Ashley Larsen Doula Profile

Ashley was really a great support for us.  While my labor was pretty fast but she helped us make the call to head to the hospital and stayed with me while I attempted paperwork in between contractions, while my husband parked the car.  While we did have some setbacks in dilation, she helped reassure us things were going normally.  Her hip squeezes are THE BEST, and went a long way to getting me through labor and delivery unmedicated!  She was very helpful after my son came, since he needed some additional assistance after birth (my husband was tied up with that), Ashley was there to hold my hand and explain to me what was going on with delivering the placenta.  It was rather uncomfortable, so to have that help was amazing.  

She was always available quickly by phone or text even weeks before when I was getting anxious about being past my due date.  Her meetings with us were also helpful to help alleviate our stress about giving birth again, since our first experience was really pretty traumatic.  She also checked in with us by text after his birth, and came over once too.

She is very knowledgable, from birth to babies, and her recommendations were extremely helpful.  We will not be having more children or I'm sure we'd use her again, but do highly recommend her for other families.  Thanks, Ashley!

Ashley was a great support during my labor. She allowed my partner and I to have the birth we wanted. She was a silent observer most of the time, interjecting with suggestions when needed. I had a lot of back labor and needed intense massage/pressure during every contraction. When my partner was finally too tired to keep it up she jumped in and did double hip squeezes. I am truly appreciative of her role and a support person for me and him. It was wonderful to share our birth experience with her.

Ashley was great as a doula. She spent a lot of time answers my questions before the baby came and was willing to have as many prenatal visits as I needed. I was going for a VBAC this time so I had lots of concerns. She reassured me with her soft, reassuring voice during our prenatal visits, and on the phone. She made me feel strong and told me a few times that I could do achieve a VBAC if so desired, hoping that my unborn baby girl was willing to be birthed that way as well.

With Ashley’s easy going way and soft voice as well as my husband helping me to breathe correctly my labor pain was effective in getting the baby to come down in the womb, and therefore helped labor to go quickly. We did everything from getting in the shower, relaxing in the tub with my husband, to walking the halls, using a birth ball and getting into different positions during labor such as squatting on the floor, getting on hands and knees on the bed and laying down (in the bed) on my back just to name a few effective strategies we used . The backrubs from my husband helped as well but I wish I had asked for more backrubs from Ashley because she has an amazing and strong touch and they really helped when I was in labor with my son.

All in all a great experience and she helped me to achieve the unmedicated VBAC I so desired. It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but it was so worth it when the baby came out wide eyed and beautiful and was put on my chest for the first time. Something I wasn’t able to experience the first time. Felt good to have worked so hard and to see her so alert. I got to hold her for at least an hour after birth which was awesome. Thanks Ashley!!!!!!

 I found Ashley at 37 weeks pregnant with my 4th baby.  It was a very turbulent time in our lives, our birth plans had changed and we were traveling from Williamsburg to VCU.  Ashley gave me exactly the reassurance and support I needed.  She gave my husband and I space to work together and when I needed extra support she was right there helping me breathe through the pain. With Ashley's help I had an amazing natural birth.  I can't recommend her enough!

 Working with Ashley was absolutely wonderful! I initially contacted her because I wanted to avoid having a C-section and was overall very worried about giving birth as I was pregnant with my first child. Ashley was very reassuring and recommended several books to help me with my nervousness about giving birth. My husband and I decided to try go for an un-medicated birth in a hospital. I went into labor 2.5 weeks early and contacted Ashley as soon as my doctor recommended that I be admitted into the hospital. She arrived shortly and was very encouraging as I progressed throughout the day. When the contractions began getting stronger and I wasn't sure if I could continue, she was there to help guide me and my husband on different techniques, which really helped! Unfortunately, my labor lasted a very long time and I decided I needed to get an epidural in order to continue. Ashley was very supportive even though I felt disappointed in myself. My birth plan really went out the window when I ended up having a C-section after a failed vacuum assist delivery x 3. I was so exhausted and devastated as they prepped me for surgery. Ashley was there to remind me that although things had not gone as planned (when do they ever?) I was about to meet my son! I was terrified and exhausted but Ashley stayed with me and my husband throughout the surgery and was very reassuring, which is what I desperately needed. My son had to go to the NICU and my husband didn't have to choose whether or not to go or stay with me. He was able to stay with our son while Ashley stayed with me as they finished the surgery. She was a champion for me! I was admitted into the hospital on a Monday morning but didn't have my son until 4:32 AM on Tuesday and Ashley was there to support me! I would recommend her to anyone ... it doesn't matter what your birth plan is or if you have one at all. Having her support helped me to look back on my son's birth as a positive experience.

