Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Thomas
Hi Amber, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At the age of 15, my older brother and his wife were expecting their first child together. We all lived together with my mom in Dallas at the time. I catered to my Sister in Law during her pregnancy and grew very close to her and the baby girl growing inside her belly. During her labor and birth, I naturally supported and comforted her. I had a very strong desire to observe the birth and delivery at the hospital. Initially, the hospital staff kicked me out of the room when it was time to deliver, but my sister in law insisted that I be allowed to stay. I was able to witness first-hand the birth of my niece Kenya, who was born “ with her face sunny side up to the sky weighing 9 pounds and 1oz on November 13th. Upon her birth, my niece and I were attached at the hip for years to come!
From that moment on I was infected with the passion of childbirth! From that point on, I went on to ask any pregnant family member or friend that I knew if I could attend their births. That day at the hospital, I asked the nurses and doctors how I could be like them when I grew up and what degree I needed to become an OB/GYN. They told me and I went on to pursue my education. By the time I was a senior in high school at Lincoln Magnet high school, I had completed all of my coursework by taking AP classes and I was able to participate in the Executive Assistant Program Internship. I requested a volunteer role at the OB clinics at Parkland Hospital. I volunteered as an OB chaperone and was able to shadow OB/GYN doctors. I absolutely loved my experience at Parkkand and gained even more insight into Women’s Healthcare.
I decided to attend Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas with a major in Biology and a minor in Women’s Studies. During one of my Women’s studies courses, we took a field trip to Inanna Birth Center which was very nearby. The Birth center was a house with rooms, tubs, and midwives. I was so amazed by this natural birthing environment which was completely different that anything I had witnessed at Parkland. I spoke to the midwives there and asked them “ How can I be like you when I grow up”. They educated me and ignited a whole new passion within me to become a midwife. That year, I continued my Biology/ Pre-Med courses and began to take nursing prerequisites as well. The follow year, my junior year, I became an expecting mom myself.
I had severe symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum and busted through the doors of the birth center sick, sick, sick! The midwives remembered me from the field trip because I had harassed them about becoming a midwife. They took me in and treated me with kindness, intimacy, privacy, and care. I birthed my daughter Amariah at Inanna Birth and Women’s care on May 13th at 3:06am. She too, was born on the 13th of the month and weighed exactly 9 pounds 1 ounce just as my niece Kenya did. I was able to labor in the bath tub with my midwife, 2 doulas, my husband, my birth photographer, and my grandmother all present in the room supporting me with love and care.
My personal birth experience impacted me and my passion for Women’s Healthcare. It changed how I wanted to serve families during childbirth. I decided that I want to become a midwife instead of an OB/GYN. I started training as a birth assistant for the birth center where I gave birth, I trained as a doula, a childbirth educator, and breastfeeding educator. I was recruited to work as one of the first breastfeeding peer counselors at the Denton County WIC office. I worked for WIC for about 3 years and during that time I completed my hours to certify as an IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) in 2012.
I graduated TWU with my Biology Pre-Med degree and completed all nursing prerequisites in 2009. I went on to purse a BSN at Baylor Louise Herrington School of Nursing. I obtained my RN license in 2014. I worked as an RN in Labor and Delivery, Childbirth Education, Mother Baby Care, and Lactation at various local hospitals in DFW.
In 2016, I left the hospital and opened up Mother Eve’s Childbearing Support Services where I support families with Childbirth Education, Doula Services, and Lactation Care primarily in their homes. We have served hundreds of families in DFW and look forward to serving hundreds more!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been smooth at all. I birthed my daughter during my junior year at Texas Woman’s University as a Biology Pre-Med major taking additional courses for nursing pre-requisites. It was a struggle to finish school and graduate while also being a mother. Additionally, by the time my daughter was 3 years old, I was a single mom starting nursing school at Baylor. I experienced financial struggles with paying for school, bills, and childcare. It was also challenging to pay for the trainings and credentials I obtained. I frequently applied for scholarships and programs that offered assistance for single moms. I received some support from family, church, and friends. Some of my certifications required shadowing and I found it very difficult to get support from others in the community with shadowing opportunities. I often felt alone on my journey, but I knew God was carrying me.
Nursing school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Harder than childbirth! The schedule was very demanding, the pressure was high, and the funding was limited. I went days without seeing my daughter during this time. Sacrifices were definitely made. My mother and mother in law were able to help assist with childcare during these times, thank God.
When establishing my business, I had limited help and to figure out most things on my own. I am still struggling with that today.
Although my journey hasn’t been the smoothest, I find that I am more skilled, experienced, resilient, and relatable than others who may have had a smoother journey. Therefore, I am thankful for all the struggles along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mother Eve’s Childbearing Support Services, LLC?
Mother Eve’s Childbearing Support Services EMPOWERS and ADVOCATES for the childbearing woman and her family through education, preparation, knowledge, and support from conception to post-birth. We provide Childbirth Education, Doula Services, and Lactation Care to reduce/prevent negative birth and breastfeeding outcomes including maternal-child death, as well as improve maternal-child birth outcomes and mortality rates. We strengthen the family’s bond, faith, and confidence during their perinatal journey.
We are a woman owned BIPOC and Christian-based organization. We eliminate hours of research for expectant families and Reduce the overall worry, stress, and fear of childbirth.
Our Services can reduce the outcomes of
C/Section Deliveries by 60%
The need for an epidural by 40%
The need for NICU care by 60%
Postpartum Hemorrhage by 60%
Our Services are also known to increase breastfeeding rates and success by 96%
Additionally, All of our families have reported feeling safe, emotionally supported, being an active participant in the birth and breastfeeding experience, empowered, confident, prepared, and advocated for.
We provide private in-home care in the safety and comfort of your home.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I, myself, was born as a premature baby weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.
Pricing:
- Childbirth Education Classes $350 per couple-May be covered by Insurance
- Doula Services $2500-$4000-May be covered by Insurance
- Lactation Care $300- May be covered by Insurance
- Placenta Encapsulation $300
- Belly Binding $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.motherevescss.com
- Instagram: @motherevescss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ziUHX4EE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Samantha Tollison Photography
Taylor Ann Photography
