What to expect from our time together

birthwork

Mission Statement

As a birthkeeper, it is my mission to support the birthing community through a lens that supports the sustainability of natural childbirth. In a system which is failing to do this, it is my commitment to educate and enlighten birthers of their innate strength, to nurture and defend both individual and family autonomy, to advocate for reproductive rights, and to reclaim community as a necessary lifeline of healthy mothering.

prenatal support

My birth services include one free consultation to ensure I am the doula for you, three prenatal visits at your home or location convenient to you, one postpartum visit, up to four weeks on-call for delivery and a handcrafted postpartum recovery gift.
During our prenatal visits you, your partner and I will discuss your birth plan and preferences including any questions and concerns you have and overview of your maternal history. Your prenatal health is very important to me as it may determine the outcome of your birth story. I will be available to you 24/7 by text and email should you have any questions or concerns about your health or medical care. I will supply you with a list of local resources upon request such as prenatal massage, prenatal yoga, childbirth classes, water birth tub rental, best strollers, cloth diaper education, postpartum mental health, childcare options, etc. We will also go over labor techniques with your birth partner. It is my hope that if you have a birth partner, they be present for all three meetings. It is vital to the satisfaction of your birth that your partner be supportive in hiring a doula and be on the same page as you with your birth preferences. The three of us will discuss the concepts of 'Informed Consent' and 'Autonomy'-- topics that are very important to me when delivering your baby. We will discuss your understanding of natural childbirth and will likely dig deep into the history, ritual and instinctual nature already inside you to birth your child, assuming your desires are for a vaginal birth. We will also go over any postpartum preparation or questions, ensuring that you feel ready to welcome baby and heal your body in your home. As an artist, I like to incorporate a 'birth art' session with your partner into these visits to visualize the birth you desire while overcoming fears and anxieties.
Prenatal visits usually last around 90 minutes.

During our postpartum visit, I will come to your home and discuss the physical and emotional outcome of your birth, address mental health concerns and offer breastfeeding support. I will make it a point to ensure you feel comfortable, supported and nourished during your transition to motherhood. This can be an incredibly overwhelming and emotional time. Having your doula merely hold space with you for a bit can be a much needed relief. This visit is one hour and typically happens within the first week following birth.

during labor

I believe that childbirth should be of the family; that a pregnancy should be nourished and birthed with total support of a mother and partner's wishes. I feel that the sanctity of this has been lost in western medicine with a misrepresentation of mother as patient and childbirth swarmed by many strangers. Childbirth is nature, not sickness. It is important to me that you feel you will birth your baby as a mother, not as a patient. Even if you and your partner know little of what to expect, I believe your experience should be respected and honored. I know, though, childbirth can be full of many unknowns and an important part of my philosophy is understanding that rarely will a birth go exactly as planned. Regardless of a hospital, home, or birth center birth, my role is to ease those unexpected interruptions with information, advocacy, and encouragement. I will do my absolute best to ensure you feel safe and connected to your birth. Taking simple measures such as making sure you and your partner have energy through food and hydration, dimming lights, closing curtains, lighting candles, playing or changing music, turning on an oil diffuser, putting your hair up, applying lip balm, keeping your face cool, holding your hand, offering verbal encouragement and giving your birth partner rest, direction, and bathroom breaks can bring enormous relief. I can support you first at home and help you and your partner decide when is a good time to leave for the hospital. When your labor is at its most difficult, I will give you as much verbal and physical support or space as needed. This may include massage, relieving and applying pressure, using props, changing positions, helping you in and out of a tub or the shower, holding a shower head on you, helping you to the bathroom, offering positive affirmations and encouragement, and most important, advocating for the birth plan you have hoped for. Should your birth experience have a more medical outcome including medications, induction or surgery, I will give you all the information and emotional support I have.

"Throughout the pregnancy, Ashley was by our side providing expert guidance and emotional support. She took the time to truly understand our desires for the birth, and helped us create a birth plan that aligned with our wishes. Her wealth of experience and calming presence gave us the confidence and reassurance we needed to embrace the natural process of childbirth.

During the labor and delivery, Ashley was an absolute angel! She intuitively anticipated our needs and provided comfort measures that helped ease the intensity of labor. Her gentle touch, soothing voice, and encouraging words helped my wife stay focused and empowered throughout the entire process. She also tirelessly supported us after the birth of our son."

~Nino, San Luis Obispo

Support

4ashleymurphy@gmail.com

612-532-1908

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