“I have had 3 delightful homebirths with these ladies and I refer them to all my friends. I always felt so safe, well-cared for, respected, and understood - not only during birth, but also through pregnancy and postpartum.”
Tonia H.
“I never imagined I would have a home birth. I don’t even think I knew it was an option until I became pregnant with my first, but it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! We are 3 home births in and can’t thank Ellen and Amanda enough for what they have done to help make that happen. They are a great team!”
Jocelyn B.
“After having a C-section with my first I was a little apprehensive about trying a homebirth, but Ellen & Amanda were both very supportive and so was my Husband! So I was very happy to get to experience a beautiful homebirth, and baby girl was frank breech at that! Ellen had no qualms about me trying in spite of so many others telling me I was crazy! I did it and all was fine. Highly recommend Ellen & Amanda for your midwives!!”
Deb L.
“Both of my homebirths were so comfortable. Its just so nice to be in your own home!”
Samantha R.
“After three hospital births, I wanted something different and I was referred to Ellen and Amanda by some friends. From our first meeting through the weeks after our son was born, the entire process with them was wonderful. They take their time with every appointment, were great listeners and communicators, and were so knowledgeable. If we have another child, I will 100% be using them again and cannot recommend them highly enough.”
Brigid T.
“I was first introduced to homebirth in college when a girl I was following on YouTube showed her birth story. I had never heard of that being an option and honestly found it so beautiful and captivating. Though I wasn’t married at the time I had a feeling I wanted it to be a part of my story, but probably for a second or third birth. Fast forward to when my husband and I found we were pregnant I was wrestling with what to do. I had since made friends with women who had homebirths (two of which with Amanda and Ellen) and had excellent experiences. I am naturally a researcher and the more I found out about the birth that I would likely have in a hospital versus a homebirth and potential for different health consequences for the baby and I, my husband and I knew that we wanted to pursue homebirth. After our first meeting with Amanda I was struck by how much more peace I felt after talking with her versus my appointments at the hospital. I was given to more anxiety during pregnancy and I can say that Amanda and Ellen’s constant support and availability for my questions brought me a lot of peace and security. My husband was welcomed into the birth process in the appointments and seen as an active member of what was happening which was not our experience as he came to appointments in the hospital. The appointments were relaxed, in depth, and so personable. I found myself looking forward to them as a relationship had formed between myself and the midwives that I hadn’t experienced before with a practitioner. Alas, the day of the birth came and Amanda was right there with me from before the sun rose till after the sun set and our baby girl was brought into the world. The support and peace and reassurance was constant. I was encouraged of my strength as I labored and my husband was an active role as it really felt like we both brought our daughter into the world by God’s grace. When our families and friends asked about our birth story my husband would light up. He still says it is the most amazing thing he has been a part of. I really believe this can be attributed to the capable hands of our midwives. We were able to labor together in peace knowing that I and the baby were being deeply cared for and monitored throughout the entire process. These women are highly skilled and professional. We are so thankful for this gem in Western Pennsylvania!”
Erica S.
“Even having given birth twice before, being in the comfort of my own home plus the expertise of Ellen and Amanda made for a more empowered & confident mama this time around! I wouldn't trade the experience!”
Lauren G.
“Ellen is an amazing midwife! I used her with all three of my pregnancies. She has a very calming presence. I felt at ease knowing that she was assisting with my deliveries. I can't say enough good things about her! We love Ellen!”
Savannah H.
“I can’t say enough great things about Ellen and Amanda. I had two amazing home births with them and could not of asked for a better experience. They are so nice, very knowledgeable, they make you feel so comfortable and know exactly how to keep you calm. They always take their time and make sure all of your questions are answered. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a midwife.”
Amy B.
“I started my journey as a mom off as skeptical if midwifery was actually the best route to have a baby or if it was just an alternative for having a baby. I had our first born in a midwife’s suite, our second with midwives in the hospital, and our third with Amanda as a midwife in our home. Although I had good experiences with all of them and no complications in any of my pregnancies, I LOOOOVED having our number three at our home. The kids were put to sleep at 9 PM at the same time I started having contractions. They got to sleep through it all. My husband prepared the room and had soft peaceful music playing in the background. Amanda arrived promptly and the baby was born 20 minutes later! I was relaxed, at home in my own setting, not needing to worry about traveling or packing or driving or being around a bunch of people I did not know. One of the biggest factors that made me feel comfortable was a book called “ The Five Standards For Safe Childbearing”. I realized how natural childbirth was, how my body was created to know what to do, and midwifery was simply assisting in it. I 100 percent recommend using midwives and homebirths for any healthy pregnancy!
Jessie W.
I'll never forget Amanda asking "Do you want to catch your baby dad?"
Curt G.
“From the moment Ellen entered our home we felt comfortable and at ease. Ellen's wisdom and closeness to nature are unspoken but profound.”
Lauren G.
“If you’re looking for laid back, all natural, your-best-in-mind midwives, Ellen & Amanda are who you need! I appreciated their natural, non-invasive approach to prenatal care and the time they took to answer questions and inform. During my labor, they were present if needed, giving helpful advice and care, but also gave my husband and I space to work through labor together. In spite of a long labor, I had a positive home birth experience and would recommend Apple Blossom Midwifery to everyone!”
Sierra K.
“Amanda and Ellen delivered our first baby at home and it was an amazing experience. They are both so kind, knowledgeable and caring, making sure to take the time to answer all questions and address concerns. It was reassuring to know they were only a text or call away 24/7. They are very empowering and helped me with the confidence I needed to get through labor. Being able to stay home and not go to a hospital was very important to my fiancé and I, and these ladies made it happen! They also make sure to include the father and the family in the whole process which was great. As a first time mom, I am so grateful and we delivered a 9 lb baby at home, no issues! We will definitely be returning to Amanda and Ellen if we have another baby in the future, it was a blessing and an honor to have them deliver our daughter.”
