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.
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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
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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)
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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.