How my journey began.

My name is Amber Knowles, and I am a mother to three smart and inspiring daughters. I previously worked at a trauma center as a radiologic technologist in many departments including the operating room and interventional radiology. Here, I honed my patient care skills, taking pride in what mattered most to me: compassion and respect. My love for birth work was sparked by my own positive experiences during pregnancy, versus those of some of my closest friends and family. I quickly realized the resources that should be available to all expectant parents, were often not. Having discovered my passion and desire to physically and emotionally support folks throughout their fertility and pregnancy journey, I decided to become a certified birth doula in 2021, through the International Doula Institute.  It is with great pride that those trained by IDI support all families, regardless of family style, birthing style, birthing goals, personality style,  or parenting styles. I have since then celebrated supporting more than 50 families through their birth experiences and postpartum journeys.

Having found my footing in the birth world, I’ve recognized the particularly vital role a doula plays in the experience of a client seeking a TOLAC and VBAC. I received my Advanced VBAC Doula Certification through the VBAC Link in 2024.

I admire the strength of birthing parents and strive to help them discover confidence and empowerment, through evidence based education, to make decisions that leave them with feelings of positivity and satisfaction surrounding their birth story. My birth philosophy largely incorporates preparing the mind and body for labor, in addition to helping partners feel armed with the ability to be present and connected to the birth experience. 

I act as a fierce advocate for expectant parents by creating the space needed for them to be active participants in the decision making process throughout pregnancy and in labor. My prior experiences in radiology have helped shape my doula practice, as I bring deep familiarity with working well with hospital staff and navigating policy and protocols to my birth doula work. My skillset includes supporting a broad spectrum of births from high risk pregnancies, induction of labor, and cesarean sections in the hospital setting, to low intervention, unmedicated births in birth centers, or in a person's home. 

Creating lasting relationships with families during the postpartum period, a time when parents need a great amount of support and further education, is just as important to me as the day your sweet child enters the world. As a postpartum doula, my skillset includes hands on newborn 101, breastfeeding counseling, caring for the birthing parent both physically and mentally during their recovery, and encouraging parents as they navigate this new role set before them. I love helping create positive sleep habits over time, with a strong emphasis on establishing an “eat, play, sleep” pattern. I have supported families with high demand jobs that required a quick return to work or school, parents experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression, single mothers, parents who experienced a traumatic birth, those who have had extreme difficulty breastfeeding, twins, preemies, and babies with milk protein intolerance, food allergies, and difficulty sleeping. 

Outside of doula work, my interests include spending time and creating memories with family and loved ones, camping, apple picking, going to the beach, having bon fires, picnicking in the park, exploring our beautiful city, seeing live music (especially my super talented husband!), and nurturing my children’s minds through reading, play, and creativity.