 I met Ashley at a meet the doulas event put on by birth matters. This was to be my 2nd birth and a VBAC was our goal. Ashley's sweet spirit,bubbley personality and experience really stood out to me. Upon speaking with Ashley I felt like she was definitely "the one" I felt like my husband and I should interview a few doulas just to be sure.  After a few meetings with various doulas, we met with Ashley. As soon as she left our home my husband and I looked at each other and said, let's call her right now! (shed only gotten a few blocks down the street) and "hire" her!  Ashley was available by phone or email with any questions or concerns I had.  She also has a great resource library available for client use.  We had our prenatal appt with Ashley and we also paid for an additional private birth prep class with Ashley. On the weeks and days that preceded our birth, Ashley would check in on us. Our little guy ended up being 10 says passed due and when he finally decided to come we labored at home for as long as possible, i checked in with Ashley frequently. We had Ashley meet us at the hospital, she was there right as we checked in! It was great to have Ashleys support and most of all her ability to enable my husband in the whole process. We felt very prepared and aware of all off our rights and options, thanks to Ashley's birth education class and the times we met with her.  We feel very blessed to have been able to have a successful VBAC and Ashley played a major role in getting us there! I would definitely recommend Ashley's services and would use her for future births.

 My husband and I decided to hire a doula for support for the birth of our son because we were new to the area and wanted to know that someone else would be helping us on the day of the birth.  We never imagined how beneficial Ashley would be to us as support before, during and after our son was born.  She helped us work through some fears that we had of the upcoming birth based on the birth experience of our daughter.  She pointed us toward plently of resourses to support our vision of the birth with evidence-base information.  She was able to help my husband be an active participant in the birth process, helping him to feel empowered to assist me and guide me through labor.  She was invaluable to me as a quiet, calm voice when my water broke before my labor began, which I was worried would lead to interventions I didn't want.  She knew just what to say and when to say it during active labor, transition and delivery to make me feel that I was in control of my body and what was happening, which took away my fear.  She helped me have the birth that I wanted for my second child, and the joy of that experience I will never forget.  She followed up with us with two postpartum visits to help us settle into life as an expanded family and helped to answer any questions or issues we had.  I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a doula to support them.

My experience with Ashley was great!  I hired Ashley as both a doula and a post-partem doula for the evenings/nights.  I told her in my initial visit that my previous baby was born prematurely, and combined with my 40-yr old age, I was very high risk.   She was ok with it all.  Ashley is so patient and wise.  She is a great listener and non-judgemental.  She will tell you what her educated-opinion is, but also take in your thoughts if they are different.  I like that she was always offering ideas and options to me.  My birth story turned out nothing like what I had planned (although he was full-term & healthy this time!) but we both rolled with the punches. We knew that I might have to have medical intervention, and I ended up with an emergency c-section.  However, knowing that we tried our best was all that I could ask for.  Also, even in the surgery room, it was great to have Ashley there to give me a play-by-play of what was going on, and how my baby was doing.  I couldn't see anything due to the surgery sheet on the table, and my husband was with the baby, so I was depending on Ashley to be my eyes & ears.  She communicated to me everything that was happening, and that my baby looked healthy!  She was so positive and supportive during the entire birth day.  I higly recommend her!

 A doula is really a blessing in the first place. I'm not sure how I would have endured this adventure without one. Ashley couldn't be a better person for the journey. She is a rare gem with a beautiful soul. From prenatal support and visits that keep you motivated and confident in developing your own unique birth plan to answering all the little nervous questions you have along the way, she helped this first time mama through and through. As bday grew closer and closer and unexpected hurdles like being almost two weeks overdue were thrown my way, she was always there to stay. During labor she was sensitively by my side as every curve ball possible was thrown my way. Being a supportive advocate for my decisions and helping me to understand my options like a breath of fresh air. Although some higher being had other ideas for my birth plan, she helped me after the birth to cope and understand that we had done everything we could. She did all this with the passion and dedication of a saint and it showed just how much she loves and connects with her work and her clients. My mother and I agree, Ashley was and continues to be the most amazing doula we could have ever chosen. We are forever grateful for her support and dedication to making this time the most personal, memorable and magical time in my life. Thank you so much Ashley! -Molly

