty great doula. (Plus, I don’t have to find a babysitter before I come to you, and I’m not carrying any personal bias or lingering feelings about my own birth to your labor – it’s all about you!)

• Do you still provide doula services on a pro bono/voluntary basis?

Although I now provide birth doula services on a professional basis, I am committed to DONA’s vision of “a doula for every woman who wants one.” As such, I may be open to accepting a client with financial hardship on a reduced fee basis or possibly even free of charge. Please contact me to discuss.