Photos courtesy of Madi Parlow Photography - Elk River, Minnesota

SAMANTHA ASHLEY

Founder/CEO and Doula

Growing up as the oldest of six, I learned a thing or two about responsibility and caring for others. Witnessing my brother's birth at 14 sparked a passion for supporting new parents that I've carried with me ever since.

However, it wasn't until 2016, while working as a nursing assistant in a hospital, that I stumbled upon doula work after asking questions about hospital policy, evidence-based practices, and the disconnect in prenatal and postnatal education. I quickly found a 36-hour in-person doula training that opened my eyes to fully immerse myself in the birth world.

Since that training, I've had the honor of supporting well over 400 families, each with their own unique journey. With every family I meet, I continue to learn and grow, humbled by the diverse experiences and stories shared with me. Witnessing these countless unique and powerful moments has only deepened my passion for birth.

As I embarked on this journey, I was a single woman with no personal experience surrounding birth. Fast forward to today, and I'm happily married to an incredibly supportive man. Together, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first little miracle in June 2024. Nestled in an NW suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, our home is filled with love, shared with our gentle pitbull named Sadie and our chatty cat named Fish.

Time outside of work is spent with close family and friends, tending to our garden, or exploring different corners of the world. I enjoy watching re-runs of Friends, listening to true crime podcasts or audiobooks, sipping on coffee, craft brews, or wine, and indulging in mouth-watering desserts.

  • Attendance of 200+ births since 2016

    Unmedicated and Medicated Births

    Planned and Unplanned Cesareans

    Home Births

    Freestanding Birth Center Births

    Hospital Births with OB and Midwives

    Water Births

    Low and High-Risk Pregnancies

    Pregnancy after 35

    IVF

    VBAC

  • Doula Workshops (80+ hrs)

    Childbirth Educator (40+ hrs)

    Lactation Certification (90+ hrs)

    Body Ready Method®Pro (100+ hrs)

    Pelvic Floor Health (12+ hrs)

    Spinning Babies Workshops (16+ hrs)

    Placenta Encapsulation (20+ hrs)

  • Body Ready Method® Pro

    Save $10 with code: DOULAMAE

    You will gain confidence, knowledge, and strength for this amazing journey into parenthood. We designed this program to give you the tools to thrive in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The exercise classes offer you the strength to carry while the educational component covers.

    Birth Boot Camp Childbirth & Lactation Classes

    Save $25 with code: BBCI25

    Birth Boot Camp excels in preparing couples for an exceptional birth and breastfeeding journey through global online classes. Their education and doula programs are rooted in the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative principles, shaping our curriculum's foundation.