Doula Services Empowering the
Birth of Baby &
Rebirth of Mom
Serving Families in North and South
San Luis Obispo County
"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother,
never.
The mother is something absolutely new."
~Rajneesh
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother,
never.
The mother is something absolutely new."
~Rajneesh
|
Hello! I'm Ashley Welcome to my site and congratulations on your pregnancy! I am a double-trained, Certified Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula (Cornerstone Doula Trainings) and a Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PSI) serving families in North and South San Luis Obispo County and would be honored to be a part of your sacred journey. Choosing to work with a doula for your birth and postpartum brings you closer to a more educated, empowered, honored, and more satisfying experience. Read on to see exactly what I offer and why working with me as your doula may be the best decision for you and your family. Proudly affiliated with SLO Doula Connection, Central Coast Childbirth Network, Postpartum Support International, Birth Monopoly, & Cornerstone Doula Trainings |
"Working with Ashley as our birth doula was an amazing experience! She was a wonderful addition to such a sacred and special tribe of women surrounding and supporting me through the birth of our third child. Her warm and gentle presence was so comforting. She was very in tune with my needs and knew just when to give me a sweet uplifting affirmation or a gentle touch."
~Sophie S.
A Doula's Contribution to Maternity Care
Studies have shown that births have:
25% Shorter labor
60% Reduction in epidural requests
50% Reduction in cesarean rate
40% Reduction in pitocin use
40% Reduction in forceps delivery
30% Reduction in analgesia use
34% Higher rate of breastfeeding
38% Decrease of low APGAR score
34% Decrease in negative birth experience
57% lower odds of postpartum depression
...when a Doula is present.
~Sophie S.
A Doula's Contribution to Maternity Care
Studies have shown that births have:
25% Shorter labor
60% Reduction in epidural requests
50% Reduction in cesarean rate
40% Reduction in pitocin use
40% Reduction in forceps delivery
30% Reduction in analgesia use
34% Higher rate of breastfeeding
38% Decrease of low APGAR score
34% Decrease in negative birth experience
57% lower odds of postpartum depression
...when a Doula is present.
MY BIRTH SUPPORT INCLUDES:
(For more details please visit my Services page)
BIRTH WORK
(includes Hospital, Home Birth, Birth Center, VBAC, HBAC, TOLAC,
Water Birth, Induction & Cesarean)
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
NEWBORN EDUCATION
BIRTH ART SESSION
BABY/MAMA SKIN CARE AND GIFTS
What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained companion who supports a mother through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She is not a healthcare professional but has been educated in all aspects of childbirth. The doula's goal and role is to help the client feel safe and comfortable. Unlike a physician, midwife, or nurse, a doula cannot administer medical treatment or medication or give medical advice. Her support lies in physical, emotional and informational support including massage, position and breathing techniques, encouragement, gentle touch, constant companionship, and guiding the birthing person's partner. In addition, a doula's role is meant to educate, advocate and empower a birthing person's experience. To find out more about the impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes, read this study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education
Why Hire a Doula?
I love the metaphor that asks,"Would you willingly hike the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with just your partner and not a guide?" This really is, in so many ways, the same thing as venturing into birth without a doula. I always tell my clients, "The hospital has their birth team. You need yours too." Many new moms believe that their OB or midwife and nurse, as well as their partner, make up their birth team, but this isn't necessarily true. A true birth team is one that doesn't leave your side during active labor. This herein lies the value of my doula support. Your interests are incredibly important to me. Should you be birthing in a hospital, your doula is the one person who not only likely knows every possible hospital intervention and protocol, but cares deeply about how those things affect your birth experience. If there is a term, tool, touch, or technique that you don't understand, I will hold your hand, explain it to you, and ensure that you feel safe, respected, and in control of your birth. Advocacy and the discussion of informed consent are terms discussed and explored prenatally and are an incredibly important aspect of doula support.
How you feel in your environment impacts the outcome of your birth satisfaction greatly. It is a cornerstone of my service to ensure that your environment makes you feel safe and at ease. During your labor, I focus on all of your senses to bring ease to your contractions and for your times of rest. I use sound, darkness, candles, water, ice, aromatherapy, heat, and massage to make your birth feel as if you were in a private den or spa. Even for a medicated birth, almost all of these things can be replicated and honored.
When your baby is born, my support continues to ensure that all of your wishes are respected and have been brought to fruition.
Do I Need a Doula During Pregnancy?
For all of the above to happen smoothly, it is important to work with a doula prenatally. During our prenatal visits, and with your partner present, we will discuss the ins and outs of your pregnancy including any complications, fears, anxiety, and of course, the many questions you will likely have. We will work together to ensure that you have found a practitioner and birthing space you feel safe with. These prenatal appointments will strengthen your education and understanding of birth and help to create a birth plan that you and your partner feel confident with. During this time we will discuss informed consent, autonomy, and your human rights to ensure you feel respected and in control of your birth. We will discuss labor positions, my role during labor, and explore your feelings through birth art. When your due date approaches, we will focus on postpartum preparation. This includes education in breastfeeding or bottle feeding, newborn care, nutrition, healing, mental health, and ensuring your home has what it needs to support you through this new identity transition. Through education, emotional support, and proper labor support, your birth has a wonderful chance of being much more than you could have hoped. Having a woman beside you in childbirth, who understands this profound rite of passage both personally and professionally, will bring you great comfort.
Will a Doula Overshadow My Partner?