Jamie M.
“I feel so furtunate to have found Ellen and Amanda when I was expecting for the first time. They are truly kind and caring and their expertise is unmatched. They had unending patience for my questions and concerns and turned my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time into a positive and special experience that I cherish. I couldn’t have dreamed of midwives like these!”
An Appreciative Mama
“Prior to me & my husband conceiving our first baby, I naturally had a great interest in home birth. I watched the Business of Being Born and researched what birth could look like. When we finally found ourselves pregnant, I reached out to Ellen after a friend had recommended her as a home birth midwife. From my first appointment prenatally to my appointments postpartum, I felt so cared for. The care that Ellen and Amanda offer is top tier, not usually what you can experience with modern care & medicine. I love that they give you so much information that you can make an informed decision about your options and not be pressured in any way. Our first baby was born very fast for being my first birth, Amanda made it to our house in perfect timing. Welcoming our son into our arms at home was a very intimate experience, I cannot recommend it enough to others. We will definitely be using their services with all of our future births.”
Savanah B.
“I love how Ellen taught me birth is not a scary experience. It can be peaceful and beautiful. It amazes me how she always knows without a word what feels the best and what I needed. From warm water pours to hot lavender compresses, her moves count. She has a world of knowledge and she does well in helping the birth be like God designed it to be. She’s there without taking up space”
Marian T.
“I could cry writing this. I had the most BEAUTIFUL home birth with Amanda and Ellen. They feel like family to me now. I started most of my prenatal care with just Amanda around 17 weeks into my pregnancy. Every appointment she would spend at least an hour with me answering all of my questions and never making any of the appointments feel rushed. She is so calm and sweet and the best listener. I met Ellen around 35 weeks. Beautiful time with her. Then we had a few appointments before my birth. She feels like what I imagine Ina May is like. Wise, calm - with a bit of fire.
Initially I had told Amanda I was comfortable with just her attending the birth to keep the space very intimate since I was very comfortable with Amanda. The first part of my labor Amanda felt like a sister and mother nurturing me and holding incredible space through my process. I felt comfortable speaking up for my needs asking for not much coaching and to just allow me to go through my process - which she so respected.
Well, my labor ended up being 32 hours of active active labor. After maybe 20 hours or so Amanda asked if she could invite Ellen into the space. It was the PERFECT timing. Ellen was exactly what I needed to continue into the deepest surrender of my life. She started off incredibly gentle and calm and shifted into an incredible powerful FORCE once I needed the guidance. There was a point I really wanted to give up and ask for pain relief, but with the two of them I was able to go through my process and have the DREAM birth I wanted. We welcomed our baby girl on Thursday May 2nd and I am so grateful. Amanda and Ellen are forever my soul family.
Blessings to all you mamas on your journey. I will never look at a mama the same way. Powerful.”
Violet T.
“After finding out we were expecting in Oct. 2020, we thought this third time we wanted to give a home birth a try. We got Ellen's name and number from a neighbor who had a home birth. We loved it! We really liked the calmness of Ellen. She didn't seem razzled by anything. Amanda and Ellen worked so well together to keep me comfortable. They know what they are doing and walked us thru every step. I would recommend a home birth and Ellen and Amanda to anyone looking for a private, intimate experience to bring a baby into the world. If we weren't done having children we would do it again!”
Kim L.
From the first time my wife and I met them, Amanda and Ellen each exuded calm, confident, patient, genuine energy. They kept it up throughout the entire pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum process that they helped guide us through. As first-time parents, our pre-birth appointments were rarely shorter than an hour in duration as we’d talk over all of the inevitable concerns and uncertainties we were working through; Amanda and Ellen (they alternated visits with us) would patiently help us think through all of our questions, laying out options and empowering us to make our own decisions which they would support us in. After every appointment, we’d feel recharged with confidence and excited about the next steps in the pregnancy process. When my wife went into labor, they gave us steadfast guidance, sleeping in shifts as needed and helping with every aspect of the birthing process. The labor slowed down quite a bit for some hours, and we believe that if we’d been in a hospital setting, the staff might have decided the labor wasn’t progressing fast enough and pushed for a medical intervention of some sort. Instead, Amanda and Ellen helped my wife use different maneuvers and positioning strategies to help the baby descend. They were patient and calm, ensuring that our baby’s life got off to a safe and healthy start at the pace that nature wanted it to go. We will absolutely be calling them again for any future pregnancies! We can’t recommend them highly enough.
Robert Z.
“Ellen and Amanda delivered my third child, I had 2 hospital births before this one and I have never experienced such quality care before! They both have a calming and caring disposition that is so hard to find nowadays. I greatly appreciated their knowledge in nutrition during pregnancy, their coaching, and encouragement during labor. They were so in tune with what I wanted and needed. and I'll never forget how they cared for me postnatal. After delivery, Ellen went into my kitchen and fixed me a meal. They cared for me just as much as the baby. These two don't just show up to do their job as midwives. They go above and care for you as a mother would.”
Cassie J.
“After having a not so great experience with my first pregnancy at the hospital I knew any pregnancy from there on would be at home. I came across a picture on Facebook from a woman I went to school with of her home birth. I reached out and asked as much as I could because no one I knew has ever had a home birth. She gave me Ellens number and the rest was history. I got to meet both Ellen and Amanda and knew that this was the route I was going to go. The whole experience was so calm and relaxing and had such an amazing pregnancy and birth with my second. Will never have a hospital birth again!”
Kristy T.