 I found Ashley on a google search and emailed her a question about Doula services. We were only 8 weeks along at the time and our family didn't even know we were pregnant. We decided to meet with Ashley and we hired her right away. She was so informative and helpful and since we hired her so early, we had her advice and support throughout the entire pregnancy. As our daughter's due date came and went, Ashley was so encouraging and helpful during that stressful time. We really wanted a natural drug-free birth, but when some complications arose and we had to make the decision to use pitocin, Ashley was so helpful in our decision making process. She did a confernece call with us from the hospital with a friend who was familiar with induction techniques. We talked on the phone for an hour and it was very beneficial to our decision. Once labor started, Ashley got there quickly and was so supportive. She helped with techniques to deal with the pain and helped my husband know what to do as well. When the nurses wouldn't let me get into the tub, I told Ashley I needed the tub and Ashley made it happen! Even though we had to use induction medicine, Ashley's techniques and coaching helped us avoid an epidural and we were able to have the rest of our birth experience drug-free. After our little girl was born, Ashley stayed with us for almost 2 hours to make sure that everything was settled, she also took our placenta to her house since we couldn't get home to put in our freezer and then brought it to us once we arrived home from the hospital. Ashley visited us the day after we got home and was so helpful in giving us suggestions on how to take care of a newborn. Ashley is still available to for questions and is constantly checking in on us. Ashley has become a friend and I miss seeing her! I'm looking forward to a continued friendship and obviously hiring her again for future children!

 We met Ashley at a "Meet the Doula Night" hosted by Franklin Goose when I was 33 1/2 weeks pregnant.  My husband and I were progressively feeling uncomfortable with our choice of provider and birth place.  When we met Ashley, she helped us to realize all the options we had and told us about the Complete Care Birthing Center.  We went home that night and started formulating an entirely new birth plan and within 2 days I had fired my OB and hired Dr Diaz and her group at the CCBC, and of course Ashley too. :)  

Ashley continued to enlighten us with all the joys of natural birth and really made us feel confident that we could do it.  She met with us in our home several times before the birth, even offering a class on newborn care since we would be bringing our baby girl home the same day she was born.  She was always available by email or phone or text to answer any questions I came up with, no matter how silly.  At 5:00am the morning of the birth, I was texting Ashley with a play-by-play and she was right there encouraging/comforting me.  Original plan was for her to come to the house and help us labor at home; but Baby Rylee had other plans, so she met us at the Birthing Center.  She was a huge support to both my husband and myself throughout the labor, delivery and postpartum.  Lending words of encouragement and pain-relieving massages in just the right places, Ashley was a critical part of our birth team.  A few days after the birth, she visited us again at home where we all sat down and relived the joy of Rylee's birth.  She continues to be available for any questions/concerns we have.  We consider her a friend, and I hope she does too. :)

As a first time pregnant single mom, I knew I needed a doula in order to achieve the unmedicated birth I wanted to have.  I interviewed several doulas and was disappointed by their judgements on my care provider and the hospital I would deliver at; needless to say the negativity is not something I expected to encounter and was very disheartened. Thankfully I happened upon Ashley's website and set up a time to meet with her.  I instantly felt at ease and Ashley was completely supportive.  Ashley has a calm and supportive nature and she was quick to answer all my crazy first time mom panicked emails/calls/texts through out my pregnancy.  More importantly she was invaluable in my 24 hour labor and 3 hours of pushing keeping me focused, calm, and giving me constant support reinforcing I could do it.   When the it was obvious I was going to need a c-section; I was able to handle the change in plans because I knew with Ashley's help I had tried everything that could be tried to have my son naturally.  When my son had some medical issues after birth, Ashley checked in regularly to see if we needed anything.  It was a blessing to have found Ashley and am grateful for her support during my pregnancy and birth.

Ashley unexpectedly joined our birth team about two weeks before our due date when we discovered that our chosen doula would possibly be unavailable near our due date. When we met Ashley at one of our centering classes, my husband and I immediately felt comfortable with her.
When my labor began, my husband called Ashley's cell and she encouraged him right away and calmed him down. She instructed us to "continue doing your normal routine until you can't do it anymore." Having never labored at home before, her advice comforted us and helped us to continue to tend to the immediate needs of our two-year-old twin sons. When we reached the point where I could no longer tolerate the pressure on my own, my husband called Ashley again. Before I could blink, she was in our home, rubbing my back, guiding my husband to speak encouraging, soothing words to me. Ashley gave me gentle nudges to guide me into more comfortable positions each time the pressure seemed "too much" for me to handle. Ashley supported my back and hips, swaying with me, and guiding my husband into supportive positions. When she saw me begin to transition, Ashley instructed us to start for the hospital. She met us there and made sure that the nurses and care team knew my preferences. She even "held her own" against a nurse who tried to bully me into getting an IV. Each time I felt like giving in and getting an intervention, Ashley’s soothing voice would remind me of my wishes to bring my daughter into the world naturally. Without Ashley's guidance and support, we wouldn't have been strong enough to persevere and enjoy a natural birth. The experience that Ashley provided for us helped me to heal from my traumatic first delivery and gave me a sense of self-awe and respect. This redeeming birth experience taught me that I am stronger than I ever imagined I could be.
 