Not at all. The best support you will receive is likely from your partner because they know you best. Intimacy, affection and soft spoken words from your partner will get you through your labor. But often times, a partner does not know exactly how they can help because they have not seen childbirth before. They need guidance! I can offer suggestions of support, to change positions, and remind them that they may need to be your voice. And better yet, when you need certain things to help you cope like ice, water, chapstick, or a hair tie, your partner doesn't have to leave your side because you have a doula. I can also offer them a break to rest, eat or use the bathroom. When labor is at its toughest and most tiring, a doula's wisdom will bring great comfort to a partner who may be afraid or anxious. If your partner needs to be with the baby in the end due to complications, you will find comfort with your doula.
For more information on my services for hospital labor support, please visit my blog post here.
Please note that I am profoundly passionate for a natural, unmedicated labor and would be happy to support you for a home or birth center birth as well!
When Should I Hire a Doula?
As soon as possible to ensure the doula you want isn't fully booked and to begin prenatal support and education. I only take 2 clients/month so it is important to connect with me right away.
A doula is a trained companion who supports a mother through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She is not a healthcare professional but has been educated in all aspects of childbirth. The doula's goal and role is to help the client feel safe and comfortable. Unlike a physician, midwife, or nurse, a doula cannot administer medical treatment or medication or give medical advice. Her support lies in physical, emotional and informational support including massage, position and breathing techniques, encouragement, gentle touch, constant companionship, and guiding the birthing person's partner. In addition, a doula's role is meant to educate, advocate and empower a birthing person's experience. To find out more about the impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes, read this study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education
Why Hire a Doula?
I love the metaphor that asks,"Would you willingly hike the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with just your partner and not a guide?" This really is, in so many ways, the same thing as venturing into birth without a doula. I always tell my clients, "The hospital has their birth team. You need yours too." Many new moms believe that their OB or midwife and nurse, as well as their partner, make up their birth team, but this isn't necessarily true. A true birth team is one that doesn't leave your side during active labor. This herein lies the value of my doula support. Your interests are incredibly important to me. Should you be birthing in a hospital, your doula is the one person who not only likely knows every possible hospital intervention and protocol, but cares deeply about how those things affect your birth experience. If there is a term, tool, touch, or technique that you don't understand, I will hold your hand, explain it to you, and ensure that you feel safe, respected, and in control of your birth. Advocacy and the discussion of informed consent are terms discussed and explored prenatally and are an incredibly important aspect of doula support.
How you feel in your environment impacts the outcome of your birth satisfaction greatly. It is a cornerstone of my service to ensure that your environment makes you feel safe and at ease. During your labor, I focus on all of your senses to bring ease to your contractions and for your times of rest. I use sound, darkness, candles, water, ice, aromatherapy, heat, and massage to make your birth feel as if you were in a private den or spa. Even for a medicated birth, almost all of these things can be replicated and honored.
When your baby is born, my support continues to ensure that all of your wishes are respected and have been brought to fruition.
Do I Need a Doula During Pregnancy?
For all of the above to happen smoothly, it is important to work with a doula prenatally. During our prenatal visits, and with your partner present, we will discuss the ins and outs of your pregnancy including any complications, fears, anxiety, and of course, the many questions you will likely have. We will work together to ensure that you have found a practitioner and birthing space you feel safe with. These prenatal appointments will strengthen your education and understanding of birth and help to create a birth plan that you and your partner feel confident with. During this time we will discuss informed consent, autonomy, and your human rights to ensure you feel respected and in control of your birth. We will discuss labor positions, my role during labor, and explore your feelings through birth art. When your due date approaches, we will focus on postpartum preparation. This includes education in breastfeeding or bottle feeding, newborn care, nutrition, healing, mental health, and ensuring your home has what it needs to support you through this new identity transition. Through education, emotional support, and proper labor support, your birth has a wonderful chance of being much more than you could have hoped. Having a woman beside you in childbirth, who understands this profound rite of passage both personally and professionally, will bring you great comfort.
Will a Doula Overshadow My Partner?
Not at all. The best support you will receive is likely from your partner because they know you best. Intimacy, affection and soft spoken words from your partner will get you through your labor. But often times, a partner does not know exactly how they can help because they have not seen childbirth before. They need guidance! I can offer suggestions of support, to change positions, and remind them that they may need to be your voice. And better yet, when you need certain things to help you cope like ice, water, chapstick, or a hair tie, your partner doesn't have to leave your side because you have a doula. I can also offer them a break to rest, eat or use the bathroom. When labor is at its toughest and most tiring, a doula's wisdom will bring great comfort to a partner who may be afraid or anxious. If your partner needs to be with the baby in the end due to complications, you will find comfort with your doula.
For more information on my services for hospital labor support, please visit my blog post here.
Please note that I am profoundly passionate for a natural, unmedicated labor and would be happy to support you for a home or birth center birth as well!
When Should I Hire a Doula?
As soon as possible to ensure the doula you want isn't fully booked and to begin prenatal support and education. I only take 2 clients/month so it is important to connect with me right away.
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Trust yourself but lean on me. I'm here for you and the you to come. All birthing people deserve adequate birth support. Please inquire about payment plans. As someone who was raised by a single mother, I empathize with the dramatically different challenge these women face as opposed to co-parenting. If you are a struggling single mother in SLO County seeking birth or postpartum support, please inquire about sliding scale rates and discounted prices on all soup and tea packages. 
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For more information about me, read my story and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions by email or phone or visit my contact page to drop me a line! (612) 532-1908 4ashleymurphy@gmail.com For testimonials, click here |
