Amanda Bernstein:
Sydney Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Ka Huna Massage, Pilates

Hi there, thanks for checking me out here on my Essential Me website.

I’m Amanda.
A Doula, Ka Huna bodyworker and Pilates instructor. 
I’m also a mum to two beautiful boys, a wife, sister, daughter etc… 
I wear many hats and enjoy sharing many talents.

My passion is supporting and empowering women and couples during their pregnancy, birth and postnatal recovery period.  And while this journey didn’t start off so nicely, it finishes with me being here and able to offer this heart felt service to you… 

Emergency Cesarean

In 2011 during my first pregnancy, I hired a very expensive private obstetrician to make the best decisions for me, and gave up my responsibility to birth my baby.  I was uneducated in the things leading up to and including birth, induced early, and one thing led to another followed by a cascade of intervention which resulted in an emergency c-section in 2012.  The whole thing was a highly traumatic experience for me with a painful and tough recovery. 

Pilates Instructor

It’s why I became a Pilates instructor in 2013 and have specialised in pregnancy and postnatal recovery.  I run another business called Pilates With Purpose and offer a convenient mobile service where one of my amazing team comes to your home or office, on a day or time of your choice.  I’ve taught private one on ones, mums and bubs classes, girls’ nights in, corporate classes (my favourite was at Google!), large classes at gyms, reformer classes at studios, and my most rewarding sessions; going into the homes of new mothers and showing them ways to apply Pilates exercises back into their everyday lives to help prevent future injuries.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Then in 2014 I was pregnant again.  This time I interviewed 3 different private obstetricians and chose the one I resonated with most – I wanted a VBAC (a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and embarked on a long process to educate myself about all things birth, including attending the She Births course.  At 19 weeks gestation, the obstetrician I had chosen suggested I might feel more comfortable in the public system birthing with a midwife instead of an OB, and thanks to this recommendation, and the support of some amazing staff at RHW Randwick, my second child was born – a beautiful water birth.  This for me, was an incredibly healing, empowering and emotionally rewarding experience.  I DID IT!  I birthed my baby!  I had my husband, my doula, a midwife and the head of obstetrics at the public hospital all on my team.  They believed in me – I believed in myself too. 

I knew then that I wanted to be a Doula.  I wanted to help other women feel the way I felt at that very instant.  I wanted to be able to connect with them and apply all my skills to help create the best possible outcome for them and their family.

Ka Huna Massage Therapist

However with a newborn baby it wasn’t the right time and instead in 2015 I found the beautiful Ka Huna massage through Mette’s Institute, and have since continued down this path, with Pregnancy massage, Polynesian floor work, Lomi Lomi Heartworks, Deep Bone and Opu massage, Voice and Energy healing, and completing level 6 Ka Huna in September 2018 and level 7 in September 2022.  These amazing styles of Hawaiian massage are so deeply connecting and luxurious.  For me, I am able to help hold the space for people to feel and release, and see the difference for them from when they arrived, to when they walk out lighter, relaxed and feeling great.  Ka Huna has allows me to open my heart space and flow into my feminine while Pilates keeps me grounded. 

Birth and Postpartum Doula Services

And finally, I have become a birth and postpartum Doula.

• Graduated in 2017 with the Australian Doula College

• I’m an Optimal Maternal Positioning Ambassador (original course in 2019 and refresher in 2021)

• Completed a Spinning Babies Workshop

• Over 2018-2019 I completed the pilot We Birth Mentorship Program (advanced education and further training for Doulas and other birth workers)

• Presented in the 2019 We Birth Virtual Doula Conference that coincided with World Doula Week (my topic was VBAC: you can see the presentation here).

• From this We Birth course I also have a certificates in Breastfeeding and in Obstetric Emergencies in Childbearing

• I’m a Hypnobirthing Australia Supportive Caregiver

• In late 2019 I attended an intensive Optimal Maternal Positioning 7 day Birth Exchange Mentoring Program in Gui Yang, China with Ginny Phang-Davey from iBirthProfessionals

• Continue to further my knowledge by attending industry events, conferences and other relevant seminars

• Have supported over 200 births as a Doula since graduating in 2017

• Have been interviewed for several podcasts and other media publications, have been a guest speaker and various maternity events, mothers groups and more…

I’m excited.  I’m here for you.  Here “to serve” in any way that benefits you.  I’ll do my best to be there for you and your partner, supporting you in your journey – emotionally, physically, spiritually, informatively and practically – in every way I can.  My goal is to ensure that no matter what happens, you have been present for your birth journey, that you understand and consent to any decision made along the way, ultimately creating a positive experience for you to own. 

Essential Me is actually Essential You.

See more testimonials here.

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