 When I got pregnant, I refused to even think about the birth, I was so terrified. I hate hospitals, needles, and was petrified of the possibility of having a C-Section. When I was ready, I read everything I could to figure out how I could avoid one. Seemed like natural birth with a doula was my best shot.

Ashley put me at ease and was available for me emotionally before, during, and after the birth. She incorporated my husband beautifully and kept my anxiety at bay. I ended up having Charlie in 1.5 hours, and Ashley came immediately to my house, recognized "transition," and rushed to the hospital with us.

The birth was extremely fast and I lost a lot of blood afterwards, but I remember Ashley being there with things I needed--water, helping me to breastfeed immediately, having a stick of honey available. I found out later she had taken some fantastic pictures as well. Since my memory is so hazy of the labor and delivery, those pictures are precious to us.

I am so grateful for Ashley's emotional support throughout this process. Even though the birth was extremely fast and no one had time to read a birth plan, I felt that my birth plan was followed and respected. I had no worries with Ashley there. This wimp made it through natural child birth!!!

Ashley was our Birth Doula beginning just a couple weeks prior to the delivery through the actual birth. She signed on after our initial Doula had to cancel due to unavoidable personal issues.

Early in the process leading toward the delivery, Ashley visited our home to provide consultation. During the delivery, she provided labor and birthing support. She also offered exceptional post-partum care. (She even did the dishes!)

Without Ashley’s support, one of the most miraculous events of our life together would not have been possible. The overall experience was, at once, stress-free, natural, joyful and unexpectedly intimate. Ashley was an outstanding advocate for us with our families, the doctors and the nursing staff, helping to ensure we received the birth experience we wanted. Her knowledge of various positions to help manage labor pain and optimize the effectiveness of each contraction was excellent. Our daughter was born OP, so the laboring process was intensive and very trying (to say the least) for my wife, but Ashley helped talk us through it and provide physical/emotional support. Additionally, Ashley’s services exceeded by far those originally discussed, including staying with my wife at the hospital post-partum for approximately four hours and following up with her at home after being discharged.

Before this experience, I had never before heard the term “Doula.” I met the description of the function with a significant amount of skepticism. However, after witnessing the positive effects for my wife and our daughter resulting from the services of a professional Doula, I would now highly recommend a Doula to anyone choosing the course of natural childbirth; especially Ashley Larsen.

 I cannot express how much having Ashley attend our daughter's birth means to my family and I. From the moment we met, she set my mind at ease and carried an air of peace and calm with her.

She was available via text, phone and email prior to going into labor.

When it was time to go to the hospital, Ashley met my husband and I there. She guided us through techniques to get contractions to begin so that I could avoid pitocin. When the labor pains began, Ashley was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of a medication-free birth. She provided encouragement and support to my husband and I.

While laboring in the shower, Ashley used massage and essential oils to help with the pain. She got soaking wet in the process - she wasn't afraid of getting wet to help me.

She guided me into different laboring positions to assist in bringing my baby down the birth canal, using gravity to our advantage. When the worst of the pain hit, Ashley never left my side. She kept telling me I could do it, and where to put my energy. She was able to redirect me when I felt like I couldn't go on, and she gave me strength to keep going.

My OB mentioned an intervention, and Ashley immediately advocated for me in requesting that we try another position first.

After the birth of my daughter, she stayed with me in the recovery room, even though she didn't have to. She waited for the nursing staff to change shifts, and assisted me with my first shower. She went to the post-partum room with me and waited for the nursery staff to bring the baby to me - none of which she had to do.

I would 100% without a doubt recommend her to anyone that is expecting. She did an amazing job, and my husband and I are immensely grateful to her for all that she has done for us.

My birth experience was amazing. Ashley did a wonderful job. I truly don’t think it would have gone the way it did without her. She helps you through everything. She gives you ways to help with contractions and lets you do what feels right. Like while I was in labor I liked using the birthing ball while someone massaged my lower back, walking up and down the hall ways till I just couldn’t walk any more, dancing with my significant other, and my most favorite was being in the hot shower. I used so many towels and blankets, because every time I got in I soaked the floor. There was one point in my labor Ashley said I was sleeping in the bathroom floor and her and my significant other didn’t want to move so their shoes would squeak. Between the doctors and Ashley they all have their favorite moments of my birth some are a little much to be saying here, but I’m sure Ashley will tell you. She did such an amazing job that if or when I have another child I will ask her to be my doula again. Also most people my age don’t have a natural birth like I did. I’m only 20 years old and did the whole thing with no intervention. The only thing the doctors did for me was when I got fully to 8cm they broke my water for me. BIG THANKS TO AHSLEY AND THE STAFF AT CJW MEDICAL CENTER WITHOUT THEM MY BIRTH WOULDN’T HAVE THE WAY IT DID.
THANKS,
Lea