Website: www.gaiabirth.com Phone: (651) 528-0727 Type of Practice: Solo practice Clients per Month: to 2 Birth Doula Experience: 1 years and 9 births attended Area of practice: Inver Grove Heights, MN Travel range: 15 miles Travel comments/restrictions: Languages spoken:
Working towards certification Specific certifications for the above: I am in the process of becoming a certified doula (CD) through DONA.
Childbirth Educator Certifications
ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association)
Lamaze International
I am in the process of becoming certified through lamaze and ICEA.
College Education
BA/BS
Specialized training or previous experience:
VBAC
LGBTQ Families
Expected stillbirth
Cesarean birth
Special services available:
Babywearing education
Reduced rates for military members/spouses
Miscarriage Support (Before, During or After)
Relevant volunteer or advocacy work: Woodwinds Hospital Volunteer Doula, Operation Special Delivery Volunteer
Attends hospital births? All Hospitals In the case of a c-section, if hospital policy allows, I can accompany you into the operating room and stay with you to provide support so your partner can stay with the baby afterward. In the case of a planned c-section due to medical need I am available to provide support at a reduced cost. Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers Attends home births? Any Home Birth
Birth doula fee: $400 to $500 Fee details: Please see my website for specific information on fees.
Client Testimonials for Ashley Ashbacher
Sarah Gibson
Our first daughter was born via scheduled c-section because of a heart defect she had. When we got pregnant with our second daughter, I knew I didn't want to have another c-section, I wanted a VBAC. With the research I had done, I found that births with a doula present had lower c-section rates. So I very much wanted that support person. Ashley was that perfect match for us with her passion for supporting mothers who want a VBAC. She helped me in getting my labor to progress naturally, and supported my decision to get an epidural when I because delirious and exhausted (I had been in early labor for 4 days and not slept much during that time). With her there, my husband was able to bring up our bags without leaving me alone, and take short breaks. She helped him support me and make me as comfortable as I could be in labor. At our postpartum visit she showed us how to use the Moby wrap to "wear" our daughter, and she loves it (makes her so much less fussy)! I would definitely recommend Ashley to anyone looking for a doula, especially those women who are looking to have a VBAC.
Posted 9/6/2011
Jenna Kelly
My husband and I recently celebrated the birth of our first son and Ashley was there to encourage us every step of the way. Her prenatal visits were helpful and enlightening as she guided us through our birth plan, encouragement for our plan on a natural delivery and education on laboring positions and pushing to ensure a successful delivery! Her presence in the hospital was helpful to us as well as she was a support to, not only myself, but to my husband as well. She assisted us in clearly communciating to the medical staff what our plans were and how we desired for things to go. It was also really nice having her visit us in our home 2 weeks after the birth to check on both the baby and myself, physically and emotionally. Overall, we had a great experience with Ashely and would recommend her services to any family anticipating the birth of their child.
Our first daughter was born via scheduled c-section because of a heart defect she had. When we got pregnant with our second daughter, I knew I didn't want to have another c-section, I wanted a VBAC. With the research I had done, I found that births with a doula present had lower c-section rates. So I very much wanted that support person. Ashley was that perfect match for us with her passion for supporting mothers who want a VBAC. She helped me in getting my labor to progress naturally, and supported my decision to get an epidural when I because delirious and exhausted (I had been in early labor for 4 days and not slept much during that time). With her there, my husband was able to bring up our bags without leaving me alone, and take short breaks. She helped him support me and make me as comfortable as I could be in labor. At our postpartum visit she showed us how to use the Moby wrap to "wear" our daughter, and she loves it (makes her so much less fussy)! I would definitely recommend Ashley to anyone looking for a doula, especially those women who are looking to have a VBAC.