Meet Amanda DiBiase | Postpartum Planning & Support

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda DiBiase and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Relationships. 100%. My 2nd top strength is connectedness and I love creating genuine connections with others, both personally and professionally. It brings me so much joy and has propelled my business forward more than anything else. A positive side benefit of establishing connections with people is that they are much more likely to mention your name when someone needs your service if they truly know you and trust that you will take care of their people. When I was a newer postpartum doula, I jumped into the world of networking and putting myself out there. I was nervous at first. It can be scary to show up for yourself and I had previous networking experiences that felt formal, stuffy, and unauthentic. As a result of becoming part of a few local business groups in my community, I have met some incredible people and I have learned so much from them. My mind has been opened to new, fresh experiences and I have created long-lasting relationships while supporting other business owners and they have done the same for me. My business definitely wouldn’t be where it is today without the relationships I’ve created along the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m a Postpartum Doula providing holistic and evidence-based care and support for families during the initial period after birth. During a woman’s pregnancy, there is a flood of information and education surrounding pregnancy and birth. Yet, when it comes to the postpartum period, parents often arrive home with their baby only to feel unprepared. Friends and family tend to live further away these days, and this can leave new parents feeling very isolated. This is where I come in. Think of me as the sister or friend who shows up to care for Mom so she can rest, heal, and bond with her baby. Moms (and partners!) need love and support, too, and as exciting as this new chapter may be, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. There are changing family dynamics, learning about themselves and their baby, existing household duties, recovering and healing for Mom, and there is typically very little sleep.

As a Postpartum Doula, my goal is to provide education, assistance, and support so parents feel confident, less stressed, and cared for. I tailor my support to the individual needs of each family, so it looks different for everyone. My desire is to truly focus on the needs of the mother, as she was just born, too. And when a mother feels cared for and supported, she is able to better care for her family.
When my first son was born, my mom gave us the gift of postpartum support since she lived across town. Having a trained professional providing education, instruction and support allowed me to find my groove as a new mom while also having some time to myself. She gave me some incredibly helpful tips and tricks during our time together and I’ll never forget the support she provided and the confidence I gained during that postpartum experience. Now I get to assist other moms with their own postpartum journey so they can feel as confident as I did.

The journey to this point hasn’t always been easy but it has absolutely been worth it. I’ve known for quite some time that I wanted to serve women and families, but I didn’t know exactly how. Once you have the vision, the how comes. I met a couple postpartum doulas at a conference a few years ago, and I knew in my heart this was something I was being called to do. Shortly after attending my training, everything shut down due to the pandemic. I had to pivot and shift my focus to my family, leaving my new business on the back burner. I knew in the back of my mind that women and families in my community needed the type of support I wanted to provide. Last year, I decided it was time to jump in and I’ve never looked back. I’ve learned so much along the way. Most importantly, I’ve learned that being your authentic, true self will take you far in life, when one door closes, another one always opens, and if your heart tells you to move in a specific direction, it’s never wrong. Things won’t always go according to plan, and there will be stumbling blocks along the way, but those challenges make us stronger and are the best opportunities for growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Woodstock and I love supporting the local businesses in my community. Woodstock has grown so much in the past few years but it still has that small town feel. During the warmer months, you may find us on the lake with friends and family. We also love to visit Blue Ridge with stops at Mercier Orchards and several of the shops in the area. Downtown Woodstock is also one of our favorite places to spend time together. There is something for everyone. There are tons of fun restaurants, Reformation Brewery with outdoor space for the entire family, a playground for the kids, green space for relaxing or a picnic, and walking trails for some exercise. When I’m meeting up with a friend for coffee, Copper Coin is one of my favorite places to hang out, and Eden is an absolute must for some fresh juice, a smoothie or a smoothie bowl. Our family favorite spots include Alma Coffee (my very favorite coffee), Sidelines Holly Springs, Ipp’s Pastaria, and 7 Tequilas in Holly Springs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gosh, that’s a tough one. It takes a village, right? There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today. The list is truly a mile long. But the one person who has helped me the most is my husband, Adam DiBiase. He always lends an ear no matter what time it is or what he has going on, he listens to my crazy dreams, builds me up when I need encouragement, and he reminds me that I already have everything within me to succeed. He’s my rock and my biggest cheerleader. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without him by my side. I’m incredibly grateful for his support in all that I do.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to Woodstock Business Club and Cherokee Connect because of the community created in both places and how much my business has flourished because of them.

Website: https://anessentiallife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.anessentiallife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.anessentiallife

Image Credits
Bryttany Victoria, Moments with B.